Family and friends mourn the loss of a promising talent whose life was cut short by tragedy.
Saravanamarathu Soundarapandian’s career was on the verge of blossoming when it was tragically cut short. Known to friends and family as Mani, he was awarded the National Film Award for cinematography for his short film Little Wings, a recognition announced in August 2023, after his untimely death in March of the same year. At just 31, Saravanamarathu’s life came to a sudden halt when he disappeared after leaving his home in Madurai on March 15. His family reported him missing, and after two weeks, police discovered his buried body in Keeranur, approximately two hours away from his residence. Three individuals have been arrested in connection with his murder.
Local media have suggested that the motivations behind the murder may involve a romantic relationship, but Saravanamarathu’s family has stated they were unaware of such a relationship. The police have not shared detailed information about the case, including the first information report, which has left his family seeking clarity amid their grief.
The announcement of Saravanamarathu’s award served as a stark reminder of both his talent and the potential that was lost. His sister, Maruthavalli, reflected on this bittersweet moment, expressing that it felt as if he was urging them to continue fighting for him. She noted that had he lived, he would have likely achieved even greater accolades that would have made his family and country proud.
Born into a family with artistic roots, Saravanamarathu was the second of three children. His father, Soundarapandian, had dreams of acting in Tamil cinema but had to abandon those ambitions to support his family after the sudden death of his own father. Despite financial hardships, he prioritized his children’s education, believing it to be their greatest inheritance. Saravanamarathu contributed to the family by taking on small jobs while pursuing his studies.
After graduating from an engineering program in 2013 and securing a job at Wipro in Chennai, Saravanamarathu made the surprising decision to leave this stable position to follow his passion for cinematography. His family was initially taken aback by his choice, given their financial struggles, but they ultimately supported his desire to pursue a career in film. Maruthavalli described her brother’s long-standing passion for the medium, recalling how he had organized neighborhood children to create simple films, showcasing his love for storytelling from a young age.
In 2015, he gained admission to the prestigious Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute. To support himself through his education, he engaged in various entrepreneurial ventures, including running a tea shop on campus and selling snacks from his hometown. His resourcefulness and dedication to his craft were evident to both peers and instructors alike.
After graduating in 2019, Saravanamarathu began working on various film projects across multiple languages, including notable Tamil films like Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Keli and Good Night. His short film, Little Wings, which he shot in 2022, gained critical acclaim, winning awards at the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala and the International Film Festival of India in Goa. His friend S Vignesh noted that Saravanamarathu was enthusiastic about his growing recognition and was eager to continue advancing in his career.
Meenakshi Soman, who shared the National Film Award with him, remembered him as an extraordinary individual with a keen eye for both nature and human emotions. Saravanamarathu Soundarapandian’s untimely death has left a profound void in the lives of his family, friends, and colleagues, highlighting the tragic loss of a promising talent in the world of cinema.
