National Film Award for Best Sound Design

National Film Award for Best Sound Design
National award for contributions to Indian Cinema
Sponsored byNational Film Development Corporation of India
Formerly calledBest Sound Recording (1976–1979)
Best Audiography (1980–2021)
Reward(s)
  • Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus)
  • ₹2,00,000
First awarded1976
Last awarded2022
Most recent winnerAnand Krishnamoorthi
Highlights
Total awarded45 (till 2008)
10 (Location sound recordist)
12 (Sound designer)
15 (Re-recordist of the final mixed track)
1 (since 2022)
First winnerS. P. Ramanathan

The National Film Award for Best Sound Design is one of the National Film Awards presented annually by the National Film Development Corporation of India. It is one of several awards presented for feature films and awarded with Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus).

The award was instituted in 1976, at 24th National Film Awards and awarded annually for films produced in the year across the country, in all Indian languages; Hindi (30 awards), Malayalam (15 awards), Bengali (10 awards), Tamil (9 awards), Marathi (5 awards), Telugu, Ladakhi (two each), and Assamese, Sanskrit (one Each).

Since the 57th National Film Awards the award has been sub-categorised into Location sound recordist, Sound designer and Re-recordist of the final mixed track. At the 70th National Film Awards, the award was renamed to Best Sound Design. Two sub-categories Location Sound Recordist and Re-recordist of the Final Mixed Track were discontinued, with only sound designer being eligible to the award.[1][2] The decision to discontinue the two other sub-categories received some criticism.[3]

Winners

Awards legends
*
 Location Sound Recordist (2009–2021)
*
 Sound Designer (2009–2021)
*
 Re-recordist of the Final Mixed Track (2009–2021)

Award includes 'Rajat Kamal' (Silver Lotus) and cash prize. Following are the award winners over the years:

List of award recipients, showing the year (award ceremony), film(s), language(s) and citation
Year Recipient(s) Film(s) Language(s) Citation Refs.
1976
(24th) 		S. P. Ramanathan Bhakta Kannappa Telugu  – [4]
1977
(25th) 		S. P. Ramanathan Godhuli Hindi
For recording great clarity and precision, creating a beautifully modulated tone poem of the various elements; of human speech, of atmospheric effects, of natural sound and vision which makes one live within the film; for superb technical quality which helps to enhance the meaning and impact of a thought-provoking film.
 [5]
1978
(26th) 		Hitendra Ghosh Junoon Hindi
For clarity, fidelity and precision in recording music, speech and sound effects.
 [6]
1979
(27th) 		No Award [7]
1980
(28th) 		S. P. Ramanathan Nenjathai Killathe Tamil
For a highly sensitive use of sound to capture perfectly the rhythm and mood of each sequence.
 [8]
1981
(29th) 		P. Devdas Elippathayam Malayalam
For a brilliantly mixed soundtrack and impressive use of silences to underline the dramatic moments of the film.
 [9]
1982
(30th) 		Essabhai M. Suratwala Namkeen Hindi
For his skilful structuring of the sound track to create the atmosphere for the film.
 [10]
1983
(31st) 		S. P. Ramanathan Adi Shankaracharya Sanskrit
For the deft handling of the sound track to blend with the film's mood.
 [11]
1984
(32nd) 		P. Devdas Mukhamukham Malayalam  – [12]
1985
(33rd) 		Hitendra Ghosh Ek Pal Hindi
For his masterly use of the sound track in keeping with the atmosphere of the film.
 [13]
1986
(34th) 		Durga Mitra Path Bhola Bengali
For adding a new dimension to the film by a sensitive employment of sound.
 [14]
Jyoti Prasad Chatterjee
1987
(35th) 		P. Devadas Anantaram Malayalam
For harnessing all the elements of sounds, music and silence to create a perfect complement to the visual design of the film.
 [15]
T. Krishnanunni
N. Harikumar
1988
(36th) 		T. Krishnan Unni Piravi Malayalam
For creatively helping to capture and sustain the delicate seasonal and emotional mood of the film.
 [16]
1989
(37th) 		N. Harikumar Mathilukal Malayalam
For perfection noticeable throughout the in creatively helping the director to capture the mood and sustain interest within the enclosed walls of a jail.
 [17]
1990
(38th) 		N. Pandurangan Anjali Tamil
For aesthetically weaving the soundtrack in the most creative manner to enhance the visuals of the film.
 [18]
1991
(39th) 		Ajay Munjan Rukmavati Ki Haveli Hindi
For the quality and effectiveness of sound in contributing to the ambience of stark oppression that pervades the film.
 [19]
M. M. Padmanabhan
1992
(40th) 		N. Pandurangan Thevar Magan Tamil
For his extremely creative recording and mixing of the sound track, giving the film an added dimension.
 [20]
1993
(41st) 		H. Sridhar Mahanadi Tamil
For their capacity to the use of technique to contribute to the total effect of the film as an audio-visual gestalt.
 [21]
K. M. Surya Narayan (M/s Media Artiste Pvt. Ltd)
1994
(42nd) 		A. S. Laxmi Narayanan Kadhalan Tamil
For combining numerous effects in multiple tracks and an often dazzling array of music, sound and dialogue with remarkable technical control.
 [22]
V. S. Murthy
1995
(43rd) 		Deepan Chatterji Kalapani Malayalam
For the meticulous use of sound, creating the unusual aura of Cellular Jail of Andaman.
 [23]
Halo Hindi
For the unique mixing of incidental and effect sound.
1996
(44th) 		Krishnan Unni Desadanam Malayalam
For excellent use and blending of ambient sound with superb effects, appropriate to the spirit depicted in the film.
 [24]
1997
(45th) 		Sampath Ennu Swantham Janakikutty Malayalam
For using silence creatively to enhance a subject that deals with the isolation of a mind trapped in fantasy.
 [25]
1998
(46th) 		H. Sridhar Dil Se.. Hindi
For capturing sounds as varied as the visuals and creating an unusual rhytham on the sound track.
 [26]
1999
(47th) 		Anup Mukhopadhyay Uttara Bengali
For creating the ambience of sound in different layers to create an atmosphere in support of the stark visuals. The final mixed sound track has enhanced the effect of viewing the film enormously.
 [27]
2000
(48th) 		Anup Dev Moksha Hindi
The audiographer has, with extreme care, chosen the right sound, ambience and layered the tracks in an immaculate way to create an atmosphere to support the narrative of the film.
 [28]
2001
(49th) 		H. Sridhar Lagaan Hindi
For The sound effects recorded both efficiently and imaginatively heighten the visual impact of the film.
 [29]
Nakul Kamte
2002
(50th) 		A. S. Laxmi Narayanan Kannathil Muthamittal Tamil
For creating a sounds cape that heightens the dramatic conflicts of the story.
 [30]
H. Sridhar
2003
(51st) 		Anup Mukhopadhyay Bhalo Theko Bengali
For the innovative use of sound, its quality and timbre.
 [31]
Deepon Chatterjee
2004
(52nd) 		Anup Mukhopadhyay Iti Srikanta Bengali
For finest recordings of the sound in a superb way that lends an extra dimension to the film.
 [32]
Alok De
2005
(53rd) 		Nakul Kamte Rang De Basanti Hindi
For creating a vibrant sound design that effectively supports the graph of the film.
 [33]
2006
(54th) 		Shajith Koyeri Omkara Hindi
For the brilliant sound design that enhances the moods and emotions through different layers of sound in the film.
 [34]
Subhash Sahoo
K. J. Singh
2007
(55th) 		Kunal Sharma 1971 Hindi
For capturing the mood and tension of that wartorn period which marked the climax of the deteriorating ties with our neighbours.
 [35]
2008
(56th) 		Pramod J. Thomas Gandha Marathi
For its use of dramatically scripted sounds to heighten the mood of the film.
 [36]
Anmol Bhave
2009
(57th) 		Subash Sahoo Kaminey Hindi
For excellent live sound quality with the right tonal balance, capturing all the ambient sounds.
 [37]
Resul Pookutty, Amrit Pritam Dutta Keralavarma Pazhassiraja Malayalam
For creating an outstanding aural landscape that transports you to a historical era.
Anup Dev 3 Idiots Hindi
For the fine amalgamation of different elements of sound to create the right ambience and perspective of the film image.
2010
(58th) 		Kaamod Kharade Ishqiya Hindi
For capturing the soft nuances and variations of the artists' voices and location ambiance in a sensorial manner.
 [38]
Subhadeep Sengupta Chitrasutram Malayalam
For the use of various sound effects along with existing ambience to impart a subliminal experience in this abstract work.
Debajit Changmai Ishqiya Hindi
For merging voices, location ambience, background music and other sound effects to create a near-tactile experience that is both real and artistic.
2011
(59th) 		Baylon Fonseca Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Hindi
For providing a certain kind of purity in the audio track which is rarely heard in Indian cinema. The 'live' location sound contributes to enriching the actors' performances and feelings that the film intends to convey. He makes this rather complex task so simple, helping the viewers to immerse themselves in the sounds of the long road journey through the various landscapes of Spain.
 [39]
Baylon Fonseca Game Hindi
For giving a new dimension to the genre of the suspenseful 'whodunnit' cinema. His audio blueprint intermingles location sounds, dialogues, background music and songs into one united tension-packed experience. Interesting is the way he plays with sound levels in order to merge even the song sequences into the world of credible experience.
Hitendra Ghosh Game Hindi
For creating a seamless narrative that traverses all over the globe from Greece to Thailand. He uses his rich experience of over 40 years behind the mixing console to deliver a sound track which brings the viewer's attention to every detail while refraining from overdoing the audio levels which films of the suspense genre are usually disposed towards.
2012
(60th) 		Radhakrishnan S. Annayum Rasoolum Malayalam
The technology of sync-sound is effectively employed in this film with semiurban setting.
 [40]
Anirban Sengupta Shabdo Bengali
A deft handling of sound technology and its ramifications have contributed to make this film an unforgettable experience.
Dipankar Chaki
Alok De  • Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 1
 • Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2 		Hindi
For a film done in a milieu of natural locations the final mixing of multitude tracks has added tremendous cinematic value.
Sinoy Joseph
Sreejesh Nair
2013
(61st) 		Nihar Ranjan Samal Madras Cafe Hindi
Superlative professional job, in picking up minute nuances, covering indoor as well as outdoor locations.
 [41]
Bishwadeep Chatterjee Madras Cafe Hindi
With his competent sound design Bishwadeep adds authenticity and another dimension to the film.
D. Yuvaraj Swapaanam Malayalam
A commendable job of keeping a perfect balance between, dialogues, sound effects and resonant 'chenda' playing.
2014
(62nd) 		Mahaveer Sabbanwal Khwada Marathi
Khwada for its excellent live sound quality which skillfully captures all the ambient sounds with the right tonal balance.
 [42]
Anish John Asha Jaoar Majhe Bengali
Asha Jaoar Majhe for creating a brilliant soundscape which enhances the narrative even in the absence of the spoken word.
Anirban Sengupta Nirbashito Bengali
Nirbashito for the seamless movement from chaos into the quietness of solitude while integrating various elements of sound.
Dipankar Chaki
2015
(63rd) 		Sanjay Kurian Talvar Hindi
For capturing the natural voices, with all its nuances predominantly of characters undergoing great stress.
 [43]
Bishwadeep Chatterjee Bajirao Mastani Hindi
For creating a rich aural tapestry, evoking the romantic moods and heroic tension.
Justin Jose Bajirao Mastani Hindi
For the perfect blend of the ambiances ranging from royal palace interiors to war fronts.
2016
(64th) 		Jayadevan Chakkadath Kaadu Pookkunna Neram Malayalam
For bringing out the 'feel' of the forest and tribal hamlet through various natural as well as other elements.
[44]
Alok De Ventilator Marathi
The film brings out a delicate balance between various spoken words and silence.
2017
(65th) 		Mallika Das Village Rockstars Assamese
Sanal George Walking with the Wind Ladakhi
Justin Jose Walking with the Wind Ladakhi
2018
(66th) 		Gaurav Verma Tendlya Marathi
The flavour and mood of the small town is vastly enhanced by the ambient aural quality.
 [45]
Bishwadeep Chatterjee Uri: The Surgical Strike Hindi
An orchestra of created as well as recorded aural dimensions.
M. R. Rajakrishnan Rangasthalam Telugu
Playing with beauty and essence of the tonal quality of the silence.
2019
(67th) 		Debajit Gayan Iewduh Khasi
For the brilliant work of capturing natural sound of characters and atmosphere in a dingy crowded marketplace.
 [46]
Mandar Kamalapurkar Trijya Marathi
For designing all required sound in a film and ensuring proper execution of the same.
Resul Pookutty Oththa Seruppu Size 7 Tamil
For meticulously balancing the various soundtracks to elevate the mood of the film.
Bibin Devassy
2020
(68th) 		Anmol Bhave Me Vasantrao Marathi
For conceiving the architecture of the soundscape that not only recreates. nuances of a classical era but also enthralls with its elegance.
[47][48]
Vishnu Govind Malik Malayalam
For creating a life like ambience through a dextrous audio scope.
2021
(69th) 		Arun Asok, Sonu KP Chavittu Malayalam [49]
Aneesh Basu Jhilli Bengali
Sinoy Joseph Sardar Udham Hindi
2022
(70th) 		Anand Krishnamoorthi Ponniyin Selvan: I Tamil

References

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