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.