T. S. Balaiah

T. S. Balaiah

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Category: Cinema

T. S. Balaiah Profile

  • Name:
  • T. S. Balaiah
  • Other Name:
  • Tirunelveli S. Balaiah, S. Balaiah
  • Born:
  • August 22, 1914

T. S. Balaiah Biography

T. S. Balaiah was a thespian of Tamil cinema in the 1960s and 1970s, who excelled in all types of roles. Sathi Leelavathi (1936) was his debut movie, which marked the career beginning of many legendary and star actors including MGR, N. S. Krishnan and M. K. Radha. These cine artists were introduced to silver screen for the first time by director Ellis R. Dungan, popular American film director. The movie came to limelight as it was the first Tamil film to be a subject of court case involving copyright violations. Known for the supporting roles, he excelled as a comedian and villain too.

 

His full name is Tirunelveli S. Balaiah born on August 23, 1914 into a Nadar family. His native place is Sundankottai of present day Thoothukudi district. He was adopted by Subramania Pillai, accounting for the initials ‘T.S. He schooled at Manthiramurthy High School in Tirunelveli, though not interested in studies. He ran away from home with a friend, stealing some money and joined circus at a very young age. When they reached Manamadurai, they fell short of money, did some odd jobs and returned back to Tirunelveli. Later he joined Jagannatha Iyer’s famous drama company, which later dissolved. When a new troupe was formed with a bunch of its artists, Balaiah too joined it.  He was only 15 then.

 

Shakespeare’s Cymbeline in which he played the role of Pesanio earned him appreciation. Balaiah later joined Rajambal Company, where he met M. Kandaswamy Mudaliar, father of M.K. Radha. Pathi Bhakthi was the most successful play staged by this troupe. When Kandaswamy Mudaliar wrote a script to launch his son, T. S. Balaiah got his first film role. The movie was Sathi Leelavathi (1936) and the rest is history!

 

As an antagonist he is remembered for the roles in the classic hits - Ambikapathy (1937), Madurai Veeran (1956), Hello Mr. Zamindar and Thiruvilayadal (1965). During his last years he did a few memorable roles as a comedian. Kavalai Illatha Manithan (1960), Kaadhalika Neramillai (1964), Bama Vijayam (1967) and Thillana Mohanambal (1968) are his noted comic roles. In a career spanning to about three decades, he was active in the industry till death took him away in 1972. His daughter has also acted in a few south Indian movies and played Prem Nazir’s heroine in Mazhanilavu (1983).

Published: N/A

Updated: May 21, 2018

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