Shri
K. Balachander,
the veteran film maker, has been conferred the Dadasaheb
Phalke Award for the year 2010. The award is conferred by the Government of
India for outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian
Cinema. The award consists of a Swarn Kamal, a cash prize of
Rs.10 lakhs and a shawl. The award is given on the
recommendations of a committee of eminent persons.
Shri K. Balachander has been film director, screen play writer and
producer for more than 45 years. He has
written, directed and produced more than 100 films in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and
Kannada. Shri Balachander
is known for his distinct film-making style.
The films he scripts and directs analyze unusual or complicated
inter-personal relationships and social themes.
Shri Balachander has the uncanny knack of
spotting talent. He has been responsible
for bringing into limelight many stars of the present day, including Rajnikanth, Kamal Haasan, Prakashraaj and Vivek.
Born in Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu in July 1930, Shri Balachander came into prominence as a playwright with his
dynamic plays like ‘Major Chandrakanth’, ‘Server Sundaram’, ‘Naanal’ and ‘Neerkumizhi’. These
plays enjoyed huge popular and critical acclaim.
He entered the film
industry in 1965 and shot into fame with his very first film ‘Neerkumizhi’ starring Nagesh. Since then he has directed and produced a
number of movies which have won many National Awards, awards from the State Govts. and other
organizations. Some of the prominent
films he has directed include ‘Apoorva Raagagal’, ‘Avargal’ ’47 Natkal’, ‘Sindhu Bhairavi, ‘Ek Duuje Ke Liye’
(Hindi), ‘Maro Charithra,
and ‘Rudraveena’ in Teluguand
‘Bekiyalli Aralida Hoovu, in Kannada.
For the last few
years, Shri Balachander has also turned his attention
to the small screen and has brought to it the same perfection and intensity
that he exhibited on the big screen.
He was conferred the Padma Shri in 1987 and was honoured
with the title ‘Kalaimamani’ by the Tamil Nadu
Government in 1973. He has also won the Golden Nandi award and Silver Nandi
awards from Govt of Andhra Pradesh and has also won
the Filmfare award as Best Director numerous times.
Some of the films of
K. Balachander which have won National Film Awards
are:
|
Year
|
Film
|
Category
|
|
1969
|
Iru Kodugal
|
National Film Award for Best
Feature in Tamil
|
|
1975
|
Apporva Raagangal
|
National Film Award for Best
Feature in Tamil
|
|
1981
|
Thaneer Thaneer
|
National Film Award for Best
Feature in Tamil and for Best Screenplay
|
|
1984
|
Achamillai Achamillai
|
National Film Award for Best
Feature in Tamil
|
|
1988
|
Rudraveena(Telugu)
|
Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration.
|
|
1991
|
Oru Veedu Iru Vaasal(Tamil)
|
National Film Award for Best
Film On other Social Issues.
|
CP/ST