Y. G. Mahendra

Y. G. Mahendran
Born	Y. Gee. Mahendran (1950-01-09) 9 January 1950 Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupation	Dramatist, actor, singer playwright
Relatives	Y. G. Parthasarathy (father) Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy (mother) Vyjayanthimala (cousin)

Yechan Gunja Mahendran (born 9 January 1950), popularly known as Y. G. Mahendran or Y. Gee. Mahendra, is an Indian dramatist, actor, singer playwright and comedian from the state of Tamil Nadu. He has acted in a number of plays and films. He is the son of Y. G. Parthasarathy, regarded as one of the pioneers of modern Tamil drama and Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy, founder and dean of Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan group of schools. Mahendra is also the cousin of Bollywood actress Vyjayanthimala^[1] and the co-brother of Rajinikanth.

Early life and family

Y. G. Mahendran was born on 9 January 1950^[2][3] to Y. G. Parthasarathy and Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy. Y.G.P. founded the United Amateur Artists (UAA), one of the first drama companies in Madras city, in the year 1952.^[4] His drama company was a success and he emerged as one of the foremost dramatists of his era. Mahendra's mother Mrs. Rajalakshmi (also called Mrs. Y.G.P.) was the founder of the Padma Seshadri Group of Schools. Starting from modest beginnings in a thatched shed in the terrace of the Y.G.P home in 1959 with a batch of eleven students as an act of social service for the members of the Nungambakkam Recreation Club the school has since emerged as one of the best schools in India.

Hailing from a family of stage-lovers, Mahendra soon developed a liking for drama from his early days. He played the part of comedian in school plays and earned acclaim. On completion of his schooling from Don Bosco Matriculation School, Egmore, Chennai-600008, he studied Chemical Engineering at A.C.College of Technology, Univ. Madras, Guindy and MBA.^[5] During his college days, he was touted as a prospective film actor. He was in his early teens when he joined his father's drama troupe, the United Amateur Artists (UAA). This gave him the desired break. His first few plays were huge successes attracting audiences by thousands. Mahendra's had become one of the prominent names in the city. Eventually, he had to choose between acting and his career and he choose the former.

Y.G. Mahendran's daughter was married to legendary actress Savithri's grandson.

Career

In 1971, Mahendra was cast by veteran director K. Balachander in the latter's film Navagraham. The film was an average grosser. Mahendra was discovered to have a nasal accent which made him funny. He acted in a variety of roles in a number of movies- particularly as a dim witted fool of a cousin- generally eclipsing roles enjoyed by Cho Ramaswamy in the 1960s and 70's.

Mahendra's career spans over four decades and involves more than 200 movies. He also acted in supporting roles with actors like Sivaji Ganesan, Jaishankar, Kamal Haasan and his co-brother, Rajinikanth. He acted with Rajinikanth in films like Pokkiri Raja, Paayum Puli, Shri Raghavendra, Veera and with Kamal Hassan in movies like Apoorva Raagangal, Neeya, Guru, etc.,

Business

Y.Gee thanks to his brother in law- also began a parallel career in Industrial Ceramics and had a flourishing company established in 1982– by which period his acting career thinned down and he became more preoccupied with his business.

Y.Gee sold his ceramics business in 2001 for a whopping sum and has made a comeback into production and acting- his most recent role being in Yatchan.

Partial filmography

Films

Awards

Kalaimamani AWARD FROM GOVERNMENT OF TAMILNADU. KALAIVAANAR AWARD FROM GOVERNMENT OF TAMILNADU. CINEMA EXPRESS AWARDS, Tamil Nadu. FILM FANS ASSOCIATION AWARD. SITHARA Telugu Magazine Award for Contribution to Stage Dramas. Madras Telugu Academy Award (Twice). Mylapore Academy Award (1991 & 1992) UAA for outstanding contribution on stage. Best All rounder on stage Award for the years 1993, 1994 & 1997.

Television

• Thavam
• Bhairavi Aavigalukku Priyamanaval
• Enga Veettu Penn
• Sherlock Maami

As director

Y.G Mahendra also has directed a Tamil film named "Kathai Kathaiyam Karanamam" in the year 1987 and is currently planning two more assignments as Director.

Stage plays

• Venkat 3
• Vietnam Veedu
• Sudesi Iyer
• Thanthramukhi
• Kaadhalikka Neramundu
• Antha 7 Aatkal

Dubbing artist

YG Mahendran dubbed for Kamal Haasan for Iru Nilavugal Tamil dubbed version of his Telugu film Sommokakadidhi Sokkakikidhi by imitating his voice.

References

External links

• Y. Gee. Mahendra's Official Website
• Filmography at IMDB