N. S. Krishnan

Nagercoil Sudalaimuthu Krishnan, popularly known as Kalaivanar and also as NSK, (29 November 190830 August 1957) was an Indian actor, comedian, dancer, playback singer and screenwriter in the early stages of the Tamil film industry – in the 1940s and 1950s. He is considered as the "Charlie Chaplin of India." His stage and cine-screen comedy performances were unique and always carried a message for the people. Early life He was born into a Vellalar family in Ozhuginasery, Nagercoil, in the princely state of Travancore, India on 29 November 1908. He grew up in poverty and supported himself by selling sweets. They were later married. They starred in around 100 films together and few South Indian films were made at the time without them appearing.

As well as acting, he produced films including Nallathambi (1949). His granddaughters Anu Vardhan and Ramya NSK are working as costume designer and playback singer in the film industry respectively.

Death N.S. Krishnan had been undergoing treatment for alcohol-induced hepatitis since 12 August 1957. He died at the General Hospital, Madras on 30 August 1957 following complications of the disease. His funeral was attended by more than 100,000 people. The building is one of the leading landmarks in the city of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu. It briefly housed the Tamil Nadu Assembly in the 1950s.