C.J. Rajkumar Cinematographer / Author


C.J. Rajkumar is a distinguished cinematographer and author in the Tamil film industry. He served as Mentor for Cinematography Department at leading film academies in Chennai and continues to contribute technical articles regularly for the Southern Indian Cinematographers' Association (SICA) website.

Rajkumar is the author of 11 groundbreaking books on cinematography, including the first-ever in Tamil, making the craft accessible to aspiring filmmakers across linguistic divides. His works have provided invaluable insights into the art and technology of cinematography.

His expertise extends beyond literature; Rajkumar has been the cinematographer for 15 films and numerous short films. Notably, his short films have been showcased at prestigious international platforms like the Berlin Film Festival, earning critical acclaim and solidifying his reputation as a visual storyteller.

Rajkumar is also a dedicated educator, sharing his knowledge with future generations of filmmakers. His contributions to SICA's website are a testament to his commitment to the industry.

More than just a cinematographer, Rajkumar is an artist, pioneer, and mentor. His dedication to his craft and commitment to sharing his knowledge make him an invaluable asset to the film community.

Literary Works Rajkumar's books are not just collections of words but journeys into the heart of cinema. He is the first person to write a book on Cinematography Technology in Tamil, Asaiyum Padam, a pioneering work in the Indian film industry.

Books:

1. Asaiyum Padam (Tamil)

2. Pixel (Tamil)

3. Pixel (English)

4. Click (Tamil)

5. Oli Oviyam (Tamil)

6. Thisai Oli (Tamil)

7. Camera Kangal (Tamil)

8. Oru Thuli Natchathiram (Tamil)

9. Focus (Tamil)

10. Digital Nirangal (Tamil)

11. Digital Hues (English)

12. Binary Images (English)

His books have received praise from industry legends like Balu Mahendra, who incorporated Pixel into his film institute's syllabus, P.C. Sreeram, who lauded Oli Oviyam and Thisai Oli as significant contributions, and Santosh Sivan, who praised Binary Images as essential reading for cinematographers. P.C. Sreeram's inspiration also led Rajkumar to write Digital Hues, a book on color grading.

Short Films

1. Aayeesha – Winner of various international awards including MIFF 2002 Best Short Film.

2. A Mango Tree in the Front Yard – Selected for competition at the 59th Berlin International Film Festival and critically acclaimed worldwide.

3. The Backwaters – Award-winning short film in Malayalam featured in many international film festivals.

Feature Films

1. Kanavu Meippada Vendum (Tamil)

2. Mann (Tamil)

3. Important Portions in Periyar (Tamil)

4. Asthamanam (Tamil)

5. Perumaan (Tamil)

6. Panithuli (Tamil)

7. Ball Pen (Kannada)

8. Sattam Oru Iruttarai (Tamil)

9. Summa Nachunnu Irukku (Tamil)

10. Ponge Ezhu Manohara (Tamil)

11. 6 Athiyayam (Tamil)

12. Ainthu Unarvugal (Tamil)

Personal Life

- Wife: M. Raja Rajeswari - Children: R. Juhi - Date of Birth: October 14, 1969

Rajkumar is currently serving as the Director and Head of the Cinematography Department at Cinema Factory Academy. His contributions to theatre lighting as the director for Prasanna Ramaswamy's stage plays also showcase his versatility in the field of visual arts.



References

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