The Kalaimamani is the highest civilian award in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. These awards are given by the Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram, a unit of the Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of Tamil Nadu, to recognise artists in the state for their achievements.
Dhaasippen, also Dhaasippenn is a 1943 Tamil-language film directed by Ellis R. Dungan and produced by Bhuvaneswai Pictures. The lead actors are T. R. Mahalingam and M. G. Ramachandran. The film was scored by Lalitha Venkatraman and S. Rajeswara Rao. The film has had three other titles: Jyothi Malar, Dasi Penn and Thumbai Mahatmyam, and Jothi Malar. The film is based on a folk tale about a girl becoming a devadasi and dedicating her life to worshipping Lord Shiva and refusing to follow the traditional path of marrying a man. Dhaasippen performed well and became a box office hit. But no print of the film is known to survive, making it a lost film.
Koondukkili is a 1954 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed and co-produced by T. R. Ramanna. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan and B. S. Saroja. Although a commercial failure, it gained historical reputation over time due to the fact it was the only film in which Ramachandran and Ganesan acted together.
Sivakavi is a 1943 Indian Tamil-language film directed, initially, by P. K. Raja Sandow and later, S. M. Sriramulu Naidu. It starred M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, S. Jayalakshmi, Serukalathur Sama, Thirupurambal, T. R. Rajakumari, N. S. Krishnan and T. A. Mathuram. The film's screenplay was written by Thiru Muruga Kirubanandha Variyar. The film was shot at Central Studios and released by Pakshiraja Films in Coimbatore. The film was released on 10 April 1943.
Sathi Leelavathi is a 1936 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Ellis R. Dungan and written by Madras Kandaswamy Mudaliar. It is based on S. S. Vasan's novel of the same name, which had been serialised in 1934. M. K. Radha stars as Krishnamurthy, a man from Madras, who is lured into drinking alcohol by an acquaintance. Believing he murdered his friend in a drunken stupor, Krishnamurthy flees to Ceylon while his wife and daughter, played by M. R. Gnanambal and M. K. Mani respectively, are reduced to poverty. T. S. Balaiah, M. G. Ramachandran, M. V. Mani and P. Nammalvar appear in supporting roles.
C. R. Subbaraman also known as C. S. Ram (1916–1952) was a famous South Indian film music composer and producer. He was born to Ramasamy at Chintamani village in Thirunelveli, in present-day Tamil Nadu. Music director Shankar of Shankar–Ganesh duo was his younger brother. His ancestors were from the Krishna district of present-day Andhra Pradesh and due to this, his family spoke Telugu well.
Manonmani is a 1942 Indian Tamil-language film directed by T. R. Sundaram. It starred P. U. Chinnappa, T. R. Rajakumari, Serukalathur Sama, T. S. Balaiah, T. R. Mahalingam, K. K. Perumal, A. Sakunthala, N. S. Krishnan, T. A. Madhuram, Kali N. Ratnam, L. Narayana Rao, S. S. Kokko, C. T. Rajakantham, P. R. Mangalam, P. G. Venkatesan, T. R. B. Rao, M. E. Madhavan, "Buffoon" Shanmugham, J. M. G. Sarada and G. Saraswathi. It is based on the 1892 play Manonmaneeyam by Sundaram Pillai. The film ran more than 25 weeks.
Sozhavanthan Varadharajan Venkatraman, also known as SVV, was an Indian actor, singer, and music director, who was active in the Indian film industry from 1938 to the 1970s.
Naan Yen Pirandhen is a 1972 Indian Tamil-language film directed by M. Krishnan. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran, K. R. Vijaya and Kanchana. It is a remake of the 1953 Telugu film Bratuku Teruvu. The film was released on 9 June 1972 and failed commercially.
Naalvar is a 1953 Tamil-language drama film directed by V. Krishnan. The film stars A. P. Nagarajan, Kumari Thankam, N. N. Kannappa, M. N. Krishnan and T. P. Muthulakshmi in major roles. Nagarajan, who played the main lead was also the writer of the film. The film revolves around a family consisting of four siblings.
Chitrangi is a 1964 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by R. S. Mani and produced by T. R. Sundaram of Modern Theatres. The film stars A. V. M. Rajan, Pushpalatha and Sheela. The soundtrack was composed by Vedha, while the lyrics were written by K. M. Balasubramaniam and Vaali.
Madurai Saurashtra Sundari Bai was an Indian actress, singer and dancer who worked mainly in Tamil cinema from the 1940s to the 1970s. Sundari Bai was the wife of writer and director Kothamangalam Subbu. Her most notable films include Aadmi (1939), Madanakamarajan (1941), Nandanar (1942), Dasi Aparanji (1944), Kannamma En Kadhali (1945), Miss Malini (1947), Chandralekha (1948), Avvaiyyar (1953), Vanjikottai Valiban (1958), Deivapiravi (1960), Padikkadha Medhai (1960) and Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal (1976).
Thiruchi Loganathan was an Indian playback singer of the Tamil film industry. He is known for his work in movies such as Manthiri Kumari (1950)and Sarvadhikari'. He was married to Rajalakshmi, daughter of actress C. T. Rajakantham. His sons are, T. L. Maharajan, Deepan Chakravarthy, TL Kamalakannan, and T.L. Thyagarajan, who are also popular playback singers.
Krishna Vijayam is a 1950 Indian Tamil language film written and directed by Sundar Rao Nadkarni. The film featured Carnatic music singer N. C. Vasanthakokilam in the role of Narada. The film, based on the Epic story of Krishna avatar, featured later day playback singer A. L. Raghavan as the child Krishna. Adult Krishna was played by P. V. Narasimha Bharathi.
Cuddalore Nagarathnam Pandurangan was a noted music director who had scored music for Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Sinhala movies. C. N. Pandurangan was an Indian music director who worked mainly in South Indian films.
Bama Vijayam is a 1934 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Manik Lal Tandon. The film featured G. N. Balasubramaniam who made his debut in Tamil cinema, M. R. Krishnamurthi, P. S. Ratna Bai and P. S. Saraswathi Bai in the leading roles. P. S. Ratna Bai and P. S. Saraswathi Bai are well known as Palayamkottai Sisters.
Gokuladasi is a 1948 Indian Tamil-language film directed and produced by K. Subrahmanyam. The film stars C. Honnappa Bhagavathar and M. V. Rajamma in lead roles, with T. R. Ramachandran, N. Krishnamurthi, Lalitha, and Padmini in supporting roles.
Vedha was an Indian composer who started working in Sinhala films during the early 1950s when they were being produced in Madras. Then he worked mainly in Tamil films. He was active in the field for about 25 years since 1952.
Diwan Bahadur is a 1943 Indian, Tamil language film directed by T. R. Sundaram. The film featured T. R. Ramachandran and J. Susheela in the lead roles.
Sollu Thambi Sollu is a 1959 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film produced and directed by T. V. Sundaram. It is an adaptation of the William Shakespeare play As You Like It. The film stars Prem Nazir and Rajasulochana. It was released on 27 March 1959, and did not succeed commercially.
