Known for his beam shot in the Guru Dutt-directed Pyaasa in the song ‘Waqt ne kiya kya haseen sitam that he achieved using a pair of ordinary mirrors, the doyen of cinematography V.K. Murthy passed away at his residence here yesterday (Monday). He was 91. The demise of the noted cinematographer marks the end of a glorious chapter in Indian celluloid history. A constant companion of legendary director-actor Guru Dutt, Murthy worked with the filmmaker in films like Kagaz Ke Phool, Pyaasa, Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam among many others. As a matter of fact, Murthy was the first cinematographer to have been chosen for the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award who also was the proud recipient of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) award way back in 2005 for his contribution to Indian cinema. Murthy also worked with stalwarts like Kamal Amrohi on his masterpieces Pakeezah and Razia Sultan. He also worked with noted directors like Govind Nihalani, Pramod Chakravorty and Shyam Benegal. Observed noted cinematographer and film director Gyan Sahay, “Alas, the last of the noted cinematographers of the golden era has left us behind. Though I didn’t come in contact with him directly, I got to know him indirectly through Govind Nihalani whom I was assisting, while Govindji was Murthy ji’s assistant. In fact, I treated him to be my grandfather. My heartfelt condolences to his family.” In the later part of his life, Murthy had done television too having served as principal cinematographer for Shyam Benegal’s tele-serial Bharat Ek Khoj and Nihalani’s landmark tele-serial Tamas. The note films that he has done are Suraj, Love in Tokyo, Ziddi, Naya Zamana and Jugnu among many others. He was cremated last evening.