Adoor Bhasi | |
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Born | K. Bhaskaran Nair 1 March 1929 |
Died | 29 March 1990 61) | (aged
Other names | Bhasi |
Years active | 1953–1990 |
Parent(s) | E. V. Krishna Pillai Maheshwari Amma |
Relatives | C. V. Raman Pillai (grandfather) |
K. Bhaskaran Nair (1 March 1929 – 29 March 1990), professionally credited by his stage name Adoor Bhasi, was an Indian actor and film director. He was mostly cast as a sidekick to protagonists, particularly Prem Nazir. His comedic roles were widely appreciated in Malayalam films of the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Bhasi has also done leading and character roles. He directed three Malayalam films in the late 1970s. Bhasi is also known for his eloquent speeches in fluent English. [1] He has won Kerala State Film Awards, including two Best Actor and one Second Best Actor.
Adoor Bhasi was born on 1 March 1929 in Peringanadu, Adoor, Travancore. His father, E. V. Krishna Pillai, was a renowned Malayalam humourist writer, dramatist, pioneering short story writer and essayist, a lawyer and a Member of the then Travancore Legislative Assembly (M.L.C.). His mother, Maheshwari Amma, was the youngest daughter of C. V. Raman Pillai, one among the greatest Malayalam novelists, being the first historical novelist in Malayalam and author of Marthanda Varma , Dharmaraja, Premamritham, and Ramarajabahadur, pioneering dramatist, journalist and social activist.
Bhasi was the fourth of the seven children of his parents. His siblings (two sisters and four brothers) were (all late) K. Omana Amma, K. Ramachandran Nair alias Chandraji, Rajalakshmi Amma, K. Padmanabhan Nair, Sankaran Nair, who died young at the age of 18, and K. Krishnan Nair. [2]
His elder brother Chandraji became a film actor much before him. Chandraji entered the Film world of Bollywood and acted in a few Hindi films (Bimal Roy's Parineeta and Hrishikesh Mukherji's films) before moving over with his family to Madras to live with Adoor Bhasi. Chandraji was the manager of RK Studios owned by Raj Kapoor in Mumbai and has acted as villain in the popular Bollywood film Ashique alongside Raj Kapoor. Chandraji then acted in several Malayalam films like Chithram and became well known as an actor. His nephew, B. Harikumar, is a well-known novelist, satirist and actor in Malayalam and has acted in several TV serials and feature films.
Bhasi spent his childhood along with his parents in Trivandrum. He had his primary education in a missionary school—Vadakkekottaaram—in the capital city. After his father's premature death at the age of 44, Bhasi, along with his mother and siblings moved to his father's native village of Adoor and had his middle and high school studies in the English High School of Adoor. After his school education, he moved over to Trivandrum and lived with his maternal aunt. He then joined the Institute of Textile Technology and passed the professional course of diploma in Textile Chemistry. He did not attend any college for graduation. After acquiring the diploma, he was to do internship in a textile mill in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, but owing to financial difficulties, he could not pursue the prescribed internship. He then worked as an apprentice in the Lakshmi Textiles factory in Trivandrum, but could not secure a job in any textile mill in Travancore. He stayed put in Trivandrum and while staying with his eldest maternal aunt, B. Gourikutty Amma, for more than 12 years in Rosscote Bungalow, the house built by his maternal grandfather, C. V. Raman Pillai, began acting on the amateur stage and taking part in dramas broadcast by All India Radio, Thiruvananthapuram station, along with leading stage actors of the time, like C. I. Parameswaran Pillai, Kainikkara Kumara Pillai, P. K. Vikraman Nair, T. R. Sukumaran Nair, Jagathy N. K. Achary, Nagavally R. S. Kurup, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, P. K. Veeraraghavan Nair alias Veeran, T. N. Gopinathan Nair, Aranmula Ponnamma, Mavelikara Ponnamma, and Pattom Saraswathi Amma.
During those twelve years, he also worked as the Manager of P. K. Memorial Press run by the well-known playwright, T. N. Gopinathan Nair, and also worked as the Manager of Sakhi weekly, edited by T. N. Gopinathan Nair, Rosscote Krishna Pillai and Kavalam Narayana Panicker. His friendship with T. N. earned for him many close contacts with writers and artistes in the professional world of Malayalam drama and films. That ultimately secured for him entry into the amateur stage and finally to the Malayalam film world.
Bhasi got his first chance in a small role in a Malayalam feature film, Thiramala , directed by P. R. S. Pillai. His first notable film was Chandrathara's Mudiyanaya Puthran (1961). In the year 1968, he acted in Viruthan Shanku , the first full-length comedy in Malayalam cinema by P. Venu. He went on to become one of the highly sought-after and inalienable actors and celebrities of Malayalam feature films of the 1960s and 1970s. He, along with S. P. Pillai and Bahadur formed the trio that contributed to rollicking comedy scenes in Malayalam films. Bhasi went on to act in over 700 films, mainly in supporting roles. He acted with almost all leading actors in Malayalam in his period, like Sathyan, Prem Nazir, Madhu, K. P. Ummer, Jayan, M. G. Soman, Sukumaran, Mammootty and Mohanlal.
He acted as the villain in Karimbana and Itha Oru Manushyan. He did double roles in Kottaram Vilkkanundu, Bhadradeepam and Lankadahanam. He got his first Kerala State Film Award for best actor in 1974 for Chattakkari. He first acted as hero in John Abraham's Cheriyachante Kroorakrithyangal (1978) and got the Kerala State Film Award for best actor in 1979. Later in 1984, he won the Kerala State Film Award for best actor for his performance in 18 April (1983). A memorial to Adoor Bhasi is being built by the District Panchayat of Pathanamthitta, the foundation stone for which was laid on 12 June 2009.
Adoor Bhasi is often considered one of the first film makers in South India to recognize the potential of Kamal Haasan as a leading actor. He was cast as lead in his movie Adiyapadam.
Bhasi suffered from various health problems like diabetes and hypertension during his last years. He also suffered from kidney disease. Being a lifelong bachelor, he did not have any family support. The death of his co-star Prem Nazir in January 1989 shattered him very much. Nazir was Bhasi's co-star in many films. Finally, he died on 29 March 1990, aged 61. His death occurred on the eve of his father's 52nd death anniversary. He was cremated with full state honours at his home in Adoor.
Note: The list may be incomplete
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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1953 | Thiramala | ||
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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1991 | Ragam Anuragam | Xavier | |
E. V. Krishna Pillai was an Indian writer of Malayalam literature and member of Sree Moolam Popular Assembly of Travancore. He was known to be a multi-talented personality and excelled as an advocate, Member of Legislative Assembly, editor and writer. During his short life, he wrote comedies, dramas, short stories and an autobiography. He was also a columnist and a caricaturist. He was an eminent satirist and a genius in comedy.
Odayil Ninnu is a 1965 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan and written by P. Kesavadev, based on his novel of the same name. The film deals with the life and struggles of a proud and hardworking rickshaw puller, Pappu. It stars Sathyan, Prem Nazir, K. R. Vijaya, and Kaviyoor Ponnamma. Master Dasarath plays the young Pappu. Suresh Gopi made his acting debut with the film, who was then six years old. He appeared as the feudal lord's timid son, who also becomes the root cause for Pappu running away from home.
Aranmula Ponnamma was an Indian actress known for her roles as mother of the protagonist in numerous films in a career spanning over five decades. She is widely described as a mother figure in Malayalam cinema. In 2005, she was honoured with the J. C. Daniel Award, Kerala government's highest honour for contributions to Malayalam cinema.
Cheriyachante Kroorakrithyangal is a 1979 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by avant-garde filmmaker John Abraham.
Thulabharam is a 1968 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by A. Vincent. It is based on the Kerala People's Arts Club play of the same name, written by Thoppil Bhasi. Thoppil Bhasi also adapted the play for the screen. The film had an ensemble cast including Prem Nazir, Sharada, Madhu, Sheela, Thikkurisi Sukumaran Nair and Adoor Bhasi. The film won two National Awards. The film was a major blockbuster and following the Malayalam version, the film was made in Tamil (Thulabharam), Telugu and Hindi, with Sharada playing lead roles in all versions.
Murappennu is a 1965 Malayalam-language drama film directed by A. Vincent and written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair. The film stars Prem Nazir in the lead role with an ensemble supporting cast including Sharada, Madhu, Jyothilakshmi, K. P. Ummer, P. J. Antony, Jyothilakshmi and Adoor Bhasi playing the pivotal roles. The film revolves around a joint family and the romantic relationships between the cousins of the family. The film explores the Indian custom of marriage between cousins.
Iruttinte Athmavu is a 1967 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by P. Bhaskaran and written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair based on his own short story of the same name. It stars Prem Nazir and Sharada in lead roles with Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, P. J. Antony, Ushakumari, Kozhikode Shantha Devi and Baby Rajani in supporting roles. The film is about a mentally unstable youth born into a matriarchal family who is forced to live as a mad man in chains and who is misunderstood and ill-treated by everyone except his uncle's daughter. The film features music by M. S. Baburaj, cinematography by E. N. Balakrishnan and editing by G. Venkitaraman and Das.
Atom Bomb is a 1964 Indian Malayalam-language satirical film, directed and produced by P. Subramaniam, and written by N. P. Chellappan Nair. The film stars K. Balaji, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Adoor Bhasi and Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair. Based on Chellappan Nair's play of the same name, it was released on 18 April 1964.
Oraal Koodi Kallanaayi is a 1964 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed and produced by P. A. Thomas and Manneth David. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sheela, Adoor Bhasi and Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair. The film had musical score by K. V. Job. Oral Koodi Kallanaayi First Use Of Sync Sound Technology.
Kudumbini is a 1964 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed and produced by P. A. Thomas. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sheela, Kaviyoor Ponnamma and Adoor Bhasi. The film has musical score by L. P. R. Varma. The film received a certificate of merit at the annual National Film Awards. The movie was remade in Kannada in 1966 as Premamayi.
Chithramela is a 1967 Indian Malayalam-language anthology film directed and produced by T. S. Muthaiah. It was Malayalam cinema's first anthology film. The cast includes Prem Nazir, Sharada, Sheela, K. P. Ummer, Kottayam Chellappan, S. P. Pillai, Adoor Bhasi, Bahadoor and Manavalan Joseph.
Pareeksha (transl. Examination) is a 1967 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by P. Bhaskaran and written by T. N. Gopinathan Nair. It is based on Nair's 1964 play of the same name. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sharada, Adoor Bhasi and Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair. The story details the corruption and malpractices in the education system and conduct of public examinations.
Naadan Pennu is a 1967 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan and produced by M. O. Joseph. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sathyan, Sheela and Jayabharathi. Later this movie is remade in Telugu as Premajeevulu. Superstar Krishna, Kanta rao and rajasri acted in Telugu movie. The film has musical score by G. Devarajan.
Kadalpalam is a 1969 Malayalam language film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan, written by K. T. Mohammed and produced by M. O. Joseph under Manjilas Films. The film stars Sathyan, Prem Nazir and Jayabharathi with Sheela, Bahadoor and Adoor Bhasi in other prominent roles. The film features original songs composed by Devarajan, cinematography by Melli Irani.
Sanchari (transl. Traveller) is a 1981 Indian Malayalam-language film produced and directed by Boban Kunchacko and written by P. K. Sarangapani. The film stars Prem Nazir, Jayan, K. P. Ummer, Mohanlal, and Adoor Bhasi in substantial roles. The film features songs composed by K. J. Yesudas and background score by Guna Singh.
Thara is a 1970 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by M. Krishnan Nair and produced by M. Kunchacko. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sathyan, Sharada and Usha. The film had musical score by G. Devarajan.
Ezhuthatha Kadha is a 1970 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by A. B. Raj and produced by T. E. Vasudevan. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sheela, Adoor Bhasi and Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai. The film had musical score by V. Dakshinamoorthy.
Amrithavaahini is a 1976 Indian Malayalam film, directed by J. Sasikumar. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sharada, Thikkurisi Sukumaran Nair and Adoor Bhasi in the lead roles. The film has musical score by A. T. Ummer. The film was a remake of the 1963 Telugu movie Punarjanma which was also remade in Tamil in 1970 as Engirundho Vandhaal and in Hindi in 1970 as Khilona.
Ashtamudikkaayal is a 1978 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by K. P. Pillai. The film stars Prem Nazir, Jayabharathi, Adoor Bhasi and Sreelatha Namboothiri in the lead roles. The film has musical score by V. Dakshinamoorthy.
T. N. Gopinathan Nair, was an Indian dramatist, novelist, poet, screenwriter and biographer of Malayalam language. One of the prolific among Malayalam playwrights, Nair published 39 plays, besides his four novels, four poetry anthologies and five biographies. He was a member of the council of Kerala Sahitya Akademi and held the char of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi. His drama, Pareeksha, received the Vikraman Nair Trophy for the best drama and the Kerala Sahitya Akademi selected his work, Sakshi, for their annual award for drama in 1979.