adminKUALA LUMPUR: National film figure and 2016 Merdeka Award recipient Tan Sri L Krishnan, who contributed greatly to the early development of the Malay film industry, died in Chiang Mai, Thailand yesterday at the age of 104.
The passing of the figure, who was also known as one of the pioneers of the Malay film industry, was confirmed by the Chief Executive Officer of the National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (FINAS), Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib.
According to information shared with him by the Malaysian Veteran Artists Foundation, Azmir said the deceased breathed his last at 2.15pm local time due to old age.
“He had been residing in Thailand for a long time after marrying his wife, who is a Thai citizen. Funeral arrangements for the deceased are currently in process,” he said when contacted by Bernama.
Krishnan previously received the 2016 Merdeka Award in the Outstanding Contribution to Education and Community category for his services in laying the foundation of Malaysia’s modern film industry and his important role in developing early acting talent, including the late national film icon Tan Sri P. Ramlee.
Krishnan, who was born in Madras, India in 1922 and raised in Penang, began his career in film after World War II before moving to Singapore in 1949 and working as a film director at Shaw Studio.
At Shaw Brothers, he played an important role in the development of P. Ramlee’s career and collaborated with a line of famous film professionals of that era such as Datuk Maria Menado, Kasma Booty and Datuk Mustapha Maarof.
Throughout his career, Krishnan directed over 30 films including works featuring P. Ramlee such as Bakti and Takdir Ilahi (1950 respectively), Penghidipan (1951) and Antara Senyum dan Tangis (1952).
He also explored the horror genre through Orang Lichin (1957), Orang Minyak (1958) and Serangan Orang Minyak (1959), in addition to producing works based on song, dance and drama formulas that were well received by audiences in that era.
After 11 years in Singapore, Krishnan then continued his career in Kuala Lumpur with Merdeka Studio and produced many films that reflected the lives and aspirations of the community in the early era of the formation of Malaysia.
His work and contributions while with Merdeka Studio also helped pave the way for the establishment of FINAS and the original Merdeka Studio complex is now maintained by FINAS as a tribute to his contributions to the local film industry.
Krishnan’s contributions later expanded beyond the field of directing when he established Gaya Film Berhad in 1970 and Gaya Music Studio in 1980, as well as being involved in the development of technical facilities for the local film industry.
In 1982, he established the country’s first film Color Laboratory before being appointed Chairman of Cathay Organisation Malaysia in 1984.
Throughout his career, Krishnan’s contributions received various recognitions, including the P. Ramlee Award in 1995 and the Malay Cinema Gallery Award as a Pioneer in the Malay Film Industry in 1996.
He has also received various other honours and awards including the Panglima Jasa Negara (2003), the International Tamil Film Award (Lifetime Achievement, 2003), the Panglima Setia Mahkota (2011), the Temasek Seri Award (2011), the Malaysian Cinematographer of the Year Award 3 (2011), the Malaysian Cinematographer of the Year Award 2011 (2014) and the South Indian Cinematography Award (2015).
— BERNAMA
