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{{Short description|Indian photographer and filmmaker}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Amoghavarsha JS
| image = Amoghavarsha2020.jpg
| caption =
| education = [[Bachelor of Computer Science]]
| occupation = Filmmaker and wildlife photographer
| birth_place = [[Bengaluru]], India
| website = {{URL|amoghavarsha.com}}
| years active = 2005-present
| footnotes =
}}
'''Amoghavarsha JS''' is an Indian [[Filmmaking|filmmaker]], [[Wildlife photography|wildlife photographer]], and [[Conservation biology|conservationist]]. He is known for his work in wildlife and nature documentary filmmaking, including films such as ''[[Wild Karnataka]]'' (2019) and ''[[Gandhada Gudi (2022 film)|Gandhada Gudi]]'' (2022).<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |last=Datta |first=Sravasti |date=2019-03-04 |title=A majestic celebration: Wild Karnataka, India's first blue-chip natural history |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/a-majestic-celebration/article26429185.ece |access-date=2024-12-13 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Wild Karnataka explores the [[biodiversity]] of [[Karnataka]]<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |author=Staff Reporter |date=2021-03-22 |title=Wild Karnataka wins national award in non-feature category |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/wild-karnataka-wins-national-award-in-non-feature-category/article34136671.ece |access-date=2024-12-13 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> and received two awards at the [[67th National Film Awards]]. He also served as the art director for the album ''[[Stewart Copeland|Divine Tides]]'' by [[Ricky Kej]] and [[Stewart Copeland]], which received two [[Grammy Awards]].<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=2023-02-06 |title=Grammy Awards 2023: Bengaluru-based Ricky Kej wins his third Grammy Award for album 'Divine Tides' |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/trending/story/grammy-awards-2023-bengaluru-based-ricky-kej-wins-his-third-grammy-award-for-album-divine-tides-369101-2023-02-06 |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=Business Today |language=en}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Amoghavarsha was born in [[Bengaluru|Bengaluru, Karnataka]], India. He earned a bachelor's degree in Computer Science and began his professional career as a software engineer at [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]. During this period, he developed an interest in wildlife photography, frequently visiting forests near [[Bengaluru]]. After two years, he joined the technology startup Asklaila as its first employee and later transitioned to a part-time programming role to focus more on photography.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Mohan |first=Deepa |date=2008-12-08 |title=In pursuit of a passion |url=https://citizenmatters.in/688-amoghavarsha-wildlife-photography-photography/ |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Citizen Matters |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Career ==

=== Photography ===
Amoghavarsha's interest in photography developed through frequent visits to the [[Western Ghats]], a biodiversity hotspot in southern India.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Admin |date=2024-06-20 |title=10 Indian Wildlife Photographers You Should Follow For Stunning Nature Photography |url=https://121clicks.com/inspirations/best-famous-indian-wildlife-photographers#google_vignette |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=121clicks.com |language=en-US}}</ref> He conducted photography workshops at locations such as [[Thekkady]], [[Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary]], and [[Bannerghatta National Park]],<ref name=":0" /> and served as a photo ambassador for a camera store in [[Bangalore|Bengaluru]]. He also worked part-time with Felis Creations, a wildlife production company founded by [[Sandesh Kadur]].

In 2020, he was selected as a judge for [[Sony BBC Earth]]'s photography contest, ''Earth in Focus''. As part of the contest, he led a masterclass titled ''The Art of Storytelling Through Photography'', focusing on visual narratives in nature photography.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 October 2020 |title=Sony BBC Earth concludes a successful run of photography contest and IP 'Earth in Focus' |url=https://www.afaqs.com/news/media/sony-bbc-earth-concludes-a-successful-run-of-photography-contest-and-ip-earth-in-focus |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=www.afaqs.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Filmmaking ===

==== Early projects ====
Amoghavarsha began directing environmental documentaries with ''Kali'', a film centered on the ecological importance of the [[Kali River (Karnataka)|Kali River]] in [[Karnataka]]. The film is credited with raising public awareness about the river, contributing to the renaming of the [[Anshi National Park|Dandeli Anshi Tiger Reserve]] to the [[Kali Tiger Reserve]] in 2015.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Anshi-Dandeli Tiger reserve may be named after River Kali |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/anshi-dandeli-tiger-reserve-may-be-named-after-river-kali-474167.html |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref>

In the same year, he collaborated with composer [[Ricky Kej]] on ''Shanti Samsara'', a musical project that combined environmental themes with visuals. The film was launched at the [[2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference|United Nations Climate Change Conference]] in [[Paris]]<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |author=Niranjan Kaggere |date=Dec 3, 2015 |title=PM's documentary show in Paris reveals state link |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/pms-documentary-show-in-paris-reveals-state-link/articleshow/50017026.cms |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Bangalore Mirror |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=2015-12-01 |title=Narendra Modi, Hollande launch Ricky Kej's new music album in Paris |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/news/narendra-modi-hollande-launch-ricky-kejs-new-music-album-in-paris/articleshow/49992371.cms |access-date=2024-12-13 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> and officially presented by Indian Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] and French President [[François Hollande]] at the [[International Solar Alliance]] (ISA) event.<ref name=":3" /> The project featured [[Sanskrit]] verses and spoken-word contributions by individuals such as [[Amitabh Bachchan]], [[Frances Fisher]],<ref name=":3" /> and [[Rosanna Arquette]]. Many of the visuals used in the film were adapted from ''Kali''.<ref name=":2" />

==== ''Wild Karnataka'' ====
In 2021, Amoghavarsha co-directed the documentary ''[[Wild Karnataka]]'' with [[Kalyan Varma]]. Narrated by [[David Attenborough|Sir David Attenborough]], the film showcased the rich biodiversity of [[Karnataka]] and received two awards at the [[67th National Film Awards]] in India: Best Exploration/Adventure Film and Best Narration/Voice Over.<ref name=":6" /> Music from the documentary was later adapted into the track Mother Earth on ''[[Divine Tides]]'', an album composed by [[Ricky Kej]] and [[Stewart Copeland]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gomes |first=Suruchi Kapur |date=2021-06-26 |title=Grammy award-winner Ricky Kej's new album is an ode to earth |url=https://sundayguardianlive.com/culture/grammy-award-winner-ricky-kejs-new-album-ode-earth |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=The Sunday Guardian Live |language=en-US}}</ref>

Amoghavarsha served as art director for ''Divine Tides'', which received [[Grammy Awards]] at the [[64th Annual Grammy Awards|64th]] and [[65th Annual Grammy Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 November 2024 |title=Ricky Kej, Anoushka Shankar, earn nominations for 67th Grammy Awards |url=https://www.business-standard.com/entertainment/ricky-kej-anoushka-shankar-earn-nominations-for-67th-grammy-awards-124110900233_1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113154829/https://www.business-standard.com/entertainment/ricky-kej-anoushka-shankar-earn-nominations-for-67th-grammy-awards-124110900233_1.html |archive-date=2024-11-13 |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=www.business-standard.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== ''Gandhada Gudi'' ====
His 2022 documentary ''[[Gandhada Gudi (2022 film)]]'', featuring actor [[Puneeth Rajkumar]], explored [[Karnataka]]'s ecological landscapes. The film was conceived as a tribute to the 1973 film of the same name, which starred Rajkumar's father, [[Rajkumar (actor)|Dr. Rajkumar]]. Released theatrically in October 2022, the documentary was screened both domestically and internationally. Following its 100-day theatrical run, a park in [[Bangalore|Bengaluru]] was renamed ''Gandhada Gudi Park'' in honor of the film and its environmental message.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Puneeth Rajkumar's Gandhada Gudi Opens In Theatres Across USA, UAE And Singapore |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/puneeth-rajkumars-gandhada-gudi-opens-in-theatres-across-usa-uae-and-singapore-6258883.html |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref>

==== ''Homecoming – The Adventure of a Green Sea Turtle'' ====
In 2023, Amoghavarsha's production company, Mudskipper Labs, collaborated with the Museum of Solutions (MuSo) in [[Mumbai]] to produce ''Homecoming – The Adventure of a Green Sea Turtle''. The underwater short film addressed the impact of [[plastic pollution]] on [[Marine ecosystem|marine ecosystems]] and featured narration by actors [[Jackie Shroff]] and [[Dia Mirza]]. The film became a permanent installation at MuSo<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Binayak |first=Poonam |date=2024-07-25 |title=Museum of Solutions: World's Greatest Places 2024 |url=https://time.com/6992399/museum-of-solutions/ |access-date=2024-12-13 |magazine=TIME |language=en}}</ref> and was screened at the [[Mumbai International Film Festival]] in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MIFF Celebrates India's Wildlife with Special Non-Competition Package |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2025664 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628100253/https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2025664 |archive-date=2024-06-28 |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=pib.gov.in}}</ref> It was named runner-up for the Wildlife Conservation Documentary Award of the Year by TOFTigers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Awards Winners 2024 |url=https://www.toftigers.org/awards-winners-2024 |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=TOFTigers |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Conservation work ==
Amoghavarsha has actively participated in [[environmental education]] and [[Nature conservation|conservation]] efforts. He has conducted expeditions and field workshops throughout the [[Western Ghats]] and collaborated with the [[Agumbe#Agumbe Rainforest Research Station|Agumbe Rainforest Research Station]] (ARRS) on telemetry studies of the [[King cobra]] and other ecological research.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Amoghavarsha |url=https://greatescapesindia.wordpress.com/tag/amoghavarsha/ |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Travelogues from GreatEscapes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Matthias |first=Monish |title=Agumbe Rainforest Expedition |url=http://www.monishmatthias.com/2010/09/agumbe-rainforest-expedition.html |access-date=2024-12-13}}</ref>

He has also partnered with the [[Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change]] (MoEFCC) on public awareness initiatives, including the ''Science Express – Biodiversity Special'', a traveling exhibition promoting biodiversity conservation in India. Furthermore, he has contributed to the development of environmental [[Nature interpretation|interpretation centers]] in partnership with the [[Centre for Environment Education]] (CEE).<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Bengaluru Park Renamed After Puneeth Rajkumar's Last Film Gandhada Gudi |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/bengaluru-park-reamed-after-puneeth-rajkumars-last-film-gandhada-gudi-7012399.html |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref>

== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Title
!Role!! Notes
|-
| 2013 || ''Huli: How to Save the Tiger?''
|Director||
|-
| 2013 || ''River Terns of Bhadra''
|Director||
|-
| 2014 || ''Kali''
|Director|| Short documentary on Kali River ecosystem
|-
| 2015 || ''Jaya Hai Kannada Thaye''
|Director||
|-
|2015
|''Shanti Samsara''
|Director
|Presented at the [[United Nations Climate Change Conference]]
|-
| 2017 || ''Indian Wildlife National Anthem''
|Director||
|-
| 2020 || ''[[Wild Karnataka]]''
|Co-director|| Narrated by [[David Attenborough]]; won two [[National Film Awards]]
|-
| 2022 || ''[[Gandhada Gudi (2022 film)|Gandhada Gudi]]''
|Director|| Feature film starring [[Puneeth Rajkumar]]; thematic sequel
|-
| 2022 || ''Divine Tides''
|Director||
|-
| 2023 || ''Homecoming - The Adventure Of A Green Sea Turtle''
|Producer|| Underwater short on plastic pollution; MuSo permanent exhibit
|-
|2025
|''Nothing On My Mind''
|Director
|Short film featuring the [[List of high commissioners of Australia to India|Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green OAM]]
|-
| 2025 || {{Pending film|italic=no|Wild Mumbai}}
|Director|| to be announced<ref>{{cite web |title="Wild Mumbai": After Karnataka, Maharashtra Works on Wildlife Documentary |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/wild-mumbai-after-karnataka-maharashtra-works-on-wildlife-documentary-2168266}}</ref>
|}

== Awards and recognitions ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Year
!Award / Recognition
!Category
!Film
!Result
!Ref
|-
|2013
|7th CMS Vatavaran Film Festival
|Newcomer Award
|''Huli''
|{{win}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=7th CMS VATAVARAN Environment and Wildlife Film Festival and Forum 2013 |url=http://www.cmsvatavaran.org/old_files/awardees2014.php |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=www.cmsvatavaran.org}}</ref>
|-
|2015
|8th CMS Vatavaran Film Festival
|
|''River Terns of Bhadra''
|{{nom}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=8TH CMS VATAVARAN NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED {{!}} CMS VATAVARAN |url=http://vat2015.cmsvatavaran.org/nominations-announced/ |access-date=2024-12-16 |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|2016
|Impact Docs
|Award of Merit
|''Kali''
|{{win}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Globa347_wp |date=2016-01-28 |title=Awards of Merit January 2016 |url=https://impactdocsawards.com/winners-january-2016/awards-of-merit/ |access-date=2024-12-16 |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" |2020
|[[United Nations]]
|Screening of Wild Karnataka on World Wildlife Day
| rowspan="3" |''[[Wild Karnataka]]''
|
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-02-26 |title=Wild Karnataka to be screened at the UN headquarters on World Wildlife Day |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/wild-karnataka-to-be-screened-at-the-un-headquarters-on-world-wildlife-day/articleshow/74300960.cms |access-date=2024-12-16 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
|-
|Wildlife Film Festival Rotterdam
|Newcomer Award
|{{win}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wildlife Film Festival Rotterdam 2020 Winners Announced! |url=https://www.wildlife-film.com/features/Wildlife-Film-Festival-Rotterdam-2020-Winners-Announced.html |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=www.wildlife-film.com}}</ref>
|-
|2021
|[[67th National Film Awards]]
|[[National Film Award for Best Exploration/Adventure Film|Best Exploration Film]] & [[National Film Award for Best Narration / Voice Over|Best Narration]]
|{{win}}
|<ref>{{Cite news |author=Staff Reporter |date=2021-03-22 |title=Wild Karnataka wins national award in non-feature category |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/wild-karnataka-wins-national-award-in-non-feature-category/article34136671.ece |access-date=2024-12-16 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
|-
|2022
| rowspan="2" |[[Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]]
|[[Grammy Award for Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album|Best New Age Album]]
| rowspan="2" |''Divine Tides''
|{{win}}
|<ref name=":9" />
|-
|2023
|[[Grammy Award for Best Immersive Audio Album|Best Immersive Audio Album]]
|{{win}}
|<ref name=":9" />
|-
|2024
|TOFTigers
|Runner Up for the Wildlife Conservation Documentary Award
|''Homecoming''
|{{win}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Awards Winners 2024 |url=https://www.toftigers.org/awards-winners-2024 |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=TOFTigers |language=en-US}}</ref>
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.amoghavarsha.com Amoghavarsha official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110926004147/http://natgeotv.com/in/secrets-of-the-king-cobra Secrets of The King Cobra]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131217093814/http://www.mudskipper.in/portfolio/indias-first-wildlife-music-video/ Jaya hey Kannada thaye]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131217095323/http://www.mudskipper.in/portfolio/how-to-save-the-tiger/ Huli – How to Save the Tiger?]
* [http://www.cmsvatavaran.org/filmdt.php?id=44 Huli: Technology to the Frontiers of Tiger Conservation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217092536/http://www.cmsvatavaran.org/filmdt.php?id=44 |date=17 December 2013 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131217093817/http://www.mudskipper.in/portfolio/river-terns/ River Terns of Bhadra]
* [http://www.mudskipper.in/portfolio/kali/ Kali]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO79orOvYJA/ Wild Karnataka official teaser]

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Amoghavarsha, JS}}
[[Category:Indian documentary filmmakers]]
[[Category:Indian nature photographers]]
[[Category:Artists from Bengaluru]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1983 births]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian photographers]]

Amoghavarsha JS - Revision history

Alicolours at 02:05, 5 February 2026