K. A. Thangavelu
Karaikal Arunachalam Thangavelu (15 January 1917 – 28 September 1994) popularly known as "Danaal Thangavelu", was an Indian actor and comedian popular in the 1950s to 1970s. Not known for physical, acrobatic comedy like his contemporaries J. P. Chandrababu and Nagesh, Thangavelu's humour is recognised for his impeccable timing in verbal agility and the characteristic twang of his delivery. He exclusively acted in Tamil films.
K. A. Thangavelu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Karaikal Arunachalam Thangavelu[1] 15 January 1917 |
| Died | 28 September 1994 (aged 77) |
| Other names | Danaal Thangavelu |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, comedian |
| Years active | 1936; 1951–1994 |
| Spouse |
Rajamani (m. 1943) |
| Children | 3[2] |
| Relatives | Ashwin (grandson)[3] |
Early life
Thangavelu was born on 15 January 1917,[4] in Karaikal, but shifted at an early age to Tirumalairayanpattinam. He was one of three sons of Arunachalam and Karumammal. Due to Arunachalam's alcoholism, the family struggled for food every day. Karumammal died when Thangavelu was six years old, and Arunachalam remarried; Thangavelu's stepmother often abused him.[1] Arunachalam left for Singapore to find better employment and Thangavelu was sent to live with his relatives, but they too abused and ill-treated him.[5] As a child, Thangavelu was a music and theatre fan, often sneaking into halls to watch plays. He eventually joined the Rajambal Company troupe, and was taught acting and mentored originally by Yedhartham Ponnuswamy Pillai, and later by M. Kandaswamy Mudaliar.[1]
Career
Thangavelu spent nine years at Rajambal Company, and after Kandaswamy Mudaliar shifted to the film industry, he too did the same, debuting with a minor, uncredited role in Sathi Leelavathi (1936). Due to lack of success, Thangavelu quit films and survived on alms at a Murugan temple near Kanchipuram until actor M. M. Marappa saw his plight and brought him back into the acting field, this time in theatre. As a result, Thangavelu became more financially stable, and his father also returned to live with him. After a long sabbatical from films, Thangavelu returned to the field in 1951 with Manamagal; director N. S. Krishnan cast him after having already seen and liking his several stage performances. He followed it with a comical role in Singari the same year, through which he got the prefix "Danaal" after the often repeated word of his character. Films like Ponvayal and Panam Paduthum Padu (both released in 1954) were instrumental in establishing Thangavelu as a comedian.[1] Throughout his career, Thangavelu acted only in Tamil films.[5] He won the Tamil Nadu government's Kalaimamani in 1968 and Kalaivanar award in 1989.[2]
Personal life
Thangavelu was originally married to Rajamani.[5] He later married actress M. Saroja who was his pair in more than 50 films. Despite their age difference, they fell in love and married in Madurai Murugan temple during the 100th day celebration of their film Kalyana Parisu.[6] His grandson Ashwin is a television actor.[3]
Partial filmography
References
- Raman, Mohan V. (24 September 2016). "King of comedy". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 12 December 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- "K. A. Thangavelu dead". The Indian Express. 29 September 1994. p. 1. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- "Actor Thangavelu grandson turns hero". Kollywood Today. 30 May 2013. Archived from the original on 19 February 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- Sri Kantha, Sachi (19 December 2017). "MGR Remembered – Part 41 | Near Death Experience and its Aftermath". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Archived from the original on 24 December 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- Majordasan. "Potpourri of titbits about cinema – Thangavelu". Kalyanamalai. Archived from the original on 29 October 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- Kesavan, N. (26 June 2016). "Comediennes who made Tamil cinema bright". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 February 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- ராஜநாயஹம், ஆர்.பி. (13 November 2015). "நினைவுகளின் சிறகுகள்: கே.ஏ. தங்கவேலு – அண்ணே என்னைச் சுடப்போறாங்க!" [Wings of memories: K. A. Thangavelu – My big brother is going to shoot me!]. Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 12 November 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- Guy, Randor (14 January 2012). "Ponvayal 1954". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 9 February 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- அலிபாபாவும் 40 திருடர்களும் [Alibaba and the Forty Thieves] (PDF) (song book) (in Tamil). Modern Theatres. 1956. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
- Guy, Randor (7 September 2013). "Adutha Veettu Penn 1960". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 September 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
- கைராசி (PDF) (song book) (in Tamil). Vasu Films. 1960. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
- Guy, Randor (7 February 2015). "Naan Kanda Sorgam 1960". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2020.