Balu Mahendra - Visual Story Teller

Legendary director and cinematographer Balu Mahendra passed away Today.

He directed path breaking movies like 'kokila' 'Azhiyatha Kolangal', 'Moondram Pirai', 'Moodu Pani','Veedu', 'Santhiya Ragam' and 'Vanna Vanna Pookal','Sathi Leelavathi' and others.

His masterpiece ‘Moondram Pirai’ [Sadma] in 1983 fetched him the national award for best cinematography, and also won Kamal Haasan his first national award for acting. 

He was one of the best cinematographer in the industry. His films were known for their breathtaking visuals. He is known for his style of visual story telling.

He has worked as a cinematographer for the first film of many outstanding directors. He was with Bharathan when he directed 'Prayanam'. Again he joined hands with Manirathan for his first film 'Pallavi Anupallavi' in Kannada. Director Mahendran’s debut 'Mullum Malarum' and K. Viswanath’s 'Sankarabharanam'had Balu Mahendra as the cinematographer

He left a everlasting impact on the new generation of directors like Bala, Vetrimaran, Ameer, Cheran and others who consider themselves as pupils of Balu Mahenrda.Many assistant directors learnt their craft from Mahendra at his film school in Saligramam called “Cinema Pattarai”.

Balu  Mahendra was born in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka on 20 May 1939 to a Sri Lankan Tamil family. His father was a professor. Balu Mahendra completed his schooling at St. Michael's College, Batticaloa At the age of 13, he got an opportunity to watch David Lean's making of The Bridge on the River Kwai during a school field trip in Sri Lanka.

Balu Mahendra joined the London University and completed a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree,after which he joined the FTII, Pune pursuing a course in cinematography and passed out with a gold medal from the institute and started his film career as a cameraman for the Malayalam film Nellu in 1971.

His first directorial venture was a Kannada film 'Kokila' starring Kamal Haasan, Mohan and Shoba.
His first Tamil film was 'Azhiyatha Kolangal'.

His last movie was 'Thalaimuraigal' [ 2013]  which he directed and acted as well.

Balu Mahendra was admitted to Vijaya Hospital, Chennai on Thursday morning, where he died following cardiac arrest. He was 75 and is survived by his wife and son. 

His contribution to Indian cinema will never be forgotten. His legacy will live on.