S. S. Mani Bhagavathar | |
|---|---|
 S. S. Mani Bhagavathar as Lord Krishna(left) and M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar (right) as Arjuna in Pavalakkodi (1934) | |
| Born | S. Subramanian Mani Bhagavathar Thirupanangudi, Mayavaram |
| Other names | S. S. Mani |
| Occupation(s) | singer, cinema actor, playback singer |
| Known for | Naveena Sadaram (1935), Pavalakkodi (1934) |
S. S. Mani Bhagavathar was an Indian Carnatic music singer, cine actor and a playback singer in Tamil language films.
Born at Thirupanangudi in Mayavaram and his full name is S. Subramanian Mani Bhagavathar. He was the principal disciple of Papanasam Sivan.
Whenever Guru Papanasam Sivan composed a new song, he would first teach it to S. S. Mani to sing. Mani's duty was to practice it well and then demonstrate it to famous singers like D. K. Pattammal, Madurai Mani Iyer and many others. Every year, during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January), Papanasam Sivan will do the street Bhajan circulating Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore with a group of singers. Mani was one of the regular group member. After the death of Papanasam Sivan, Mani continued the Bhajan until his dying day. S. S. Mani or S. S. Mani Bhagavathar was a registered musician at Tiruchirappalli All India Radio broadcast station. He also functioned as a teacher in Kalakshetra. He accompanied Papanasam Sivan and Madurai Srirangam Aiyangar in their music concerts. He also accompanied Kothamangalam Subbu in his Katha Kalakshepams (musical discourses).
S. S. Mani worked in the music group at Gemini Studios. During this time he sang the first song Ananda Nadamidum Paathan in the raga Kethaara Gowlai for the film Nandanar. He accompanied Kothamangalam Subbu and M. D. Parthasarathy in another song Vara Vara Kettupochu for the same film. He sang a virutham Annaiyum Thanthaiyumaagum for the film Avvaiyar. He accompanied M. D. Parthasarathy in the song Aathoram Kodikaalaam for the film Chandralekha. He also lent his voice to T.E.Varadan in the 1947 film Kannika. [1]
He featured as Lord Krishna in the 1934 film Pavalakkodi . [2] He also featured in supporting roles in Naveena Sadaram (1935) [3] and Krishnan Thoothu (1940) [4]
Music Director S. V. Venkatraman is his brother-inlaw (sister's husband). S. V. Venkatraman is a cousin of Kothamangalam Seenu. Mani's wife is a niece of Kothamangalam Subbu (his father's younger brother's daughter). Thus, Kothamangalam Subbu and Kothamangalam Seenu became relatives through S. S. Mani. [1]
Film historian Randor Guy writing in his article reviewing the film Kannika 1947, said "Mani was Papanasam Sivan's nephew and assisted him in his films. He also sang songs that were played against the credit titles. Sadly, Mani is hardly remembered today." [1]
Paapanaasam Raamayya Sivan was an Indian composer of Carnatic music and a singer. He was awarded the Madras Music Academy's Sangeetha Kalanidhi in 1971. He was also a film score composer in Kannada cinema as well as Tamil cinema in the 1930s and 1940s.
Mayavaram Krishnasamy Thiyagaraja Bhagavathar, also known by his initials as M. K. T., was an Indian actor, producer, and Carnatic singer. He is considered to be one of the most successful actors in Tamil cinema ever.
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.
Mangamma Sabatham is a 1943 Indian Tamil-language film, starring Vasundhara Devi, Ranjan, N. S. Krishnan and T. A. Mathuram. The film was produced by S. S. Vasan and directed by T. G. Raghavachari, credited as Acharya. The film was remade in Hindi and Telugu as Mangala, in Sinhala as Mathalan (1955) and again in Telugu as Mangamma Sapatham (1965).
Sarangadhara is an epic story during the reign of Rajaraja Narendra. Gurajada Apparao wrote the story in long poetic form in English and published in "Indian Leisure Hour" in 1883. It is a popular Telugu drama and made into South Indian films.
Shantha Sakku Bai is a 1939 Indian, Tamil-language film directed by Sundar Rao Nadkarni. The film featured K. Aswathamma, Banni Bai, K. Sarangapani, Kothamangalam Seenu, Kothamangalam Subbu in the main roles.
Kannika is a 1947 Indian Tamil-language film starring M. S. Sarojini, T. E. Varadan and M. R. Santhanalakshmi. The film was directed and produced by S. M. Sriramulu Naidu.
Irumbu Thirai is a 1960 Indian Tamil-language film produced and directed by S. S. Vasan. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Vyjayanthimala, K. A. Thangavelu and B. Saroja Devi, with S. V. Ranga Rao, Pandari Bai and Vasundhara Devi in supporting roles. A remake of Vasan's own Hindi film Paigham (1959), it revolves around two brothers Manikam and Kondamuthu and their mill owner.
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.
Nandanar is 1942 Indian devotional film, based on the Nandan, a low-caste farmhand, and his deep devotion to Lord Nataraja of Chithambaram. Nandanar was a major success, in part because of an innovative prize scheme.
Surya Puthri is a 1941 Indian Hindu mythological film, directed by Ellis R. Dungan and associate J. Moylan. The film stars Kothamangalam Subbu, Kothamangalam Seenu and K. R. Chellam. Co-starring were T. R. Rajakumari, M. S. Sundari Bai and S. R. Janaki.
Chakra Dhari is a 1948 Indian Tamil-language film produced by Gemini Studios. V. Nagayya and Pushpavalli star, while Gemini Ganesan who was a budding actor then, appeared in a minor role.
Kothamangalam Seenu was a Tamil Stage, Cinema actor and a Carnatic music singer.
Anaadhai Penn is a 1938 Indian Tamil-language film directed by R. Prakash. The film stars M. K. Radha and T. A. Sundarambal. P. U. Chinnappa, who was a budding artiste then, featured as a villain. Kothamangalam Subbu was cast in a comedy role. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Vai. Mu. Kothainayaki Ammal.
Naveena Sadaram is a 1935 Tamil language film directed and produced by Krishnaswami Subrahmanyam. The film featured S. D. Subbulakshmi in the lead role. The film is an adaptation of the Kannada stage play Sadarame. Papanasam Sivan was in charge of both the score and lyrics respectively.
Bhaktha Chetha is a 1940 Tamil language film directed and produced by K. Subrahmanyam. The film featured Papanasam Sivan as the titular character with G. Subbulakshmi, Kothamangalam Subbu, S. R. Janaki and Master R. Thirumalai playing supporting roles.
Ekambavanan is a 1947 Indian, Tamil-language film directed by B. N. Rao and T. V. Krishnaswami. The film featured Kothamangalam Seenu and P. A. Periyanayaki in the lead roles.
Udayanan Vasavadatta is a 1947 Tamil language film directed and produced by T. R. Raghunath. The film stars Vasundhara Devi, G. N. Balasubramaniam and M. S. Saroja with D. Balasubramaniam, K. Sarangapani and Kali N. Rathnam playing supporting roles.
Thulasi Jalandar is a 1947 Indian, Tamil language film directed by K. B. Nagabhushanam. The film featured P. U. Chinnappa, P. Kannamba, Kothamangalam Seenu and T. S. Jaya in the lead roles.
Naveena Sarangadhara is a 1936 Tamil film directed by K. Subramaniam under Murugan Talkies. Naveena in Tamil means modern. The film was titled thus in order to distinguish itself from the earlier versions and also in order to highlight the slight modifications made to the original story. The cast includes M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and S. D. Subbulakshmi in the lead roles supported by S. S. Mani Bhagavathar, G. Pattu Iyer and Indubala. The music was composed by Papanasam Sivan.