K. Sarangkapani

Kumbakonam Sarangapani (1904-1984) was an Indian actor who worked mainly in Tamil cinema. Though primarily a comedian, he occasionally played roles of hero and villain.

Family

Sarangapani was born in 1904 in Kumbakonam, Tanjore district. His parents were Shivakolunthu and Jagadambal. Sarangapani was the youngest of his three brothers Periya Rajanna (Artist), Thambussamy (Mrudangam Vidwaan), Chinna Rajanna (Nadaswara Vidwaan) and his Sister Ambaal Ammal.

Sarangapani was married to Thayalnayaki. He had three sons and a daughter. As a follower of the freedom movement, he named his children as Gandhi Padamanbhan, Vijayalakshmi Pandit, Bhaskara Patel and Subash Chandra Bose.

Drama

Belonging to a family involved in music performance, his love towards arts was in his genes. At the age of seven, Sarangapani had wandered behind a drama advertising bullock cart and joined Jagannatha Iyer Company. It was here he learned to sing, dance and act. During his early days, he mostly performed "Stree part" – a woman role. Later, he started acting in comedy and lead roles in various dramas.

He moved from Jagannatha Iyer Company and Joined Nawab Rajamanikyam Pillai Company. This company traveled the length and breadth of the state and also to Sri Lanka to perform various dramas.

Sarangapani got his break in movies while performing for Devi Bala Vinoda Sangeeta Sabha in Coimbatore. Though he became busy in movies, he never stopped performing in dramas.

Hero and Villain

Though Sarangapani has acted as a comedian in most of the films, he was the main star in "Rambhaiyin Kaadal". In Andhaman Kaidi, Sarangapani deftly played a villain role as well, in movies such as Andhaman Kaithi (1952).

Awards

Sarangapani was conferred with Tamil Nadu State Award – Kalaimamani in the year of 1964. He was also given the "Raja Sando" Award for lifetime contribution to films in the year of 1982 by His Excellency Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy.

Relationship with Anna

Though a staunch Congress party man, Sarangapani had friends in all parties.

When Arignar Anna was diagnosed with cancer and was admitted in Adyar, Sarangapani was a daily visitor. He visited a temple to perform pooja in the name of Anna and would bring kumkum as prasadam and apply it to his forehead. Anna, an atheist, would not remove the kumkum from his forehead, as a mark of respect to his friendship.

Filmography Year Film 1935 Bhakta Ramadas 1938 Thukkaram 1939 Shantha Sakkubai 1939 Rambhaiyin Kaadal 1941 Sabapathy 1941 Venuganam 1941 Savitri 1942 En Manaivi 1942 Panchamritam 1943 Kaaraikkaal Ammaiyaar or Moondru Thengaai 1945 Paramjyoti 1946 Lavangi 1947 Nam Iruvar 1947 Udayaanan Vaasavadatta 1947 Ekambavanan 1948 Bhakta Jana 1948 Vedhala Ulagam 1949 Vazhkai 1949 Kanniyin Kaadhali 1951 Mohana Sundaram 1951 Raajaambaal 1952 Agastyar 1952 Andhaman Kaidhi 1953 Manampole Mangalyam 1954 Koondukkili 1954 Penn 1954 Ponvayal 1954 Karkottai 1955 Mangaiyar Thilakam 1955 Kalvanin Kadhali 1955 Missiyamma 1955 Menaka 1956 Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum 1956 Kokilavani 1956 Mathar Kula Manickam 1956 Naan Petra Selvam 1956 Raja Rani 1956 Sadhaaram 1957 Baagyavathi 1957 Makkalai Petra Magarasi 1957 Rani Lalithangi 1957 Thangamalai Ragasiyam 1957 Yaar Paiyan 1958 Kadan Vaangi Kalyanam 1958 Kutumba Gauravam 1958 Nalla Idatu Sambandham 1960 Adutha Veettu Penn 1960 Paavai Vilakku 1960 Kuzhandhaigal Kanda Kudiyarasu 1961 Pangaaligal 1962 Manithan Maravillai 1962 Sumaithaangi 1963 Arivaali 1963 Kulamagal Raadhai 1963 Naan Vanangum Dheivam 1964 Karuppu Panam 1964 Navarathri 1965 Thiruvilaiyadal 1966 Saraswati Sabatham 1966 Marakka Mudiyumaa? 1966 Chinnanchiru Ulagam 1968 Thillana Mohanambal