- J. P. Chandrababu
-
Joseph Panimayadas Rodriguez Chandrababu (1927–1974) (Tamil: ஜோசப் பனிமயதாஸ் சந்திரபாபு) as a Tamil film comedian-actor, singer and dancer, whose Chaplinesque style on-screen movements and singing style made him popular from the late 1940s to the early 1970s. His style has also been likened to that of Jerry Lewis. He had a mastery of the Madras Bashai, a dialect unique to the Madras region His slapstick style of comedy has been emulated by subsequent actors, such as Prabhu Deva in Kaadhalan movie. Many of his songs have remained popular.
There is confusion regarding his full name. His last name has been variously given as Chandrababu, Rodriguez and Fernando, whilst his middle name has been shown as Panimayadas or Pichai, and his first as Joseph or Jacob. His father was Joseph Pichai Rodriguez and his mother Roselin Fernando.
Contents
Biography
Chandrababu was born in 1929, a son of a Christian family from the Paravar community of Tuticorin, India.[1] His father, a freedom fighter,[1] ran a paper called Sudhandhira Veeran which, along with the family assets, was seized by the British government in 1929 when he was arrested for participating in the satyagraha movement.[citation needed] He and the family were exiled to Colombo, Sir Lanka on his release[when?], where his father worked for a Tamil newspaper. Chandrababu was educated at St. Joseph's College, Colombo and Aquinas College prior to his family moving once more, this time to Chennai in 1943. Here they lived in Triplicane, where his father worked for the Dinamani newspaper.
Sri Lanka had a very western outlook in those times and Chandrabubu picked up on western styles of song and dance while there.[1] In these early years, Chandrababu, made acquaintances of the actors Sriram, B. R. Panthulu and, through them, T. R. Mahalingam. They appreciated his talent in singing and mimicry of Hollywood stars such as Charles Boyer.[citation needed] He made his debut with a small role in the 1947 film Dhana Amaravathi[1] but struggled thereafter to obtain parts.
In 1952 he attempted suicide by ingesting copper sulphate crystals in the canteen of Gemini Studio. He had written a suicide note explaining his reasons, which included that he had been unable to meet the director S. S. Vasan, and that his body was to be handed over to B. S. Ramaiah, the director of his only film at that date. Suicide was a criminal offence and so he was arrested. but when his case came to trial the judge asked him to prove his acting ability. Chandrababu rendered a Shakespearean monologue that so impressed the judge that he was not jailed.[1]
One of those who had assisted him in being taken to hospital at the time of his attempted suicide was Gemini Ganesan. When Vasan came to know of this episode he gave Chandrababu a small role in the 1952 film Moondru Pillaigal, the playing of which impressed Vasan so much that he predicted a successful career.[1]
Chandrababu also filmed Chinnadurai and Mohanasundaram in the same year. In Chinnadorai, produced and directed by T. R. Mahalingam, he sang the song Poda Raja Podi Nadaya, the first time that yodelling had been heard in Indian film.[citation needed] It is claimed that, as of 2009, he remained the only person capable of yodelling in south Indian cinema,[1] .Renowned Indian Actor and Singer Kishore Kumar had apparently learnt the art of yodeling from Chandrababu. Chandrababu loved western music and learned the art of yodelling by listening to singers such as Gene Autry and Hank Williams.
Chandrababu was paid Rs 200 for his role in Mohanasundaram.[citation needed] At his peak he was to command over Rs 100,000, becoming the first Indian actor to do so.[1]
When A. V. Meiyappan filmed Sahodari, he found that it lacked an ingredient that would ensure box office success. Chandrababu was called and after watching the film he added a comedy track for himself, wrote it and also sang the song Naan oru muttalunga, converting the film into a hit.
It was Chandrababu who first spoke and popularised the Madras Baashai in films. He learned this dialect from the rickshaw pullers and street vendors near his home in Triplicane and later in Mir Sahib Pet.
Sabash Meena was one of the best Tamil comedy movies for its times and in it, Chandrababu acted with Sivaji Ganesan, in dual roles.
Chandrababu married Sheila and after their subsequent divorce he continued to offer her support until she left the country. In a business used to sycophancy, he chose not to mince his words and this restricted his opportunities[1] from the 1960s onward. It also caused him to turn to alcohol.
Chandrababu attempted to reverse his financial fortune with a film named Maadi Veettu ezhai, arranging with M. G. Ramachandran as hero. Eventually, he failed on this venture as Ramachandran did not cooperate with him. The film was also dropped. The reasons for Ramachandran's non-cooperation is well explained by script writer Aroordhas, in his 2002 memoirs Naan Muham Paartha Cinema Kannadigal. Its because Chandababu became abusive towards Ramachandran's elder sibling M. G. Chakrapani.
His last work was to direct and act in Thattungal Thirakkappadum, which was highly acclaimed for its cinematography but was not a box office success. He died on March 7, 1974, impoverished but not penniless.
Popular Tamil Songs
The following are some of Chandrababu's songs that have remained popular:
Year Film Song Music Co-Singer 1951 Mohanasundaram Poda Raja Podi Nadaya T. G. Lingappa 1951 Mohanasundaram Hello My Dear Darling Hello My Rose Charming T. G. Lingappa 1952 Andhaman Kaidhi I love you..I love you.. Aasaiyanene Un Mele T. Govindarajulu Naidu A. G. Rathnamala 1953 Kangal Aalu Ganam Aanal Moolai Gaali S. V. Venkatraman 1954 Kalyanam Panniyum Brahmachari Jolly Life, Jolly Life T. G. Lingappa playback for Sivaji Ganesan 1954 Penn Kalyanam Kalyanam... Ullasamagave Ulagathil R. Sudharsanam playback for S. Balachander 1955 Gul-E-Bagaavali Paraanda Mannar Ellam.... Achi Nimirndha Vandi M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy A. G. Rathnamala 1955 Maman Magal Gova Mambazhame Malgova Mambazhame S. V. Venkatraman 1957 Mahadhevi Un Thirumugathey Oru Mugama M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy A. G. Rathnamala 1957 Mahadhevi Thanthana Taalam Poduvom M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy A. G. Rathnamala 1957 Pudhayal Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy 1957 Pudhayal Hello My Dear Ramy M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy A. L. Raghavan 1957 Pudhumai Pithan Araichi Mani.... Thillaana Paatu Paadi Kullathaara G. Ramanathan Jikki 1957 Pathini Dheivam Aathukku Paalam Avasiyam M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy T. M. Soundararajan 1957 Manamagan Thevai Bambara Kannale G. Ramanathan 1957 Samaya Sanjeevi Paper Paper 1958 Padhi Bhakti Rock Rock Rock M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy V. N. Sundaram 1958 Padhi Bhakti Intha Thinnai Paechu Veeranidam M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy T. M. Soundararajan 1958 Padhi Bhakti Kosari Kosari M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy 1958 Kathavarayan Jigu Jigu Jigu G. Ramanathan Jikki 1958 Kathavarayan Thanthaane Thane Thanthaane G. Ramanathan 1958 Nadodi Mannan Thadukkadhe Ennai Thadukkadhe S. M. Subbaiah Naidu K. Jamuna Rani 1959 Maragadham Kunguma Poove Konjum Puraave S. M. Subbaiah Naidu K. Jamuna Rani 1959 Pandi Thevan Nee Adinal K. Jamuna Rani 1959 Pandi Thevan Solluratha Solliputaen 1959 Sahodari Naan Oru Muttalunga R. Sudharsanam 1960 Kavalai Illadha Manidhan Kavalai Illadha Manidhan M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy 1960 Kavalai Illadha Manidhan Pirakkum Podhum Azhukindrai M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy 1961 Sri Valli Ayyo Machan Mannaru 1961 Kumara Raja Aan Ondru Aada Penn Ondru Paada P. Leela 1961 Kumara Raja Onnume Puriyalae Ulagathile 1961 Kumara Raja Moodinaalum Thiranthaalum K. Jamuna Rani 1961 Kumara Raja Ennai Paartha Kannu K. Jamuna Rani 1962 Paadha Kaanikkai Kadhal Embathu Edhu Varai M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy P. B. Sreenivos, P. Suseela & L. R. Easwari 1962 Paadha Kaanikkai Thaniya Thavikkira Vayasu M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy 1962 Annai Buthiyulla Manidharellam R. Sudharsanam 1962 Policekaaran Magal Porandhalum Aambalaiya Porakka Koodadhu M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy L. R. Easwari 1962 Bandhapaasam Eppo Vachikkalaam Eppadi Vachikkalaam M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy 1962 Senthamarai Thangadhamma Thangadhu Samsaram Thangadhu M. S. Viswanathan & T. K. Ramamoorthy K. Jamuna Rani 1963 Kadavulai Kanden Konjam Thallikanum K. Jamuna Rani 1963 Kadavulai Kanden Ungal Kaigal Uyarattum P. B. Sreenivos 1963 Yaarukku Sondham Ennai Theriyalaiyaa 1964 Aandavan Kattalai Sirippu Varudhu Sirippu Varudhu 1966 Thattungal Thirakkappadum Kanmani Pappa 1967 Valiba Virundhu Ondra Kannu Doriya K. Jamuna Rani 1968 Nimirnthu Nil Pudichalum Pudhicha Puliyankomba Pudicha L. R. Easwari 1972 Neethi Engaladhu Boomi T. M. Soundararajan, P. Suseela & Manorama - Yeh Vilayaadu Raaja Vilayaadu
- Oho meri bul bul bul (with Jamuna Rani)
References
- Aranthai Narayanan: Thamil Cinemavin Kathai, New Century Book House, Chennai, 2002 2nd edition, pp 279–280.
- Aroordhas: Naan Muham Paartha Cinema Kannadigal, Kalaignan Pathipakam, Chennai, 2002, pp 184–201.
- Vamanan: Thirai Isai Alaigal, part 1, Manivasagar Pathipakam, Chennai, 2004 2nd edition, pp 595–605.
- "The agony and ecstasy of being - Chandrababu". Southside. 2007. Archived from the original on 2008-05-19. http://replay.waybackmachine.org/20080619234218/http://www.southside.in/24/The-ageony-and-ecstasy-of-being-Chandrababu/.
- Guy, Randor (2 October 2009). "A voice that mesmerised". The Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/10/02/stories/2009100250670400.htm. Retrieved 2011-03-26.
External links
Categories:- 1932 births
- 1974 deaths
- Tamil comedians
- Indian actors
- Tamil actors
- Indian singers
- Sri Lankan Tamil people
- Indian Roman Catholics
- People from Thoothukudi
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