Thangar Bachan

Thangar Bachan (born 1961) is an Indian film director and actor, cinematographer and novelist. He has served as jury member in National Film Awards.

Early life
Thankar Bachan was born in Pathirakottai, a village near Panruti, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu.

Career
Bachan started his career as a cinematographer in debut film Malai Charal. He was known for his work in Mogamul and Bharathi. He made his directorial debut in Azhagi.

Apart from films he occasionally contribute on literary works. His novels include Onbathu Roobai Nottu and Ammavin Kai Pesi. He eventually made these novel into films in his own direction.

Thankar Bachan was known for his contribution in portraying North Tamil Nadu villages which was not depicted in Tamil cinema properly. His story plots were set mostly at Panruti and surrounding villages. After Bharathiraja, villages were best portrayed in Thangar Bachan movies. Bharathiraja himself declared that after him Bachan directs the best village films.

As actor

 * Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy (2005) as Elangovan
 * Pallikoodam (2007) as Kumarasamy
 * Ammavin Kaipesi (2012) as Prasad
 * Merlin (2018)

As Cinematographer only

 * Malai Charal (1990)
 * Dharma Seelan (1991)
 * Madhumathi (1992)
 * Mogamul (1993)
 * Veettai Paaru Naattai Paaru (1994)
 * Malappuram Haji Mahanaya Joji (1994) (Malayalam film)
 * Vaanmathi (1995)
 * Vaazhga Jananayagam (1995)
 * Karuvelam Pookkal (1996)
 * Kadhal Kottai (1996)
 * Kaalamellam Kadhal Vaazhga (1997)
 * Kaadhale Nimmadhi (1998)
 * Sirf Tum (1998) (Hindi film)
 * Marumalarchi (1998)
 * Kannedhirey Thondrinal (1999)
 * Kanave Kalaiyadhe (1999)
 * Kallazhagar (1999)
 * Unnudan (1999)
 * Bharathi (2000)
 * Kannukku Kannaga (2000)
 * James Pandu (2000)
 * Kutti (2001)
 * Ajnabee (2001)
 * Periyar (2007)

Novels

 * Onbathu Roobai Nottu, 1996
 * Ammavin Kai Pesi, 2009

Short story collections

 * Vellai Maadu, 1993
 * Kodi Munthiri, 2002
 * Isaikaatha Isaithattu, 2006
 * Thangar Bachan Kathaigal
 * Solla Thonuthu- A collection of 50 articles published in Tamil Hindu daily news paper- 2015

Awards

 * 1993 – Lilli Deivasigamani Memorial Award for Best Short Story Collection (Vellai Maadu)
 * 1996 – Tamil Nadu Government's Award for Best Novel (Onbathu Rubai Nottu)
 * 1996 – Agni Akshara Award for Best Novel (Onbathu Rubai Nottu)
 * 1996 – Thiruppur Tamil Sangam Award for Best Novel (Onbathu Rubai Nottu)
 * 1997 – Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Cinematographer (Film – Kaalamellam Kadhal Vazhga)
 * 1998 – "Kalaimamani" Award – awarded by the Government of Tamil Nadu for Contributions in Tamil cinema
 * 2002 – GV SICA Award for Best Director (Film – Azhagi)
 * 2005 – Jaya TV Award for Best Actor (Film – Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy)
 * 2007 – Tamil Nadu State Raja Sando Award for Contribution in Film direction
 * 2007 – Santhome Communication Award for Best Director (Film – Onbadhu Roobai Nottu)
 * 2007 – Sathyan Memorial Film Award for Best Director (Tamil) (Film – Pallikoodam)
 * 2007 – GV SICA Award for Best Story Dialogues (Film – ''Pallikoodamm)
 * 2007 - Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director for ''Pallikoodamm)
 * 2015 - Best literary Athiththanar Award for "Thankar Bachan Kathaigal" - A Short Story Collection.