T. P. Kailasam

Kailasam was born in a Tamil family in southern Karnataka, India. His father, T Paramasiva Iyer, was employed as munsif in the Mysore state service and progressed to become the Chief Justice of the Mysore High Court. His father's brother was the Madras High Court judge, Sir T. Sadasiva Iyer.[1]

Kailasam had a good education and was supported by the Maharaja of Mysore to study geology in Royal College of Science London. Kailasam repeated several classes to have an excuse to extend his stay in England. He spent six years in school there, participating in theatre whenever possible.

Soon after his return, he joined the government geology service. He became disillusioned with a government job and quit to write plays and live a bohemian life. His father's failed ambitious plan that he would become the Director General of the Geology Department led him to stop talking to him.

Kailasam's life was dedicated to local theatre and his contributions revolutionised it. His humour left an impression on Kannadigas. He opposed the company theatre's obsession with mythology and stories of royalty and shied away from loading his plays with music. Instead, he introduced simple, realistic sets. Kailasam chaired the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held at Madras in 1945. He spent almost 10 years in a place he called 'NOOK'. It was a very dirty place, yet he loved it and wrote many dramas in there. He dictated his stories to his students at the 'NOOK', usually starting after 10 pm. He was a chain smoker.

Kailasam was initially criticised for modern use of the Kannada language in his plays, but his work became popular and is considered among the best in Kannada theatre, known for wit and satirical commentary on society.

• Kailasam's English Poems and Plays
• Commemorative Article on Hindu
• Song: Tipparalli Balu Doora on Youtube