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.[2][3]

K. Sarangapani
K. Sarangapani in the 1951 film Mohana Sundaram
Born
Kumbakonam Sarangapani

1904
Died1984[1]
OccupationActor
Years active1935–1968
SpouseThaiyalnayaki

Family

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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.[citation needed]

Drama

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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
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

References

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  1. ^ "K. Sarangapani Comedian". antrukandamugam. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  2. ^ "1937-1944". Archived from the original on 17 September 2008. Retrieved 10 November 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ^ "Check out lists of Movies by #KSarangapani #Filmography".
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