Cho Ramaswamy

Srinivasa Iyer Ramaswamy, better known as Cho Ramaswamy (5 October 1934 – 7 December 2016), was an Indian actor, comedian, character actor, editor, political satirist, playwright, dialogue writer, film director and lawyer in Tamil Nadu.[1]

Cho Ramaswamy
Member of Parliament for Rajya Sabha
In office
16 November 1999 – 16 November 2005
PresidentK. R. Narayanan (1997–2002)
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (2002–2007)
Prime MinisterA.B.Vajpayee
ConstituencyNominated
Founder and Author of Thuglak
In office
14 January 1970 – 7 December 2016
Succeeded bySwaminathan Gurumurthy
Cho Ramaswamy
Born
Srinivasa Iyer Ramaswamy

(1934-10-05)5 October 1934
Mylapore, Madras, India
Died7 December 2016(2016-12-07) (aged 82)
Chennai, India
OccupationActor, political satirist, journalist, lawyer, editor, Director, Screen writer.
Notable credit(s)
Thuglak
Spouse(s)Shrimati Soundaramba
(m.1966-2016)
(until his death)
RelativesRamya Krishnan (niece)
AwardsPadma Bhushan (2017)

Family

The elder son of R. Srinivasa Iyer (father) and Rajammal (mother), Cho had a younger brother, who was also an actor. Cho died on 7 December 2016.[2] He has two children Sriram Ramaswamy, Sindhuja. He did his schooling in P.S.Higher School.(P.S. High School) His niece is Actress Ramya Krishnan. The name 'Cho' that the world knows so well was the name of the character he played in a Tamil play written by Bhageerathan titled Thenmozhiyaal.[3]

Career

Films

Cho made his debut in 1963 with Paar Magale Paar as a comedian. From 1963 to 2005 he acted in 180 Tamil films and directed 5 films. He also wrote and directed 20 plays.[4]

He also wrote and acted in 27 Television serials. He wrote 10 books. Apart from being an actor, he was both the screenplay and story writer of films such as Thenmazhai, Ninaivil Nindraval, Bommalattam, Aayiram Poi and Panam Paththum Seyyum, all of which proved to be box office hits.

Cho played the role of a bike mechanic in the play Petralthan Pillaiya, written by Pattu of the United Amateur Artistes (UAA), which became a huge success. When the play was later adapted into a film by director A. Bhimsingh, Sivaji Ganesan persuaded Cho to play the same role in the film too, leading to Cho's entry into the film world. Cho and Jayalalithaa have worked together in 19 films and also had been part of the same drama troupe.

Frequent collaborations

Cho as an actor has been pitted against other actors across generations. His comic timing against T.S. Balaiah in Manam Oru Kurangu, or with M.R. Radha, or many times with actors like V.K. Ramaswamy, Nagesh, Manorama and Sachu in many films brought out the best in him.

Cho and Manorama were paired together in 20 films, which included Malligaip poo, Annaiyum pithavum, Dharisanam, Anbait thedi, Ninaivil Nindraval, Nirai Kudam, Therottam, Aayiram Poi, Mohammed Bin Tughlaq, Bommalattam, Pugundha Veedu, Vilayaattu Pillai, Kanavan, Rojavin Raja and Velum Mayilum Thunai and were pitted in a non-couple role in Suryagandhi, Delhi Mappilai and Naadagame Ulagam.

Cho acted alongside Nagesh in Thenmazhai, Ninaivil Nindraval, Ulagam Ivvalavudhaan and Bommalattam among others. He was paired opposite Sachu in films like Deva Sankalpam, Galaataa Kalyanam and Delhi Mappilai.

Cho has acted with the MGR–Jayalalitha combo in films like Oli Villaku, Kanavan, Kumarikottam, Mattukara Velan, Aadimai Penn, Engal Thangam, Thedi Vantha Mapillai, En Annan and Neerum Nerupum. Cho has acted with MGR in many films like Petralthaan Pillaiya, Sangey Muzhangu, Rickshawkaaran and Thalaivan. Cho has acted with Jayalalitha in other films like Bommalaattam, Galaattaak kalyanam, Suryagandhi, Vandhaale Maharaasi and Anbai Thedi.

Cho has acted with Sivakumar in films like Shanmugapriya, Onne Onnu Kanne Kannu, Thaip Paasam, Uravu Solla Oruvan, Aan Pillai Singam, Yaarukkum Vetkamillai, Chinna Kuyil Padudhu, Sattai Illatha Pambaram and Kanna Thorakiran Samy. Among these, Yaarukkum Vetkamillai was directed by Cho in 1976.

Politics

He was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President of India, K. R. Narayanan. In the Rajya Sabha 12 MPs are nominated by the President of India from amongst persons who have special knowledge or practical experience in the fields of literature, science, art or social service. He served as a Rajya Sabha MP from November 1999 to November 2005.[5][6]

Literature

He was the founder and editor of the Tamil magazine Thuglak.[7] Politicians such as J. B. Kripalani, Indira Gandhi, Karunanidhi, Chandra Shekhar, G. K. Moopanar, M. G. Ramachandran, Jayalalithaa, Ramakrishna Hegde, N. T. Rama Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and L. K. Advani, Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh and P. Chidambaram were targets of his editorial attacks. In his last years, he predicted that Narendra Modi would "win laurels for India" in the future,[8] and also praised Jayalalithaa for her administration of Tamil Nadu.

The anniversary celebration of his popular magazine Thuglak is being organised on 14 January every year coinciding with the local festival of '"Pongal" and is attended by about 50000 admirers as well as adversaries. Several VIPs also participate in the function. The main attraction during the celebrations is the questions posed by members of the audience and quick answers given by Cho.

On 25 January 2017, the Government of India announced the Padma Bhushan award for his contribution towards Literature & Education – Journalism.[9]

Filmography

As Actor
YearFilmRoleNotes
1963Paar Magaley PaarTamil
1966Marakka Mudiyumaa?Tamil
ThenmazhaiTamil
1967Ninaivil NindravalTamil
Manam Oru KuranguTamil
Penn Endraal PennTamil
Naan Yaar TheriyumaTamil
1968Galatta Kalyanamas VittalTamil
BommalattamTamil
Neelagiri ExpressTamil
KuzhanthaikkaagaTamil
Delhi MapillaiChinna ThambiTamil
Lakshmi KalyanamTamil
Kannan En KadhalanTamil
Oli VilakkuTamil
KanavanTamil
1969Nirai KudamTamil
Aayiram PoiTamil
Ulagam IvvalavuthaanTamil
Adimai PennTamil
Aindhu LatchamTamil
Kanni pennTamil
Magizham PooTamil
Annaiyum PithavumTamil
1970En AnnanTamil
Maattukara VelanTamil
Engal ThangamTamil
Thedi Vandha MappillaiTamil
DharisanamTamil
Nadu IravilTamil
Vilayattu PillaiTamil
1971Muhammad bin TughluqTamil
TherottamTamil
Neerum NeruppumTamil
RickshawkaranTamil
Oru Thaai MakkalTamil
Kumari KottamTamil
ArunodhayamTamil
SoodhattamTamil
Yanai Valartha Vanambadi MaganTamil
1972ThavapudhalavanTamil
Unakkum EnakkumTamil
Mr.SampathTamil
Thaaikku Oru PillaiTamil
Sange MuzhanguTamil
Deiva SankalpamTamil
1973Vandhale MagarasiTamil
SuryakanthiTamil
GauravamTamil
Pon VannduTamil
VaakkuruthiTamil
Ganga GowriTamil
Manitharil MaanikkamTamil
Kasi YathiraiTamil
PonnunjalTamil
ShanmugapriyaTamil
VayadiTamil
Veettukku Vandha MarumagalTamil
Malligai PooTamil
School MasterTamil
Anbu SagothararkalTamil
1974Thanga PathakkamTamil
Orey SaatchiTamil
Anbai ThediTamil
Idhayam Parkkirathu(Guest role)Tamil
RoshakkaariTamil
Devi Sri KarmariammanTamil
Kalyanamam KalyanamTamil
Onne Onnu Kanne KannuTamil
Pillai SelvamTamil
Thai PasamTamil
Puguntha VeeduTamil
MagalukkagaTamil
1975Aan Pillai SingamTamil
Sonthankal VaazhgaTamil
AndharangamTamil
Cinema Paithiyam(Guest role)Tamil
Unga Veettu KalyaanamTamil
Avandhan ManidhanTamil
Thai Veettu SeethanamTamil
Uravu Solla OruvanTamil
Yarukkum VetkamillaiTamil
Pinchu ManamTamil
Melnaattu Marumagal(Guest actor)Tamil
1976Unmaye Un Vilai EnnaTamil
Mayor MeenakshiTamil
Rojavin RajaTamil
Avan Oru Sarithiram(Guest role)Tamil
Perum PugazhumTamil
1977ThanikudithanamTamil
BalappareetchaiTamil
Unnai Sutrum Ulagam(Guest actor)Tamil
1978Sakka Podu Podu RajaTamil
1979Aarilirunthu Arubathu VaraiTamil
Nadagame UlagamTamil
Velum Mayilum ThunaiTamil
1981Kadavulin TheerppuTamil
1983Adutha VarisuTamil
1984Naan Mahaan AllaTamil
Saattai Illatha PambaramTamil
1985Navgraha NayagiTamil
Puthiya TheerpuTamil
1986Kanna Thorakkanum SaamiTamil
1987Chinna Kuyil PaaduthuTamil
ManithanTamil
AnandTamil
Paruva RagamTamil
1988Guru SishyanTamil
1990Adhisaya PiraviTamil
1990Ulagam Pirandhadhu EnakkagaTamil
1998Kadhala KadhalaTamil

Direction
  1. Muhammad bin Tughluq
  2. Unmaiye Un Vilai Enna
  3. Mr. Sampath
  4. Yarukkum Vetkam Illai
  5. Sambo Siva Samboo

Screenplay
  1. Neelagiri Express
  2. Aayiram Poi
  3. Nirai Kudam
  4. Bommalattam
  5. Ninaivil Nindraval

Other works

Plays
YearPlayRoleNotes
Kalyanidebut drama
Wait and Seedirected by KB
Why Notdirected by KB
What Fordirected by KB
Muhammad bin Tughluq
Yaarukkum Vetkamillai
Saathiram Sonnadhillai
Nermai Urangum Neram
Iraivan Irandhuvittana?
Enru Thaniyum Inda Sudandira Thaagam?
Judgement Reserved
Quo Vadis
Unmayae Unn Villai Ennae?
Saraswathiyin Selvan
Unmai Urangum Neram
Madras by Night

Bibliography
  1. Hindu Maha Samudram Vol – I, II, III, IV, V, and VI (Latest)
  2. Mahabaratham Pesugirathu
  3. Valmiki Ramayanam
  4. Verukathagada Bramaniyam
  5. Nane Raja

Television
  1. Engey Brahmanan?
  2. Verukatthakkatha Brahmaneeyam?
  3. Sambavami Yuge Yuge
  4. Vande Mataram
  5. Ivargalai Therindhu Kollungal
  6. Washington Il Nallathambi
  7. Sarakar Pugunda Veedu
  8. Koovam Nadikaraiyinile
  9. Adhigaprasangam
  10. Yaro Ivar Yaro?
  11. Saadhal Ellaiyel Kaadhal
  12. Mydear BrahmaDeva
  13. India Enge Pogiradhu?
  14. Kamarajarai Sandhitthen
  15. Puratchi Geethai
  16. Sattam Thalai Guniyattum
  17. Enge Pogirai?
  18. Embak Kana Onru Kandaen
  19. Saraswathiyin Selvan
  20. Manam Oru Kurangu
  21. En Koodathu?
  22. Eravil Chennai
  23. Uravugal Ellaiyadi Pappa
  24. Edarkaga?
  25. Thiraiyulagathai Thirumbi Parkiraen
  26. Unmayae Unn Villai Ennae?
  27. Janatha Nagar Colony

Satire

Following Sanjay Gandhi's death in an air crash, Cho released stamps in memory of Capt. Subhash Saxena, the pilot of the aircraft, who also died in the air crash. The postal departments failed to realise that these stamps were not official and mistakenly delivered mail that had them affixed.[10]

Illness and death

Cho was hospitalized in January 2015 and was in and out of hospital due to illness. He died of a cardiac arrest at 3:58 AM on 7 December 2016, aged 82, at Apollo Hospital in Chennai, where he was receiving treatment for respiratory problems. He was survived by his wife, Soundara Ramaswamy,[11] son Rajivakshan alias Sriram, and daughter Sindhu.[12][13][14][15]

His death happened a day after Jayalalithaa had died. Rajinikanth disclosed later that Jayalalithaa had always wished that Cho should live as long as she lived. He quoted: "As it turns out, he was alive till then and even few hours after that."[16]

References
  1. "Cho Ramaswamy". veethi.com. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  2. Geetha Venkataramanan (8 December 2016). "Actor Neelu on his 60-year old bond with Cho". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  3. "Jayalalithaa's friend, Modi's 'Rajguru': Who was Cho Ramaswamy?". India Today. 7 December 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  4. Karthika Raveendran. "Rajinikanth, Sivakumar, Suriya, Karthi pay homage to late Journalist-actor Cho Ramaswamy". Bollywoodlife.com. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  5. Biodata; accessed 28 January 2018.Archived 14 May 2003 at the Wayback Machine
  6. "He Introduced Me As 'Merchant of Death': PM Modi on Cho Ramaswamy". Ndtv.com. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  7. "Thuglak". Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  8. "Narendra Modi will win laurels for India in the future – Shri Cho Ramaswamy". 1 November 2013.
  9. "PadmaAwards-2017" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 January 2017.
  10. https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/india-news-satires-doughty-donkey/302647
  11. Ramaswamy, Srinivasa Iyer. "Srinivasa Iyer Ramaswamy passes away, aged 82". News Paper. Retrieved 7 December 2016 – via http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
  12. Obituary, thehindu.com; accessed 28 January 2018.
  13. "Cho Ramaswamy watched Jayalalithaa's final journey before he breathed his last — Firstpost". firstpost.com.
  14. "Cho Ramaswamy watched Jayalalithaa's final journey before he breathed his last". Firstpost.com. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  15. Ramaswamy, Cho (7 December 2016). "Cho Ramaswamy passes away". The Hindu. The Hindu India. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  16. Jesudasan, Dennis S. (14 January 2017). "Modi pays tributes to 'Cho' Ramaswamy" – via The Hindu.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.