Josef Wirsching
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Josef Wirsching | |
|---|---|
| Born | 22 March 1903 |
| Died | 11 June 1967 (aged 64) Bombay, India |
| Occupations | cinematographer, film director |
| Known for | Mahal (1949), Pakeezah (1972) |
Josef Wirsching (22 March 1903 – 11 June 1967) sometimes credited as Joseph Wirsching, was a German cinematographer, who became a pioneer in cinematography in India and who contributed to the heritage of Cinema of India and still photography in its improvement into a scientific art of expression. His association with Indian cinema started in 1925, when he worked with another German, Franz Osten, in the Indo-European collaboration, The Light of Asia. Thereafter he settled in India, went on to work in over 20 films with Bombay Talkies and subsequently with Kamal Amrohi in Mahal (1949),[1] Dil Apna Aur Preet Parayi (1960) and his masterpiece Pakeezah (1972), though he died while it was still under production.[2][3][4]
Born in Munich, Germany, where he also did his schooling. After his schooling he joined ‘Blau Weiβ Films’ in Munich as an apprentice photographer; he studied photography theory in the state run ‘Gewerbeschule’ in Munich.
Personal life
He married Charlotte Mϋllberger in Germany on 28 January 1929.[citation needed] Their only son, Wolfgang Peter Wirsching was born in Bombay, India in 1939.[citation needed]
He died in Bombay on 11 June 1967, after a massive cardiac arrest. His photographic collection is now maintained by grandson Georg Wirsching.[2]
