N. S. Krishnan

Nagercoil Sudalaimuthu Krishnan, popularly known as Kalaivanar (lit. 'Lover of arts') and also as NSK, was an Indian actor-comedian, theatre artist, playback singer and writer in the early stages of the Tamil film industry – in the 1940s and 1950s. He is considered as the "Charlie Chaplin of India."[1]

N. S. Krishnan
Born(1908-11-29)29 November 1908
Died30 August 1957(1957-08-30) (aged 48)
OccupationActor
Years active1935–1957
Spouse(s)1931 Nagammal, 1939 T. A. Madhuram, T. A. Vembammal
ChildrenKolappan Nagammal
Parent(s)Father : Sudalaimuthu
Mother : Esakki

Born in Ozhuginachery, Nagercoil, in the princely state of Travancore, India on 29 November 1908, his stage and cine-screen comedy performances were unique and always carried a message for the people. "Kalaivanar" N. S. Krishnan died at the age of 49, on 30 August 1957.

Career

N. S. Krishnan started his career as a Villu Paatu artist (the Tamil way of reciting stories while singing songs and playing a musical instrument in the form of a bow called "Villu"), He later became involved in Tamil drama and stage shows, as were many film artistes. At one time, he owned a touring drama company. When cinema gradually became popular in South India, he entered the Tamil film world to become one of the most leading Tamil comedians ever, with a unique style. He generally wrote his own comedy dialogues and expressed them in his drama and films so that the message came across, but the subject was not offended.

He acted in nearly 150 Tamil films and the matinee-duo of N. S. Krishnan and T. A. Madhuram (later his wife) was very popular in his day; he also did roles along with leading stage and cine artists such as T. S. Durairaj, "Pulimootai" Ramasamy, C.S. Pandian and writers such as Udumalai Narayana Kavi and Subbu Armugham and gave a number of hits. He was a talented singer and his hits include "Sivakavi", "Raja Rani", and "Manamagal".

Though he was more popular among the Tamil populace as a film comedian, Kalaivanar was instrumental in bringing a number of leading Tamil stage and film personalities to the fore. He was a Gandhian, patriot and philanthropist, yet a very controversial figure – with his name linked to a murder and marital controversies.

Personal life

He was married to actress T. A. Madhuram. His grandson NSK Rajan has acted in the film Nagareega Komaali (2006).[2][3] His granddaughters Anu Vardhan and Ramya NSK are working as costume designer and playback singer in the film industry respectively.[4][5]

Controversies

During the mid-1940s, he and M.K.Thyagaraja Bhagavathar were arrested for suspicion of a murder famously known as Lakshmikanthan Kolai Vazhakku (Lakshmikanthan Murder Case). They were convicted and later released on appeal to the Privy Council.

When Bhagavathar and NSK were flying very high in fame in drama, cinema and concerts, fate interfered in the form of Lakshmikanthan. C. N. Lakshmikanthan or Lakshmikantham was a famous film journalist of Madras Presidency. His foray into journalism began in 1943 when he launched a film weekly called Cinema Thoothu, which was extremely successful. He wrote extensive columns devoted to the personal lives of some of the top actors and actresses of the day. Many actors and actresses responded by paying large amounts of money to "buy" his silence. As a result, Lakshmikanthan set up a prosperous vocation.

Eventually, matters reached a standstill when film actors M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, N. S. Krishnan and film director Sreeramulu Naidu submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Madras, Arthur Oswald James Hope, requesting him to revoke the license for the magazine. Hope obliged and the license for the magazine was cancelled. Lakshmikanthan tried to run the magazine with forged documents but, after a few months, he was forced to close shop.

Unfazed, Lakshmikanthan set up a new magazine called Hindu Nesan, in which he continued his scandalous stories on Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Krishnan and a few other top actors, actresses and movie people of the day. The tactics paid huge dividends and Lakshmikanthan purchased his own printing press.

On 8 November 1944, he was attacked by some people with a knife in Purasawalkam, in downtown Madras. He was admitted to the General Hospital, Madras as an outpatient: The wound was not serious enough. In his statement to the police, he did not name anyone as the accused, but only stated that someone had attacked him. He was found very jovial at the police station as he was in the hospital. During his treatment, it was reported that he wanted to expose the murderers involved in the Boat Mail murder. (A train named Boat mail used to run between Madras and the then Dhanushkoti station.) A rich banker from Devakottai was murdered in the train between Chengalpet and Madras. A notable singer-cum-actress who traveled with the banker was missing/fled when the train reached Madras. The political backing this singer had kept the truth about the real killers under the carpet. The killers saw to it that the case should not come to the court for trial. There is another version which says that Lakshikanthan was murdered by this group and not by NSK/MKT.

But on 9 November 1944, Lakshmikanthan died mysteriously in the hospital. He was murdered. The police, based on the statement made by Lakshmikanthan's bodyguard, arrested eight persons as accused for the murder. Among them were Bhagavathar and N. S. Krishnan. This came as a rude shock to their fans and the cine world.

After usual committal proceedings before the Madras Presidency Magistrate, the case came up for hearing at the Madras High court before Justice Vere Mockett. A group of brilliant lawyers – V. T. Rangasamy Iyengar, Rajagopalachariar (Rajaji), Braddel, B.T. Sundararajan, Govind Swaminathan, Srinivasagopal and K. M. Munshi – argued the case for the accused. After a prolonged trial, the jury found MKT and NSK guilty with four others.

Appeals were heard by a bench of the High Court consisting of Lionel Leach, Chief Justice of Madras, Justice K.P. Lakshmana Rao and Advocate General K. Rajah Iyer. The appeals were filed by the then leading members of the Bar, V.V. Srinivasa Iyengar and Sri V.C. Gopalarathnam. The appeals were dismissed.

MKT and NSK filed an appeal in the Privy Council, London which was the highest court of appeal. A British barrister, D. N. Pritt, appeared for them. Privy Council referred the case back to India for a fresh appraisal.

The appeal came up before a bench of two judges: Justice Happel and Justice Sahabuddin (who migrated to Pakistan in 1947 during partition of India and retired as Chief Justice of Pakistan Supreme Court). V. L. Ethiraj, a successful barrister appeared for MKT and NSK, He argued that the judges had not properly directed the jury and the evidences of doubtful nature have not been properly assessed. Ethiraj convinced the judges that all the witnesses produced against MKT and NSK were tutored and coached; there were many inconsistencies in their evidence and statements; and the case had many loopholes. The judges agreed and acquitted MKT and NSK. One of the judges who heard the remanded appeal remarked in the court that the knife produced as evidence cannot even kill a rat.

MKT, NSK and four others came out of prison after 30 months. Experts and laymen felt that the truth about the real killers of Lakshmikanthan has not come out and MKT, NSK and others were the unfortunate victims of the game of power politics.

The killers were never found. Bhagavathar never regained his lost fame.

Later, NSK resumed acting in movies, but his jail term and fight for justice made him penurious. His wealth was lost in fighting the case and so was the case of co-accused Bagavathar. Haridas, which was released while he was in jail ran for three consecutive Deepavalies with packed houses. People crowded the theatre, as they felt they would not have another chance to see their superstar on the silver screen.

Death

N.S. Krishnan had been undergoing treatment for hepatitis since 12 August 1957. He died at the General Hospital, Madras on 30 August 1957 following complications of the disease.[6]

Legacy

  • The leading Tamil Nadu politician and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu 'Kalaignar' 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.[7] The building is one of the leading landmarks in the city of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu.

Filmography

As Actor

NoYearFilmLanguageCo-starsRoleOther notes
11960Raja DesinguTamilMGR, S. S. Rajendran, P. Bhanumathi, Padmini, T. A. MadhuramThis movie was released after his death
21960ArasilangkumariTamilMGR
31959ThozhanTamilThis movie was released after his death
41958Thanga PadhumaiTamilSivaji Ganesan, PadminiChinnaiya
51957AmbikapathyTamilSivaji Ganesan, P. Bhanumathi, T. A. MadhuramN. S. Krishnan died before the completion of this film
61957Chakravarthi ThirumagalTamilMGR, Anjali Devi, S. Varalakshmi
71956Yaar PaiyanTamilGemini Ganesan, K. Savithri, T. A. Madhuram
71956ManimekalaiTamilT. R. Mahalingam, P. Bhanumathi, T. A. Madhuram
81956Balya ChakramTamil
91956AsaiTamilGemini Ganesan, Padmini, T. A. Madhuram
101956Raja RaniTamilSivaji Ganesan, Padmini, T. A. Madhuram
111956Laila MajnuTamil
131956Madurai VeeranTamilMGR, P. Bhanumathi, T. A. MadhuramCobbler
141956Rangoon RadhaTamilSivaji Ganesan, P. BhanumathiNaidu
151955KalacharamTamil
161955Kannin ManigalTamil
171955Sri RatnaTamil
181955Athiroopa AmaravathiTamil
191955Paditha MuttalTamil
201955Pudhu VazhvuTamilM. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Lalitha, Padmini, Madhuri Devi, T. A. Madhuram
211955Maha SakthiTamil
221955Nan NambikkaiTamil
231955Governors CupTelugu
241955Nam KuzhandaiTamil
251955Kudumba VillakkuTamil
261955Doctor SavithriTamil
271955KaveriTamilSivaji Ganesan, Lalitha, Padmini, T. A. Madhuram
281955Mudhal ThethiTamilSivaji Ganesan, Anjali Devi, T. A. Madhuram
291954Nalla KalamTamilDirected by Krishnan-Panju
301953ThalapathiTamil
311953NadiganTamil
321952AmarakaviTamilM. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, T. R. Rajakumari, B. S. Saroja, T. A. Madhuram
331952PanamTamilSivaji Ganesan, Padmini, T. A. Madhuram
341952Manathodu VazhTamil
351952ThottakkaranTamil
361952RagasiyamTamil
371951VanasundariTamilP. U. Chinnappa, T. R. Rajakumari, S. Varalakshmi, T. A. Madhuram
381950ParijathamTamilT. R. Mahalingam, T. A. Madhuram
391950ManamagalTamilLalitha, Padmini, T. A. Madhuram
401949ViswamitraTamil
411949RathnakumarTamilP. U. Chinnappa, MGR, P. Bhanumathi, T. A. Madhuram
421949PavalakkodiTamilT. R. Mahalingam
431949InbavalliTamil
441949Kanniyin KaadhaliTamil
451949Macha RekaiTamilT. R. Mahalingam, S. Varalakshmi, T. A. Madhuram
461949Thambi DuraiTamil
471949MangaiyarkkarasiTamilP. U. Chinnappa, P. Kannamba, Anjali Devi, T. A. Madhuram
481949NallathambiTamilP. Bhanumathi, T. A. MadhuramZamindar
491948ChandralekhaTamilM. K. Radha, Ranjan, T. R. Rajakumari, T. A. Madhuram
501948Samsara NoukaTamilonly T. A. Madhuram
511947Sri ValliTamilT. R. Mahalingam, Rukmini, T. A. Madhuram
521947PaithiyakkaranTamilM. G. Ramachandran
531949PavalakkodiTamilT. R. Mahalingam, T. E. Varadhan, T. A. Madhuram
541947Brahma Rishi VishvamitraTamilThe film was first released and did not perform well in box-office, then the comedy track was added
551947Pankaja ValliTamilP. U. Chinnappa, T. R. Rajakumari, T. A. Madhuram
561949Krishna BakthiTamilP. U. Chinnappa, K. R. Ramaswamy, T. A. Madhuram
571947KannikaTamilT. E. Varadhan, M. S. Sarojini, M. R. Santhanalakshmi, T. A. Madhuram
581946ArthanariTamilP. U. Chinnappa, T. R. Ramachandran, T. A. Madhuram
591946Deva DasiTamil
601944MahamayaTamilP. U. Chinnappa, P. Kannamba, T. A. Madhuram
611945Burma RaniTamilC. Honnappa Bhagavathar, K. L. V. Vasantha, T. A. Madhuram
621945Baktha KalathiTamilC. Honnappa Bhagavathar, K. Thavamani Devi, T. A. Madhuram
621945ParanjothiTamilK. Sarangkapani, V. A. Chellappa, T. A. Madhuram
631945Chow Chow – Kalikala Minor, School Drama, Soora PuliTamil
641945SaalivaahananTamilRanjan, T. R. Rajakumari, M. G. Ramachandran, T. A. Madhuram
651944Raja RajeshwariTamilC. Honnappa Bhagavathar, K. L. V. Vasanthaonly T. A. Madhuram
661946ValmikiTamil
671944HaridasTamilFor the first time in Tamil cinema history, Haridas ran successfully for 110 weeks in Chennai Broadway Talkies. Was screened from 16 October 1944 to 22 November 1946
681944PoompavaiTamilK. R. Ramaswamy, U. R. Jeevarathinam, T. A. Madhuram
691944BharthruhariTamilSerukulathur Sama, B. Jayamma
701944JagathalaprathapanTamilP. U. Chinnappa, T. A. Madhuram
711944PrabhavathiTamilC. Honnappa Bhagavathar, T. R. Rajakumari, T. A. Madhuram
731943AswiniTamil
741943Bagya LakshmiTelugu
751944HarischandraTamilP. U. Chinnappa, P. Kannamba
761943Mangamma SapathamTamilRanjan, Vasundhara Devi, T. A. Madhuram
771943SivakaviTamilM. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, S. Jayalakshmi, T. A. Madhuram
781943Kubera KuchelaTamilP. U. Chinnappa, T. A. Madhuram
791943ArunthathiTamilC. Honnappa Bhagavathar, U. R. Jeevarathinam, T. A. Madhuram
801942Emantha SonagiriTamil
811942KathambamTamil
821942ManonmaniTamilP. U. Chinnappa, T. R. Rajakumari, T. A. Madhuram
831942PrithivirajTamilP. U. Chinnappa, A. Sakunthala, T. A. Madhuram
841942Panchamirtham (Naadaga Medai & Thiruvaazhatthaan)Tamil
851943Dhaasippen or Jothi MalarTamilT. R. Mahalingam, M. G. Ramachandran, T. A. Madhuram
861942Sivalinga SatchiTamil
871942KannagiTamilP. U. Chinnappa, P. Kannamba, T. A. Madhuram
881942Krishna PidaranTamilKothamangalam Seenu, T. A. Madhuram
891942Aaraiychi Mani or Manuneethi CholanTamilP. B. Rangachari, M. R. Santhanalakshmi, T. A. Madhuram
901941Iru NanbargalTamil
911941Vedha Vathi or Seetha JananamTamilM. R. Krishnamoorthi, M. G. Ramachandran, T. A. Madhuram
921941Chandra HariTamilT. A. Madhuram
931941Izhandha Kadhal (Lost Love)[8]TamilC. S. Jayaraman, T. A. Madhuram
941941Ashok KumarTamilM. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, M. G. Ramachandran
951941AryamalaTamilP. U. Chinnappa, T. A. Madhuram
961941Alibabavum Narpadhu ThirudargalumTamilT. A. Madhuram
971940SakunthalaiTamilM. S. Subbulakshmi, G. N. Balasubramaniam, T. A. Madhuram, T. S. Durairaj
981940ParasuramarTamilU. R. Jeevarathinam, T. A. Madhuram
991940Manimekalai or Bala SaniyasiTamilK. B. Sundarambal, Kothamangalam Seenu, T. A. MadhuramIn those days there were movies that had 2 titles
1001940Bhoologa RambaiTamilT. K. Shanmugam, K. L. V. Vasantha, T. A. Madhuram
1011940Sathi MuraliTamilM. K. Radha, M. R. Santhanalakshmi, T. A. Madhuram
1021942Naveena Vikramadityan or Buddhimaan Balavaan AvaanTamilT. A. MadhuramFirst ever spoof movie in Tamil. Trolled a movie named Vikramadityan
1031940Chandraguptha ChanakyaTamilN. C. Vasanthakokilam, T. A. Madhuram
1031940Tharuthalai ThangaveluTamilT. A. Madhuram
1041940Naveena Tenali RamanTamilT. A. Madhuram
1051940Uthama PuthiranTamilP. U. Chinnappa, M. V. Rajamma, T. A. Madhuram
1061940SirikkatheTamilConsist of five stories under one single title (an innovative idea in those days) the titles where:Adangka Pidari, Puli Vettai, Poli Panchali, Malai Kannan, Yama Vathanai
1071940KalamegamTamilT. N. Rajarathnam, S. P. L. Dhanalakshmi, T. A. Madhuram
1081939PrahaladhaTamilT. R. Mahalingam, M. R. Santhanalakshmi, R. Balasubramaniam, M. G. Ramachandran
1091939Rambaiyin KaadhalTamilK. Sarangkapani, K. L. V. Vasantha, T. A. Madhuram
1101939Pommi KalyanamTamil
1111939Madurai VeeranTamil
1121939Sri Math Ramalinga SwamigalTamil
1131939Maya MachindraTamilM. K. Radha, M. G. Ramachandran
1141939ManikkavasagarTamilM. M. Dandapani Desikar
1151939ThiruneelakantarTamilM. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
1161939Aanandha AshramamTamilP. B. Rangachari, C. V. V. Panthulu
1171940Krishnan ThoothuTamilSerukulathur Sama, P. Kannamba, T. A. Madhuram
1181938DakshayagnamTamilV. A. Chelappa, M. M. Radhabai
1191937BalamaniTamil
1201936Chandra KanthaTamilKali N. Rathnam, P. U. Chinnappa
1211937Baktha ThulasidassTamil
1221937AmbikapathyTamilM. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
1231936Vasantha SenaTamilV. A. Chellappa, S. P. L. Dhanalakshmi, M. S. Vijayal
1241936Sathi LeelavathiTamilM. K. Radha, MGR
1251935MenakaTamilT. K. Shanmugam, T. K. Baghavathi, T. K. Sankaran, T. K. Muthurswamy

As Director

  • Panam (1952) – Dialogues by M Karunanidhi
  • Manamagal (1951) – Dialogues by M Karunanidhi
  • Pelli Koothuru (1951)

References

  1. ""The generous comic genius"". Archived from the original on 6 October 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  2. "Stargazing". The Hindu. 17 February 2006. Archived from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  3. "A rich lineage for them - Tamil News". 14 February 2006. Archived from the original on 27 December 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  4. "Weaves of fortune". The Hindu. 6 December 2001. Archived from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  5. Kamath, Sudhish (3 September 2012). "The MAESTro's MAGIC continues". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  6. "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.
  7. 26 Nov, Ajitha Karthikeyan | TNN |; 2009; Ist, 00:37. "Curtains down on landmark auditorium Kalaivanar Arangam". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 30 November 2009. Retrieved 12 May 2020.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. Sundararaj Theodore Baskaran The eye of the serpent: an introduction to Tamil cinema 1996 Page 215 " Udumalai Narayana Kavi ... N.S.Krishnan invited him to work in his film Lost Love/Izhanda Kathal (1941)"
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