Navroze contractor DOP!

Noted Cinematographer Navroze Contractor Killed in Accident; A Look at his Creative Legacy

Navroze’s contributions to the documentary landscape in India and beyond have left an indelible mark.

Navroze Contractor, a prolific and celebrated figure in the world of cinematography, photography, and storytelling, tragically passed away in a road accident on Sunday, June 18.

At the age of 80, his life was abruptly cut short near Hosur, while he was enjoying a leisurely ride on his beloved sports bike with his friends when another bike hit him, The Hindu reported.

Navroze’s contributions to the documentary landscape in India and beyond have left an indelible mark. Revered for his artistry and vision, his cinematographic talents made a mark through numerous award-winning feature films and documentaries. Noteworthy among his portfolio are works such as Mani Kaul’s Duvidha, Pervez Merwanji’s Percy, Sanjiv Shah’s Love in the Time of Malaria, Pattabhi Rama Reddy’s Devarakadu, and Chetan Shah’s Frames, and so on.

In the realm of documentaries, Navroze skillfully captured the essence of films such as George Luneau’s Ballad of Pabu, Pierre Hoffmann’ s Dreams of the Dragon’s Children, Martha Stewart’s Are you listening?, Ketan Mehta’s All in the Family, and Chetan Shah’s The Open Frame.

Moreover, he had the opportunity to explore his directorial prowess in two cherished documentaries – Bharat Parikrama, chronicling his captivating circumnavigation of India alongside fellow motorcycle enthusiasts, and Jhadu Katha, an insightful exploration of the humble broom and its cultural significance.

Beyond his mastery behind the lens, Navroze’s creative genius extended to the realm of photography. His captivating images, skillfully captured, earned him a place of distinction in esteemed collections such as the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC, which proudly housed his evocative photographs depicting the world of jazz musicians. Additionally, his striking portraits of artist Bhupen Khakhar found a cherished place in the Tate Modern in London.

Navroze’s talent was not limited to visual storytelling alone; his eloquent prose appeared in the pages of publications, such as, CAR India/BIKE India, Zigwheels, Overdrive, Wheels Unplugged, and Fast Bikes. It was within the pages of his first book, ‘The Dreams of the Dragon’s Children,’ that he skillfully recounted his enriching experiences while immersed in the world of Chinese filmmaking during the year 1984. Throughout his life, Navroze was also an unwavering advocate for road safety, using his influence to create awareness and prevent tragic accidents on the roads.

Navroze’s formative years were spent in Ahmedabad, where he nurtured his passion for painting and photography while in school. His pursuit of the arts led him to obtain a BA (Fine Arts) degree in painting and photography from MS University in Baroda. He also studies at the esteemed Film and Television Institute of India in Pune, where he honed his skills in direction and cinematography.

Seeking to push boundaries, Navroze sought guidance from the legendary Laszlo Kovacs in the United States to further refine his craft in advanced cinematography. He also studied under the renowned Bhupendra Karia, deepening his understanding and mastery of the art of photography.

multi award-winning cinematographer and photographer. Among his works are the documentary film Bharat Parikrama about his circumnavigation of India on his motorcycle in 2005. He also rode from India to England three times in the 1960s and undertook a journey to the Himalayas in 1974, aboard his 1956 BSA Goldstar.

A multi-talented man with a long and diverse career, Contractor photographed Grand Prix races in Europe in the 1960s and 1970s, and wrote a book, The Dreams of the Dragon’s Children, about his filmmaking experiences in China in 1984. A long-time jazz aficionado, his photographs of jazz musicians are part of the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC, while his pictures of artist Bhupen Khakhar are part of the collection at the Tate Modern in London.

Article by

CJ Rajkumar

Author/ Cinematographer