CHENNAI: Acclaimed filmmaker and cinematographer Santosh Sivan has become a member of the prestigious American Society of Cinematographers, making him the first Indian visual artist to be given the honour. The society, which allows membership only by invitation, has added him as a member after his name was recommended by cinematographer Michael Chapman, who has worked with the likes of Martin Scorsese in Taxi Driver and Raging Bull.Confirming the news, an elated Santosh Sivan from Mumbai told Express he had been inducted in the society after a rigorous selection process which included three members of the society sponsoring him, and 30 others accepting the proposal. “It gives me a lot of happiness that my visual art has found acceptance by over 30 of the world’s best known visual artists. This society recognises creators, not imitators.” His membership was sponsored by cinematographers Chapman, Gabriel Beristain and Theo Van de Sande.Sivan explained that Chapman, whom he doesn’t know, used clippings from his movies The Terrorist and Before the Rains to illustrate certain cinematography techniques while conducting workshops. “Unfortunately, till now, no cinematographer from South Asia has become a member of the society,” he said. Three years ago, the filmmaker was honoured by the Japanese Association of Cinematographers. Sivan is the director of photography for several popular movies like Roja, Iruvar, Vanaprastham, Fiza, Ravanan, apart from directing movies including Urumi, Asoka, The Terrorist and Malli. He is the recipient of six national awards.
Comments
0 comment