Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair

Infobox actor
name = Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair


imagesize =
caption =
birthname = Sukumaran Nair
birthdate = 16 October 1916
birthplace = Thikkurissy, Travancore(Now in Kanyakumari, Tamilnadu), India
deathdate = 11 March 1997
deathplace = Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
restingplace =
restingplacecoordinates =
othername =
occupation = Actor, Director, Producer
yearsactive = 47
spouse = Sarojini Kunjamma, Ambalapuzha Meenakshy Amma, K. Sulochana Devi
partner =
children = Shyamala Devi, Geethambika, Rajahamsan, Kanakasree
parents = Mangat C. Govinda Pillai, N. Lekshmi Amma
influences =
influenced = Malayalam cinema
website = http://www.thikkurissy.com
imdb_id = 0619779
academyawards =
afiawards =
arielaward =
baftaawards =
cesarawards =
emmyawards =
filmfareawards =
geminiawards =
goldenglobeawards =
goldenraspberryawards =
goyaawards =
grammyawards =
iftaawards =
laurenceolivierawards =
naacpimageawards =
nationalfilmawards =
sagawards =
tonyawards =
awards =

Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair was a famous poet, playwright, scenarist, lyricist, orator, film director and actor in Malayalam, though he is best known as an actor. He is the recipient of Padmashri from the Government of India, which is one of the highest civilian honours in India. In a career that spanned about 47 years, he acted in over 700 films.

Early life

Sukumaran Nair was born on 16 October 1916 in the village of Thikkurissy, then a part of Travancore. Thikkurissy, the village is now in Nanchinadu, Kanyakumari district, Tamilnadu. He was born in an aristocratic family to Mangat C. Govinda Pillai and N. Lekshmi Amma [ [http://www.thikkurissy.com/html/biography_main.html Thikkurissy.com: Biography] ] . He was proved a good writer and orator even when he was schooling in Marthanda Varma School. He wrote his first poem at the age of 8 and his poem was published for the first time whe he was 14 in "Dhakshina Bharathi". His poems were collectively published as a book named "Kedavilakku" when he was 20 [ [http://www.weblokam.com/cinema/profiles/0510/15/1051015029_1.htm Weblokam profile: Page 1] ] . His parents wanted him to secure a government job, but he launched his career in writing and arts even before he completed his studies. Incidetly, his sister L. Omanakkunjamma was the first female magistrate in India and the first female I. A. S. officer from Kerala [ [http://www.weblokam.com/cinema/profiles/0510/15/1051015029_1.htm Weblokam profile: Page 1] ] .

Career

He launched his career as a playwright. His plays "Mareechika" and "Kalakaran" were hugely successful. He then went on to write 3 more plays tilted "Sthree", "Maya" and "Sariyo Thetto" which revolutionised the professional play scenario in Malayalam. He replaced the melodramatic romantic musicals that ruled the roost till then, with dialogue centred prose plays having themes of realism and social importance [ [http://www.thikkurissy.com/html/biography_main.html thikkurissy.com: Biography] ] . He entered into the Malayalam film industry in 1950, which was at its early years with only about 10 films produced till then [ [http://malayalamcinema.com/Content-4/CinemaHistory.html malayalamcinema.com: Cinema History] ] . He debuted in the film industry with the film adaptaion of breakthrough play "Sthree" with the same title. He produced the film and played the pratogonist as well. But, the film failed to make much impact at the box-office, the film scene in Kerala then being ruled by Tamil and Hindi films. Thikkurussy's next film "Jeevithanauka"(1951), produced by "K and K Productions" and directed by K. Vembu was a turning point in Malayalam film history. The film which dealt with the theme of ego clashes in a joint family was a big commercial success and is being touted as the first superhit in Malayalam film history. The success of the film also made Thikkurissy the first superstar of Kerala [ [http://malayalamcinema.com/Content-4/CinemaHistory.html malayalamcinema.com: Cinema History] ] . "Jeevithanauka" was dubbed into 4 languages including Hindi. In 1952, he acted in "Navalokam" with a socially signifiant theme along with Miss Kumari, who would later become the pet of the masses after the success of "Neelakkuyil"(1954). "Navalokam" did not make it big at the box office, but Thikkurissy cemented his superstardom with a big hit in the same year. The film titled "Visappinte Vili" also had Prem Nazir, then a novice. Thikkurissy was the person who coined Prem Nazir's screenname whose actual name was Abdul Khader. In 1953, another landmark film of his titled "Sariyo Thetto" was released. The film was a film adaptation of his play in the same name. The film had him handling the story, screenplay, dialogues, lyrics and dircetion departments besides playing the pivotal role [ [http://www.thikkurissy.com/html/movies.html thikkurissy.com: Movies] ] . With that Thikkurissy established himself as an inseparable element of Malayalam film industry. He was credited with lyrics, screenplay and direction in many films. The 13 films for which he was the lyricist includes "Sthree", "Palunku Paathram", "Devasundari", "Urvashi Bharathi", "Poojapushpam" and "Balloon" [ [http://www.thikkurissy.com/html/movies.html thikkurissy.com: Movies] ] . He wrote story and screenplay for the films "Swami Ayyappan", "Muthalali" and "Aana Valarthiya Vanampadi". He directed the films "Sariyo Thetto, Poojapushpam, Achante Bharya, Palunkupathram, Saraswati, Nurse" and "Urvashi Bharathi". His major acting ventures are "Jeevithanauka, Navalokam, Visappinte Vili, Iruttinte Atmavu, Swayamvaram, Umma, Bhakthakuchela, Nadi, Thulabharam, Maya, Abhijathyam, Surveykkallu, Avanazhi" and "Aryan" [ [http://www.weblokam.com/cinema/profiles/0510/15/1051015029_2.htm Weblokam profile: Page 2] ] .

Screen-naming

Thikkurussy coined screen-names of many actors in Malayalm cinema. Actors who were renamed by Thikkurissy include
*Prem Nazir; actual name: Abdul Khader [ [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2005/10/14/stories/2005101400680100.htm The Hindu: Talent Unlimited] ]
*S. J. Dev (stage actor and father of Rajan P. Dev); actual name: Devassia [ [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2005/10/14/stories/2005101400680100.htm The Hindu: Talent Unlimited] ]
*Madhu; actual name: Madhavan Nair [ [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2005042306030400.htm&date=2005/04/23/&prd=th& The Hindu: J.C. Daniel Award for Madhu ] ]

Personal life

Thikkurissy married 3 times in his life. His first wife was Sarojini Kunjamma, who belonged to an eminent family in Karuvatta, Alappuzha. They couple has 2 daughters. The first one, Shyamala Devi Kunjamma alias Lekha is an executive engineer in Eranakulam. Their second daughter Geethambika Kunjamma is a housewife in Pujappura, Thiruvananthapuram. After parting ways with his first wife, Thikkurussy married play actor Ambalapuzha Meenakshy Amma. The couple had a son name Rajahamsan, who now lives in Chennai. The second marriage also didn't last long and Thikkurussy got married to K. Sulochana Devi, who was a singer and dancer. This marriage however was successful and lasted 41 years till his death. Thikkurissy had a daughter from this marriage named kanakasree. She, like his father was interested in poetry and took name as a good poet. Thikkurussy had a personal tragedy when Kanakasree died due to an accident [ [http://www.thikkurissy.com/html/biography.html thikkurissy.com: Biography] ] Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair passed away on 11 March 1997 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala due to kidney failure. [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0619779/bio IMDB Biography] ]

Awards

Thikkurissy won around 250 awards. [ [http://www.weblokam.com/cinema/profiles/0510/15/1051015029_2.htm Weblokam profile: Page 2] ] The major awards that he received are [ [http://www.thikkurissy.com/html/awards.html thikkurissy.com: Awards] ] :

*Padmashri from the Government of India -1973
*Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor -1972
*National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor-1959
*J.C. Daniel Award (Kerala State Film Award for Lifetime Achievement) -1995
*Fellowship of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy -1983
*Mannathu Padmanabhan Award -1989
*Film Readers Gallop-poll Award -1963
*All Kerala Social Service Association Award -1971
*Bombay Nirthya Sindhu Award -1991
*Guru Chengannur Award 1991
*Prem Nazir Award -1992
*N.Krishna Pillai Award 1992
*Palakkad Film Festival Award -1995
*Pushpasree Award -1995
*Bangalore Kalavedi Award -1994
*Film Critics Association Award -1995
*Kerala Kaumudhi Readers Club Award -1994
*Film Guidance Society Award -1996
*Government of India Emeritus Fellowship for Contribution in the field of Art and Literature From 1 April 1996 to 31 March 1998
*Talents of Universities Creative Heights Award -1996
*Navachedhana Award -1994
*Soorya Award -1994
*Travancore Devaswam Board Award. -1972
*Sree Moolanagaram Fine Arts Society Award -1997
*Abhinaya Saamrat -1991
*Nataka Chakravarthy -1991
*Chalachithra Prathibha -1993
*Chalachithra Rathnam -1994
*Chalachithra Acharyan -1994
*Malayala Chalachithra Kulapathy 1994
*Sarasadrutha Kavi -1994
*Kala Vibhooshan -1994
*Bheeshma Charya -1994
*Sarvakala Sarva Bhouman -1994
*Guru Karanavar -1995
*Kala Jyothi -1996
*Sarasa Vachaspathy -1996
*Sadasya Thilakan -1996

Selected Filmography

Direction

*Urvashi Bharathi (1973)
*Achante Bharya (1971)
*Palunku Pathram (1970)
*Saraswathi (1970)
*Nurse (1969)
*Poojapushpam (1969)
*Sheriyo Thetto (1953)

Writing

*Aana Valarthiyal Vanampadiyude Makan (1971)
*Muthalali (1965)
*Sabarimala Shri Ayyappan (1962)
*Devasundari (1957)
*Sthree (1950)
*Kettinethinu Vaasanathailam
*Urvashi Bharati

Acting

A full acting filmography list is available [http://www.thikkurissy.com/docs/movies.pdf here] .

1990's

*Janathipathyam (1997) .... Maharaja
*Kilukil Pambaram (1997)
*The King (1995)
*Indian Military Intelligence (1995)
*Commissioner (1994) .... Kunjurama Kurup
*Akashadoothu (1993)
*Midhunam (1993) .... Kurup Master
*Kaazhchakkppuram (1992) .... Paramu Pillai
*Advaitham (1991) .... Parameswaran Nampoothiri
*Pookkalam Varavayi (1991) .... Muthachan
*Midhya (1990) .... Muthachan
*Purappad (1990)
*Arhatha (1990) .... Ashwathi's Grand Father
*Aye Auto (1990)
*Dr. Pasupathy (1990) .... Pappan's Grandfather
*His Highness Abdullah (1990) .... Mathilakathu Cheriyachan Thampuran
*Kuruppinte Kanakku Pustakom (1990) .... Panikkar sir

1980's

*Ardham (1989) .... Janardanan's Father
*Innale (1989) .... Ramachandran Nair
*Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam (1989) .... Govinda Pillai
*Varavelppu (1989) .... Govindan Nair
*Aryan (1988)
*Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu (1988) .... Menon
*Oru Muthassi Katha (1988)
*Vellanakalude Naadu (1988) .... Chandrashekharan Nair
*Witness (1988) .... Old Man
*Aavanazhi (1986) .... Nampoothiri
*Sughamodevi (1986) .... Sunny's Father
*Azhiyatha Bandhangal (1985) .... Thampi
*Ee Thalamura Ingane (1985)
*Attahaasam (1984)
*Ivide Thudangunnu (1984) .... Adv. Balachandra Menon
*Oodarathuammava Aalariyam (1984)
*Oru Nimisham Tharu (1984)
*Oru Sumangaliyude Katha (1984)
*Ahagaaram (1983)
*Balloon (1982) .... Aravindaksha Menon
*Ayudham (1982)
*Ithum Oru Jeevitham (1982)
*Ithu Njangalude Katha (1982) .... Ramankutty's Uncle
*Padayottam (1982) .... Kolathiri Rajavu
*Grihalakshmi (1981)
*Sanchari (1981)
*Thaalam Manasinte Thaalam (1981)
*Valarthu Mrugangal (1981) .... Circus Owner
*Adhikaram (1980)
*Ambalavilakku (1980)
*Paallattu Kunjikannan (1980)
*Seetha (1980)
*Swattu (1980)

1970's

*Ajnatha Theerangal (1979)
*Alavuddinum Athbutha Vilakkum (1979)
*Hridhayathinte Nirangal (1979)
*Ini Ethra Sandhyakal (1979)
*Iniyum Kaanaam (1979)
*Mamangam (1979) .... King of Valluvanadu
*Manushiyan (1979)
*Pennorumbettaal (1979)
*Ponnil Kulicha Rathri (1979)
*Prabhatha Sandhya (1979)
*Pratheeksha (1979)
*Puthiya Velicham (1979) .... Lohithakshan Bhagavathar
*Sayoojyam (1979)
*Vaaleduthaven Vaalaal (1979)
*Ashtamudi Kayal (1978)
*Asthamayam (1978)
*Avar Jeevikkunnu (1978)
*Chakrayudham (1978)
*Jayikkanaayi Janichavan (1978)
*Kadathanattu Maakkam (1978)
*Kalpa Vriksham (1978)
*Kanal Kattakal (1978)
*Kanyaka (1978)
*Madanolsavam (1978) .... Ambadi Rajasekharan Thampi
*Madhurikkunna Rathri (1978)
*Manooradham (1978)
*Snehikkan Oru Pennu (1978)
*Society Lady (1978)
*Sundharimarude Swapnangal (1978)
*Thacholy Ambu (1978)
*Aparaajitha (1977)
*Aparadhi (1977)
*Chathur Vedam (1977)
*Harsha Bhashpam (1977)
*Kannappanunni (1977)
*Kavilamma (1977)
*Kodiyettam (1977)
*Manas Oru Mayil (1977)
*Mini Mol (1977)
*Niraparayum Nilavilakkum (1977)
*Parivarthanam (1977)
*Rathi Manmathan (1977)
*Saghakkale Munottu (1977)
*Satyavan Savithri (1977)
*Soorya Kanthi (1977)
*Thuruppu Gulam (1977)
*Vishukkani (1977)
*Yatheem (1977)
*Abhinandanam (1976)
*Amba Ambika Ambalika (1976)
*Ammini Ammavan (1976)
*Amrudha Vahini (1976)
*Appooppan (1976)
*Chennai Valarthiya Kutty (1976)
*Chirikudukka (1976)
*Dheere Sameere Yamuna Theere (1976)
*Kayamkulam Kochunniyude Maghan (1976)
*Mailanum Mathevanum (1976)
*Rajanganam (1976)
*Romeo (1976)
*Sarvekkalu (1976)
*Seemantha Puthran (1976)
*Sita Swayamvar (1976)
*Sreemadh Bhagwad Geetha (1976)
*Swimming Pool (1976)
*Themmadi Vellappan (1976)
*Vazhi Vilakku (1976)
*Yaksha Gaanam (1976)
*Aaranya Kaandum (1975)
*Abhimanam (1975)
*Alibaba and Forty-one Thieves (1975)
*Babu Mon (1975)
*Bharya Illaatha Rathri (1975)
*Chattambi Kalyani (1975)
*Cheenavala (1975)
*Dharmakshetre Kurukshetre (1975)
*Kalayana Sougandhikam (1975)
*Kottaram Vilakkanundu (1975)
*Manishada (1975)
*Mattoru Seetha (1975)
*Neela Ponman (1975)
*Padmaragam (1975)
*Sammanam (1975)
*Sathyathinte Nizhalil (1975)
*Soorya Vamsam (1975)
*Swami Ayyappan (1975)
*Swarna Matsyam (1975)
*Thiruvonam (1975)
*Thomashleeha (1975)
*Ayalathe Sundari (1974)
*Check Post (1974)
*Devi Kanyakumari (1974)
*Manyasree Viswamitran (1974)
*Nadee Nadanmare Aavashyamunde (1974)
*Nagaram Sagaram (1974)
*Nathoon (1974)
*Nellu (1974) .... Chevara Perukki
*Pancha Thanthram (1974)
*Pattabhisekam (1974)
*Saptha Swarangal (1974)
*Suprabhatham (1974)
*Swarna Vigraham (1974)
*Thumbolarcha (1974)
*Vishnu Vijayam (1974)
*Youvanam (1974)
*Aasha Chakram (1973)
*Angathattu (1973)
*Chenda (1973)
*Divyadharsanam (1973)
*Jesus (1973)
*Kaadu (1973/II)
*Kattu Vitachavan (1973)
*Kavitha (1973)
*Nakhangal (1973)
*Pacha Nottukal (1973)
*Padmavyooham (1973)
*Ponnapuram Kotta (1973)
*Preathangalude Thazhvaram (1973)
*Sasthram Jayichu Manushyan Thottu (1973)
*Swarga Puthri (1973)
*Thaniniram (1973)
*Thiruvabharanam (1973)
*Urvashi Bharathi (1973)
*Aaradi Manninte Janmi (1972)
*Achanum Bappayum (1972)
*Aromalunni (1972)
*Maravil Thirivu Sookshikkuka (1972) .... K. B. Menon
*Maya (1972)
*Professor (1972)
*Sakthi (1972)
*Sree Guruvayoorappan (1972)
*Swayamvaram (1972)
*Thavaputhalvan (1972)
*Aabhijathyam (1971) .... Shankara Menon
*Aana Valarthiyal Vanampadiyude Makan (1971)
*Achante Bharya (1971)
*Kalithozhi (1971)
*Lanka Dahanam (1971)
*Muthassi (1971)
*Neethi (1971)
*Puthanveedu (1971)
*Amma Enna Stree (1970)
*Cross Belt (1970)
*Ezhuthatha Katha (1970)
*Nazhikakallu (1970)
*Nizhalattam (1970)
*Othenente Makan (1970)
*Palunku Pathram (1970)
*Sabarimala Shri Dharmasastha (1970)
*Saraswathi (1970)
*Tara (1970)
*Triveni (1970)
*Vivaham Swargathil (1970)

1960's

*Aalmaram (1969)
*Ballatha Pahayan (1969)
*Chattambi Kavala (1969)
*Kumara Sambhavam (1969)
*Nadhi (1969) .... Mattummel Thomachan
*Nurse (1969)
*Poojapushpam (1969)
*Adyapika (1968)
*Aparadhini (1968)
*Hotel High Range (1968)
*Inspector (1968)
*Kadal (1968)
*Kodungalluramma (1968)
*Manaswini (1968)
*Punnapra Vyalar (1968)
*Thulabharam (1968)
*Vazhi Pizhacha Santhathy (1968)
*Vidyarthi (1968)
*Viruthan Sanku (1968)
*Anveshichu Kandethiyilla (1967)
*Chitra Mela (1967) .... (segment "Apaswarangal")
*Madatharuvi (1967)
*Naadan Pennu (1967)
*Pareeksha (1967)
*Post Man (1967)
*Anarkali (1966)
*Iruttinde Athmavu (1966) .... Karanavar
*Jail (1966)
*Kadamattathachan (1966)
*Kallipennu (1966)
*Kanaka Chilanga (1966)
*Kanmanikal (1966)
*Karuna (1966)
*Kayamkulam Kochunni (1966)
*Koottukar (1966)
*Kusruthy Kuttan (1966)
*Mayor Nair (1966)
*Poocha Kanni (1966)
*Priyathama (1966)
*Puthri (1966)
*Tharavatamma (1966)
*Tilottama (1966)
*Bhoomiyile Malakha (1965)
*Chettathi (1965)
*Inapravugal (1965)
*Jeevitha Yaathra (1965)
*Kaliyodum (1965)
*Kathirunna Nikah (1965)
*Kattu Pookkal (1965)
*Kochumon (1965)
*Mayavi (1965)
*Muthalali (1965)
*Odeyil Ninnu (1965)
*Rosy (1965)
*Shakuntala (1965)
*Atom Bomb (1964)
*Ayesha (1964)
*Devaalayam (1964)
*Kalanju Kittiya Thankam (1964)
*Karutha Kai (1964)
*Kudumbini (1964)
*Omanakuttan (1964)
*School Master (1964)
*Shree Guruvayoorappan (1964)
*Thacholi Othenan (1964)
*Chilamboli (1963)
*Doctor (1963)
*Kalayum Kaminiyum (1963)
*Nithya Kanyaka (1963)
*Sathyabhama (1963)
*Snapaka Yohannan (1963)
*Laila Majnu (1962)
*Sabarimalai Shri Ayyappan (1962)
*Shreekovil (1962)
*Shree Rama Pattabhishekam (1962)
*Snehadeepam (1962)
*Velu Thampi Dhalava (1962)
*Viyarpintae Vila (1962)
*Bhakta Kuchela (1961)
*Christmas Rathri (1961)
*Gnana Sundari (1961)
*Kandam Bacha Kotte (1961)
*Shri Sabarimalai Shri Ayyappan (1961)
*Unniyarcha (1961)
*Poothali (1960)
*Seeta (1960)
*Umma (1960)

1950's

*Aana Valarthiyal Vanampady (1959)
*Mariakutty (1958)
*Randidangazhi (1958)
*Atchanum Makanum (1957)
*Devasundari (1957)
*Thaskaraveeran (1957)
*Atmarpanam (1956)
*Harishchandara (1955)
*Kalam Marunnu (1955)
*Kidappadam (1954)
*Puthradharmam (1954)
*Sneehaseema (1954)
*Ponkathir (1953)
*Sheriyo Thetto (1953)
*Achan (1952)
*Amma (1952)
*Andaman Kaithi (1952)
*Visappinte Vili (1952)
*Jeevitha Nouka (1951) .... Soman
*Navalokam (1951) .... Kuruppu
*Chandrika (1950)
*Sasidharan (1950)
*Sthree (1950)

References

External links

* [http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/24/stories/2006072404560400.htm Memorial for Thikkurissi]