Thiruvananthapuram: Prominent Malayalam film director R Sarath has passed away at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram at the age of 63. Known for his distinct cinematic sensibility, Sarath directed acclaimed films such as ‘Sayahnam’, ‘Sheelabathi’, ‘Sthithi’ and ‘Buddhan Chirikkunnu’. Among his notable works, ‘Sayahnam’ achieved widespread critical acclaim, securing seven Kerala State Film Awards.

Sarath began his career in the film industry as a documentary filmmaker. During the filming of his documentary ‘The Painted Epics’, he discovered rare murals by legendary artist Raja Ravi Varma that had never previously been displayed to the public, a find considered a landmark milestone in the documentation of Ravi Varma’s artistic legacy. In 1996, his dedicated research on mural paintings earned him a Junior Fellowship from the Department of Culture, Government of India.

His documentary short ‘Bhoomikkoru Charamageetham’, based on a poignant poem by ONV Kurup, received praise for its focus on environmentalism and feminine aesthetics. Sarath also earned critical accolades for his feature film ‘Sthithi’, which revolved around the lives of a couple employed at the Government Secretariat. The film notably featured playback singer Unni Menon in the lead role.

Over his distinguished career, Sarath won numerous prestigious accolades at both state and national levels. His honours include the Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director, the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam, and several Kerala State Film Awards across categories such as Best Film, Second Best Film, Best Short Film and Best Story.