Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair


Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair was an Indian poet, playwright, script writer, lyricist, orator, film director and actor, though he is best known as an actor in Malayalam cinema. He is the recipient of Padma Shri from the Government of India, which the fourth highest civilian honour in India. In a career that spanned about 47 years, he acted in over 700 films. He is considered to be the "first superstar of Malayalam cinema". In 1993, he was honoured with the J. C. Daniel Award, Kerala government's highest honour for contributions to Malayalam cinema.

Early life

Sukumaran Nair was born on 16 October 1916 in the village of Thikkurissy, Nagercoil, then part of Travancore. The village of Thikkurissy is now in Nanchilnadu, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu. He was born to N. Lekshmi Amma and M. C. Govinda Pillai of the Mangat house, an aristocratic Nair family. He was a good writer and an orator even when he was doing his schooling in Marthandam Government Boys School. He wrote his first poem at the age of 8 and his poem was published for the first time when he was 14 in Dhakshina Bharathi. His poems were collectively published as a book named Kedavilakku when he was 20. His parents wanted him to secure a government job, but he launched his career in writing and arts even before he completed his studies. Incidentally, his sister L. Omanakkunjamma was the first female magistrate in India.

Career

He launched his career as a playwright. His plays Mareechika and Kalakaran were hugely successful. He then went on to write three more—Sthree, Maya and Sheriyo Thetto—that revolutionised the professional play scenario in Malayalam. He replaced the melodramatic romantic musicals, which ruled the roost till then, with dialogue centred prose plays having themes of realism and social importance.
He entered the Malayalam film industry in 1950, which was in its early years with only about 10 films produced. He debuted in the industry with the film adaptation of his breakthrough play Sthree. He produced the film and played the protagonist as well. It failed to make much impact at the box office, the film scene in Kerala then being ruled by Tamil and Hindi films. Thikkurussy's next film Jeevitha Nouka, produced by K and K Productions and directed by K. Vembu, was a turning point in Malayalam film history. It dealt with the theme of ego clashes in a joint family and was a big commercial success: It is touted as the first superhit in Malayalam film history. The success also made Thikkurissy the first superstar of Kerala. Jeevitha nouka was dubbed into four languages including Hindi. In 1952, he acted in Navalokam with a socially significant theme with Miss Kumari, who would later become the pet of the masses after the success of Neelakkuyil. Navalokam did not make it big at the box office, but Thikkurissy cemented his superstardom with a big hit in the same year.
Visappinte Vili had Prem Nazir, then a novice. Thikkurissy coined Prem Nazir's screen name. In 1953, another landmark of his Sheriyo Thetto, was released. It was a film adaptation of his play of the same name. Sheriyo Thetto had him handling the story, screenplay, dialogues, lyrics and direction departments besides playing the pivotal role. With that Thikkurissy established himself as an inseparable element of Malayalam film industry. In 1968, he acted in the first full-length comedy film, Viruthan Shanku, directed by P. Venu. He was credited with lyrics, screenplay and direction in many films. The 13 films for which he was the lyricist includes Sthree, Palunku Paathram, Devasundari, Urvashi Bharathi, Poojapushpam and Balloon. He wrote story and screenplay for Muthalali and Aana Valarthiya Vanampadi. He directed the films Sheriyo Thetto, Poojapushpam, Achante Bharya, Palunkupathram, Saraswati, Nurse and Urvashi Bharathi. His major acting ventures are Jeevithanauka, Navalokam, Visappinte Vili, Iruttinte Atmavu, Swayamvaram, Umma, Bhakthakuchela, Nadi, Thulabharam, Maya, Abhijathyam, Surveykkallu, Avanazhi and Aryan.

Screen-naming

Thikkurussy coined screen-names of many actors in Malayalam cinema. Actors who were renamed by Thikkurissy include

Personal life

Thikkurissy was married three times. His first wife was Sarojini Kunjamma, the daughter of Madhavan Unnithan from the Samudayathil family in Karuvatta, Haripad. They had two daughters: Shyamala Devi Kunjamma, also known as Lekha, who worked as an executive engineer in Ernakulam, and Geethadevi Kunjamma, a housewife in Pujappura, Thiruvananthapuram. After his separation from Sarojini, Thikkurissy married stage actress Ambalapuzha Meenakshy Amma. They had a son, Rajahamsan, who now lives in Chennai. This marriage also ended, and Thikkurissy later married K. Sulochana Devi, a singer and dancer. This third marriage lasted over four decades until his death. They had a daughter, Kanakasree, who was interested in poetry like her father. Kanakasree died in a motorcycle accident in 1989. In his later years, Thikkurissy suffered from various health issues due to his age. He died on 11 March 1997, at the age of 80, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, due to kidney failure.

Awards

The major awards that he received are:
  • Padma Shri from the Government of India − 1973
  • Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South − 1986
  • Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor − 1972
  • J. C. Daniel Award – 1995
  • Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship − 1983
  • Mannathu Padmanabhan Award − 1989
  • Film Readers Gallup-poll Award − 1963
  • All Kerala Social Service Association Award − 1971
  • Bombay Nirthya Sindhu Award − 1991
  • Guru Chengannur Award 1991
  • Prem Nazir Award − 1992
  • N.Krishna Pillai Award 1992
  • Palakkad Film Festival Award − 1995
  • Pushpasree Award − 1995
  • Bangalore Kalavedi Award − 1994
  • Film Critics Association Award − 1995
  • Kerala Kaumudhi Readers Club Award − 1994
  • Film Guidance Society Award − 1996
  • Government of India Emeritus Fellowship for Contribution in the field of Art and Literature From 1 April 1996 to 31 March 1998
  • Talents of Universities Creative Heights Award − 1996
  • Navachedhana Award − 1994
  • Soorya Award − 1994
  • Travancore Devaswam Board Award. – 1972
  • Sree Moolanagaram Fine Arts Society Award − 1997
  • Abhinaya Saamrat − 1991
  • Nataka Chakravarthy − 1991
  • Chalachithra Prathibha − 1993
  • Chalachithra Rathnam − 1994
  • Chalachithra Acharyan − 1994
  • Malayala Chalachithra Kulapathy 1994
  • Sarasadrutha Kavi − 1994
  • Kala Vibhooshan − 1994
  • Bheeshma Charya − 1994
  • Sarvakala Sarva Bhouman − 1994
  • Guru Karanavar − 1995
  • Kala Jyothi − 1996
  • Sarasa Vachaspathy − 1996
  • Sadasya Thilakan − 1996

Selected filmography

Direction

Urvashi Bharathi Achante Bharya Palunku Pathram Saraswathi Nurse Poojapushpam

Writing

Aana Valarthiyal Vanampadiyude Makan Muthalali Sabarimala Shri Ayyappan Devasundari Sthree Kettinethinu Vaasanathailam
  • ''Urvashi Bharati''

Acting

A full acting filmography list is available here.

1950s

Sthree Sasidharan Chandrika Navalokam as KuruppuJeevitha Nouka as SomanVisappinte Vili Andaman Kaithi Amma Achan Sheriyo Thetto Ponkathir Sneehaseema Puthradharmam Kidappadam Kalam Marunnu Harishchandra Atmarpanam Thaskaraveeran Devasundari Atchanum Makanum Randidangazhi Mariakutty as Pariyalle Kuruvachan
  • ''Aana Valarthiyal Vanampady''

1960s

Umma as Abobacker HajiSeeta Poothali Unniyarcha as Kannappa ChekavarShri Sabarimalai Shri Ayyappan Kandam Bacha Kotte as Alikoya HajiJnaanasundari as King PhilipChristmas Rathri as GeorgeBhakta Kuchela as KamsanViyarpintae Vila Velu Thampi Dhalava Snehadeepam as SreedharanShree Rama Pattabhishekam Shreekovil Sabarimalai Shri Ayyappan Laila Majnu Snapaka Yohannan as Herodias AnthippasSathyabhama Nithya Kanyaka Kalayum Kaminiyum Doctor as Madhava MenonChilamboli Thacholi Othenan Shree Guruvayoorappan as Villumangalam SwamiSchool Master as Raman PillaOmanakuttan Kudumbini as Raghava KuruppuKarutha Kai as ThampiKalanju Kittiya Thankam as Bhaskara PillaDevaalayam Ayesha Atom Bomb as KurungoduShakuntala Rosy Odeyil Ninnu as KuruppuMuthalali Mayavi as Krishna MenonKochumon Kattu Pookkal as ThommachanKathirunna Nikah Kaliyodum Jeevitha Yaathra as Parameshwara KurupInapravugal Chettathi Bhoomiyile Malakha Tilottama Tharavatamma as KeshavankuttyPuthri as KunjachanPriyathama Poocha Kanni Mayor Nair Kusruthy Kuttan Koottukar Kayamkulam Kochunni as Kunjunni PanikkarKaruna Kanmanikal Kanaka Chilanga Kallipennu Kadamattathachan Jail Iruttinde Athmavu as KaranavarAnarkali as Jaya SinghanPost Man Pareeksha as Janardhanan PillaNaadan Pennu Iruttinte Athmavu as Madhavan NairMadatharuvi Chitra Mela as Anveshichu Kandethiyilla Viruthan Shanku Vidyarthi Vazhi Pizhacha Santhathy Thulabharam as R.K.MenonPunnapra Vayalar as MaariyaveedanManaswini Kodungalluramma Inspector Hotel High Range as RajasahibAparadhini Adyapika Poojapushpam Nurse Nadhi as Mattummel ThomachanKumara Sambhavam as HimavatChattambi Kavala Ballatha Pahayan as Beerankunju Hajiyar
  • ''Aalmaram''

1970s

Nilakkatha Chalanangal Vivaham Swargathil Triveni as PadmanabhanThara as Keshavankutty NairSaraswathi Sabarimala Shri Dharmasastha Palunkupathram Othenente Makan Nizhalattam as KarunakaranNazhikakallu Ezhuthatha Katha Cross Belt as Krishnan ThampiAmma Enna Stree Puthanveedu Neethi Muthassi Lanka Dahanam Kalithozhi Achante Bharya Makane Ninakku Vendi as MamachanAana Valarthiyal Vanampadiyude Makan Aabhijathyam as Shankara MenonPrathikaram as Pankajakshan NairThavaputhalvan Swayamvaram Sree Guruvayoorappan Sakthi Professor Maya as Decent Sankara PillaMaravil Thirivu Sookshikkuka as K. B. MenonAromalunni Achanum Bappayum Aaradi Manninte Janmi Urvashi Bharathi Thiruvabharanam Thaniniram as Gopalan MasterSwarga Puthri as MathaiSasthram Jayichu Manushyan Thottu as Dr. Govinda MenonPreathangalude Thazhvaram Ponnapuram Kotta Padmavyooham Pacha Nottukal Nakhangal Kavitha Kattu Vitachavan Kaadu as KattumooppanJesus Divyadharsanam Chenda Angathattu Aasha Chakram Youvanam Vishnu Vijayam Thumbolarcha as Kannappa ChekavarSwarna Vigraham Suprabhatham Saptha Swarangal as Govinda PanikkarPattabhisekam Pancha Thanthram Nellu as Chevara PerukkiNathoon Nagaram Sagaram Nadee Nadanmare Aavashyamunde Manyasree Viswamitran Devi Kanyakumari Check Post Ayalathe Sundari Thomashleeha Thiruvonam Swarna Matsyam Swami Ayyappan Soorya Vamsam Sathyathinte Nizhalil Sammanam Padmaragam Neela Ponman as Sankara PrabhuMattoru Seetha Manishada Kottaram Vilakkanundu Kalayana Sougandhikam Dharmakshetre Kurukshetre Cheenavala as RanaChattambikkalyaani as Daivam MathaiBharya Illaatha Rathri Babu Mon Alibaba and Forty-one Thieves as AmeerAbhimanam Aaranya Kaandum Yaksha Gaanam Vazhi Vilakku Themmadi Vellappan Swimming Pool Sreemadh Bhagwad Geetha Sita Swayamvar Seemantha Puthran Sarvekkalu Romeo Rajanganam Mailanum Mathevanum Kayamkulam Kochunniyude Maghan Dheere Sameere Yamuna Theere Chirikudukka as Sadashivan NairChennai Valarthiya Kutty Appooppan Amrudha Vahini as ThampiAmmini Ammavan Amba Ambika Ambalika Abhinandanam Yatheem as Mammali SayivuVishukkani Thuruppu Gulam Soorya Kanthi Satyavan Savithri Saghakkale Munottu Rathi Manmathan Parivarthanam Niraparayum Nilavilakkum Mini Mol Manas Oru Mayil Kodiyettam Kavilamma Kannappanunni as Kannappan ChekavarHarsha Bhashpam Chathur Vedam Samudram as College PrincipalAparadhi Aparaajitha Thacholy Ambu Sundharimarude Swapnangal Itha Oru Manushyan Society Lady Snehikkan Oru Pennu Manooradham Madhurikkunna Rathri Madanolsavam as Ambadi Rajasekharan ThampiKanyaka Kanal Kattakal as Dr.KumarKalpa Vriksham as Sankaran MenonKadathanattu Maakkam Jayikkanaayi Janichavan Chakrayudham Avar Jeevikkunnu Asthamayam Ashtamudi Kayal Vaaleduthaven Vaalaal Sayoojyam Puthiya Velicham as Lohithakshan BhagavatharPratheeksha Prabhatha Sandhya Ponnil Kulicha Rathri Pennorumbettaal Paapathinu Maranamilla Manushiyan Mamangam as King of ValluvanaduIniyum Kaanaam Ini Ethra Sandhyakal Hridhayathinte Nirangal Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum as Shehan Sha
  • ''Ajnatha Theerangal''

1980s

Swathu Seetha Paallattu Kunjikannan Ambalavilakku as RamavarmmaAdhikaram as P.K.PValarthu Mrigangal as Circus Owner MadhavanThaalam Manasinte Thaalam Sanchari Grihalakshmi Padayottam as Kolathiri RajavuIthu Njangalude Katha as Ramankutty's UncleIthum Oru Jeevitham Ayudham Balooon as Aravindaksha MenonAhagaaram Oru Sumangaliyude Katha as Yamuna's fatherOru Nimisham Tharu Oodarathuammava Aalariyam Ivide Thudangunnu as Adv. Balachandra MenonKudumbam Oru Swargam Bharya Oru Devatha Attahaasam Anakkorumma as MinisterEe Thalamura Ingane Azhiyatha Bandhangal as ThampiSughamodevi as Sunny's FatherRareeram as Radha's FatherAvanazhi as NampoothiriWitness as Old ManVellanakalude Nadu as Chandrashekharan NairOru Muthassi Katha Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu as MenonAryan Varavelpu as 'Apal bandavan' Govindan NairOru Sayahnathinte Swapnam as Govinda PillaiInnale as Ramachandran NairArdham as Janardanan's Father

1990s

Kuruppinte Kanakku Pustakom as PanikkarHis Highness Abdullah as Mathilakathu Cheriyachan ThampuranDr. Pasupathy as Pappan's grandfatherAye Auto as Krishna PillaiArhatha as Ashwathi's grandfatherPurappadu Nanma Niranjavan Sreenivasan as Madhavan PillaiMidhya as GrandfatherKizhakkunarum Pakshi as MoorthyKalari as Ramesh and Rakesh's fatherPookkalam Varavayi as GrandfatherKilukkam as Shop ownerAdvaitham as Parameswaran NamboothiriKaazhchakkappuram as Paramu PillaiMidhunam as Kuruppu MasterAkashadoothu Janam as old manCommissioner as Kunjurama KuruppuSadharam Indian Military Intelligence The King Mayooranritham Mahathma Kilukil Pambaramam Janadhipathyam as Maharaja

Television

  • ''Lubdhan Lukose''