Kothamangalam Subbu
Encyclopedia
Kothamangalam Subbu a noted Padmashri-award winning poet
, lyricist
, writer
, actor
and director
from Tamil Nadu
who authored the cult classic of Tamil novelThillana Mohanambal, later made into an enchanted movie. According to novelist Ashokamitran's memoirs, Subbu functioned as the No.2 of the giant Gemini Studios of Chennai
(formerly Madras), South India for over three decades and was a close associate of movie mogul SS Vasan, who also published the popular Tamil weekly Ananda Vikatan and established the Gemini Studios in Chennai.
Subbu's natural name was Subramanian. He was born in a village called Kannariyenthal, near Pattukoddai in Tamil Nadu. His parents were Mahalingam Iyer and Kangammal. After losing his mother when he was young, Subbu received patronage from his younger aunt. He could continue his studies only up to 8th grade. After marrying a kin, Subbu settled in Kothamangalam and worked as an accountant in a business concern. However, his interests shifted towards Tamil drama, acting, singing and composing songs. By late 1930s, Subbu receivd opportunities for acting in the then blossoming Tamil movies in Madras.
Subbu directed the epic film Avvaiyar, 1953 in which the great artiste of those days Smt K.B.Sunderambal played the lead role. Ashokamitran had profiled humorously, how this film took shape in the Gemini Studios. Subbu, along with his wife Sundari Bai, played a minor role in the movie as the husband of an incorrigible lady who refuses to serve Avvaiyar with food. Subbu also directed Kannamma En Kadhali, that featured his wife Sundari Bai. Furthermore, Subbu also acted as a hero in Miss Malini
that was remade in Hindi
as Mr. Sampath. Miss Malini was an adaptation of RK Narayan novel Mr Sampath. Dasi Aparanji was another movie in which Subbu and Sundari Bai played the lead roles. In addition, Subbu has also acted in Tamil movies, Thiruneelakantar, and Pava Mannippu.
As a writer Subbu's most well-known work is Thillana Mohanambal that was transformed into a popularly and critically successful Tamil movie, starring Sivaji Ganesan
and Padmini
. Subbu was awarded the Padma Shri
for authoring this novel, which originally appeared as a weekly serial in the Anantha Vikatan. Respected for his encyclopedic knowledge of music and satirical writing style, Subbu's tongue-in-cheek writing won the appreciation of many. Subbu also authored Rao Bahadur Singaram, Bandanallur Bama, Ponnivanathu Poonguyil, Miss Radha, and Manju Virattu (a collection of short stories)
Kothamangalam Subbu has written several novels using the pen name of Kalaimani and also penned Gandhi Mahan Kathai narrating the life of Mahatma Gandhi
in folklore form. Ananda Vikatan magazine is currently republishing the works of this writer, lyricist, director and actor. As an exponent of the traditional folk form of narrating stories in Tamil Nadu, the Villuppatu, Kothamangalam Subbu popularised the lives of many Indian luminaries using the Villu Paatu.
Subbu's wife Sundari Bai was also a popular actor, known for her versatility in essaying character roles in movies such as Kannamma En Kadhali, Sumathy En Sundari, Chandralekha, Bama Rukmani and Avvaiyar.
Year 2010 being Padmashri Kothamangalam Subbu's birth centenary year, his family members and fans are planning a mega event in Chennai during November to felicitate the multi-faceted artist.
Reference
Ashokamitran. My Years with Boss at Gemini Studios. Orient Longman, Hyderabad, 2002, pp. 17-19. P.S.Ramanan: Kothamangalam Subbu. Thenral, Sept. 2010, pp. 36-38 (in Tamil).
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, lyricist
Lyricist
A lyricist is a songwriter who specializes in lyrics. A singer who writes the lyrics to songs is a singer-lyricist. This differentiates from a singer-composer, who composes the song's melody.-Collaboration:...
, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
and 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:...
from Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
who authored the cult classic of Tamil novelThillana Mohanambal, later made into an enchanted movie. According to novelist Ashokamitran's memoirs, Subbu functioned as the No.2 of the giant Gemini Studios of Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
(formerly Madras), South India for over three decades and was a close associate of movie mogul SS Vasan, who also published the popular Tamil weekly Ananda Vikatan and established the Gemini Studios in Chennai.
Subbu's natural name was Subramanian. He was born in a village called Kannariyenthal, near Pattukoddai in Tamil Nadu. His parents were Mahalingam Iyer and Kangammal. After losing his mother when he was young, Subbu received patronage from his younger aunt. He could continue his studies only up to 8th grade. After marrying a kin, Subbu settled in Kothamangalam and worked as an accountant in a business concern. However, his interests shifted towards Tamil drama, acting, singing and composing songs. By late 1930s, Subbu receivd opportunities for acting in the then blossoming Tamil movies in Madras.
Subbu directed the epic film Avvaiyar, 1953 in which the great artiste of those days Smt K.B.Sunderambal played the lead role. Ashokamitran had profiled humorously, how this film took shape in the Gemini Studios. Subbu, along with his wife Sundari Bai, played a minor role in the movie as the husband of an incorrigible lady who refuses to serve Avvaiyar with food. Subbu also directed Kannamma En Kadhali, that featured his wife Sundari Bai. Furthermore, Subbu also acted as a hero in Miss Malini
Miss Malini
Miss Malini is a social satire film from South India based on the Mr. Sampath story by R.K. Narayan. It included aspects of life in Madras during the World War II period when there was a shortage of commodities and high prices, and includes depictions of social mores, a love story, and the moral...
that was remade in Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
as Mr. Sampath. Miss Malini was an adaptation of RK Narayan novel Mr Sampath. Dasi Aparanji was another movie in which Subbu and Sundari Bai played the lead roles. In addition, Subbu has also acted in Tamil movies, Thiruneelakantar, and Pava Mannippu.
As a writer Subbu's most well-known work is Thillana Mohanambal that was transformed into a popularly and critically successful Tamil movie, starring Sivaji Ganesan
Sivaji Ganesan
Viluppuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan Manrayar , commonly known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan , was an Indian stage and film actor active during the latter half of the 20th century. He is one of the most respected film actors in India. He is well known for his versatility and acting skills with...
and Padmini
Padmini (actress)
Padmini was an Indian actress and trained Bharathanatyam dancer who has acted in over 250 Indian films. She has acted in the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi language films...
. Subbu was awarded the Padma Shri
Padma Shri
Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan...
for authoring this novel, which originally appeared as a weekly serial in the Anantha Vikatan. Respected for his encyclopedic knowledge of music and satirical writing style, Subbu's tongue-in-cheek writing won the appreciation of many. Subbu also authored Rao Bahadur Singaram, Bandanallur Bama, Ponnivanathu Poonguyil, Miss Radha, and Manju Virattu (a collection of short stories)
Kothamangalam Subbu has written several novels using the pen name of Kalaimani and also penned Gandhi Mahan Kathai narrating the life of Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , pronounced . 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement...
in folklore form. Ananda Vikatan magazine is currently republishing the works of this writer, lyricist, director and actor. As an exponent of the traditional folk form of narrating stories in Tamil Nadu, the Villuppatu, Kothamangalam Subbu popularised the lives of many Indian luminaries using the Villu Paatu.
Subbu's wife Sundari Bai was also a popular actor, known for her versatility in essaying character roles in movies such as Kannamma En Kadhali, Sumathy En Sundari, Chandralekha, Bama Rukmani and Avvaiyar.
Year 2010 being Padmashri Kothamangalam Subbu's birth centenary year, his family members and fans are planning a mega event in Chennai during November to felicitate the multi-faceted artist.
Reference
Ashokamitran. My Years with Boss at Gemini Studios. Orient Longman, Hyderabad, 2002, pp. 17-19. P.S.Ramanan: Kothamangalam Subbu. Thenral, Sept. 2010, pp. 36-38 (in Tamil).