Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair

Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair Biography

Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair was a veteran actor of Malayalam who is considered to be the first movie star in Malayalam cinema. He was the hero of first Malayalam commercial hit – Jeevika nauka, where he sang a few hit songs as well. In a career that spanned about 47 years, he acted in over 700 films. He is also known as a poet, playwright, script writer, lyricist, orator and film director.

He was born in Thikkurissy near Nagercoil of old Travancore princely state in the year 1916. Now this place is a part of Tamil Nadu.  He was born in an aristocratic family to Mangat C. Govinda Pillai and N. Lekshmi Amma. His sister L. Omanakkunjamma was the first female magistrate in India and the first female I. A. S. officer from Kerala. While at school he was known as a god writer and orator and wrote his first poem at the age of 8. His schooling was done at Marthanda Varma School. His first poem was published in Dhakshina Bharathi at the age of 14 and his poems were collectively published as a book named Kedavilakku when he was 20. His parents wanted him to secure a good job. But he chose art as his career.

His literal career began as a playwright.  Mareechika and Kalakaran were his initial successful plays. His plays Sthree, Maya and Sariyo Thetto revolutionised the professional play scenario in Malayalam. He gave importance to dialogues and social issues than romance and songs that were easily noticed. He entered film field in the early 1950’s when Malayalam film industry was still in the infant stage. He debut with Sthree, followed by the milestone movie, Jeevitha nauka in 1953. After that there was no turning back. The super success of this movie also earned him the title of ‘First star’ or even mentioned as, ‘the First Super star’ tag.

He wrote the scripts of movies, Swami Ayyappan, Muthalali and Aana Valarthiya Vanampadi and has also directed a few movies. Jeevithanauka, Navalokam, Umma, Maya and Thulabharam are remembered for his powerful screen presence. He has also given screen names to many film persoanlities. Prem Nazir, Madhu, Jose Prakash, Bahadur, Kuthiravattom Pappu and Priyadarshan are among those.

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Updated: February 03, 2014