Sebastian Kunjukunju Bhagavathar

Sebastian Kunjukunju Bhagavathar (9 February 1901 in Ambalappuzha, Alappuzha district – 1985) was a Malayalam theatre actor, singer, and author.[1] He is known for his contributions to Malayalam sangeetha natakam (musical operas).[2] Along with Ochira Velukutty, he was responsible for breaking the monotony of musical operas with their 1930 play Karuna, an adaptation of Kumaran Asan's famous poetic piece.[3] He is the brother of actor Alleppey Vincent.

Sebastian Kunjukunju Bhagavathar
Born9 February 1901
Ambalappuzha, Alappuzha district
CitizenshipIndia
Occupation(s)Singer, actor

Early life and career

Sebastian was born on 9 February 1901 to Pollayil Vincent and Margarita as their second child in Ambalappuzha taluk of Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala. His brother Alleppey Vincent is also a well known person in Malayalam industry who acted in the first talkie ever made in Malayalam, Balan.[4] After initial schooling in his native village, he attended the Leo XIII School in Alappuzha.[5] He later enrolled at St. Albert's High School in Ernakulam. It was at St. Albert's that he joined a Tamil drama troupe and toured several parts of Tamil Nadu before returning to Ernakulam. During his stay in Ernakulam, Kunjukunju was busy with drama and music and paid little attention to his studies. He returned to his home village to look after his ailing father. In 1923, Kunjukunju married Marykutty. She gave her support to his later theatrical ventures.[5]

Kunjukunju's first lead role was in Njanasundari, a Tamil drama translated into Malayalam, which told the story of Prince Plendran and Princess Njanasundari.[6] For next few years after Njanasundari, he could not get any major role in dramas. In 1929, "Royal Cinema & Dramatic Company" staged the drama Parudeesa Nashtam, which was based on John Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost. Kunjukunju played the role of Adam, while Ochira Velukkutty, an actor who is said to have enacted female roles better than real women, played Eve.[7] This is followed by Satyavansavitri, Alliarjuna, Kovalan Charitram, Nallathanka, and Harishchandra. The Kunjukunju–Velukkutty duo was the main attraction of all these dramas as they drew huge crowds.[5]

Filmography

As an actor

As a Singer
  • "Nin Paadame Sharanam"... Gnanambika (1940)
  • "Manojnam"... Jnaanaambika (1940)
  • "Mohaname"... Jnaanaambika (1940)
  • "Kadhayithu Kelkkaan Sahajare Vaa"... Gnanambika (1940)
  • "Sukhamadhuram Sukhamadhuram"... Gnanambika (1940)
  • "Aanathalayolam Venna"... Jeevithanouka (1951)

Awards

References
  1. Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1994). Encyclopaedia of Indian cinema. British Film Institute. ISBN 9780851704555. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  2. "GENOVA 1953". The Hindu. 5 April 2010. Archived from the original on 13 April 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  3. Ramachandran, V. M. P. J. Cherian (ed.). Essays on the Cultural Formation of Kerala: literature, Art, Architecture, Music, Theatre, Cinema. Kerala Council for historical research. Archived from the original on 21 December 2009. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  4. Chelangad, Saju (13 July 2014). "From tinsel world to a tea shop - The Hindu". The Hindu.
  5. "Sebastian Kunjukunju Bhagavathar". Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  6. "Profile of Malayalam Singer Sebastian%20Kunju%20Kunju%20Bhagavathar".
  7. "Documenting the life of a great stage artiste". The Hindu. 15 September 2006. Archived from the original on 15 July 2009. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  8. "Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award: Drama". Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala. Retrieved 26 February 2023.


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