Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair

Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair (16 October 191611 March 1997) 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. 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 (1951), 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. 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.

Screen-naming Thikkurussy coined screen-names of many actors in Malayalam cinema. Actors who were renamed by Thikkurissy include Prem Nazir; actual name: Abdul Khader S. J. Dev (stage actor and father of Rajan P. Dev); actual name: Devassia Jose Prakash; actual name: K. J. Joseph Bahadoor; actual name: Kunjali Kuthiravattom Pappu; actual name: Padmadalakshan

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 (Kerala State Film Award for Lifetime Achievement) – 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 (1973) Achante Bharya (1971) Palunku Pathram (1970) Saraswathi (1970) Nurse (1969) Poojapushpam (1969) Sheriyo Thetto (1953)

Writing Aana Valarthiyal Vanampadiyude Makan (1971) Muthalali (1965) Sabarimala Shri Ayyappan (1962) Devasundari (1957) Sthree (1950) Kettinethinu Vaasanathailam Urvashi Bharati

Acting A full acting filmography list is available here.

1950s

Sthree (1950) Sasidharan (1950) Chandrika (1950) Navalokam (1951) as Kuruppu Jeevitha Nouka (1951) as Soman Visappinte Vili (1952) Andaman Kaithi (1952) Amma (1952) Achan (1952) Sheriyo Thetto (1953) Ponkathir (1953) Sneehaseema (1954) Puthradharmam (1954) Kidappadam (1954) Kalam Marunnu (1955) Harishchandra (1955) Atmarpanam (1956) Thaskaraveeran (1957) Devasundari (1957) Atchanum Makanum (1957) Randidangazhi (1958) Mariakutty (1958) as Pariyalle Kuruvachan Aana Valarthiyal Vanampady (1959)

1960s

Umma (1960) as Abobacker Haji Seeta (1960) Poothali (1960) Unniyarcha (1961) as Kannappa Chekavar Shri Sabarimalai Shri Ayyappan (1961) Kandam Bacha Kotte (1961) as Alikoya Haji Jnaanasundari (1961) as King Philip Christmas Rathri (1961) as George Bhakta Kuchela (1961) as Kamsan Viyarpintae Vila (1962) Velu Thampi Dhalava (1962) Snehadeepam (1962) as Sreedharan Shree Rama Pattabhishekam (1962) Shreekovil (1962) Sabarimalai Shri Ayyappan (1962) Laila Majnu (1962) Snapaka Yohannan (1963) as Herodias Anthippas Sathyabhama (1963) Nithya Kanyaka (1963) Kalayum Kaminiyum (1963) Doctor (1963) as Madhava Menon Chilamboli (1963) Thacholi Othenan (1964) Shree Guruvayoorappan (1964) as Villumangalam Swami School Master (1964) as Raman Pilla Omanakuttan (1964) Kudumbini (1964) as Raghava Kuruppu Karutha Kai (1964) as Thampi Kalanju Kittiya Thankam (1964) as Bhaskara Pilla Devaalayam (1964) Ayesha (1964) Atom Bomb (1964) as Kurungodu Shakuntala (1965) Rosy (1965) Odeyil Ninnu (1965) as Kuruppu Muthalali (1965) Mayavi (1965) as Krishna Menon Kochumon (1965) Kattu Pookkal (1965) as Thommachan Kathirunna Nikah (1965) Kaliyodum (1965) Jeevitha Yaathra (1965) as Parameshwara Kurup Inapravugal (1965) Chettathi (1965) Bhoomiyile Malakha (1965) Tilottama (1966) Tharavatamma (1966) as Keshavankutty Puthri (1966) as Kunjachan Priyathama (1966) Poocha Kanni (1966) Mayor Nair (1966) Kusruthy Kuttan (1966) Koottukar (1966) Kayamkulam Kochunni (1966) as Kunjunni Panikkar Karuna (1966) Kanmanikal (1966) Kanaka Chilanga (1966) Kallipennu (1966) Kadamattathachan (1966) Jail (1966) Iruttinde Athmavu (1966) as Karanavar Anarkali (1966) as Jaya Singhan Post Man (1967) Pareeksha (1967) as Janardhanan Pilla Naadan Pennu (1967) Iruttinte Athmavu (1967) as Madhavan Nair Madatharuvi (1967) Chitra Mela (1967) as (segment "Apaswarangal") Anveshichu Kandethiyilla (1967) Viruthan Shanku (1968) Vidyarthi (1968) Vazhi Pizhacha Santhathy (1968) Thulabharam (1968) as R.K.Menon Punnapra Vayalar (1968) as Maariyaveedan Manaswini (1968) Kodungalluramma (1968) Inspector (1968) Hotel High Range (1968) as Rajasahib Aparadhini (1968) Adyapika (1968) Poojapushpam (1969) Nurse (1969) Nadhi (1969) as Mattummel Thomachan Kumara Sambhavam (1969) as Himavat Chattambi Kavala (1969) Ballatha Pahayan (1969) as Beerankunju Hajiyar Aalmaram (1969)

1970s

Nilakkatha Chalanangal (1970) Vivaham Swargathil (1970) Triveni (1970) as Padmanabhan Thara as Keshavankutty Nair Saraswathi (1970) Sabarimala Shri Dharmasastha (1970) Palunkupathram (1970) Othenente Makan (1970) Nizhalattam (1970) as Karunakaran Nazhikakallu (1970) Ezhuthatha Katha (1970) Cross Belt (1970) as Krishnan Thampi Amma Enna Stree (1970) Puthanveedu (1971) Neethi (1971) Muthassi (1971) Lanka Dahanam (1971) Kalithozhi (1971) Achante Bharya (1971) Makane Ninakku Vendi (1971) as Mamachan Aana Valarthiyal Vanampadiyude Makan (1971) Aabhijathyam (1971) as Shankara Menon Prathikaram (1972) as Pankajakshan Nair Thavaputhalvan (1972) Swayamvaram (1972) Sree Guruvayoorappan (1972) Sakthi (1972) Professor (1972) Maya (1972) as Decent Sankara Pilla Maravil Thirivu Sookshikkuka (1972) as K. B. Menon Aromalunni (1972) Achanum Bappayum (1972) Aaradi Manninte Janmi (1972) Urvashi Bharathi (1973) Thiruvabharanam (1973) Thaniniram (1973) as Gopalan Master Swarga Puthri (1973) as Mathai Sasthram Jayichu Manushyan Thottu (1973) as Dr. Govinda Menon Preathangalude Thazhvaram (1973) Ponnapuram Kotta (1973) Padmavyooham (1973) Pacha Nottukal (1973) Nakhangal (1973) Kavitha (1973) Kattu Vitachavan (1973) Kaadu (1973/II) as Kattumooppan Jesus (1973) Divyadharsanam (1973) Chenda (1973) Angathattu (1973) Aasha Chakram (1973) Youvanam (1974) Vishnu Vijayam (1974) Thumbolarcha (1974) as Kannappa Chekavar Swarna Vigraham (1974) Suprabhatham (1974) Saptha Swarangal (1974) as Govinda Panikkar Pattabhisekam (1974) Pancha Thanthram (1974) Nellu (1974) as Chevara Perukki Nathoon (1974) Nagaram Sagaram (1974) Nadee Nadanmare Aavashyamunde (1974) Manyasree Viswamitran (1974) Devi Kanyakumari (1974) Check Post (1974) Ayalathe Sundari (1974) Thomashleeha (1975) Thiruvonam (1975) Swarna Matsyam (1975) Swami Ayyappan (1975) Soorya Vamsam (1975) Sathyathinte Nizhalil (1975) Sammanam (1975) Padmaragam (1975) Neela Ponman (1975) as Sankara Prabhu Mattoru Seetha (1975) Manishada (1975) Kottaram Vilakkanundu (1975) Kalayana Sougandhikam (1975) Dharmakshetre Kurukshetre (1975) Cheenavala (1975) as Rana Chattambikkalyaani (1975) as Daivam Mathai Bharya Illaatha Rathri (1975) Babu Mon (1975) Alibaba and Forty-one Thieves (1975) as Ameer Abhimanam (1975) Aaranya Kaandum (1975) Yaksha Gaanam (1976) Vazhi Vilakku (1976) Themmadi Vellappan (1976) Swimming Pool (1976) Sreemadh Bhagwad Geetha (1976) Sita Swayamvar (1976) Seemantha Puthran (1976) Sarvekkalu (1976) Romeo (1976) Rajanganam (1976) Mailanum Mathevanum (1976) Kayamkulam Kochunniyude Maghan (1976) Dheere Sameere Yamuna Theere (1976) Chirikudukka (1976) as Sadashivan Nair Chennai Valarthiya Kutty (1976) Appooppan (1976) Amrudha Vahini (1976) as Thampi Ammini Ammavan (1976) Amba Ambika Ambalika (1976) Abhinandanam (1976) Yatheem (1977) as Mammali Sayivu Vishukkani (1977) Thuruppu Gulam (1977) Soorya Kanthi (1977) Satyavan Savithri (1977) Saghakkale Munottu (1977) Rathi Manmathan (1977) Parivarthanam (1977) Niraparayum Nilavilakkum (1977) Mini Mol (1977) Manas Oru Mayil (1977) Kodiyettam (1977) Kavilamma (1977) Kannappanunni (1977) as Kannappan Chekavar Harsha Bhashpam (1977) Chathur Vedam (1977) Samudram (1977) as College Principal Aparadhi (1977) Aparaajitha (1977) Thacholy Ambu (1978) Sundharimarude Swapnangal (1978) Itha Oru Manushyan (1978) Society Lady (1978) Snehikkan Oru Pennu (1978) Manooradham (1978) Madhurikkunna Rathri (1978) Madanolsavam (1978) as Ambadi Rajasekharan Thampi Kanyaka (1978) Kanal Kattakal (1978) as Dr.Kumar Kalpa Vriksham (1978) as Sankaran Menon Kadathanattu Maakkam (1978) Jayikkanaayi Janichavan (1978) Chakrayudham (1978) Avar Jeevikkunnu (1978) Asthamayam (1978) Ashtamudi Kayal (1978) Vaaleduthaven Vaalaal (1979) Sayoojyam (1979) Puthiya Velicham (1979) as Lohithakshan Bhagavathar Pratheeksha (1979) Prabhatha Sandhya (1979) Ponnil Kulicha Rathri (1979) Pennorumbettaal (1979) Paapathinu Maranamilla (1979) Manushiyan (1979) Mamangam (1979) as King of Valluvanadu Iniyum Kaanaam (1979) Ini Ethra Sandhyakal (1979) Hridhayathinte Nirangal (1979) Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum (1979) as Shehan Sha Ajnatha Theerangal (1979)

1980s

Swathu (1980) Seetha (1980) Paallattu Kunjikannan (1980) Ambalavilakku (1980) as Ramavarmma Adhikaram (1980) as P.K.P Valarthu Mrigangal (1981) as Circus Owner Madhavan Thaalam Manasinte Thaalam (1981) Sanchari (1981) Grihalakshmi (1981) Padayottam (1982) as Kolathiri Rajavu Ithu Njangalude Katha (1982) as Ramankutty's Uncle Ithum Oru Jeevitham (1982) Ayudham (1982) Balooon (1982) as Aravindaksha Menon Ahagaaram (1983) Oru Sumangaliyude Katha (1984) as Yamuna's father Oru Nimisham Tharu (1984) Oodarathuammava Aalariyam (1984) Ivide Thudangunnu (1984) as Adv. Balachandra Menon Kudumbam Oru Swargam Bharya Oru Devatha (1984) Attahaasam (1984) Anakkorumma (1985) as Minister Ee Thalamura Ingane (1985) Azhiyatha Bandhangal (1985) as Thampi Sughamodevi (1986) as Sunny's Father Rareeram (1986) as Radha's Father Avanazhi (1986) as Nampoothiri Witness (1988) as Old Man Vellanakalude Nadu (1988) as Chandrashekharan Nair Oru Muthassi Katha (1988) Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu (1988) as Menon Aryan (1988) Varavelpu (1989) as 'Apal bandavan' Govindan Nair Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam (1989) as Govinda Pillai Innale (1989) as Ramachandran Nair Ardham (1989) as Janardanan's Father

1990s

Kuruppinte Kanakku Pustakom (1990) as Panikkar His Highness Abdullah (1990) as Mathilakathu Cheriyachan Thampuran Dr. Pasupathy (1990) as Pappan's grandfather Aye Auto (1990) as Krishna Pillai Arhatha (1990) as Ashwathi's grandfather Purappadu (1990) Nanma Niranjavan Sreenivasan (1990) as Madhavan Pillai Midhya (1990) as Grandfather Kizhakkunarum Pakshi (1991) as Moorthy Kalari (1991) as Ramesh and Rakesh's father Pookkalam Varavayi (1991) as Grandfather Kilukkam (1991) as Shop owner Advaitham (1992) as Parameswaran Namboothiri Kaazhchakkappuram (1992) as Paramu Pillai Midhunam (1993) as Kuruppu Master Akashadoothu (1993) Janam (1993) as old man Commissioner (1994) as Kunjurama Kuruppu Sadharam (1995) Indian Military Intelligence (1995) The King (1995) Mayooranritham (1996) Mahathma (1996) Kilukil Pambaramam (1997) Janadhipathyam (1997) as Maharaja

Television Lubdhan Lukose (Doordarshan)