Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair

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Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair

Born	Sukumaran Nair 16 October 1916 Thikkurissy, Travancore(Now in Kanyakumari, Tamilnadu), India
Died	11 March 1997 Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Occupation	Actor, Director, Producer
Years active	47
Spouse(s)	Sarojini Kunjamma, Ambalapuzha Meenakshy Amma, K. Sulochana Devi
Official website

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.

1 Early Life
2 Career
3 Screen-naming
4 Personal Life
5 Awards
6 Selected Filmography
7 References

[edit] 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^[1]. 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 ^[2]. 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^[3].

[edit] 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^[4]. He entered into the Malayalam film industry in 1950, which was at its early years with only about 10 films produced till then^[5]. 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^[6]. 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^[7]. 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^[8]. 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^[9].

[edit] Screen-naming

Thikkurussy coined screen-names of many actors in Malayalm cinema.

The actors who got renamed by Thikkurissy includes:

Prem Nazir; actual name: Abdul Khader^[10]
S. J. Dev (stage actor and father of Rajan P. Dev); actual name: Devassia^[11]
Madhu; actual name: Madhavan Nair^[12]

[edit] 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^[13] Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair passed away on 11 March 1997 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala due to kidney failure.^[14]

[edit] Awards

It is reported that Thikkurissy got about 250 awards^[15]. The major awards that he received are^[16]:

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

[edit] Selected Filmography

[edit] Direction

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

[edit] Writing

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

[edit] Acting

A full acting filmography list is available here.

[edit] 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

[edit] 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)

[edit] 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)

[edit] 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)

[edit] 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)

[edit] References

Memorial for Thikkurissi

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