Adoor Bhasi (1929–1990) was an Indian actor, singer and film director known for his impeccable acting mainly in comic characters. He was an all-round entertainer and had more than 700 films to his credit. With a career spanning over four decades, he remained active until his death. Some of his most loved performances were in Chattakari (1974), 18 April (1984), Yatra (1985), Rajvinte Maken (1986) and Sarvakalashala (1987). He died in March 1990 after suffering from kidney-related illness.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Of. Bhaskaran Nair, better known by the stage name Adoor Bhasi, was born in Peringanand, a small village in Adoor, Kerala, India on Friday, 1 March 1929 (aged 61 at the time of death). His zodiac sign is Pisces. He comes from a family of great writers. Adoor Bhasi was the fourth child of EV Krishna Pillai and Maheshwari Amma. He started his education from the Missionary School, Vadakkekotram, Thiruvananthapuram. After his father’s untimely death in 1938, the family shifted to Peringanad and he continued his schooling at the English High School in Adoor. He pursued further studies for a Textile Chemistry Diploma from the Institute of Textile Technology, Thiruvananthapuram.
Family
Adoor Bhasi belonged to a Hindu family from Kerala.
parents and siblings
Adoor Bhasi’s father, E. V. Krishna Pillai, was a renowned humorist, writer, lawyer and member of the Travancore Legislative Assembly (MLC).
A portrait of Adoor Bhasi’s father EV Krishna Pillai
His mother Maheshwari Amma (youngest daughter of CV Raman Pillai) was a housewife.
Adoor Bhasi with his mother
Of his brothers and sisters. Omana Amma, K. Ramachandran Nair (Chandraji), Rajalakshmi Amma, K. Padmanabhan Nair, K. Shankaran Nair and K. Was Krishnan Nair. His eldest brother, Chandraji, was the first to enter the film industry. He was the manager of Raj Kapoor’s RK Studios and played a negative role in the Bollywood film Aashiq (1962). He later acted in Malayalam films such as Chitram (1988).
Adoor Bhasi with his eldest brother Chandraji
His younger brother Padmanabhan Nair or Padman was a journalist, editor and writer. Famous books in his name are Kunchukuruppam Prahladnum, Sahodaran Bhasiyude Jeevacharitram, Nadkanthyam Bhashyam and Bhashuram Hashyam.
adoor bhasi and brother padman
wife and children
Adoor Bhasi was a bachelor. In the book, Adoor Bhasi Chintayum Chiriyum, his brother Padman writes that it was the first and last time Adoor Bhasi went to meet a girl for marriage. It turned out that the proposed girl was the daughter of one of his classmates.
other relatives
Bhasi was the grandson of the famous writer and social activist CV Raman Pillai (1858–1922), whose works include Marthanda Varma (1891), Dharmaraja and Premamritham.
Adoor Bhasi’s grandfather was the great novelist CV Raman Pillai.
Adoor Bhasi’s nephew B. Harikumar was a famous writer and actor. He has written over 35 novels, including a biography of Adoor Bhasi titled Adoor Bhasi (2014), among other publications.
Caste
Adoor Bhasi was part of the Nair community among the Hindus of Kerala.
livelihood
film
actor
Although Adoor Bhasi started as an apprentice at the Lakshmi Textile Factory in Thiruvananthapuram after completing his diploma, it was not for long. During this time, he lived with his aunt B Gourikutty Amma in the famous Roskote bungalow built by his grandfather CV Raman Pillai. He started acting in stage plays and plays broadcast by All India Radio, Thiruvananthapuram. Later, he became the manager of a press run by the famous playwright TN Gopalakrishnan Nair. His association with the film industry starts from here. Adoor Bhasi’s first film was Thiramala (1953), in which he played a relatively small role. It was directed by Vimal Kumar and written by TN Gopalakrishnan Nair.
His breakthrough came with the film Mudiyanya Putharan (1961) directed by Ramu Kariat. The film won the National Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam. His first full-length comedy role was in the film Viruthan Shanku (1968), which was widely accepted by the audience.
Adoor Bhasi in the movie Viruthan Shanku
Since then Adoor Bhasi was an essential part of almost every film. Most of his characters were comic supports for the heroes. It was not always side characters, he played negative or villainous roles in Itha Oru Manushyan (1978) and Karimpana (1980). He was the hero in John Abraham’s highly acclaimed Cheriyachante Krurakrithyaangal (1979). He won the Kerala State Best Actor Award for his role as Cheriyachan in this film.
Adoor Bhasi as Cheriyachan in the film Cheriyachante Krurathakal
She was appreciated for her acting as a female lead in various films such as Arakkallan Mukkal Kallan (1974), Kannapanunni (1977), and Ithikkara Pakki (1980). He played dual roles in the films Lankadahanam (1971), Bhadradeepam (1973) and Kottaram Vilakanundu (1975).
Adoor Bhasi in the movie Arakkallan Mukkal Kallan
director
Adoor Bhasi’s directorial debut was Aadhya Padam (1977) starring Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, Sheela and Jayan. He is mentioned as one of the first people to recognize the talent of legendary actor Kamal Haasan. The other two films under his direction are Acharam Ammini Acharam Omana (1977), and Reghu Vamsam (1978).
Poster of Adoor Bhasi’s first directorial film Aadhya Padam
playback singer
Adoor Bhasi sang more than 25 songs in various films in which he acted and directed. Most of the songs were humorous. Some notable songs were Kuruvipetti… from Sthanathi Saramma (1966), Thallu Thallu… from Abhijatyam (1971) and Velutha Vavinam Makalakkum… from Chakravakkam (1974).
Controversy
Actor KPAC Lalita accused of exploitation
Actor KPAC Lalitha revealed in an interview how Adoor Bhasi was a villain in her life even years after his death. He alleges that Adoor Bhasi used his connections at that time to remove him from potential roles. Although he complained to the then association called Chalchitra Parishad, the secretary KP Umar scolded him. He had mentioned these in detail in his autobiography Katha Thudaram.
Awards, Honors, Achievements
- In 1974, Adoor Bhasi won the Kerala State Best Actor Award for his role as an Anglo-Indian Morris in Chattakari (1974).
- In 1976, he won the Filmfare Best Actor South Award for the film Ragam (1975).
- In 1979, he won the Kerala State Best Actor Award for Cheriyachante Krurakrithyaangal (1979).
- In 1984, he won the second Kerala State Best Actor Award for the film 18 April (1984).
Death
Adoor Bhasi died on 29 March 1990 after battling kidney disease. He also had other health problems like high blood pressure and diabetes during his last days. Additionally, he was troubled by the death of his longtime friend and colleague, actor Prem Nazir. His last rites were performed with state honors at his home in Adoor.
Facts/General Knowledge
- Adoor Bhasi is called by his fans as Hasyasamrat (King of Comedy) and Charlie Chaplin of Kerala.
- Actor Bahadur’s pairing with Adoor Bhasi was a super hit and they were called the Laurel and Hardy of Malayalam cinema.
- Adoor Bhasi acted in Prem Nazir’s first film Tyagaseema (1951). It was never released.
Adoor Bhasi’s name in the poster of the film Tyagaseema (1951)
- Adoor Bhasi once contested the Municipal Council elections but lost by just 26 votes.
- He was associated with every leading actor of his time, such as Sathyan, Prem Nazir, Madhu, KPimeer, Jayan, Sukumaran, MGSoman, Mammootty and Mohanlal.
Adoor Bhasi with his colleagues during the wedding of actor Prem Nazir’s son.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn