Soorya Krishnamoorthy also known as Nataraja Krishnamoorthy is an award-winning artist, philanthropist and scientist known for his contribution in art and social activities. He is the chairman of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy and founded of Soorya Stage and Film Society. In 1996, Krishnamoorthy was honoured with the National Award for Stage Craft and Direction of President of India and has also been conferred the highest honours from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry governments. In 2016, He was nominated for Padma Awards by Amjad Ali Khan. In 2023, he was honoured with Kerala Prabha Award, the second-highest honour given by the Government of Kerala.
Career
He served as the director of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation for three terms and as a member of the India National Film Award Committee, the Kerala State Film Award Committee, the NFDC Script Committee and the National Committee for Selecting Indian Panorama Films. He has also been a member of the Expert Committee of the Department of Culture for the Government of India where he was instrumental in advancing the cultural policy of the country and served as the Chairman of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi.
In 1972, he joined the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) as a scientist/engineer and in 1977 he founded Soorya Festival which is organised by his organization Soorya Music & Dance Festival. Beside that he also wrote screenplay for the 2011 Indian courtroom drama film Melvilasom.
In 2006, he was the chairman, of the Film Awards Jury of the John Abraham Awards and the P.Padmarajan Award. He has also been a member of the Doordarshan Advisory Committee, the Expert Committee of the Department of Culture, Govt. of India and the steering committee formed by the Department of Culture, Govt. of India to evolve the cultural policy of the country.
Awards
1994: "Prathiba Pranam" Award for Outstanding Creative Artiste by the Government of Kerala 1994: John Abraham Award for the best-run film Society of Country by the Federation of Film Societies of India. 1996: President of India's National Award for Stage Craft and Direction by the Government of India 2001: Selected as one in 101 world-renowned living Keralites of the millennium by the Government of Kerala 2003: "Man of the Year" for the contribution made in the field of art by Limca Book of Records 2004: "Special Recognition" Award for overall contribution in the field of art and culture by the Government of Kerala 2006: "Kalaimamani" Award for Stage Craft and Direction by the Government of Tamil Nadu 2010: "Prem Nazir Foundation Award for the year 2009" Award for valuable contributions to Kerala's art and culture 2014: "Manonmaniyam Award" 2023: Lifetime Achievement Award "Award of Excellence" for outstanding contribution in the field of Art and Culture by the Government of Puducherry Special Award for contribution to the Film Society Movement in Kerala by the Federation of Film Societies of India