R. S. Manohar
| Ramasamy Subramania Manohar | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Lakshmi Narashiman [1] 29 June 1925 Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Died |
10 January 2006 Chennai |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Spouse(s) | Sita Lakshmi Manohar |
R. S. Manohar was a popular actor of yesteryear who performed roles ranging from hero, villain to comedic characters. He was born at Namakkal in 1925. He acted in over 200 films.[1] He is known for his versatility and dominating personality. He is also known as Nadaga Kavalar for his love for stage plays and his undeterred passion in continuing to put mythological stage plays almost his entire life.
Biography
Ramasamy Subramania Manohar was born on 29 June 1925 at Namakkal as Lakshmi Narashiman to Subramania Iyer and Rajalakshmi Ammal.[2] He got the name Manohar after playing the lead role in the play Manohara during school days. He graduated from Pachaiyappa's College, Chennai.
While in college, Manohar used to perform stage plays. After graduation, he joined films. His first effort was Rajamabal, produced by Aruna Films. His early memorable roles were in films such as Vannakkili, Kaidhi Kannayiram, Vallavanukku Vallavan, Vallavan Oruvan and Iru Vallavargal.
But Manohar will always be remembered for the bad guy roles, especially while facing off with M. G. Ramachandran in films such as Ayirathil Oruvan, Ulagam Suttrum Valliban, Pallandu Vazhga, Adimai Penn, Kaavalkaaran and Idayakkani.
Manohar will also be remembered for his immense contribution to the stage. After Nawab Rajamanikkam, it was Manohar who took theatre to a higher plane. Most of the 31 plays in which he acted - these were staged 7,950 times - were adaptations or interpretations of historical incidents or mythological stories.
Famous among Manohar's plays were Ilangeswaran, Chanakkiya Sabadam, Soorapadman, Sisupalan, Indrajith, Sukrachariyar, Naragasooran and Thirunavukkarasar.
He was a pioneer in introducing 'dramascope' with stereophonic sound system, split second transformation of scenes and pyrotechniques to represent battle scenes.
He received many awards for his contribution to drama and cinema, including a 'Nadaka Kavalar' award from MGR in 1970.
Selected filmography
- Vannakili
- Pattanathil Bhootham
- Kaidhi Kannayiram
- Vallavanukku Vallavan
- Vallavan Oruvan
- Iru Vallavargal
- Ayirathil Oruvan
- Ulagam Suttrum Valliban
- Pallandu Vazhga
- Adimaippenn
- Kaavalkaaran
- Idayakkani
- Athisaya Penn
Dramatist
Manohar acted in a number of plays. Some of the famous ones are Ilangeswaran, Chanakkiya Sabadam, Soorapadman, Sisupalan, Indrajith, Sukrachariyar, Naragasooran and Thirunavukkarasar. He was also involved in the production of an English play, Last Tango in Heaven, for Bharat Dabholkar. It was later made as a Movie God Only Knows! [3]
References
- 1 2 "Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Actor R.S. Manohar dead". The Hindu. Retrieved 2012-11-17.
- ↑ cinesouth. "Dailynews - The once great villain R.S.Manohar passes away". Cinesouth.com. Retrieved 2012-11-17.
- ↑ "Dramatic moments".