A. P. Nagarajan
Encyclopedia
Akkamappettai Paramasivan Nagarajan (APN) is a veteran Tamil
film director
, who set a trend in film making in Tamil cinema
in 1960s.
APN is a staunch activist of M. P. Sivagnanam’s Tamizharasu Kazhagam and opponent of all that the DMK stood for. APN started his film career when Sangeeta Pictures made a movie of his drama Naalvar in 1953 with APN acting as the hero, also scripting the screenplay and as dialogue writer.
In the following years, APN scripted movies like Maangalyam (1954), Pennarasi (1955), Aasai Annaa Arumai Thambi (1955), Town Bus (1955) and Nalla Thangai (1955). He acted in all of them except the last two. He also acted in Nam Kuzhandhai and Nalla Thangaal (both 1955).
APN came into direct contact with Sivaji Ganesan when he wrote the story and dialogues for Naan Petra Selvam (1956).
He founded production Sri Lakshmi Pictures with actor V.K. Ramasamy and made MakkaLai Petra Maharasi in 1957 and Nalla Idathu Sambandham in 1958. When he started directing, his first few films were based on contemporary themes like the one on a boy guide working in Mahabalipuram (Vaa Raja Vaa). In the mid sixties he directed a series of films on religious subjects like Sarasvathi Sabatham (1966), thereby starting a trend in Tamil film making.
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, who set a trend in film making in Tamil cinema
Tamil cinema
Tamil cinema is the film industry based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to the production of films in the Tamil language. It is based in Chennai's Kodambakkam district, where several South Indian film production companies are headquartered...
in 1960s.
Career Life
A.P.Nagarajan comes from a middle class Gounder family. He was 7 years old when he was enrolled in the TKS Brothers’ drama troupe. There APN was taught the complexities of Tamil grammar, the ancient epics, classic poetry and correct pronunciation, besides singing and acting. He rose quickly in the esteem of T.K.Shanmugam and was given prominent roles at an early age.APN is a staunch activist of M. P. Sivagnanam’s Tamizharasu Kazhagam and opponent of all that the DMK stood for. APN started his film career when Sangeeta Pictures made a movie of his drama Naalvar in 1953 with APN acting as the hero, also scripting the screenplay and as dialogue writer.
In the following years, APN scripted movies like Maangalyam (1954), Pennarasi (1955), Aasai Annaa Arumai Thambi (1955), Town Bus (1955) and Nalla Thangai (1955). He acted in all of them except the last two. He also acted in Nam Kuzhandhai and Nalla Thangaal (both 1955).
APN came into direct contact with Sivaji Ganesan when he wrote the story and dialogues for Naan Petra Selvam (1956).
He founded production Sri Lakshmi Pictures with actor V.K. Ramasamy and made MakkaLai Petra Maharasi in 1957 and Nalla Idathu Sambandham in 1958. When he started directing, his first few films were based on contemporary themes like the one on a boy guide working in Mahabalipuram (Vaa Raja Vaa). In the mid sixties he directed a series of films on religious subjects like Sarasvathi Sabatham (1966), thereby starting a trend in Tamil film making.
Filmography
- Navarathnam (1977)
- Shri Krishna Leela (1977)
- Jai Balaji (1976)
- Melnattu Marumagal (1975)
- Gumastavin Magal (1974)
- Karaikkal Ammaiyar (1973)
- Rajaraja CholanRajaraja CholanRajaraja Cholan is a 1973 Tamil film about the life of the Chola king Rajaraja Chola. The film has Sivaji Ganesan playing the title role. The film was the first CinemaScope film to be released in Tamil. Sivaji Ganesan's portrayal as Rajaraja Chola was critically acclaimed.-Cast:* Sivaji Ganesan as...
(1973) - Thirumalai Daivam (1973)
- Agathiar (1972)
- Thirupathi Kanyakumari Yatra (1972)
- Kankatchi (1971)
- Balaraju KathaBalaraju KathaBalaraju Katha is a 1970 Telugu Drama film written by Mullapudi Venkata Ramana and directed by Bapu.-The Plot:This is the story of a young boy Balaraju in a historical town Mahabalipuram. He becomes a tourist guide to support his entire family. An elderly childless couple takes a liking to him...
(1970) - Thirumalai Thenkumari (1970)
- Vilayattu Pillai (1970)
- Gurudakshinai (1969)
- Vaa Raja Vaa (1969)
- Thillana Mohanambal (1968)
- Thirumal PerumaiThirumal Perumai"Thirumal Perumai" means the Lord's glory in Tamil. The film was released in 1968 and was directed by A.P.Nagarajan. It was his 9th film and also his first for 1968.-Plot:...
(1968) - Kandan KarunaiKandan KarunaiKandan Karunai is a Tamil cinema, which was released in 1967 and was directed by A.P. Nagarajan. It was his 8th film in the Tamil cinema industry. It starred Sivaji Ganesan, Sivakumar and Savithri...
(1967) - Seeta (1967)
- Thiruvarutchelvar (1967)
- Saraswathi SabathamSaraswathi SabathamSaraswati Sabatham is a 1966 Tamil film, written and directed by A. P. Nagarajan and starring Sivaji Ganesan and Savitri., K. R. Vijaya, Gemini Ganesan, Padmini, Devika, Manorama and Nagesh-Plot:...
(1966) - Thiruvilayadal (1965)
- NavarathriNavarathri (film)Navarathri is a 1966 Telugu Drama film directed by Tatineni Rama Rao and starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Savitri. It is produced by Anumolu Venkata Subba Rao of Prasad Art Pictures. It is remake of 1964 Tamil film with same title starring Sivaji Ganesan and Savitri. The story is written by A. P...
(1964) - Kulamagal Radhai (1963)
- Vadivukku Valai Kappu (1962)