S. V. Subbaiah (1920–1980) was an Indian actor who featured mainly in Tamil-language plays and films. He featured mostly in character roles that communicated emotional feelings.
Early life Subbaiah hails from Sengottai in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, India. Spurning academic pursuits, he joined a drama troupe called ‘Senkottai Ananda Sakthivel Paramananda Boys Company’ when he was 11 years old. Later, he was part of drama troupes such as Balashanmukhananda Sabha and Sakthi Nataka Sabha. Subbaiah's performance as Kavi Anandar in S. D. Sundharam's play Kaviyin Kanavu staged by Sakthi Nataka Sabha in 1945 fetched rave reviews. This paved the way for him to enter Tamil films.
Film career His first film was Vijayalakshmi (1946) produced by Pragathi Pictures, the forerunner of AVM Productions. Next he featured in Kanjan (1947) produced by Jupiter Pictures and directed by Kovai Ayyamuthu and T. R. Gopu. Then, he featured as Sakuni in Abhimanyu in which M. G. Ramachandran donned the role of Arjuna.
Subbaiah's breakthrough came with the film Kaalam Maari Pochu (1956) in which he featured in a character role. This set the tone for his type of role in future films. Though there are many films that his role remains ever-green among Tamil film lovers, the role he played in the historical film Kappalottiya Thamizhan (1961) will lie deep down in their minds. He featured as Subramania Bharati in this film. His style as Bharati was followed by many artistes, right from Sivaji Ganesan to Kamal Haasan, in the role of Bharati, in future films.
Subbaiah produced a film Kaaval Dheivam under his own banner Ambal Productions. The film featured big-time stars like Sivaji Ganesan, R. Muthuraman, T. S. Balaiah, M. N. Nambiar, Nagesh and V. K. Ramasamy in well defined roles. Most of them appeared as guest artistes.Nadigar Thilagam Filmography
Sivakumar and Lakshmi starred in this film. Sivaji Ganesan refused to receive any payment for his role. A sentimental Subbaiah said "In my next birth I will become a dog and serve Sivaji Ganesan". Such was his humble persona.
Personal life
S. V. Subbaiah Was born in Viswakarma family. Subbaiah was interested in agriculture. He bought lands in Karanodai near Sengundram (Red Hills) and developed it into a farm. When he was not occupied with film shooting, he worked on his farm. He was deeply religious and lived his life with certain principles, such as not working after 9 p.m. He was a voracious reader and a fan of Jayakanthan.
He died on 29 January 1980 due to ill health. It was a strange coincidence that the man born at Sengottai, which means Red Fort, died at his farm in Sengundram which means Red Hills.
Filmography
Year Film Role Notes 1946 Vijayalakshmi Debut film1947 Ekambavanan Kanjan Kandasamy(Miser) Main Character1948 Abhimanyu Sakuni Mariamman Thirumalisai Alvar 1949 Mayavathi Kaamaruban 1950 Unmayin Vetri 1952 Rani Velaikaran 1954 Pudhu Yugam Murugan Sugam Enge Boopathy, The Postman 1955 Mangaiyar Thilakam Karunakaran Porter Kandan Valliyin Selvan Servant 1956 Kaalam Maari Pochu Poor Farmer Naane Raja Rambaiyin Kaadhal King 1957 Manaalane Mangaiyin Baakkiyam King Deva Rayar Soubhagyavathi Hero's Father 1958 Vanjikottai Valiban Murugan 1959 Bhaaga Pirivinai Sundaralingam Koodi Vazhnthal Kodi Nanmai Naan Sollum Ragasiyam Velayutham Ponnu Vilaiyum Boomi Vaazha Vaitha Deivam 1960 Irumbu Thirai Saravanan Kalathur Kannamma Murugan Parthiban Kanavu Ponnan (Boatman) 1961 Kappalottiya Thamizhan Subramania Bharati Malliyam Mangalam Paava Mannippu James Palum Pazhamum 1962 Vadivukku Valai Kappu Paadha Kaanikkai 1963 Naanum Oru Penn Kali Panathottam Yarukku Sontham 1964 Kalai Kovil Gifted Musician Lead role1965 Kaakum Karangal Ranganathan Thaayum Magalum Subrahmaniyam 1966 Ramu Mad Tamil teacher Thaali Bhagyam Nallasivam 1968 Jeevanaamsam (Hero) Murthi's uncle 1969 Kaaval Dheivam His own Production Kula Vilakku 1970 Paadhukaappu Guest appearance1971 Aathi Parasakthi Abirami Pattar Irulum Oliyum Moondru Dheivangal Pasupathy 1972 Needhi Velu 1973 Arangetram Ramu Sastrigal Nathaiyil Muthu Manipayal Kanthan, a cobbler Ponnunjal Pookari Sollathaan Ninaikkiren 1974 Roshakkari 1975 Idhayakkani Ponnusamy (Estate Supervisor) 1976 Unakkaga Naan Sathyam Annakili1977DheepamRamaiyaKavikkuyilRamaiah pillai1978 Athaivida Ragasiyam Maariyamman Thiruvizha Heroine's father Vanakkatukuriya Kathaliye 1979 Gnana Kuzhandhai Vaakeesar or Thirunavukarasar Sigappukkal Mookkuthi Last film1991Nallathai Naadu KekumPolice Inspector Sathiyakeerthi (Archive Footage)Nallathai Naadu Kekum (1991) Classic Movies (Motion picture) (in Tamil). India: Jeppiar Pictures. 1991. Character's name mentioned from 00:07:20 to 00:08:00.Posthumous release. Archive footage of MGR's unfinished film of the same name used.
References
Bibliography S. V. Subbaiah (in Tamil) (in Tamil)
External links