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Sunday 21 October 2012


BIOGRAPHY OF “IYAKKUNAR THILAGAM”  SHRI K.S.GOPALAKRISHNAN

VETERAN IYAKKUNAR THILAGAM K.S.GOPALAKRISHNAN, A VERY POPULAR LEGEND IN TAMIL FILM INDUSTRY HAD WRITTEN DIRECTED AND PRODUCED EXTRAORDINARY FILMS IN TAMIL TELUGU AND HINDI.HIS NAME NEEDS NO MENTION IN TAMIL FILM INDUSRY BECAUSE HE HIMSELF IS A MILESTONE.

THERE IS ANOTHER FILM DIRECTOR IN MALAYALAM FILM INDUSTRY IN THE NAME OF K.S.GOPALAKRISHNAN. DUE TO THE SIMILARITY IN THEIR NAMES , PEOPLE GENERALLY GET CONFUSED.

OUR IYAKKUNAR THILAGAM K.S.GOPALAKRISHNAN IS IN NO WAY CONNECTED WITH MALAYALAM FILMS THOUGH SOME OF HIS SUPER HIT FILMS LIKE CHITHI, KAIKODUTHA DHEIVAM, SARADA ETC WERE REMADE IN MALAYALAM BY VETERAN SHRI THIKKURISI SUKUMARAN NAIR AS ACHANDA BARIYA, PALINGUPAATHIRAM, POOJAPUSHPAM RESPECTIVELY.....

Also visit  http://ksgbiodata.blogspot.in/ for tamil biography. 

































LIST OF FILMS


LIST OF FILMS WITH SONG WRITTEN BY KS.GOPALAKRISHNAN

MOVIE  NAME
YEAR
SONG
1.      EDHIRPARAADHADHU
1954
KAADHAL  VAZHVIL  NAANE, KANIYAGA KAYAGI PONAEN
2.      AMARADHEEPAM
1956
1.NAANAYAM  MANISHANUKKU AVASIYAM
2.THUNBAM  SUZHLUM NERAM
3.      ENGAL VEETU  MAHALAKSHMI
1957
MANNA NAMBI MARAMIRUKKU
4.      UTHAMA PUTHIRAN
1959
UNNAZHAGAI KANNIYARGAL  KANDADHINAALE
5.      DEIVA PIRAVI
1960
KATTADATHUKKU MANAPORUTTHAM AVASIYAM
6.      YUGADHARMAM
1983
1.ENNAMO  PANNUDHU
2.URUKKU MANASU KAARAN
7.       PADIKKADHA PANNAIYAR
1985





LIST OF FILMS WRITTEN BY K.S. GOPALAKRISHNAN

FILM NAME
YEAR
1.       DEIVAPIRAVI <RECEIVED CERTIFICATE OF MERIT BY GOVT. OF INDIA>
(STORY,SCREENPLAY,DIALOGUE)
1960
2.       NAAN KANDA SORGAM  (DIALOGUE)
1960
3.       PADIKKADHA MEDHAI   (DIALOGUE)
1960
4.       KAIRASI   (STORY,SCREENPLAY,DIALOGUE)
1960
5.       ELLAM UNAKKAGA  (SCREENPLAY,DIALOGUE)
1961
6.       KUMUDHAM
(STORY,SCREENPLAY,DIALOGUE)
<RECEIVED CERTIFICATE OF MERIT BY GOVT. OF INDIA>

1961
7.       ANNAI
(DIALOGUE)
<RECEIVED CERTIFICATE OF MERIT BY GOVT. OF INDIA>

1962
8.       BAVANI
(STORY,SCREENPLAY,DIALOGUE)
1967
9.       PEYAR SOLLUM PILLAI
(DIALOGUE)

1987


FILMS WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY K.S.GOPALAKRISHNAN

FILM  NAME
YEAR
1.    SARADHA (STATE AWARD FROM GOVT. OF INDIA- SILVER MEDAL
1962
2.    AAYIRAM RUBAI
1964
3.    SELVAM
1966
4.    KANKANDA DEIVAM
1967
5.    KULAMA GUNAMA
1971
6.    PUNNIYAM SEIDHAVAL
1977
7.    ROWDI RANGAMMA
1977
8.    ADUKKU MALLI
1979
9.    NANDRI KARANGAL
1980
10.                      DEVIYIN THIRUVILAIYADAL
1982
11.                      KAVIYATHALAIVAN
1992

FILMS WRITTEN,DIRECTED AND PRODUCED BY K.S.GOPALAKRISHNAN
FILM NAME
YEAR
1. DEIVATHIN DEIVAM
1962
2. KARPAGAM (STATE AWARD FROM GOVT. OF INDIA- SILVER MEDAL
1963
3. KAIKODUTTHA DEIVAM (STATE AWARD FROM GOVT. OF INDIA- SILVER MEDAL)
1964
4. ENNADHAN MUDIVU
1965
5. PESUM DEIVAM
1967
6. CHITHI
1966
7. CHINANJIRU ULAGAM
1966
8. PANAMA PASAMA (DISPLAYED 
IN TASHKAND FILM FESTIVAL)
1968
9. UYIRA MAANAMA
1968
10.        KULA VILAKKU
1969
11.        THABAAL KAARAN THANGAI
1970
12.        MAALATHI
1970
13.        AADHIPARASHAKTHI
1971
14.        KURATHI MAGAN
          1972
15.        VAAZHAIYADI VAAZHAI
1972
16.        VANDHALE MAHARASI
1973
17.        NATHAIYIL MUTHU
1973
18.        SWATHI NATCHATHIRAM
1974
19.        URAVUKKU KAIKODUPPOM
1975
20.        DASAVATHAARAM
1976
21.        VAYILLAPOOCHI
1976
22.        PAALAABISHEGAM
1977
23.        ULLATHIL KUZHANDHAIYADI
1978
24.        KANCHI KAMATCHI
1978
25.        NEER NILAM NERUPPU
1980
26.        MAGARANDHAM
1981
27.        NAYAKKARIN MAGAL
1982
28.        YUGA DHARMAM
1983
29.        PADIKKADHA PANNAIYAR
1985
30.        MAHASHAKTHI MARIYAMMAN
1986




THE BIRTH AND GROOMING OF A CREATIVE ARTIST

“IYAKKUNAR  THILAGAM” K.S.Gopalakrishnan was born at Sakkotai near Kumbakonam, Tanjore District in the year 1929 as the eighth son of Shri K. Srinivasan Naidu. When he was about five years old an epidemic orphaned himself and his brothers and sisters, when he lost most of the Bread-winning elders of the family including his parents. While several other relatives took the responsibility of his sisters and brothers, on the suggestion of a family friend, Shri K.S. Gopalakrishnan and his younger brother K.S. Sabarinathan were recommended as Juvenile Artists to the late Shri Nawab Rajamanickam Pillai who was then running a most successful professional drama company
Comprising of small boys as artists. The late Nawab happily accepted
 K.S. Gopalakrishnan as he was a very good singer and speaker even at that tender age. At that time the late Nawab was teaching not only acting to the children of his troupe but also taught them languages, literature , music and all necessary qualities of show-manship and all that is essential to mould a complete and fullfledged dramatist. As the Late Nawab was an ardent nationalist many of his plays propagated the ideals of Mahatma Gandhiji and his freedom movement, besides his plays propogated the ideals of Pandit Nehru, Dr.Rajendra Prasad, Rajaji.The late Nawab’s troupe had the honour of the distinguished presence of the great Mahatmaji who witnessed a play and commended the troupe’s contribution to the freedom fight. This influenced greatly the thinking of
K.S. Gopalakrishnan  and made him a staunch nationalist. The result reflects in the thematic values of K.S. Gopalakrishnan’s creations of social relevance even to-day.

THE PEARL COMES OUT OF THE SHELL

After serving the Late Nawab’s troupe for  about nineteen years in various capacities K.S.G. came out as a creator with inherent genius as a writer and joined Sri Devi Nataka Sabha where he wrote two most successful plays entitled “POST-MAN” and “THAMBI”(younger brother). On the request of Sri Sakthi  Nataka Sabha he wrote a brilliant play “EZHUTHALAN”(writer).

FIRST STEPS IN FILM INDUSTRY

Circumstances pushed KSG to the city of Madras where he was graciously accepted as a Lyric composer by the Tamil Film Industry. He was blessed and encouraged by great men like Kalaivanar N.S.Krishnan and Udumalai Narayana Kavirayar.
   Later he joined as an Assistant of Film Director Shri Sridar and has worked for several    successful   pictures.  Within this short period, as a shrewd observer, he grasped all the modes and technicalities of film making. His first story for which he also wrote the screenplay and dialogue was “DEIVAPIRAVI” produced by M/S. Kamal Brothers, not only proved to be a great success but also acquired a special certificate of merit from Govt. of India.


ASCENDANCE TO ENVIABLE HEIGHTS IN FURTHER STEPS


The industry started noticing his capability as a weaver of beautiful creative stories for the screen. Further success followed as a series of most popular hits like Modern theatre’s “KUMUDHAM”, AVM’s “ANNAI” ,Bala movies “PADIKKATHA MEDHAI”, Unity pictures “ELLAM UNAKKAHA” ,Vasu films “KAI RASI” and many more

THE DRAMATIC ENTRY OF A DIRECTOR OF DIFFERENT CALIBRE

Observing KSG’s inborn creative qualities as show-man and his versatility in handling all the departments of Film-Making the Late Shri A.L.Srinivasan requested KSG to direct a picture for him . The result was “SARADA” the first and  most successful directorial venture of KSG, which won the coveted State award of Govt. of India. The industry and film-goers hailed and encouraged the new director who dared to differ from the beated track.

THE TECHNICIAN TURNS A PRODUCER

This inspired KSG  to produce and direct more hits and give him the distinction of a hat-trick performer who grabbed the state awards of Govt. of India continuously for three years for his “SARADA”, “KARPAGAM”, and “KAI KODUTHA DEIVAM”. After this, as an established director and producer Shri KSG wielded the megaphone for more than thirty five pictures in Tamil and a few hindi. Many of his creations were brought and remade  in Telugu, Malayalam and  Hindi producers.

THE EMERGENCE OF “IYAKKUNAR THILAGAM”

Every one of his creation was appreciated for the message they carried and the most progressive and impressive ideas they  propogated. To mention some in particular, his “ENNATHAN MUDIVU”, was such a classical creation in celluloid, that magazines like “KALKI” carried cover-page  photographs of a Film Director for the first time.Shri.Rajaji was the editor for KALKI magazine and he wrote commendable review for the film ENNADHAN MUDIVU. Even today veteran ulaganayagan shri KamalHasan made special mention of this film in a screen writing work shop held at IIT madras for its extraordinary theme and screenplay by Shri K.S.Gopalakrishnan and how he got inspired by this theme that induced him to produce, write and direct HEY RAM. His “PANAMA PASAMA” raised him to Himalayan  heights in box-office performance, and from behind the Himalayas the Govt. of U.S.S.R. invited KSG and his  PANAMA PASAMA”  to the international film festival held at Tashkant in the year 1968. the festival committee honoured KSG with three certificates of merit and three, special bronze medals. Thus KSG proved that he deserves the title “IYAKKUNAR THILAGAM”(Doyen among directors) conferred on him by the Public at a function presided over by the Late Shri A.L.Srinivasan who was the then President of the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce

THE STAR MAKER

Many of his creations introduced new talents like K.R.VIJAYA, JAYACHITRA, PRAMEELA, VIJAYANIRMALA, and several others and gave re-birth to artists like T.K.BAGAVATHY, S.VARALAKSHMY, SAROJA DEVI, PADMINI etc., while presented the industry with child artists like Sridevi, Shakkeela, Baby Sudha and others.

MEMORABLE MYTH’S HONOURED BY HIGH PRIESTS

When his Holiness “CHANDRASEKARA JAYENDRA SWAMIGAL” of Sri Kanchi Kamotipeedam instigated several organizations to felicitate the achievement of Sri KSG  in creating the great mythological hit “AATHI PARASAKTHI”, the cream of literary and religious leaders gathered under the presidentship of the then Governor K.K.Shah and whole-heartedly showered their praises and blessings. The then chief of Dharmapuram Adhinam His Holiness, Sri-la-Sri “SUBRAMANIA DESIGAR” who has never seen a movie in his lifetime, witnessed the picture “AATHI PARASAKTHI” and commended the picture through an open statement to the press. Similarly another mythological triumph of KSG, “SRI KANCHIKAMAKSHI” was such an impressive victory that again His Holiness of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peedam ordered several organisations to felicitate Sri KSG in function during which Sri KSG had the honour of receiving a “PONNADAI” and a golden bracelet(rakchai) from the personal representatives of His Holiness. He has also produced puranic epics “DASAVATHARAM”, “DEVIYIN THIRUVILAIYADAL” “MAHASAKTHI MARIAMMAN”.

RELEGIOUS PHILOSOPHER SHOWS EQUAL ZEAL IN SOCIAL REFORM

While his mythologies propogated the greatness of Hindu Philophy his themes  of social relevance like “KURATHI MAGAN” championed the cause of the most down-troddened tribe of Nari- Kuravars, his subject on Harijan uplift “NATHAYIL MUTHU” assailed the evils of untouchability. A distinguished member of the Rajya-Sabha said that KSG has given the essence of the 20 Point Programme in”NATHAYIL MUTHU” long before the politicians proclaimed them. “NATHAYIL MUTHU” received Tax-Exemption in the state of Karnataka for its thematic values on Harijan uplift,Untouchability and blending of Gandhian philosophy. This gesture of the neighboring Karnataka government towards a Tamil picture prompted the Govt. of Tamilnadu also to follow it. Government of Tamilnadu has also given Kalaimamani title to KSG during the year 1975.He was a staunch admirer of Shri K.KAMARAJ and his achievements and also for his simplicity and a sincere follower of Mahatma Gandhi.

He also broadcasted the songs, portraying the main aspects
Of 20 point programme praising the then Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi,by way of cassettes and records, titled “Bharatha Madhavin Aaviyadi” and “Kummiyadi penne”.
He has paid a tribute to late Smt. Indira Gandhi before the beginning of the picture PADIKATHA PANNAIYAAR released during 1985. NAYAKKARIN MAGAL (1982) a historical venture written Produced and directed by him was unique in its theme and was successful and appreciated by public for his powerful dialogues in that film. .His picture “YUHADHARMAM” has propogated the evils of dowry. His successful film PAARTHAL PASU (1988) was based on crime and political satire. He had written and directed KAVIYA THALAIVAN (1992) with Vijayakanth and Banupriya for the popular producer Abavanan.

NADIGAR THILAGAM AND IYAKKUNAR THILAGAM

Veteran Nadgar Thilagam Shivaji Ganesan had a very excellent wavelength with Iyakkunar Thilagam K.S.Gopalakrishnan and all his films that he worked with him from the earlier days when KSG was a writer and then after he elevated to a successful Director and Producer were mega hits. As mentioned above DEIVAPIRAVI (Story and screenplay,Dialogues by KSG), PADIKKATHA METHAI (Dialogues), ELLAM UNAKKAGA(screenplay and dialogues) KAI KODUTHA DHEIVAM (written directed and produced by KSG) SELVAM (written and directed) PESUM DHEIVAM (written directed and produced) KULAMA GUNAMA (written and directed) PADIKKATHA PANNAIYAAR (written directed and produced). Of these KAI KODUTHA DHEIVAM was a sensational hit and bagged the National award. It was in this film where nadigar thilagam acted as Mahakavi Bharathiyaar for the evergreen super hit patriotic song “Sindhu Nadhiyin misai nilavinile” which he regarded as a honour to the great poet. All the other movies he worked with KSG were all mega hits. These movies with the two thilagams will be entirely different and true to life in KSG’s writings and Shivaji’s excellent performance.

MAKKAL THILAGAM AND IYAKKUNAR THILAGAM

Makkal Thilagam Shri.M.G.Ramachandran had a soft corner for Iyakkunar Thilagam K.S.Goplalakrishnan. Although K.S.G. had worked as a Story screenplay Dialogue writer
for his only film SANGE MUZHANGU directed by P.Neelakandan Shri.MGR had a very good affection on KSG right from his earlier days when he was in the Nawab Rajamanickam pillai’s drama company and had good appreciation for his powerful writings.

NADIGAYAR THILAGAM AND IYAKKUNAR THILAGAM.

Nadigayar thilagam Savithri worked for his film AAYIRAM ROOBAI in which the story revolved solely around her character  before and after she spots a 1000 rupee note.
Her performance in that film was commendable. Ellam unakkaga was another film which he worked as a writer,
and above all the astounding performance as an innocent genuine girl in the National award film KAI KODUTHA DHEIVAM won her sensational appreciation from the Tamil film fraternity particularly for her scenes with shivaji ganesan where he understands and learns about her.

PURATCHI THALAIVI JAYALALITHA had acted in KSG’s AADHI PARASAKTHI  and VANDHALA MAHARASI (duel role). Both the films were super hits and her performance in Vandhale maharasi was outstanding.
THE STUDIO OWNER

While his achievements in the creative field is unequalled upto date, KSG has also built his own Karpagam Theatre and Karpagam Studios, which is considered to be one of the best equipped and well organized studios of TamilNadu.



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