Sankaradi

Kanakku Chembakarama Parameswara Chandrashekara Menon, better known by his screen name Sankaradi (14 July 1924 – 8 October 2001), was an Indian actor. He was a veteran Malayalam comedian and character artist, who had over 700 Malayalam films to his credit. He dominated the Malayalam film scene in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s as a comedian along with Adoor Bhasi and Bahadoor. Later, he switched to character roles.

Early life He was born to Memana Parameswara Pillai and Chankaradiyil Thoppil Parambil Janaki Amma in 1924 at Cherai, Kochi, India. He had four siblings, Balan Menon, Sarojini, Lakshmikuty and Indira. Later on, he adopted the screen name 'Sankaradi' from the name of his matrilineal family name "Chankaradiyil" by discarding the "-yil" and changing "Chankaradi" to "Sankaradi".

Sankaradi passed intermediate from Maharajas College, Ernakulam. Before entering films, Sankaradi briefly dabbled in politics, journalism and theatre. He had earlier joined the Indian National Congress, but later became a cardholder of the undivided Communist Party of India (CPI). However, he returned his party card after the CPI split in 1964 and turned to theatre.

Sankaradi joined the trade union movement at Baroda Railways while he was studying Marine engineering at Baroda. He abandoned his studies to pursue a job as a journalist in The Literary Review, a newspaper based in Mumbai.

Film career A stint in theatre in the mid-1960s in Kerala prepared Sankaradi for his foray into films. After his debut in Kunchacko's Kadalamma, he remained an integral part of Malayalam cinema till his death.

In 1968, he acted in Viruthan Shanku, the first full-length comedy in Malayalam cinema, directed by P. Venu. Sankaradi won the state's best character artiste award in 1969–71. He also holds the record for featuring in over 300 films with Prem Nazir.

Awards Kerala State Film Awards:

Second Best Actor - 1970 - Vazhve mayam, Ezhuthatha Kadha Second Best Actor - 1971 - Various Films

Personal life Sankaradi remained a bachelor for a long time till he married Sharada in the late 1980s; the couple had no children. He was known throughout his film career by his house name (Tharavadu) "Sankaradi". He died at his home in Cherai at 10 PM on 8 October 2001, aged 77. He was ailing for a while until his death. He was cremated with full state honours at the premises of his home the next day. Harikrishnans, directed by Fazil, was his last film.

Filmography 1970s Year Title Role Notes 1970 Thriveni Sankara Pilla Vazhve Mayam Neelakantappillai Nizhalattam Kumaran Rakthapushpam Pisharady Detective 909 Keralathil Nazhikakkallu Aa Chithrashalabham Parannotte Keshava Kurup Ezhuthatha Kadha Shanku Asan Abhayam Comrade Sankaran Bheekara Nimishangal Panikkar Lottery Ticket Velappan Priya Ambalapravu Dhamu Kakkathamburatti Kittuashan Aranazhika Neram Geevareeth 1971 Marunnattil Oru Malayali Sheshadri/Pathrose Vilakkyu Vaangiya Veena Sankara Pilla Poompatta Kelu Kaniyar Anadha Shilpangal Iyyer Oru Penninte Katha Manager Moonnupookkal Inqulab Zindabbad Neerkunnam Neelaambaran Bobanum Moliyum Mammad Sindooracheppu Sankaran Nair Anubhavangal Paalichakal Kochutty Lankadahanam Adiyodi Sumangali Aabhijathyam Vithukal Achuthan Nair P Bhaskaran Thapaswini Karakanakadal Philippose 1972 Omana Kunjumman Kochukoshi Maaya Velu Pilla Sambhavami Yuge Yuge Nagappan Nair Brahmachari Unnithan Punarjanmam Ashan Panimudakku George Baalyaprathijna Muthalali Chembarathi Manager Aadhyathe Katha Appu Pilla Theerthayathra Krishnan Ashan Sathi Aaradimanninte Janmi Sankara Kuruppu Nrithasala Sekhara/Durodana Panikkar Miss Mary Keshava Pilla Naadan Premam Gopalan Anweshanam Kandavarundo Kuttappan Mayiladumkunnu Outha Lakshyam Snehadeepame Mizhi Thurakku 1973 Mazhakaaru Krishnanda Swami Sasthram Jayichu Manushyan Thottu Kottu Kurup Raakuyil Thottavadi Kuttan Nair Madhavikutty Veendum Prabhatham Sarigama Kurup Nirmalyam Ravunni Nair Kaliyugam Interview Govinda Pilla Enippadikal Achani Banker Menon Azhakulla Saleena Agausthi Aashachakram Ramu Udayam Raman Pilla Manassu Football Champion Ramakrishna Pilla Ragging Pachanottukal Chukku Kammath Chenda Thaniniram Vaidyan Periyar Gayathri Darsanam Devi Ajnathavasam Kochuraman Chayam Divyadharsanam Kunju Kuttan Angathattu Kochukuruppu Nakhangal Achuthan Nair 1974 Bhoomidevi Pushpiniyayi Pachu Pilla Vrindavam Rahasyarathri Sankara Pilla Pattabhishekam Pothuval Pancha Thanthram Kuruppu Kanyakumari North Indian businessman Pathiravum Pakalvelichavum Night Duty Kuttan Pilla Nathoon Neelakannukal Mathew Sakhavu Thacholi Marumakan Chandu Kannoth Moothor Jeevikkan Marannupoya Sthree Panikker Ayalathe Sundari Kuttan Nair Manyasree Viswamithran Vakkeel College Girl Parakulam Raman Nair Poonthenaruvi Issac Chandrakantham Sreesankara Pilla Oru Pidi Ari Honeymoon Rajahamsam Radha's father Sapthaswaragal Kunju Panikkar Alakal Aswathy Nellu Damodhara Warrier Chattakkari Mr. Warrier 1975 Pravaham Damodhara Menon Kaamam Krodham Moham Sammanam Abhimaanam Damodharan Nair Chuvanna Sandhyakal Akkaldaama Hello Darling Pachu Pilla Ayodhya Sarasamma Kalyaanappanthal Raasaleela Aaranya Kandam Chandanachola Love Letter Love Marriage Major Nair Utsavam Sankaran Madhurappathinezhu Raagam Dharmapalan Makkal Babumon Pathiru Menon Cheenavala Konthi 1976 Kamadhenu Menon Priyamvada Paalkkadal Mesthiri Sindhooram Nee Ente Lahari Amba Ambika Ambalika Fishermen's King Anubhavam Press owner Chennaaya Valarthiya Kutty Appooppan Sankaran Menon Ayalkkaari Suku's Uncle Manimuzhakkam Mohiniyaattam Aruthu Chirikkudukka Keshavan Nair Light House Raghavan Pilla Surveykkallu Samasya Prasaadam Gopala Pilla Kanyaadaanam Pick Pocket Krishna Kurup Muthu Ponni Nanjan Ajayanum Vijayanum Pilla Amrithavaahini Madhava Kuruppu Swimming Pool Agni Pushpam Missi Udyaanalakshmi Ammini Ammaavan Ranger Paramupilla Theekkanal Panchami Yohannan 1977 Thaalappoli Anjali Yatheem Khader Haji Nurayum Pathayum Veedu Oru Swargam Agninakshathram Makam Piranna Manka Amme Anupame Madhura Swapanam Yudhakandam Sneha Yamuna Jagadguru Aadisankaran Moorkkathu Namboothiri Guruvayur Kesavan Komunni Nair Varadakshina Panchamrutham Avarachan Samudram Gopalan Nair Vezhambal Oonjaal Thirumeni Lakshmi Madhavan Thamphi Rathimanmadhan Kuruppu Kaduvaye Pidicha Kiduva Vishukkani Prabhakaran Pillai Niraparayum Nilavilakkum Ormakal Marikkumo Chandrasekharan's uncle Innale Innu Nanu Nair Minimol Aaraadhana Sreedevi P. K. Menon Chathurvedam Satyavan Savithri Rajaguru Sakhakkale Munnoottu Hridayame Sakshi Kurup Manassoru Mayil Ammaayi Amma Itha Ivide Vare Sivaraman Nair 1978 Kudumbam Namukku Sreekovil Swaminathan Aniyara Uthrada Rathri Vishwaroopam Mudramothiram Swami Eeta Annamma's father Prarthana Kanyaka Madanolsavam D'Cruz Agni Sathrusamhaaram Manoradham Adimakkachavadam Varkey Muthalali Tharoo Oru Janmam Koodi Anumodhanam Nakshathrangale Kaaval Nivedyam Kuruppu Avalude Ravukal Damodaran Njaan Njaan Maathram Snehikkan Samayamilla Aarum Anyaralla Naanu Pilla Avakaasham Premashilpi Raghuvamsham Aval Viswasthayayirunnu Thomachan Rajan Paranja Kadha Adavukal Pathinettu Shekharan Kutty's father Snehikkan Oru Pennu Yagaswam Govinda Marar Asthamayam Swami Ninakku Njaanum Enikku Neeyum Kurup Vadakakku Oru Hridayam Iniyum Puzhayozhukum Kurupu Ithaa Oru Manushyan Krishnan Potti Bandhanam Achumman Randilonnu Kuttappan 1979 Agni Vyooham Shekharan Pilla Kathirmandapam Thuramukham Vasu Mesthiri Shudhikalasham Vikraman Kartha Oru Raagam Pala Thaalam Aarattu Vareethu Neeyo Njaano Govindaswami Gounder Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum Aboobakkar's father Kaalam Kaathu Ninnilla Ivide Kattinu Sugandam Sreedharan Anubhavangale Nanni Jimmy Paulose Radha Enna Pennkutti Ente Neelakaasham Raghava Panikker Rakthamillatha Manushyan Appayya/Mathai College Beauty Oolkatal Fr. Chenadan Angakkuri Ramachandhran's uncle Vellayani Paramu Swamikal Ezhunirangal Narendran Choola Prabhaathasandhya Thirumeni Edavazhiyile Poocha Minda Poocha Sankaran Nair Puthiya Velicham Panikkar

1980s Year Title Role Notes 1980 Akalangalil Abhayam Panikkar Raagam Thaanam Pallavi Jayachandran's father Ammmayum Makalum Eden Thottam Rappai Ivar Susammma's father Ishtamanu Pakshe Lorry Karimpana Adhikaram Bhaskara Menon Pralayam Professor Arangum Aniyarayum Suppu Iyyer Moorkhan Oru Varsham Oru Maasam Makara Vilakku Ithikkara Pakki Benz Vasu Pappu's father Meen Moopan Muthuchippikal Kurup Puzha Dooram Arike Mani Iyyar Pavizha Mutthu Malathy's father Swandam Enna Padam Usha's Uncle Vaiki Vanna Vasantham Velu Pilla Dwik Vijayam Sankara Panikkar Aagamanam Raman Nair Angaadi Karunakaran Air Hostess Sankara Panikkar Aniyaatha Valakal Sujatha's Uncle 1981 Sphodanam Krishnan Asthamikkatha Pakalukal Sankaran Oru Vilippadakale Ellaam Ninakku Vendi Ammavan Kolilakkam Pinneyum Pookkunna Kaadu Thadavara Prof. Gopinath Oppol Kunjan Nair Archana Teacher Sambavam Orikkal Koodi Grihalakshmi Sanchari Sankaran Raktham Pillechan ashan Thaaraavu Raman Avatharam Mammukka Swarangal Swapnagal Janardhanan sir Tharattu Vayal Kaimal Maniyan Pilla Adhava Maniyan Pilla Chayam Thrishna Parameswaran Vida Parayum Munpe Panicker Theekkali Krishnan Thampi 1982 Nagamadathu Thampuratti Seshayya Ethiraalikal Mammukka Kurukkante Kalyanam Thrivikraman Veedu Marupacha Sankaradi Sankunni Kakka Jambulingam Karthavyam Menon Chiriyo Chiri Aalolam Ilakkagal Vaarikuzhi Aarambham Velu Enthino Pookunna Pookkal Kurupp Mylanji Beerankunju Njan Ekananu Ramettan Anthiveyilile Ponnu Njanonnu Parayatte Sankaran Nair Sooryan A R C Menon Ee Nadu Kuttyahammed Innalenkil Nale Kannan Ponmudy Kesummavan 1983 Thaalam Thettiya Tharattu Velupilla Rathilayam Vasu Pilla Onnu Chirikku Ananthapadmanabhan Iyer Parasparam Appachan Aashrayam Maniyara Sulaiman Aana Alikka Mandanmmar Londanil Kunjunni maashu Asthram Nanu Maashu Nathi Muthal Nathi Vare Velu Mooppan Iniyengilum Govinda Pai Bandham Engane Nee Marakkum Oru Madapravinte Katha Mazha Nilaavu Sankara Pilla 1984 Ente Nandinikutty Unni Vanna Divasam Kurup Vanitha Police Chelleppan Pilla Poochakkoru Mookkuthi Adv. Sankaran Kutty Manasariyathe Sankaran Athirathram Rakshassu Sankaran Aksharangal Writer Kumaran Unaroo Aattuvanchi Ulanjappol Bank Manager Manithali Musthafakka Nethavu Arante Mulla Kochu Mulla Former Bank Manager Adiyozhukkukal Joseph Paavam Poornima Nanu Kuruppu Appunni Adhikari Athirathram Muthodumuthu Thekkedathu Krishna Karnavar 1985 Gaayathridevi Ente Amma Nambiar Avidathe Pole Ivideyum Koodum Thedi Esho Akalathe Ambili Ambili's father Nayakan Murari Dance Master Anakkorumma Potti Njan Piranna Nattil Psychiatrist Varma Guruji Oru Vakku Onnanam Kunnil Oradi Kunnil Col. Raghavan Nair Pacha Velicham Mukundan's father Ente Ammu Ninte Thulasi Avarude Chakki Vasu Pillai Boeing Boeing M. T. E. Damodaran Mukhyamanthri Anu Bandham Joseph Janakeeya Kodathi Sankaran 1986 Hello My Dear Wrong Number Judge Narayanan Kurup Koodanayum Kattu Ithramathram K. V. Menon Aavanazhi Viswanathan Ninnistham Ennishtam Doctor Rakkuyilin Ragasadassil Chandu Manasiloru Manimuthu Vivahithare Ithile Psychiatrist Dr. Satheesh Oru Yugasandhya Kuttayi Thalavattam Thirumeni Nandi Veendum Varika Chathukutty Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam Adv. P. Sreedharan Nair Oppam Oppathinoppam Paramu Nair Sukhamo Devi Rajasekharan 1987 Kalam Mari Katha Mari Sulaiman Nirabhethagal Salini's father Aalippazhangal Rithubhedam Karunakara Panikkar Idanazhiyil Oru Kaalocha Principal Sarvakalashala Charachara Achan Ithrayum Kaalam Maani Cheppu Karunakaran Nair Vrutham Kaimal Swargam Nadodikkattu Panicker Adimakal Udamakal Govindan Sreedharante Onnam Thirumurivu Kumaran Sruthi Keshava Menon Thoovanathumbikal Radha's father Ivide Ellavarkkum Sukham Lazar 1988 Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu Madhavan Nair Mukthi Ravunni Warrier Ayitham Vikraman Daisy Teacher Abkari Govindan 1989 Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam Pisharadi Padippura Utharam Achuvettan Chakkikotha Chankaran Police Officer Mazhavilkavadi Kuriya Varkey Vadakkunokkiyantram Thalathil Chanthu Nair Mrigaya Shankunni Jaithra Yathra Advocate Kireedam Krishnan Nair Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal College Principal Ramji Rao Speaking Manager

1990s Year Title Role Notes 1990 Superstar Swapna's father Brahmaraksassu Minda Poochakku Kalyanam Vidyarambham Kalikkalam Ammavan Kouthuka Varthakal Aswathy's father His Highness Abdulla Raman Menon, Secretary to the Maharaja Sasneham Padmanabhan Thalayanamanthram Thankappan Thaazhvaaram Nanu 1991 Pookkalam Varavayi Kizhakkunarum Pakshi Ishwaramaman Kanalkattu Ulladakkam Anaswaram Amina Tailors Nair Uncle Bun Ittiyachan Cameo Aakasha Kottayile Sultan Pillaichan Godfather Advocate Mukha Chithram Sunanda's father Nayam Vyakthamakkunnu Sankaranarayanan Thampi Ennum Nanmakal Radha Devi's Uncle Sandesam Kumara Pillai Nettippattam Achyuthan Nair 1992 Utsavamelam Thekkumpuram Karnavar Thiruthalvaadi Raghavan Master Nakshthrakoodaram Kasarkode Khaderbai Pachalam Pappachan Mr and Mrs Kallanum Policum Adhwaytham Chief Minister Snehasagaram Johnnie Walker Principal Vietnam Colony Insane man Aayushkalam Fernandez Pappayude Swantham Appoos Kurupp Ammavan 1993 Aagneyam Ammavan Chenkol Krishnan Nair Aayirappara Priest Devasuram Kuttikrishnan Nair Aalavattam Madhavan Maman Ponnaram Thottathe Rajavu Sopanam Marar Samooham Rajalakshmi's Uncle Golanthara Vartha Panchayat president Kabooliwala Tea Shop Owner Midhunam Sethu's 'Ammavan' 1994 Minnaram Iyer Chanakya Soothrangal Velu Pilla Pingami Muthappan Sankeerthanam Pole Moonnam Loka Pattalam Ezhuthachan Panikkar Thenmavin Kombath Manikkan's father 1995 Alancheri Thamprakkal Chekutty Writer Mazhayethum Munpe Uma's father No 1 Snehatheeram Bangalore North Danielkutty Spadikam Judge Sindoorarekha House Owner Pisharodi The King Pillai 1996 Lalanam Madhavan Pillai Kalapani Musaliar The Porter Thooval Kottaram Advocate 1997 Oral Mathram Tea Shop owner Aniyathipravu Colonel April 19 Vamsam Aaraam Thampuran Ezhuthachan 1998 Meenathil Thalikettu Durga's Husband Kusruthi Kuruppu Captain Sundarakilladi Malliyannan Harikrishnans Kunjikelu Malabaril Ninnoru Manimaaran

Posthumus The 2017 Malayalam film, Varnyathil Ashanka, directed by Sidharth Bharathan shows the reprisal of Sankaradi's character (photograph only), leftist ideologue, Kumara Pillai from Sandesham, along with his party worker Bobby Kottarakkara as Uthaman, and rival party chief Yashwanth Sahai (Innocent).