Kothamangalam Subbu

Kothamangalam Subbu (November 10, 1910 - February 15, 1974), a noted Padmashri-award winning poet, lyricist, writer, actor and director from Tamil Nadu who authored the cult classic of Tamil novel"Thillana 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.

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)

Subuu has directed the epic film "Avvaiyar, 1953" in which the great artiste of those days Smt K.B.Sunderambal acted in the lead role. He, along with his wife Sundari Bai, played a 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. Subbu has 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". Kothamangalam Subbu has written several novels using the pen name of Kalaimani and also penned "Gandhi Mahan Kathai" that narrates the life of Mahatma Gandhi in folklore form. "Ananda Vikatan" magazine is currently republishing the works of this writer, lyricist, director and actor.

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".

Reference

Ashokamitran. "My Years with Boss at Gemini Studios". Orient Longman, Hyderabad, 2002, pp. 17-19.