S. S. Rajendran

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In this Indian name, the name Sedapatti Suryanarayana Devar is a patronymic, not a family name, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Rajendran.
S. S. Rajendran
File:S. S. Rajendran.jpg
Native name எஸ். எஸ். ராஜேந்திரன்
Born Sedapatti Suryanarayana Devar Rajendran
January 1928 (1928-01)
Usilampatti, Madras Presidency, British India
Died Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist.
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Other names SSR
Latchiya Nadigar
Occupation film actor, director, producer, politician
Years active 1940 to 2014
Spouse(s) Pankajam Ammal

Sedapatti Suryanarayana Devar Rajendran, commonly known by his stage name S. S. Rajendran (SSR) (Tamil: எஸ். எஸ். ராஜேந்திரன்; January 1928 – 24 October 2014), was an Indian film actor, director, producer and politician. In acting, he was noted for his attractive personality and correct and clear pronunciation of Tamil words. He died at the age of 86 in Chennai.

Early life

S. S. Rajendran, popularly known as SSR, was born at Sedapatti hamlet near Usilampatti, Madras Presidency, India. His father Surya Narayana Devar and Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Devar were class mates and close friends. When Muthuramalinga Devar visited Surya Narayana Devar to bless his 2 month old son, he named him Rajendran. S.S.R was introduced to Tamil cinema through the hit film Parasakthi, released in 1952. He was a cult figure in the early 1950s and 60s who thrilled movie fans by his breath-taking dialogue delivery and flawless Tamil pronunciation — a feat only matched by the thespian Sivaji Ganesan.[citation needed] SSR first received offers to act on stage productions when he was in the 6th std. He joined Puliya Maanagar Boy's Company, which was famous in southern Tamil Nadu, established by P. K. Subba Reddiyar. He started acting in the productions in small roles, and soon after was selected to act as "Bala Abhimanyu".

Later he joined T.K.S. Brothers Drama Company, Muththamizh Kala Vidva Rathna TKS Sabha. T. K. Shanmugam, his mentor, was taken ill one day and could not perform in the play that night for Siva Leela. Rajendran, who was hardly 15 years old, was selected by the troupe to act as the hero Shenbagapandian, replacing Shanmugam. He became a drama star overnight. During those days, he had several opportunities to meet Periyar E. V. Ramasamy and Arignar C. N. Annadurai. He left T.K.S. drama company in 1943 and joined Mohana Gana Sabha in Madras.

He had his first film offer in Abhimanyu, but the opportunity was lost to S. M. Kumaresan. SSR became a playback singer with the song "Inba ulakile manmadhan poonganai" in the film Andaal — music by G. Ramanathan, produced by Salem Moorthy Pictures. After that Rajendran started his own drama company and made efforts to enter filmdom.

Cinema life

Rajendran was introduced to Tamil cinema through the hit film Parasakthi in 1952, directed by renowned duo directors Krishnan-Panju, in the character Gnanasekharan, as the elder brother of Sivaji Ganesan.[citation needed] According to the 2014 book Pride of Tamil Cinema by G. Dhananjayan, Rajendran made his acting debut with Manamagal (1951), but his portions were deleted from the film by the Censor Board.[1] Following with block busters Mudhalali, President Panchatcharam,[2] Pillai Kani Amudhu, Thalai Koduthan Thambi, Thedi Vandha Selvam, C. N. Annadurai's Edhayum Thangum Idhayam, M. Karunanidhi's Avan Pithana, Poompuhar and Modern Theatres Kumudham. SSR acted with M. G. Ramachandran in Raja Desingu as Mohamed Khan and in Kaanji Thalaivan as Paranjothi. He had worked in many films with Sivaji Ganesan such as Manohara, Rangoon Radha, Raja Rani, Deivapiravi, Aalayamani, Pachai Vilakku, Pazhani, Kungumam, Shanthi and Kai Kodutha Dheivam (This film won National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil - President's Silver Medal in 1965.)

Other notable films were Sorgavasal, Ammaiyappan, Ratha Kanneer, Kuladeivam, Thai Piranthaal Vazhi Pirakkum, Kalyanikku Kalyanam, Sivagangai Seemai, also in AVM's Kaakkum Karangal, Poomalai and K. Balachander's Ethiroli. SSR was one of the hero in demand who acted non-stop, when M. G. Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan ruled the Tamil industry. S. S. Rajendran carved out a niche for himself and dominated the field. He paired with leading heroines like B. Saroja Devi, Padmini, C. R. Vijayakumari, M. N. Rajam, Raja Sulochana, Kanchana and K. R. Vijaya.

His drama company SSR Nadaka Mandram staged famous plays. Thousands of plays performed throughout the nation. His noted plays where[3]Or Iravu (C.N.Annadurai), Manimagudam (M. Karunanidhi), Thenpaandi Veeran (P. Nedumaran). Once his play was staged in Mumbai (Shanmuganandha Hall) in the presence of Raj Kapoor and Prithviraj Kapoor and honoured him. He introduced and gave opportunities to artistes M. N. Rajam, Sheela, Manorama[4] and Navarasa Thilagam R. Muthuraman. Later SSR was very selective about the roles in films.

Director K. S. Gopalakrishnan was introduced from his film Saradha (a silver jubilee hit) and Saradha Studios was established to commomerate the success of this film by its producer A. L. Srinivasan. Like wise, SSRs film "Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum" in which his co-star was Raja Sulochana,[5] a block buster on the year 1958, its producer/director Pulavar A. K. Velan, from the revenue, established a studio named Arunachalam Studios, in Arunachalam Road, Saligramam, Chennai. Debut of Director Muktha Srinivasan was SSRs film Mudhalali, Devika was introduced in this film. Director A. Bhimsingh's first film was Ammaiyappan in which hero was SSR. Director K. Shankar first Tamil film was Sivagangai Seemai.

He has written songs, scripted movies and directed three films Thangarathinam, Alli and Manimagudam in which J. Jayalalitha paired with him. He was honoured by Vijayakanth and Sarath Kumar by offering him notable rolls in their films Vallarasu and Rishi. He also wrote songs "Thunbam Theeradho" for Thangarathinam (1960) sung by T. M. Soundararajan and K. Jamuna Rani and Indraikku Naan Pirandhen for Erattai Manithan music by M. S. Viswanathan. He has sung a song Senthamizhnattu Katharinesavu Selaigal Vettigal Vanguveer in Pudhumaipenn (1959) tuned by K. V. Mahadevan and written by Udumalai Narayana Kavi. Popularly known as ILATCHIYA NADIGAR, he received Seven President awards including central/state. Founder, member of SOUTH INDIAN ARTISTS ASSOCIATION and was elected as its President for three times. SSR was honoured with Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Award by Tamil Nadu State Government, 1999 and also he has received Kalaimamani award.

Political life

He joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party and raised funds for DMK, he acted in movies glorifying Dravidian ideologies. S.S.R donated most of his earnings for the growth of the party. In the beginning when Anna Durai was leading DMK, the party did not have an office. S.S.R initiated to purchase a vast piece of land in Teynampet and donated it to the party and that was DMK's first office and is named as "Anbagam". SSR was the first elected member of legislative assembly among actors in India when he was elected to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly as an Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidateTheni (State Assembly Constituency) in Madras State legislative assembly election, 1962.[6] Subsequently, he was elected as a member (MP) of Rajya Sabha. Later, he joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and won from Andipatti constituency in the 1980 assembly election,secured highest leading margin more than other constituencies on that assembly election. During this time a village named "Aathupati" in Andipatti was destroyed by floods. S.S.R purchased 5 acres of land with his own money and donated to the villagers and that village is named after his generosity as " Rajendra Nagar",similarly he donated acres of land to Dalit at Mambakkam, kelambakkam OMR road chennai, they have formed it as SSR Nagar. S.S.R was appointed vice chairman of Small Savings and he developed many useful schemes and policies for the benefit of the people.[7]

Family

He was born to Adhilakshmi and Suryanarayana Devar, was an official in the education department. SSR had one younger sister Pappammal who was married to actor D. V. Narayanaswamy. SSR married Pankajam on 1/12/1946,at Srirangam, AK Ramasamy mandapam, gandhiroad Trichy.On the presence of Arignar Annadurai. Elangovan, Rajendrakumar, Kalaivanan,Bhagyalakshmi and Selvaraj were born to them.A public cinema theatre,a film studio and recording theatre with a residential complex under the banner of SSR PANKAJAM established by them in saligramam,Chennai.These establishments are a tribute to SSR's wife Pankajam hence it is christened as the same.A chennai corporation public road is named as SSR Pankajam Road in chennai is to be notified here.

Personal interest

SSR has never acted in mythological films; he was a strict follower of Periyar E. V. Ramasamy's policy of rationalism. He frequently commented on how he had not acted in any film that was against his principles. Thus he was credited Latchiya Nadigar (Actor of Principles).

During the last days of U. Muthuramalingam Thevar (Pasumpon Devar), S.S.R visited him and found that he refused to take medical treatment from female nurses, Devar said he lived a bachelor all his life and does not want to be touched by women. Immediately S.S.R appointed a male attendant to help him in his medical treatment. After Muthuramalinga Devar's death S.S.R performed the final rituals in the place of a son.

Death

At the age of 86, Rajendran was admitted in Chennai Meenakshi hospital on 20 October 2014 to treat issues related with lung infection. He died on 24 October 2014, Marudhu Pandiyar kings were hung on the same date of 24 October in 1801 is a coincidence.[8][9]

Filmography

Notable Tamil films.

Actor

Year S.No: Film Banner Director
1952 1 Parasakthi National pictures & AVM Productions Krishnan-Panju
1952 2 Panam Madras Pictures N. S. Krishnan
1954 3 Manohara Manohar Pictures L. V. Prasad
4 Ratha Kanneer Manohar Pictures Krishnan-Panju
5 Sorgavasal Parimala Pictures A. Kasilingam
6 Ammaiyappan National Pictures A. Bhim Singh
1956 7 Raja Rani National Productions A. Bhim Singh
8 Kuladeivam S. K. Pictures Krishnan-Panju
9 Rangoon Radha Mekala Pictures A. Kasilingam
1957 10 Mudhalali M. A. V. Pictures Muktha V. Srinivasan
1958 11 Anbu Engey Jubilee Films D. Yoganand
12 Petra Maganai Vitra Annai Modern Theatres V. Ramanathan
13 Thai Pirandhaal Vazhi Pirakkum Arunachalam Pictures A. K. Velan
14 Thedi Vandha Selvam Arasu Pictures P. Neelakantan
15 Pillai Kani Amudhu PSV Pictures M. A. Thirumugam
16 Thirudargal Jakkirathai Pratibha Films B. N. Rao
1959 17 Alli Petra Pillai M. M. Production K. Somu
18 Kalyanikku Kalyanam Manohar Pictures A. S. A. Sami
19 Mamiyaar Mechiya Marumagal AVM Productions Krishnan-Panju
20 Nattukku Oru Nallavan Majestic Pictures K. Dasaratha Ramaiah
21 President Panchatcharam Savithri Pictures A. Bhim Singh
22 Sivagangai Seemai Kannadasan Productions K. Shankar
23 Thalai Koduthan Thambi Modern Theatres T. R. Sundaram
24 Sollu Thambi Sollu T. V. S. Production T. V. Sundaram
1960 25 Deivapiravi Kamal Brothers Krishnan-Panju
26 Raja Desingu Krishna Films T. R. Raghunath
27 Petra Manam National Pictures A. Bhim Singh
28 Koodi Vaazhthaal Kodi Nanmai Narasu Studios D. S. Rajagopalan
29 Thangarathinam SSR Pictures M. A. Thirumugam
1961 30 Kumudham Modern Theaters Adurthi Subba Rao
31 Manapanthal RR Pictures V. N. Reddy
32 Panam Pandhiyile
1962 33 Dheivathin Dheivam Chithra Productions K. S. Gopalakrishnan
34 Senthamarai Madras Pictures A. Bhim Singh
35 Muthu Mandapam SSR Pictures A. S. A. Sami
36 Aalayamani PSV Pictures K. Shankar
37 Sarada A. L. S. Productions K. S. Gopalakrishnan
38 Ethaiyum Thanggum Ithaiyam Udhayasooriyan Productions
1963 40 Kaanji Thalaivan Mekala Pictures A. Kasilingam
41 Aasai Alaigal Poongavanam Pictures A. S. A. Sami
42 Kaidhiyin Kadhali Arunachalam Pictures A. K. Velan
43 Kattu Roja Modern Theatres Adurthi Subba Rao
44 Naanum Oru Penn AVM Productions A. C. Tirulokchandar
45 Neengatha Ninaivu Padma Films T. R. Raghunath
46 Vanambadi Kannadasan Productions G. R. Nathan
47 Kungumam Rajamani Pictures Krishnan-Panju
1964 48 Pachai Vilakku Vel Pictures A. Bhim Singh
49 Alli SSR Pictures S. S. Rajendran
50 Kai Kodutha Dheivam Sri Ponni Productions K. S. Gopalakrishnan
51 Poompuhar Mekala Pictures P. Neelakantan
52 Vazhi Pirandhadhu A. K. Velan Pictures A. S. A. Sami
53 Pazhani Bharathamatha Pictures A. Bhim Singh
54 Anandhi (1965 film) ALS Productions P. Neelakantan
55 Santhi ALS Productions A. Bhim Singh
56 Kakkum Karangal (film) AVM Productions A. C. Tirulokchandar
57 Paditha Manaivi Bala Movies Krishnaswamy
58 Poomalai Mekala Pictures P. Neelakantan
1966 59 Avan Pithana? (film) A. L. S. Productions P. Neelakantan
60 Mani Magudam SSR Pictures S. S. Rajendran
61 Marakka Mudiyuma Mekala Pictures Murasoli Maran
62 Thedi Vandha Thirumagal
63 Thaaye Unakkaga
1969 64 Kula Vilakku
1970 65 Ethiroli Kalakendra Productions K. Balachander
1981 66 Erattai Manithan
1985 67 Anbin Mugavari Sri Meenakshi Production Manivannan
1996 68 Rajali Velu Prabhakaran
1998 69 Dharma Rowther Films K. R.
2000 70 Vallarasu Captain Cine Creations N. Maharajan
2001 71 Rishi P. A. Art Productions Sundar C.
2003 72 Dum Rockline Productions A. Venkatesh

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ President Panchatcharam was a success at the box office.1959 THE HINDU 2/oct/2011
  3. ↑ P.R.Vasantha kumars'ilatchia selvam SSR 1987 'sironmani publications'
  4. ↑ Manorama in her life time award function said...(jan 15 2008) "Those were days when even a fleeting presence on the screen was considered a huge achievement. It was Kannadasan Sir who offered the role. But actually I owe all this to S. S. Rajendran. It was he who invited me to Madras to act in the Kalaignar’s (M. Karunanidhi) play Manimagudam. That play was a resounding success and I was recognised as an actress. Later, I faced the camera for the first time in an unfinished film that had Rajendran and Devika in the lead roles. Then came ‘Maalayitta Mangai.’" recounts the actor.
  5. ↑ Rajasulochana's most successful film, according to critics and moviegoers, was "Thai Pirandhaal Vazhi Pirakkum". It was remade in Telugu as "Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu" with N. T. Rama Rao playing the lead. The film was directed by her husband, noted writer-director C. S. Rao. (4/sep/2011)memories linger Raja Sulochana,THE HINDU
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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