K. A. Thangavelu

K A Thangavelu
Born Karaikal Arunachalam Thangavelu
(1917-01-15)15 January 1917
Karaikal, Tamil Nadu, India
Died 28 September 1994(1994-09-28) (aged 77)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Occupation Actor, Comedian, Singer
Spouse(s) M. Saroja
Children P. Sumathi

K. A. Thangavelu, popularly known as "Danaal Thangavelu", was an Indian film actor and comedian popular in the 1950s to 1985 and above. Not known for physical, acrobatic comedy like his contemporaries J. P. Chandrababu and Nagesh, Thangavelu's humor is recognized for his impeccable timing in verbal agility and the characteristic twang of his delivery.

Early life

Hailing from Karaikal, and belonging to the goldsmith community, Thangavelu settled in Thirumalairayan Pattinam, with his parents, Arunachalam and Karumammal, and two brothers. His father’s alcoholism meant that the family struggled for even one meal every day. Thangavelu’s mother passed away when he was six, and his father remarried. The woe continued as he was treated badly by his step-mother. Starvation and abuse continued, despite being sent to a relative’s house. His father left for Singapore to seek better prospects, and caused his step-mother’s abuse to get worse.[1]

K. A. Thangavelu married actress M. Saroja who was her pair in more than 50 films. Despite their age difference, they loved and married in Madurai Murugan temple during 100 days of Kalyana Parisu movie.[2]

Career

Escaping from his step-mother, Thangavelu joined a drama troupe called ‘Rajambal Company’, where Yedhartham Ponnuswamy Pillai, and later on, M. Kandaswamy Mudaliar, taught him the nuances of theatre and mentored him. He spent nine years here, and when Kandaswamy Mudaliar shifted to films, he followed suit. The Ellis R. Dungan film, Sathi Leelavathi (1936), was his launch pad. This film also marked MGR’s debut. However, no matter his hard work, Thangavelu failed at landing plum roles, and couldn’t quite make a living. As frustration took control of him, he quit and went to a Murugan temple near Kanchipuram, where he survived on alms. As chance would have it, actor M. M. Marappa spotted him and brought him back to acting. This time around, the stage provided him with a decent living. His father returned to live with him and was well looked after by the actor. The big break came when in 1951, N. S. Krishnan (NSK) started the film, Manamagal, and Thangavelu approached him for a role. NSK, who had already seen his stage performances, obliged.

This was followed by the film Singari, where he played the role of a ‘Nattuvanaar’. Director T. R. Raghunath gave his character importance, and also the freedom to improvise. It was in this film that he repeated the word ‘Danaal’ — and after this film he came to be known as ‘Danaal’ Thangavelu. He went on to act in a number of films like Amarakavi, Panam, and Mappillai, in all of which he played an elderly man. It was in the 1953 film Anbu that his real age was revealed on screen. The 1954 films Ponvayal and Panam Paduthum Paadu were instrumental in establishing him as a comedian. Chandrababu and Gemini Ganesan (who named his second daughter) were two of his best friends. He was a successful comedian and his role as a phony writer Bhairavan in the movie Kalyana Parisu (Wedding Present) was much appreciated by Tamil movie fans.Thangavelu's humor enriched movies such as Thillana Mohanambal in his role as a nattuvangam master (dance choreographer) to the heroine. He died on 28 September 1994.[3][4]

Love for NSK

Till his death, Thangavelu wore a locket with NSK’s picture in a chain around his neck and worshipped him, according to journalist Major Dasan. His gratitude and respect for NSK was immense. While he was in Kumbakonam to attend the wedding of his younger brother, he got the news that NSK had passed away. Upon hearing the news, he immediately left the wedding venue and attended the funeral. In his brand of humour, there was no slapstick, no insulting. [5]

Filmography

References

  1. ↑ "King of comedy". The Hindu. 5 December 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  2. ↑ "Comediennes who made Tamil cinema bright". The Hindu. 26 June 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  3. ↑ "King of comedy". The Hindu. 5 December 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  4. ↑ "Enduring romance". The Hindu. 5 December 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  5. ↑ "King of comedy". The Hindu. July 8, 2005. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
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