Kamal hassan

                He showed the sign, "Neeye Paadu"(you yourself sing). Next moment the boy sang with his lovely voice and he neatly completed the whole song accompanied with action. Those seated in the hall clapped their hands with great excitement.

                When the boy entered inside after that scene was over, his guru embraced him and felicitated him with the following words: "Like this you have to be careful always. You have to face all sorts of situations and manage to win over them...To-day you have succesfully sung at a very critical and trying situation and has earned very good name not only for yourself but also for our company".

                The drama guru who felicitated like this was none other than Muththamizh Kala Vidwaratna Avvai T.K.Shanmugam! Later, the boy acted in such dramas as "Palaappazham" and "Appaavin Aasai". That boy who has been doing proud to the guru and his (boy's) native soil is to-day's mega actor and 'kalaichakravarthy' Kamalhaasan.

                "Avvai Shanmugi"'s 100th day posters had been recently posted on the walls everywhere. In that Annachi T.K.Shunmugam's photo still in Avvai get-up had been inscribed with the following words of Kamal: "I dedicate the mega success awarded by the Tamil people for this film to my Guru.
                                                                                        -Kamalhaasan".

                The good hearts that earlier appreciated Kamal for having selected the name 'Avvai Shanmugi' for the film now even more praised him when he dedicated the victory of the film to his Guru.

                If to-day Kamal is what he is to-day it is because of his talent, intelligence, hardwork and his good traits. In spite of these qualities is it not proper to bring back to memory those who have helped, by themselves remaining  the soil, creeper, water etc., this beautiful flower to spread it's fragrance?

                 The patriot called Paramakkudi Seenivasan and the godly mother Rajalakshmi have brought and given to the world the art treasure called Kamalhaasan.

                In a felicitation function conducted to felicitate Kamal, Dr. M.G.R. is said to have spoken like this:"In a Hindi picture Amitabh Bachchan appeared in woman's get-up and did Panjabi and Marathi dances strictly following the minute details of those dance movements after having learned them with great efforts and extraordinary interest. He earned rare fame too for his acting in that film. A person of that calibre has already praised Kamal's acting talent. After Amitabh's great appreciation is it necessary that any other Indian needs to praise Kamal's talent? is my question now! I felicitate Kamal because of his modesty and fine qualitative traits. From whichever angle we look at Kamal he is beautiful. I feel happy that he is maintaining his body structure and his beautiful youthfulness.

                I haven't met such an artist of rare qualities!" Such was the felicitation said to be offered by M.G.R.

               Kamal was introduced to cinema through "Kalaththur  Kannamma" as a child artist (12-08-1960). The urge within him to achieve something or other is still found in him even to-day and the 'Avvai Shanmugi' Kamal has that unwaning spirit.

               The rare artist Kamal is not merely an ordinary actor. He is also a sound thinker. One cannot pinpoint the potentials that abound within him. He is an art treasure. Only Time could understand him.

                Kamlhaasan first sang in his own voice the film song "Gnayiru Olimazhaiyil Thingal Kuliikka Vanthaal" written by Kavingnar Nethaji for the film "Arangetram". Devarajan had composed music for this. Till to-day Kamal has sung a number songs in films in his own voice. In "Naayagan" the song he had sung which reads like this:"Then Pandi Cheemaiyile" has been reverbrating sweetly in our ears till to-day! In "Raja Paarvai" as a man without eyesight, in "16 Vayathinile" as a lame person, in "Maro Charithra" as a lover, in "Sihappu Roja"  as villain, in "Manmatha Leelai" as a womanizer, in "Sivappukkal Mookkuththi" as a devotee, in "Saahara Sangamam" as a dance artist, in "Apoorva Sahothararhal" as a pygmy, in "Sippikkul Muththu" as a revolutionary and in different types of roles in films like "Kalyana Raman", "Moontram Pirai", "Sahala Kala Vallavan", "Naayagan", "Devar Mahan", and "Mahanadhi",  and in old man get-up in "Indian" and in woman'ns get-up in "Avvai Shanmugi"--such were the muti-different character roles acted by Kamal.

            In Telugu the film introduced Kamal there is ("Aval Oru Thodarkathai") "Anthu Leni Katha"! In Chennai Bhagavathar's "Haridoss" ran consecutively for three years. In Chennai Safire Theatre Kamal's Telugu film "Maro Charithra" ran consecutively for more than one year! The Hindi version of this same film by name "Ek Dhuje Kheliye" ran for more than one year in Northern India also.

            Kamal is the only leading actor who has acted in a film which has neither song or dialogue, the film called "Pesum Padam". In the Telugu picture "Soma Koduthi Soha Koduthi" Kamal acted in double role. A comedy film. In that Kamal sang in his own voice. Kamal popularity after this film went so high in Telugu state that even a very popular artist's fans' association there was said to be renamed after Kamal.

            Kamalhaasan has acted 36 films in Malayalam. In Hindi has done 15 films.

                Then nobody did expect that this child was going to earn great name not only for Tamil cine world but also for the entire Indian filmfield.....! It's only that child artist who is now accomplishing so many historic achievements to-day in cinefield. It's not necessary to spell out and make you understand who that artist is...! Yes...it's the same Kamalhaasan whom you yourself just thought of...! They say that Karnan was born with his 'kavasa kundalam'! Like that Kamal too got President's Award for his child artist role in his very first film itself. His cinema entry that started on that day continued through films such like "Paarththaal Pasi Theerum", " Paatha Kaanikkai', "Kannama Karasam"(Malayalam), "Vaanambaadi" and it extended upto "Aananda Jothi".

                In 1973 as Kamal came to be spotted by 'Iyakkunar Sigaram' K.Balachander, he (Kamal) for the first time acted in Balachander's direction in the film "Arangetram", his remuneration being rupees 500. Subsequently Kamal became a popular hero. In the meantime he worked as assistant dance master under master Thangappan.

                He accepted Avvai Shanmugam as his guru in the field of drama and K.Balachander as his cinefield guru. Kamal was born on 7th November 1954 as the younger son of the traditional type parents Seenivasan and Rajalakshmi Ammal. Kamal has two elder brothers, known as Saaruhaasan and Chandrahaasan and a sister by name Nalini.

               His native place is Paramakudi, in Ramnad district. Even at his tender age he happened to be a person with individualistic and unique character trait. According to the traditional custom of his caste, when his family members insisted upon his wearing 'poonool', Kamal refused to oblige. Thus the devil of casteism could not win over and overpower that small boy....Thanthai Periyar's rationalistic principles attracted him very much!

               Not only in cinefield but in real life also, Kamal has tasted both successes and failures! First Kamal accepted Vaani Ganapathy as his wife but because of difference of opinions both were legally separated and they got divorce. When life's tragic fate started spreading it's tentacles upon him there came Sariga to spread new light in his life dispelling the ensuing darkness away! He married Sariga,  got two children called Sruti and Atsara....Sariga is not only his wife but is also a good friend of him and a consultant. She helps him in so many different ways and presently she plays the role of a costumer also for Kamal's films!

              Kamal has come across and surmounted so many ups and downs in life and now remains one of the good actors at the international level, all because of his sheer hard work! When he was 19 years old he worked as joint dialogue writer for the film "Unarchigal". Including "Apoorva Sahotharargal" he has written screenplay for various films. He has written complete script for the films "Thevar Mahan", "Maha Nadhi" and "Kuruthippunal". He received best story writer award from Kalaignar Karunanidhi for the film "Maha Nadhi". As producer he has so far produced such films as "Raja Paarvai", "Vikram", "Hare Rama Hare Krishna", "Kadamai, Kanniam, Kattuppaadu", "Virotham", "Sathya", "Apoorva Sahotharargal", "Devar Mahan", "Magalir Mattum", "Sathi Leelavathi", "Kuruthippunal", "Thurogi", "Saakshi 420" etc. Kamal, who had developed his skill as actor, dance director and story writer, also did learn vocal music from the carnatic music genius Dr.Balamurali Krishna. Afterwards Kamal sang songs in his own voice in so many films. He sang in his own voice, his first ever film song in "Antharangam", the song being "Gnayiru Oli Mazhaiyil Thingal Kulikka Vanthaal". To appear differently from film to film, he had been taking great pains and undergoing so many hardships. In "Gunaa" he changed his face colour into black through make-up. In "Indian" appeared in the role of a 70 year old oldman. In "Avvai Shanmugi" acted in the role of a woman, with woman's get-up. He has so far tasted so many experinces of breaking his hand or leg while acting in very, very risky fighting scenes or dance sequences!

                In 1979, Kamalhaasan got Tamilnadu Government's "Kalaimaamani" award. He got Indian Central Government's "Padma Sree" award in 1990. Furthermore he received Central Government's National Award for best acting on three occasions for the following films: "Moontraam Pirai"(1982), "Naayagan"(1987) and "Indian"(1997).

   Three times he got Taminadu Government's Best Actor Award. Twice he got Andhra Government's Best Actor Award. He is the only one Indian actor who has received "Filmfare Award" for 18 times. The 'Best Actor Award' of "Dinakaran" Tamil Daily for the year 1996 went to Kamalhaasan too.

                In India, particularly in Tamilnadu, his films have achieved a unique feat: his 6 films including  "Kuruthippunal", "Naayagan", "Swathy Muthyam" and "Indian" have the reputation of having been sent for world famous Oscar Award competitions.

                His fans have given him titles like "Super Actor", "Kaathal Ilavarasan" and "Sagala Kalaa Vallavan". Tamilnadu Chief Minister, Dr. Kalaignar Karunanidhi has awarded him the title, "Kalai Gnani".

                In the Tamil super-hit film "Avvai Shanmugi" Kamal had acted in woman's get-up. It's Hindi version "Saakshi 420" was directed and acted by Kamal himself! This was his first directional venture. What has been styled as his ambitious venture for so many years, "Maruthanayagam" is now under production through which Kamalhaasan is getting introduced as director in Tamil. He is also acting in the main role as Maruthanayagam. This film's inauguration function was held in Chennai in which Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth of England participated as Chief Quest.

            Chennai Rotary Club awarded 'Sirantha Manithar' award for Kamal. In Maharashtra state, at 'Ichchalgiranch' village, 'F.I.E award was awarded to Kamal. This particular award has so far been presented to only 5 distinguished persons including business magnate Tata and Kamalhaasan.

            Kamalhaasan's fans' association has been converted by Kamal into a welfare movement. It is now indulging in so many welfare activities and is accomplishing many social services. Kunaseelan remains the head of this forum. In his (Kamal's) native place Paramakkudi, Kamal has constructed a school and it's being run by him. In Osur, a school is being run in Kamal's mother's name. Kamal and his fans are indulging in blood donation,  arranging for free medical service and giving monetory help for heart surgery. Kamal has also created 'Annai Rajalakshmi Trust' and through it, every year, he is presenting cash gift (Porkkili) for the 'Best Writer '.