Komal Swaminathan


Komal Swaminathan was a congressional activist in his early years, a Tamil theater personality, film director and journalist.

Early life

Swaminathan joined the school of S. V. Sahasranamam and learned the art of playwriting and stage techniques. In 1971, he formed Stage Friends.

Career

He was a dramatist on the Tamil stage, his Thanneer Thanneer in 1980 brought him to the limelight. He scripted, directed and staged this play with his drama troupe "Stage Friends", this play was staged more than 250 times. This play, Thanneer Thanneer highlighted the acute water shortage in rural areas due to bureaucracy and the apathetic attitude of politicians and bureaucrats, and was later filmed under the same name by K. Balachander in 1981, which won National Award and international acclaim.
Komal Swaminathan has staged nearly 33 plays. He also directed the film Oru Indhiya Kanavu and received the National [Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil|National Film Award for Best Regional film] in 31st [National Film Awards|1984].
He was the editor of Subhamangala -a Literary, Socio-Cultural Tamil monthly magazine. He was the recipient of Kalaimaamani and a number of other awards. Komal Swaminathan died in 1995. He had a daughter, Lalitha Dharini.

Filmography

;Plays
Komal has scripted and conducted the following plays with his own troupe
  • Sannathi Theru, 1971
  • Nawaab Narkali, 1971
  • Manthiri Kumari, 1972
  • Pattinam Paripogirathu, 1972
  • Vaazvin Vaasal, 1973
  • Perumale Saatchi, 1974
  • Jesus Varuvar, 1974
  • Raja Parambarai, 1975
  • Yudha Kaandam, 1975
  • Anju Puli Oru Penn, 1976
  • Koodu Illa Kolangal, 1977
  • Aatchi Matram, 1977
  • Sultan Ekathasi, 1978
  • Swarga Boomi, 1979
  • Chekku Maadugal,1980
  • Thaneer Thaneer, 1980
  • Oru Inthiya Kanavu, 1982
  • Asoka Vanam, 1983
  • Naliravil Petrom, 1984
  • Manithan Ennum Theevu, 1985
  • Irutile Thedatheenga, 1985
  • Karuppu Viyazakizamai, 1988
  • Narkali, 1989
  • Grama Rajyam, 1989
  • Anbukku Panjamillai, 1992
  • Pudhiya Paadhai
  • Minnal Kolam
  • Thillai Naayakam
  • Doctorukku Marundhu
  • Kalyaana Super Market
  • Delhi Maamiyaar
  • Avan Paarthuppaan
  • Appaavi
  • Killiyoor Kanagam
  • En Veedu En Kanavan En Kuzhanthai
;Screenwriter
;Director