P. S. Nivas

P. S. Nivas Biography

P. S. Nivas is a National award winning cinematographer of south Indian cinema. He has also directed and produced a few movies too. In 1976, he received National award for best cinematographer for his work for Malayalam movie – Mohiniyattam. He originally belongs to Kozhikode, Kerala and has worked in all south Indian languages equally. He has also worked with a few Hindi film directors as a cinematographer.

After graduation from the St. Joseph's College, Devagiri, Kozhikode, he took Diploma in Film Technology From Institute of film Technology, Adayar. Then he joined film industry as an operative camera man in the early 1970s. Kuttyedathi (1971), Mappusakshi (1972), Chembarathi (1972) and Swapnam (1973) are among his noted works as an assistant cameraman. Sathyathinte Nizhalil marked his career beginning as an independent camera man. He got the first recognition as a cinematographer through Mohiniyattom which helped him to bag a National award. He also won Kerala Film Fans Association award – 1977.

Nivas’ first Tamil movie was Bharathiraja’s 16 vayathinile through which he marked his successful beginning as a cinematographer. This highly acclaimed movie proved to be his big break to Tamil film industry. Salangai Oli – another Kamal Hassan movie is also one of his amazing camera works. Sigappu Rojakkal, Thanikattu Raja, Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu, Puthiya Vaarpugal, Kizhake Pogum Rail, Niram Maaratha Pookkal, Kallukkul Eeram and Enakkaga Kaathiru are a few more noted Tamil movies.

He also directed a few Tamil movies like Kallukkul Eeram, Enakkaga Kaathiru, Nizhal Thedum Nenjangal and Sevvanthi. His break to Telugu film industry was through 1977 movie - Vayasu Pilichindi followed by Nimajjanam. When the thriller - Sigappu Rojakkal was remade to Hindi with Rajesh Khanna in the main lead, Nivas did its cinematography as well. The movie titled Red Rose was a huge hit.  He also worked in the Hindi remake of Pathinaru Vayathinile titled Solva Sawan. The movie marked the debut of Sridevi in Hindi movies.

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Updated: July 23, 2014