Renowned director and actor of Tollywood Kasinathuni Viswanath popular as K Vishwanath maker of Shankarabharanam is going to be conferred Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2016.
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 (Golden Lotus), a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh and a shawl. The award shall be conferred by the President of India at a function on May 3 at Vigyan Bhawan.
A presenter of classical and traditional art, music and dance, K Viswanath has been a guiding force in the Indian film industry. As a director he has made fifty films since 1965 known for their strong content, endearing narrative, honest handling and cultural authenticity. His films on a wide range of social and human issues had great appeal to the masses.
K Viswanath made a series of films based on varied themes of art, music and dance. His films empathised with courage and frailty, aspirations and convictions, perseverance and distractions, social demands and individual struggle and at the core, believed in the goodness of the human spirit.
Vishwanaths contributions have received recognition in the form of the Padmashri Award in 1992 by the Government of India for his contribution to filmmaking. He has also been awarded 5 National Awards, 20 Nandi Awards , 10 Filmfare Awards including Lifetime Achievement Award. His National Award-winning film Swati Mutyam was India’s official entry to the 59th Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Film category.Sagarasangamam, Swathi Mutyam, Swarnakamalam, Swayamkrushi, Sirivennala are some of his best movies.
