Krishnamoorthy, 78, had spent his early professional life as a scientist with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in the 1970s, while simultaneously nurturing a passion for film societies and other cultural activities.
His first public cultural venture, the show "Thamaso Ma Jyothirgamaya," was staged at the University Senate Hall on September 3, 1977, and a few weeks later he launched the Soorya Stage and Film Society, which has since become synonymous with the annual Soorya Music, Dance and Film Festival in Thiruvananthapuram.
Speaking to The Hindu on the festival’s 40th anniversary, Krishnamoorthy said his sole motivation was to bring films and performances to city residents that they would otherwise rarely see, a vision that attracted luminaries such as Carnatic vocalist K.J. Yesudas, Bharatanatyam exponent Padma Subrahmanyam and mridangam maestro Mavelikkara Krishnankutty Nair, all of whom honored his invitation for decades.
The festival has adhered to Krishnamoorthy’s original principles of being free of ticket charges and awards, operating on a membership system that quickly filled with thousands of enthusiasts and a long waiting list.
Under his guidance the Soorya Festival expanded beyond Kerala, staging one‑day shows in Gulf nations, the United States, Europe and Australia, while also pioneering acclaimed sound‑and‑light productions and the popular stage play "Melvilasom," later adapted into a 2011 courtroom drama film.
In 2018 Krishnamoorthy converted the ‘Ganesham’ venue behind his home in Thycaud into a black‑box theatre, the second of its kind in the state, offering it free of cost to any group wishing to stage a play or screen a film; he later designed a similar venue in Thrissur that now hosts the International Theatre Festival of Kerala.
His contributions were recognised with the Kerala Prabha Award in 2023, the state’s second‑highest civilian honour, and he served as Chairperson of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi.
Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan described Krishnamoorthy as a revolutionary figure who introduced new technical innovations and artistic sensibility to Malayalam theatre, while opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan recalled his unique blend of scientific temper and aesthetic depth.