User:Sahas123

'''Singanallore Venkatraman Sahasranamam (SV Sahasranamam) was born in a middle class family in Singanallore, Coimbatore on 29th November 1913. He entered films in 1935 and went on to act in more than hundred movies. He has also produced and directed about 55 plays depicting social, historical and epic themes through his drama troupe (Seva Stage).

Early life: After completing his primary education in the village Primary School, Sahasranamam moved to Pollachi and studied till 8th grade in the Pollachi high school. Even while at school, he acted in a few dramas and earned accolades.

Entry into plays:''' In 1926, at the age of thirteen he joined Madurai Sri Balashanmugananda Sabha (Boys Company) owned by TKS Brothers in which Sri N S Krishnan was also a prominent actor. He donned different roles in Puranic plays written by Sri Sankardas swamigal, historic plays written by Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar, and social plays produced and directed by M. Kandasamy Mudaliar, who shaped him not only as an actor but also a producer and director of plays.

Sahasranamam acted in the leading role in plays like “Rajambal”, “Rajendran”, “Chandrakantha”, “Menaka”, “Mohana Sundaram” etc. directed by Sri M Kandasamy Mudaliar.

Entry into Films: Sri Sahasranamam started his film career in the year 1935 in the film Menaka. He acted in this film along with other members of Sri Madurai Bala Shanmuganandha Sabha. Menaka was directed by Rajasandow, who taught him the different aspects of acting.

Sahasranamam associated himself with NSK Nataka Sabha founded by Kalaivanar N S Krishnan, and took over the management of the troupe for about four years. He directed successful plays like “Naam Iruvar”, a social comedy which established him as a capable producer and director. Sahasranamam introduced on the stage for the first time play back music in this play.

He followed this with his next play “Paithiyakaaran”, a play espousing the cause of re-marriage of virgin widows. This play was written, directed, and produced by Sahasranamam. He also played the leading role in this play. This play was later filmed by Enneskay Films by S V Sahasranamam where in he himself played the lead role. His portrayal as the mad man in this film earned him critical reviews from theatre lovers and critics.

Sahasranamam established his own drama troupe “Sevasate Nataka Sabha” in the year 1951. He made lot of innovations and embarked on experimental ventures through his drama troupe. In 1952, for the first time in Tamil stage Sahasranamam created the revolving stage on caster wheels in his famous play titled “Vaanavil”.

Some of his notable roles and plays include “Vadivelu Vaadhiyaar” where he acted as a sincere school teacher; “Policekaaran Magal” where he acted as an honest police constable. His play “Therotti Magan” received rave reviews for the characterization of Karna in Mahabharatha.

Many of today’s leading stars were groomed by Sahasranamam through his troupe. To mention a few, Sivaji Ganesan, V K Ramasamy, S V Subbaiah, V Gopalakrishnan, R Muthuraman, Kuladeivam Rajagopal, Vijayakumar and SathyaRaj. Female artistes introduced by Sahasranamam include Pandribai, Mynavathi, M N Rajam, Devika, N R Chandini, S N Lakshmi, R Kanthimathi and Lakshmi.

S V Sahasranamam has also introduced a lot of play writes in Tamil literature and drama. To name a few, N V Rajamani, B S Ramaiah, T. Janakiraman, K.Alagirisamy, Malliam Rajagopal, Komal Swaminathan, Thamarai Manalan, M.K. Mani Sarathy, M.S. Guhan of AIR and Kausik.

In 1957, Sahasranamam started an institute called “Seva Stage Naataka Kalvi Nilayam” for training fresh talents for the first time in Tamil Nadu. He did this with the help extended by the State Sangeetha Nataka Academy. He invited dramatists, scholars and poets to the Tamil literary circle to teach his students. He offered a full fledged training course under the institute which covered the different aspects of producing a play. Each department was headed by an expert in that field.

Sahasranamam was a fervent admirer of Bharathiyar. He was the one of the first people to produce a full length play on Bharathiyar’s “Paanchaali Sabadham”. This was also the first drama to be recorded by Doordarshan at Delhi during 1967.

Inspired by Russian ballet, Sahasranamam dramatized Bharathiyar’s “Kuyil Paatu” in ballet style. Time and again, he has been a trend setter in Tamil stage by producing play with innovative and revolutionary themes.

Sahasranamam visited USSR and West Germany in the year 1961. He was delegated as the cultural leader from India by the Bharathiyaar Natya Sangam. In the same year at the request of the Tamilnadu Government, he also participated in the Tagore centenary celebrations. He was accompanied by his troupe comprising of 114 artistes. They performed plays and other Tamil folk arts like Kummi, Kolaatam, Kavadi, Peacock dance and so on.

Sahasranamam has staged plays nation wide. He has also raised funds for the Indo-China war and has contributed a sizeable amount to the said course. He personally handed over the funds raised to the then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.

Sahasranamam produced the life sketch of poet Mahakavi for the centenary celebrations of Bharathiyaar. He has also produced and directed three plays for the Madras Doordarshan – “Sarukku Maram”, “Kai Vilakku”, both depicting Gandhiji’s principles and “Panchali sabadham”.

During 1974 SVS delivered lectures on the history of Tamil drama “Naataka Varalaaru” for two days under the auspices of Madurai University and a book has been released on the same.

During his tenure as an actor, Sahasranamam has been conferred many honors and distinctions by the central and state government and also by leading institutions working for the cause of development of ancient Tamil arts.

He was an active member in many cultural organizations dedicated to stage plays. He was a life member and treasurer (for 2 years) in the South Indian Artistes Association. He was also a life member and was in the executive board in the Tamilnadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram.

Personal Life: S V Sahasranamam was born in a middle class family. He was married to Smt. Jayalakshmi, who was his uncle’s daughter. He is survived by 4 daughters and one son. His son SVS Kumar is a budding charater artiste in the Tamil film industry. He has donned supporting roles in movies like Dasavatharam and Jaggubhai.

Awards received by S V Sahasranamam: 1960 – Received an award from Dr. Rajendra Prasad at the South Indian theatre 1962 – Kalaimamani award from Tamilnadu Eyal Isai Academy 1968 – Best Drama Artiste from Central Sangeeth Natak Academy New Delhi 1968 – Received a cash award for “Panchali Sabadham” from the Central Sangeeth Natak Academy 1981 – Sangeetha KalaiSigamani award from Indian Arts Society Madras 1984 – Scroll of Honor at the Films Fan Association, Chennai 1984 – Seva Chakra – Testimonial of appreciation presented for dedicated service and outstanding contribution to the development of Tamil stage

Partial Filmography: Thillana Mohanambal (1968) .... Shaktivelu Yarukaka Azhudan (1966) .... Cook Thiruvilayadal (1965) .... Kayarkanni's father Padhai Theriyudu Paar (1960) President Panchatcharam (1959) .... District Board President Kula Deivam (1956) .... Muthaiyya Ethirparadathu (1954) .... Doctor Gopu ... aka "Unexpected" - India (English title) Parasakthi (1952) .... Chandrasekharan ... aka "The Goddess" - India (English title) Nallathambi (1949) .... Bhoopati