Raadhu (theatre Artist)

Raadhu (theatre Artist) Biography

S. Radhakrishnan, fondly called Raadhu was a veteran theatre artist from Tamil Nadu who owned his own theatre company. He was a well-known playwright and director. He had been involved with the theatre for over 50 years and played 47 plays and over 4000 shows across the State. A former RBI employee, his passion to theatre prompted him to dedicate his life to this art form and Tamil Nadu government has honoured him with Kalaimamani award for his outstanding contributions to Tamil theatre. Kalyanathil Galatta – is his most popular theater play.

42 plays in the first 42 years, Raadhu was able to keep the audience engrossed. He has been honoured by the Nungambakkam Cultural Academy with the “Nataka Siromani”. “Nataka ratna” and the title "Nataka Kalasarathy" in 2006 are the other major titles received by him. He staged plays for over 36 hours at a stretch in a drama marathon, which placed his name in the Limca Book of Records. The legendary comedy pair of Tamil cinema - Thangavelu and M. Saroja were associated with his troupe during the period 1974 to 1994, Till Thangavelu’s death. Kathadi Ramamoorthy was also a member of his troupe.

He was a resident of Mylapore, a place known for theater and it has been one of the reasons why he got attracted to theatre since young. His father Satyamurthi started the Mylai Sangeetha Sabha and their plays used to be staged in a thatched shed that served as the prayer hall in P.S. School, where he studied. Later that hall became Dakshinamurti auditorium, where many plays have been staged later. After studies, he got job in Reserve Bank of India, and it was during this time when he came close to theatre. He had many friends in RBI, who were close associated with ‘Sambu’ Natarajan and K. Balachander, which helped him a lot.

Raadhu formed Geetha Stage in 1966. But he joined Manian who established Mayan Theatres. It was Manian’s idea to ask Thangavelu to join the troupe. Thus two decade association of a successful pair began with the play - `Saptha Swarangal, in 1972. In 1992, he founded the Nataka Academy which spots and honours talented Tamil theatre personalities. He also revived a set of vintage plays in 1999. He passed away in 1999.

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Updated: January 28, 2016