T. S. Balaiah

S. Balaiah
Born S. Balaiah
August 23, 1914
Sundankottai, Thoothukudi District
Died July 22, 1972 (aged 57)
Years active 1936 - 1972

Tirunelveli S. Balaiah (August 23, 1914 – July 22, 1972) was a Tamil film actor best known for playing supporting roles in the Tamil film industry. He was introduced to the cine field by director Ellis R. Dungan in Sathi Leelavathi (1936), along with MGR, N.S.Krishnan and M.K. Radha. He was one of the very few actors who excelled as a villain, as well as in character roles and comic roles. Among his villain roles, Ambikapathy (1937), Madurai Veeran (1956), Hello Mr. Zamindar, and Thiruvilayadal (1965) were classics. Balaiah also excelled in comedy roles in movies such as Kavalai Illatha Manithan (1960), Kaadhalika Neramillai (1964), Bama Vijayam (1967) and Thillana Mohanambal (1968). Actor Sivaji Ganesan had once mentioned that Balaiah was his most admired actor.

Early life

S. Balaiah was born on August 23, 1914. He was born in Sundankottai, now in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu. He ran away from home at young age and joined a Circus. Later joined Jagannatha Iyer’s famous drama company which was working in Tirunelveli and from which no turning back.[1]

Partial Filmography

Year Film Cast Director Role
1972 Agathiyar
1968 Thillana Mohanambal Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini A. P. Nagarajan
1967 Ooty Varai Uravu Sivaji Ganesan, R. Muthuraman, K. R. Vijaya C. V. Sridhar Vedachalam
1967 Bama Vijayam R. Muthuraman, Nagesh, Jayanthi, Kanchana K. Balachander Ethiraj
1966 Yarukaka Azhudan
1965 Thiruvilayadal Sivaji Ganesan, Savithri, R. Muthuraman, K. R. Vijaya A. P. Nagarajan Hemanatha Bagavathar
1964 Kaadhalikka Neramillai C.V.Sridhar Vishwanathan
1961 Pavamanippu
1960 Kavalai Illaadha Manithan K.Sankar
1960 Parthiban Kanavu (1960 film) Gemini Ganesan, Vyjayanthimala, S. V. Ranga Rao D. Yoganand Marappa Bhupathi
1959 Bhaga Pirivinai A.Bhimsingh
1957 Allauddin Adhbhuta Deepam
1956 Madurai Veeran Yoganand
1954 Ratha Pasam R.S.Mani Madhu
1953 Gunasagari (Kannada film) Gubbi Veeranna, Honnappa Bhagavathar, Pandari Bai H.L.N. Simha
1951 Manamagal N.S.Krishnan
1950 Ezhai Padum Padu Ramnath
1949 Velaikkari A.S.A.Samy Mani
1945 Meera Ellis Dungan Jayaman
1945 Burma Rani
1937 Ambikapathy Ellis Dungan Rudrasenan
1936 Sathi Leelavathi Ellis Dungan

External links

References

  1. "100 years of laughter". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 23 August 2014.