T. S. Balaiah

film actor (1914-1972)

Tirunelveli S. Balaiah (Tamil: திருநெல்வேலி எஸ். பாலையா; 23 August 1914 – 22 July 1972) was an Indian actor best known for playing supporting roles in the Tamil films. He was introduced to the cine field by director Ellis R. Dungan in Sathi Leelavathi (1936), along with M. G. Ramachandran, N. S. Krishnan and M.K. Radha. He was one of the very few actors who excelled as a villain, as well as in character roles and comic roles.[1]

Early life change

T. S. Balaiah was born on 23 August 1914. He was born in Sundankottai, now in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu. He ran away from home at young age and joined a Circus. Later joined Jagannatha Iyer’s famous drama company which was working in Tirunelveli and from which no turning back.[2]

Career change

Balaiah began his film career through the Tamil film Sathi Leelavathi in 1936. Balaiah played first lead role in Mohini paired opposite Madhuri Devi, where he played elder brother to V. N. Janaki and supporting role by M. G. Ramachandran. He gained lot of weight at the age of 40 in 1954, hence started getting more character roles. Among his villain roles, Ambikapathy, Madurai Veeran, Thaikkupin Tharam, Hello Mister Zamindar and Thiruvilaiyadal were critically acclaimed. Balaiah also excelled in comedy roles in movies such as Kavalai Illaadha Manithan, Kadhalikka Neramillai, Bama Vijayam and Thillana Mohanambal. Actor Sivaji Ganesan had once mentioned that Balaiah along with M. R. Radha was his most admired actor.[3]

Personal life change

Actress Manochithra is his daughter, while one of his sons Junior Balaiah has also appeared in films. Another son, Sai Baba, was part of MSV's troupe and sang a few song.

Partial filmography change

Year Movie Role Director Notes
1972 Agathiyar
1969 Kanne Pappa K. R. Vijaya, R. Muthuraman, Baby Rani P. Madhavan
1968 Thillana Mohanambal A. P. Nagarajan
1967 Ooty Varai Uravu Vedachalam C. V. Sridhar
1967 Bama Vijayam Ethiraj K. Balachander
1966 Yarukaka Azhudan
1965 Vaazhkai Padagu C. Srinivasan
1965 Thiruvilayadal Hemanatha Bagavathar A. P. Nagarajan
1965 Hello Mister Zamindar K. J. Mahadevan
1964 Karuppu Panam Sattanathan G. R. Nathan
1964 Kaadhalikka Neramillai Vishwanathan C.V.Sridhar
1962 Kavitha Malaiyappan T.R. Raghunath
1961 Thayilla Pillai Pathanjali Sasthri L. V. Prasad
1961 Pavamanippu
1961 Kumara Raja Wealthy man (Chandrababu's father) G. K. Ramu
1960 Kavalai Illaadha Manithan K.Sankar
1960 Parthiban Kanavu Marappa Bhupathi D. Yoganand
1959 Vaazha Vaitha Deivam M. A. Thirumugam
1959 Orey Vazhi K. Shankar
1959 Bhaaga Pirivinai A.Bhimsingh
1957 Neelamalai Thirudan Police Inspector M. A. Thirumugam
1957 Allauddin Adhbhuta Deepam
1956 Kaalam Maari Pochu Tapi Chanakya
1956 Madurai Veeran Thalapathi Marappan Yoganand
1955 Maaman Magal Kanniyappan R. S. Mani
1955 Chella Pillai Director Yaman M. V. Raman
1954 Nallakalam K. Vembu, J. Sinha
1954 Ratha Paasam Madhu R.S.Mani
1953 Gunasagari (Kannada film) H.L.N. Simha
1951 Manamagal N.S.Krishnan
1950 Ezhai Padum Padu Ramnath
1949 Velaikkari Mani A.S.A.Samy
1946 Chitra Wahab Kashmiri
1945 Meera Jayaman Ellis Dungan
1945 Burma Rani T. R. Sundaram
1937 Ambikapathy Rudrasenan Ellis Dungan
1936 Sathi Leelavathi Ellis Dungan

References change

  1. Chandran (12 September 2012). "My movie minutes: The Three-in-One T.S.Balaiah".
  2. "100 years of laughter". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 23 August 2014.
  3. Guy, Randor (16 August 2014). "Darling of the masses" – via www.thehindu.com.

Other websites change