Paravoor Bharathan

Paravoor Bharathan Biography

Paravoor Bharathan is a noted character artist and comedian of Malayalam cinema. He started his career in movies during 1960s and has done negative and supporting roles as well. Bharathan was born at Vavakkad in North Paravoor of Ernakulam district and hence known by the name Paravoor Bharathan. He has handled numerous memorable roles throughout his career in his career spanning to 4 or 5 decades. In 2004, he was honoured with Bahadur award for his contributions to Malayalam cinema. He is married to Thankamani, with whom he has acted in several plays during his young days. Together they have appeared in cameo roles in landmark Malayalam movie, Neelakuyil in 1957. He has also acted in Chemmeen.

Bharathan was born in Paravoor as the son of Vadakkekarayil Kochannan Koran and Urmilakutty and studied at S.N.M. High School, Moothakunnam. But when his father died, he discontinued his studies. He used to perform in stage shows while at school. Kedamangalam Sadanandan, a noted Kathaprasangam artiste noted him once and introduced him to state troupe - Pushpitha during mid-1940s. Thus he became a stage actor and in those days, maximum shows were concentrated around Paravoor. When the play Rakthabandham was being made into a film, he got a role on recommendation of Vijayabhanu. The movie was released in 1951. Yet he was concentrated most on plays during this time. The turning point was his comic role in the play Maattoli in the early 50s.

Bharathan has given his own fingerprints in a few of Malayalam movies. He has numerous noted roles during 1990’s. Comic roles in Mazhavil kaavadi, Meleparambil Aanveedu, Godfather and Ammayane sathyam are best instances. A few more memorable roles include – Vaarabhalam, Dr. Pasupathy, Bharya, Aniyan Bava Chetan Bava, Aniyathi pravu, Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu, Panchavadi and Achan Kombathu Amma Varambathu.

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Updated: January 25, 2014