N. S. Krishnan
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N. S. Krishnan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 29 November 1908 |
| Died | 30 August 1957 (aged 48) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1935–1957 |
| Works | Filmography |
| Spouse(s) |
Nagammal (m. 1931) |
| Children | 1 |
Nagercoil Sudalaimuthu Krishnan, popularly known as Kalaivanar (lit. 'Lover of arts') and also as NSK, (29 November 1908 – 30 August 1957) was an Indian actor, comedian, dancer, playback singer and screenwriter in the early stages of the Tamil film industry – in the 1940s and 1950s. He is considered as the "Charlie Chaplin of India."[1] His stage and cine-screen comedy performances were unique and always carried a message for the people.
Early life
[edit]Born into a Vellalar[2] family in Ozhuginasery, Nagercoil, in the princely state of Travancore, India on 29 November 1908. He grew up in poverty and supported himself by selling sweets.[3]
Career
[edit]He started his acting career in a drama troupe and became a top stage actor before switching to film.[3] Krishnan and T. A. Mathuram became a popular comedy duo in South Indian cinema.[4] They were later married. They starred in around 100 films together and few South Indian films were made at the time without them appearing.[3]
As well as acting, he produced films including Nallathambi (1949).[3]
He also excelled as a folk dancer.[3]
Murder accusation
[edit]N. S. Krishnan was accused in the Lakshmikanthan murder case along with the then-famous lead actor Thyagaraja Bhagavathar. This had a major impact on his artistic career. He was acquitted a few months before India gained independence. After spending approximately 30 months in prison, he was released and began acting in films again. However, a significant portion of his wealth had been depleted due to the legal proceedings.
Personal life
[edit]He was first married to Nagammai and then to actress Mathuram later to her younger sister T.A.Vembammal. His grandson NSK Rajan has acted in the film Nagareega Komaali (2006).[5][6] His granddaughters Anu Vardhan and Ramya NSK are working as costume designer and playback singer in the film industry respectively.[7][8]
Death
[edit]N.S. Krishnan had been undergoing treatment for alcohol-induced hepatitis since 12 August 1957. He died at the General Hospital, Madras on 30 August 1957 following complications of the disease.[9] His funeral was attended by more than 100,000 people.[3]
Legacy
[edit]- Politician Karunanidhi, when asked once by a journalist (of the Tamil magazine Kumudham) about who the non-political hero in his life was, answered it was Kalaivanar. Karunanidhi knew him well and worked in some of his film projects.
- Kalaivanar was an active member of the Dravidian Movement. Kalaivanar Arangam (or Kalaivanar Arts Centre) was named after him.[10] The building is one of the leading landmarks in the city of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu. It briefly housed the Tamil Nadu Assembly in the 1950s.
References
[edit]- ^ ""The generous comic genius"". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 October 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
- ^ Madras (India: State) (1957). Madras District Gazetteers: Kanniyakumari District. Superintendent, Government Press. p. 1019.
- ^ a b c d e f "100,000 At Funeral of Indian Pic Actor". Variety. 18 September 1957.
- ^ Guy, Randor (27 November 2014). "When NSK met Mathuram". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
- ^ "Stargazing". The Hindu. 17 February 2006. Archived from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
- ^ "A rich lineage for them - Tamil News". 14 February 2006. Archived from the original on 27 December 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
- ^ "Weaves of fortune". The Hindu. 6 December 2001. Archived from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
- ^ Kamath, Sudhish (3 September 2012). "The MAESTro's MAGIC continues". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
- ^ "dated August 31, 1957: N.S. Krishnan dead". The Hindu. 31 August 2007. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
- ^ Karthikeyan, Ajitha (26 November 2009). "Curtains down on landmark auditorium Kalaivanar Arangam". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 30 November 2009. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
External links
[edit]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
| Other | |
- People from Nagercoil
- Tamil comedians
- Tamil film directors
- Dravidian movement
- Anti-Brahminism
- 1957 deaths
- 1908 births
- 20th-century Indian male actors
- Tamil screenwriters
- Screenwriters from Tamil Nadu
- Indian male comedians
- Male actors from Tamil Nadu
- Indian male stage actors
- Male actors in Telugu cinema
- 20th-century Indian comedians
- 20th-century Indian screenwriters