Robert Asirvatham : Cinematographer with Great mind.

Shri. Robert Asirvatham is a film maker who set important benchmarks in Tamil Industry. He was cinematographer alongside with his friend Rajasekar and Directed important films that changed the face of Tamil Cinema. Robert Asirvatham began his career by being the part of the teaching faculty at the Government Institute of Film Technology, Chennai. Some of the eminent and remarkable Cinematographers came out from his guidance and teaching , prominent among them is National Award Winner P.C.Sreeram.

Robert sir finished his B.Sc.(Physics) Degree course in the year 1970 from Pachaiyappa’s college, Madras. Then, after a year, he went on to study Diploma course in Cinematography from the Film and Television Institute of Tamilnadu Tharamani, Madras. Today the same institution is called as M.G.R.Film and Television Institute of Tamilnadu, Tharamani, Chennai. After the completion of the course, he worked in Archaeology Department of Tamilnadu as a Photographer for three months. Later  joined the Film institute as a faculty teaching Cinematography (Demonstrator) and worked there for three years.

Then, started to work as a Cameraman in the Film Industry from the year 1978. S.Rajasekaran, his  class mate in the film institute joined with Robert sir as partner. Working together with some of his friends, he jointly Produced a Film titled “Kudisai” in Black and White. It had a very good response from the audience as well as press and it paved way for making Independent films in Tamil. In Kudisai which is made in a shoe string budget, Robert sir used ambient light as the main source and used Single 1kw tungten light to fill purpose. To create camera movement he relayed on cycle moved it to replicate Trolley and used bullock cart arm as Crane Movement.

Then he went on to do cinematography for few films and the striking one was ‘Oru Thalai Ragam’. The movie known as one of the  best love stories that went on to become a major trendsetter. Robert Rajasekar’s visuals were the highlight of the film.  It had railway station as backdrop throughout the film. The frames had some great visual components from that backdrop that was never seen before in Tamil Cinema and the duo  started to Direct films like Palaivanacholai, Kalyanakalam, Dhooram Adhikamillai, Chinna Poove Mella Pesu, Paravaigal Palavidham and Manasukkul Mathappoo are some of the films popularly known to then audience. Incidentally Rajasekar went on to become an actor and Robert continued with Cinematography and photographed films like Pudhiya Sarithiram, Maya Bazar 1995, Irattairoja, Dancer.

Robert Asirvatham sir has also served as the Vice President at SICA (Southern India Cinematographers Association).  He was instrumental in shaping up educational process at SICA.

Robert had his hand on Black white to Color Cinematography in film and then he went on to handle Digital Cinema Cameras.

He was Producing and Directing Documentary films for both State and Central Government Organisations.

Ace cinematographer Robert Asirvatham passed away  due to illness at SRM  hospital on 30/11.2108. He was 68 years old.

His last rites were held at his Kolathur residence Chennai  on 1st December attended by  SICA President P.C.Sreeram, General Secretary B.Kannan, Treasurer Ramanath Shetty  along with SICA members.

P.C.Sreeram fondly remembers  Robert Sir as teacher from his Film Institute days, expressed that his contribution to Tamil Film Cinematography and SICA will always be treasured.

B.Kannan said that Robert sir encouraged many to become cinematographers who made big mark  in the film Industry.

SICA bids adieu to this great technician.

CJ Rajkumar

Author/Cinematographer