S. S. Mani Bhagavathar Biography 
S. S. Mani Bhagavathar was a film actor and playback singer of Tamil early talkies. He was a classical singer too, and one of the foremost disciples of Guru Papanasam Sivan, who used to teach him first, whenever he composes a new song. He was instructed by his guru to demonstrate the song to foremost singers then. Those foremost disciples include - D. K. Pattammal, Madurai Mani Iyer etc. During his active years Mani Bhagavathar accompanied his guru and leading vocalists like Madurai Srirangam Aiyangar, and also Kothamangalam Subbu for his musical discourses. S. V. Venkatraman, a cousin of Kothamangalam Seenu was his brother-in-law.
S. S. Mani Bhagavathar, also called S. S. Mani was born at Thirupanangudi in Mayavaram, Tamil Nadu. He remained one of the foremost disciples of Papanasam Sivan, and regularly accompanied him for his musical concerts. He also accompanied his guru for street Bhajans, which he conducted at Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore. The main aim was to promote this dying art, and even after his guru passed away, Mani Bhagavathar continued the act till his death. He was a regular artist at All India Radio Tiruchirappalli station.
S. S. Mani worked in the music group at Gemini Studios, and earned fame as a singer and actor during the early talkies of Tamil cinema. He featured as Lord Krishna in the 1934 film Pavalakkodi, the debut movie of yesterday stars M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and S. D. Subbulakshmi, and also her director husband K. Subramanyam. Mani’s guru composed song for this famous film. S. S. Mani also played supporting roles in Naveena Sadaram (1935) and Krishnan Thoothu (1940). He rendered his voice for the song Annaiyum Thanthaiyumaagum for the film Avvaiyar.
Published: September 24, 2018
Updated: September 24, 2018
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