Renowned filmmaker Shaji N Karun has been awarded the prestigious J C Daniel Award for 2023 in recognition of his extraordinary lifetime contributions to Malayalam cinema. The award, conferred by the Kerala State Government, is the highest honor in the Malayalam film industry. It includes a cash prize of ₹5 lakh, a citation, and a sculpture.
Highlights of the Award
- Selection Process:
- Announced by Kerala’s Minister for Cultural Affairs and Cinema, Saji Cherian.
- A jury chaired by filmmaker T V Chandran, with playback singer K S Chithra and actor Vijayaraghavan as members, selected Shaji for the honor.
- Jury Remarks:
- The jury highlighted Shaji’s significant contributions to new wave cinema in Malayalam and his ability to bring the industry to national and international platforms.
- They lauded his work as a cinematographer and a director, emphasizing his innovative storytelling and visual style.
Shaji N Karun’s Contributions to Cinema
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- Early Career:
- Born in 1952 in Kollam, Kerala.
- Graduated from University College, Thiruvananthapuram and obtained a diploma in cinematography from the Pune Film Institute in 1974.
- Played a pivotal role in the formation of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation in 1975.
- As a Cinematographer:
- Collaborated with legendary filmmaker G Aravindan on over 40 films.
- Won the National Award for Best Cinematographer and three Kerala State Awards for his work behind the camera.
- As a Director:
- Made his directorial debut with ‘Piravi’ (1988), which won 31 awards and was showcased at over 70 film festivals worldwide.
- Films like ‘Swam’ (nominated for the Palme d’Or at Cannes) and ‘Vanaprastham’ (screened at Cannes) earned him international acclaim.
- Other notable works include ‘Kutty Srank,’ ‘Swapaanam,’ ‘Nishad,’ and ‘Oolu.’
- Awards and Honors:
- Seven National Awards and seven Kerala State Film Awards.
- Honored with The Order of Arts and Letters by the French government.
- Conferred the Padma Shri by the Indian government for his contributions to arts and culture.
Significance of the Award
The J C Daniel Award celebrates Shaji N Karun’s unique role in shaping the modern identity of Malayalam cinema. His works have not only elevated regional cinema to global platforms but also inspired a generation of filmmakers with their profound storytelling and visual artistry.
