V. S. Raghavan

V. S. Raghavan Biography

V. S. Raghavan was a Tamil film, stage and television actor. He was born in Vembakkam, near Kanchipuram in the year 1925. He was known for portraying character roles since mid-1950’s and his debut film was Vairamali released in 1954. In the career spanning to more than 6 decades, he has given life to more than 1000 characters on screen. He has been active in theater life during the same period as well. He has also portrayed numerous popular roles on small screen. Anni – is his most popular television serial. He was honoured with the Devar Award by M. G. Ramachandran during the first anniversary of IDA. Currently he resides in Mandaiveli, Chennai.

He was born in Vembakkam where he spent his childhood days. He completed his school studies. However after his father’s death at this time prompted him to shift to Purasaiwalkam, where his sister lived. He started his active career as a journalist in the year 1942. He worked as the sub-editor of Malathi magazine till it was closed. Later he shifted to printing press. It was during this juncture when he joined amateur theatre plays as a stage actor. Many of his colleagues were engaged in stage plays and thus Raghavan too, became a part of it. He acted in YMIA’s play Vairamalai, and he was casted for the same role, when the play was made on silver screen, marking his big screen debut.

He turned a stage director the same year and formed the organization Indian National Artists the following year, in association with a few theatre artist friends. Famous south Indian director K. Balachander was a part of this association before he entered film world. 'Engirundho Vandhaal' was the first staged play, followed by 'Gowri Kalyanam,' and 'Vazhi Naduvil’. He played the role of hero’s dad in many movies during his thirties and most surprising fact is that, he got married only at 40, just to please his mother.

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Updated: January 24, 2015