Kainakary Thankaraj


Kainakary Thankaraj was an Indian actor, who worked in the Malayalam movie industry and Malayalam Drama Theater Industry.

Life and career

Kainakary, son of playwright Krishnankutty Bhagavathar, was born on 18 October 1946 in Kainakary, Travancore. He began acting at 13 and worked with several theater committees, including Kerala People's Arts Club. His film debut was in Aanappaachan alongside Prem Nazir, leading to roles in over 35 films.
Thankaraj started acting in plays while in school, becoming a popular face in amateur theatre alongside Nedumudi Venu, Faasil and Alleppey Ashraf. His first professional play was Changanasserry Geetha. He was part of many professional theatre collectives, including Kottayam National Theaters, Chalakkuddy Saradhi and KPAC. In 1995, he founded Kainakary Theaters and later formed a theatre troupe named Ambalappuzha Aksharajwala with late actor Thilakan.
Kainakary died on 3 April 2022 at his home in Velamkonam, Keralapuram, after prolonged suffering with liver-related issues. He was 75.

Selected filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1977Achaaram Ammini Osharam OmanaPolice officer
1978AanappaachanShankaran
1980Agni Kshethram
2008Annan Thambi
2013AmenChali Pappan
2014Iyobinte Pusthakam
2018Ee.Ma.Yau.Valiyathuparambil Vavachan Mesthiri
2018IblisGreat Grandfather
2019LuciferSakhaavu Nedumpally Krishnan
2019IshqMurugan
2019Vaarikkuzhiyile KolapathakamKattuthara Vakkachan
2021HomeAppachan
2021Orilathanalil
2021Mohan Kumar Fans
2022Padavettu
2023Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam