Kothamangalam Subbu
இந்தப் பக்கத்தை தமிழில் வாசிக்க: கொத்தமங்கலம் சுப்பு
Kothamangalam Subbu (Kalaimani) (October 10,1910 - February 15,1974) was a writer who has several Tamil novels, screenplays and songs to his credit. He was also a Villupaatu artist, actor and singer. A connoisseur of Nadaswaram music, Kothamangalam Subbu was also a famous music critic. Kothamangalam Subbu's novel Thillana Mohanambal was widely popular. Kothamangalam Subbu was associated with the Gemini studio’s story department for a long period.
Birth, Education
Kothamangalam Subbu’s real name was Subbramanian. He was born to Mahalingam Iyer and Gangammal on October 10, 1910 in a place called Kaaneriyendhal in proximity to Avudaiyarkoil (near Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu). Having lost his mother at a young age, Kothamangalam Subbu was looked after by his step mother. Kothamangalam Subbu studied in Avudaiyarkoil primary school till class 8.
Personal Life
As a young man, Kothamangalam Subbu married his relative Meenatchi. He arrived in Kothamangalam and started working as an accountant to a merchant. Around this time, Kothamangalam Subbu wrote a song for a drama troupe based in Pallathur. An actor, singer, playwright from Vathirairuppu named Seenivasan came to Pallathur to act in a play for the troupe. Seenivasan was a disciple of the playwright Sankaradas Swamigal. He also learnt music from Saama Iyengar. When Seenivasan relocated to Kothamangalam, he changed his name to Kothamangalam Seenu. His associate Subramanian likewise changed his name to Kothamangalam Subbu. They together wrote plays like Pavalakodi.
When a record containing a compilation of Kothamangalam Seenu’s songs was first released, it drew many movie offers prompting Seenu to move to Chennai. He invited Kothamangalam Subbu who then arrived in Chennai seeking offers. Kothamangalam Subbu joined Gemini studio’s story department. After tasting success as an actor and a writer, Kothamangalam Subbu entered into wedlock for the second time with actress Sundari Bai.
During his tenure at Gemini studio, Kothamangalam Subbu was promoted to the post of General Manager. Writer Ashokamitran recollecting his memories of Gemini studio wrote, "Kothamangalam Subbu was an important part of Gemini Studios. He was number two in calling the shots there. He held music concerts every month at his house. His house seemed like an inn for the needy. There will be at least ten people having food there at any given time. He used to earn well and spend it on others".
Kothamangalam Subbu was the father of twelve children. Two of them died in childhood. His son, Kothamangalam Viswanathan worked and retired as a senior officer from a private firm. He carried on his father’s legacy by hosting Villisai events.
His Life of Art
Movies
Kothamangalam Subbu worked in the story department of Gemini studios for twenty two years. In 1935, he acted in K. Subramanian’s directorial Pattinathar. In 1936, he acted as M.K. Radha’s friend in the movie Chandramohana. In 1937, he starred in Minor Rajamani. He went on to act in movies like Anadhaippen, Athirshtam, Thiruneelakandar, Adangapidari, Kacha Devayani, Madhanakaamaraajan among others. In 1939, Kothamangalam Subbu not only acted in Santha Sakkubai but also wrote its dialogues and songs. It was the first movie that showcased his skill set. In 1944, Kothamangalam Subbu starred in Gemini’s hit movie Daasi Abaranji. In 1945, he directed the movie Kannama En Kadhali. He also wrote the story, screenplay, dialogues and songs for that movie. Sundari Bai who later on became his wife starred as the lead actress. He directed and played the lead in the 1947 movie Miss Malini. This movie was later released in Hindi as Mister Sampath. In 1953, he directed the famous movie Avvaiyar. The movie starred popular artists like K.P. Sundarambaal. Subbu also made a small appearance along with his wife Sundari Bai.
Villupaatu
Villupaatu artist and singer Kothamangalam Subbu was one of the pioneers in modernizing the art form. He wrote many songs that were rendered in folk style. The songs called out for Social reforms and Nationalism. He wrote the Villupaatu song Gandhimahaan Kathai (life story of Gandhi, the great) and performed it at least a hundred times. Kothamangalam Subbu's compilation of poetry Marukkozhundhu’ was released in two volumes. The first volume contains over 200 songs with titles such as Festival, Advice, Love, Country Affairs and Patriotism. The second volume held more than 160 titles such as 'Divinity’, 'About them’, 'About these’ among others.
Wife: Shanmuga’s six abodes - It’s Kanda
Sasti time go find some money
Husband: Why think just board the train - What
we need the Lord will provide
This is the style in which the songs were written
Songs
Kothamangalam Subbu was active in the Tamilisai (Tamil Music) movement and wrote many songs. His popular songs include Maname Muruganin Mayilvaaganam (The heart is the peacock vehicle of Lord Murugan)
Literary life
Kothamangam Subbu wrote the highly popular novel Thillana Mohanaambaal. He went on to write serialised novels such as Pandhanallur Baama and Ponnivanathu Poonguyil. He penned stories for movies under the pseudonym Rao Bahadur Singaram. Readers mostly recognize him for his novel Thillana Mohanaambaal.
Role in Literature
Kothamangalam Subbu is recognized and researched for two of his contributions. He popularized regional folk art forms like Villupaatu through print media and cinema from the 1930s. He was instrumental in bringing about reforms in these art forms when they were adopted for mainstream entertainment and campaigning. Subbu’s novel Thillana Mohanaambaal is a literary work that showcased the lives of traditional musicians and their reliance on temples.
Death
Kothamangam Subbu died on February 15, 1974.
Awards
- Kalasigamani (1967)
- Padmashri (1971)
Bibliography
Novels
- Thilanna Mohanaambaal
- Pandhanallur Baama
- Ponnivanathu Poonguyil
- Rao Bahadur Singaram
- Miss Malini
- Miss Radha
Poems
- Manji Virattu
- Gandhimahaan Kadhai
- Marukkozhundhu
- Paatile Barathi
Plays
- Panchamirtham
- Naadagame Ulagam
Filmography
As an actor
- Pattinathar (1935)
- Naveena Sarangadhara(1935)
- Chandramohana(1936)
- Minor Rajamani(1937)
- Anadhaippen(1938)
- Athirstam (1939)
- Thiruneelakandar (1939)
- Santha Sakkubai(1939)
- Baktha Setha (1940)
- Sooryaputhri(1941)
- Adangapidari(1939)
- Kacha Devayani (1941)
- Madhanakaamaraajan (1941)
- Daasi Abaranji (1944)
- Miss Malini (1947)
As a director
- Kannama En Kadhali (1945)
- Miss Malini(1947)
- Ovaiyar (1953)
References
✅Finalised Page
