IFFI Honours Cinematographer K Vaikunth On Birth Centenary With Special Stamp

The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) paid tribute to renowned Goan cinematographer K Vaikunth on Friday, marking his birth centenary with the launch of a special postal stamp. Chief Minister

Dr Pramod Sawant unveiled the stamp at a ceremony that brought together senior government officials, members of the film fraternity, and Vaikunth’s family.

K Vaikunth, born Vaikunth Kunkolienkar, hailed from Margao and earned wide respect for his work across feature films and Films Division documentaries. His son late Aatish Vaikunth followed his path as a cinematographer in Mumbai, while his other son, Amit Kunkolienkar, attended the event along with relatives.

Released a special commemorative postal stamp in tribute to the legendary Goan cinematographer Shri K. Vaikunth Bab on his centenary during the 56th International Film Festival of India at INOX Panjim.

Shri Vaikunth Bab was one of Goa’s finest contributions to Indian cinema.… pic.twitter.com/CiLEbArUPI

— Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) November 27, 2025

Over the years, Vaikunth’s carefully crafted visuals made him one of Indian cinema’s most admired cinematographers. His portfolio includes collaborations with prominent directors such as Gulzar and Ramesh Sippy and contributions to well-known films like Seeta Aur Geeta and Aandhi.

The event was attended by Deepak Narain, Additional Secretary & Financial Advisor, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting; Prabhat, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting; and Amitabh Singh, Chief Postmaster General, Maharashtra & Goa.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Minister Sawant praised the late cinematographer’s influence on Hindi cinema’s visual identity, saying he was “the man whose camera shaped the visual language of classical Hindi cinema.” He added, “Vaikunthbab was more than a cameraman. He was a creator of emotion, mood and vision.” Dr Sawant noted that despite his achievements, Vaikunth remained humble and continues to inspire film enthusiasts worldwide.

Prabhat, Additional Secretary (I&B), described the honour as a meaningful way to recognise a major creative figure. “A commemorative postal stamp is much more than a postage instrument—it is a miniature public memorial that carries the story of a life and legacy into homes and institutions across the country. Through this release, K Vaikunth’s contributions are permanently etched into the visual archives of the republic,” he said.

Amitabh Singh, Chief Postmaster General, Maharashtra Circle, highlighted the cultural significance of the stamp. He said, “This commemorative postal stamp is more than a symbol of postage—it is a tribute that carries the history and culture of our country across distances. Through this stamp, we ensure that the life and contributions of K Vaikunth continue to inspire generations to come.”

The commemoration closed with a screening of Vaikunth’s 17-minute English documentary Goa Marches On, giving audiences a chance to revisit his distinct visual style and enduring connection to Goa.