Art director Sabu Pravadas, who worked on Mohanlal starrer Lokpal, dies at 70

Malayalam cinema has lost one of its artistic visionaries. Sabu Pravada, a celebrated art director from the regional film industry, has passed away. He was 70.

(Sabu Pravadas | Image: X)

Sabu Pravadas passes away at age 70

The news of Sabu Pravadas' passing, broke on Friday, October 27. He breathed his last at a hospital located in Thiruvananthapuram. The cause of his passing were the injuries sustained from an accident he was involved in, a week prior. The celebrated art director - also known to pursue a plethora of other creative interests - was best known for his work in films Rajavinte Makan, Lelam, Manu Uncle, Run Baby Run, Pathram, Kattukuthira, Lokpal and First Bell.

(Sabu Pravadas | Image: sabupravadas/Instagram)

Pravadas' association with the world of cinema has been long-standing, owing to his family belonging to the same trade. The art director was one among the eight children of Ernakulam's Pravada studio owners, Pravada Sukumaran and Menaka Sukumaran. Not just this, he is also the brother-in-law of director PG Vishwambharan.

Sabu Pravadas' enjoyed several creative pursuits

Not just art direction, Pravadas' was also involved as a designer for the Kerala State Film Academy film festivals also having significantly contributed to designing the International Film Festival Of Kerala. He was also the main force behind the formation of the Film Employees Federation Of Kerala - a union that has often collaborated and encouraged other film unions like MACTA and FEFKA. 

(Sabu Pravadas | Image: sabupravadas/Instagram)

For his extensive efforts and passion for the arts, Sabu Pravadas was also honoured with the Kerala State Film Award in 2022. This award came in lieu of his book Punasthapanam Enna Navendrajalam. Pravadas was known for is forward-thinking demeanour, always up to adapt to changing styles and visions - an essence seen in his vast repertoire of work making up his legacy in Malayalam cinema.