Kerala CM Shaji N. Karun: Icon of World Cinema

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hailed Shaji N. Karun as an icon of world cinema.

In a condolence message, Mr. Vijayan said Mr. Karun’s works brought national and international recognition to Malayalam cinema.

He said Mr. Karun was known for his exquisite frames, which captured the theatrical moment. Mr. Karun was also an expert in the technical aspects of cinematography, editing, and picturisation.

Mr. Karun was a pioneer of the new wave that swept through Malayalam cinema in the 1970s. His work, “Piravi,” immortalised the anguish of a father (Eachara Warrier) who lost his son (Rajan) to state-sponsored terror during the Emergency.

Mr. Vijayan said Mr. Karun’s movies were political. As a moviemaker, Mr. Karun was a standard bearer of progressive politics and humanism. Mr. Karun was a staunch Leftist, he said.

Mr. Vijayan remembered Mr. Karun’s contributions as the president of the Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham. His passing away is a loss for Kerala, Mr. Vijayan said.

Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan noted that the late cinematographer had created a niche in world cinema.

Mr. Satheesan said Mr. Karun could accurately translate the cinematic tales of world-renowned director Aravindan into celluloid. Mr. Karun could read Aravindan’s mind when wielding the camera, he added.

He said Mr. Karun shirked the trappings of commercial cinema for art. The curators of the Cannes Film Festival selected his movies, including “Piravi,” “Swam,” and “Vanaprastha,” for competition and screening.