Soorya Krishnamoorthy, founder of Soorya Stage and Film Society, passes away

Thiruvananthapuram: Soorya Krishnamoorthy, renowned artist, philanthropist and founder of the Soorya Stage and Film Society, passed away on Wednesday while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. He was 78.

Also known as Nataraja Krishnamoorthy, he made significant contributions to Kerala's cultural and performing arts scene and served as chairman of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi.

Krishnamoorthy served as director of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation for three terms. He was also associated with several national and state-level film bodies, including the National Film Award Committee, Kerala State Film Award Committee, NFDC Script Committee and the National Committee for selecting Indian Panorama films.

He was a member of the Expert Committee of the Department of Culture, Government of India, and was involved in the process of developing the country's cultural policy. He also served on the Doordarshan Advisory Committee and the steering committee constituted by the Union Culture Department to formulate cultural policy.

From ISRO scientist to cultural icon

Krishnamoorthy's career began in science and engineering. After graduating in Electrical Engineering from TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, in 1972, he joined the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as a scientist-engineer.

In 1977, he founded the Soorya Festival, which went on to become a major platform for music, dance and other performing arts. The festival was organised under his Soorya organisation and became closely associated with his name and cultural activities.

His work extended beyond stage and cultural programmes. Krishnamoorthy wrote the screenplay for the 2011 Indian courtroom drama Melvilasom.

He also served as chairman of the Film Awards Jury of the John Abraham Awards and the P. Padmarajan Award in 2006.

Krishnamoorthy received the National Award for Stage Craft and Direction from the President of India in 1996. He was also honoured by the governments of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

In 2016, he was nominated for the Padma Awards by sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan.

The Kerala government conferred the Kerala Prabha Award on him in 2023, one of the state's highest civilian honours.