Disheartening news of well-known veteran documentary filmmaker S Krishnaswamy’s death surfaced this morning. The renowned personality took his last breath in Chennai; he was 87 years old at the time of his passing. He passed away due to some heart-related unease, which happened at the City Hospital, according to the reports.
With the passing of S Krishnaswamy, he leaves behind a legacy, having carved a niche in India’s non-fiction cinema. He was the most influential figure, and his documentaries delved into the country’s political, cultural, and historical aspects in depth. The filmmaker was appreciated for his work, driven by strong research and global availability, which helped his narratives reach audiences beyond India.
S Krishnaswamy’s filmmaking journey began after he returned to Indian from pursuing his education in Columbia. He founded Krishnaswamy Associates and started documentary filmmaking, which shaped India’s non-fiction cinema. He has produced over 900 documentaries and has been honoured globally for his work in documentary filmmaking.
His most famous documentary is Indus Valley to Indira Gandhi. Besides this, he has also given his best works, including Unknown Freedom Fighters, Rajaji, Kamaraj, With Apologies to Tagore, Jaya Jaya Sankara, Reality Behind Religion, and others. In the year 2009, he was awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution to documentary cinema.
S Krishnaswamy was survived by his wife, Mohana Krishnaswamy, and his children, Latha Krishna, Gita Krishnaraj, and Bharat Krishna.
We send our heartfelt condolences to the family and the grieving.
