Dr. Kasinadhuni Viswanath, (b. 193?) Telugu movie maker, is the only significant contributor to Indian film from the Telugu film industry.


He started off as a technician in a studio at Chennai, and later assisted Mr. Adurti Subba Rao in direction and made a debut as a director with Aatma Gowravam, starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao. But the spark in him came into light only with Siri siri muvva . For the rest of his career, he pleaded at the erosion of old brahminical values/culture with a series of movies under a production company called Poornodaya Movies.

Viswanath wanted to show the stark diminishing of "Indian music/culture at the expense of the intruding western influences", with the critically acclaimed movie Sankaraabharanam (The Jewel of Shiva). He made a series of such classical oriented movies all show casing the bliss in Indian art forms. The list includes Saagara Sangamam (Tyrst with the infinity), Sruthi Layalu, Sirivennela (Golden Moon light), Swarna Kamalam (Highest Offering), and Swathi Kiranam (Ray of Talent).

He also made a significant contribution on the social front with movies like Swathi Muthyam (Rare Gem), Swayam Krushi (Attitude towards work), Subhodayam (Good Morning), SubhaLekha (Wedding Invitation), Aapadhbhaandhavudu (Saviour), and Subha Sankalpam (Good Will).

All his movies have some terrific music mostly from Swara Brahma K. V. Mahadevan or Maestro Ilaiayaraja. Lately, he has taken a sabbatical from direction and is into acting (which was not properly received).