The name and fame of some really big people remain intransient even after their leaving us for ever physically. One such exemplary personality was the inimitable actor N.S.Krishnan who captivated lovers of plays and movies in Tamil Nadu. He was honorifically called ‘Kalaivanar’, implying that he was an embodiment of Arts. He was indeed a benevolent thespian, since he was generous in deed. People knocking at his door for help never ever left disappointed. He used to empathise with the needy and part with almost all that he earned through stage plays and feature films.
N.S. Krishnan was hailed also as the Charlie Chaplin of Tamil Nadu because he was an unequalled comedian in Tamil movies. He avoided slapstick comedy. He made the audience laugh and think at the same time by his thought provoking lines in his dialogue. He was a rationalist above all and looked in his mind’s eye at the world to come, like Thanthai Periyar.
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He was born on 29th November, 1908 in a tiny hamlet near Nagercoil, to his parents Sudalai Muthu and Isakkiammal. He was a school drop-out after the fifth standard. Acting talent was inherent that dragged him soon to limelight in the tinsel world. Under the pretext of his comic roles in movies, he spread rationalism and ridiculed superstitions. He displayed scientific temper and advocated equality in society. He used to insist on humanism and social justice. Thanthai Periyar used to call him a ‘Social Scientist’. Arignar Anna commended his virtues. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi eulogised him over his performance in movies. 29.11.2024 was his 116th Birth anniversary. The generation of the new era should know about him.
N.S.Krishnan was inspired by the principles of Thanthai Periyar and his self-respect movement. He was a regular reader of ‘Kudi Arasu’ weekly. He had admitted that it was a great source of inspiration for him. In 1947 he had a major role in the Tamil movie ‘Nalla Thambi’. The screenplay was by Arignar Anna. T.A.Mathuram, the wife of N.S.Krishnan, was also a popular contemporary comedienne. They acted together in numerous movies. Krishnan was against caste-evil, religious fanaticism and violation of human rights. He was on the same wave-length of Dravidian Movement thoughts and ideologies.
S.S.Vasan of Gemini Studio and Thiru.K.Kamaraj were also admirers of the philanthropist N.S. Krishnan.
He was like seeds for actor the late Vivek, who was hailed as “Chinna Kalaivanar” (Kalaivanar Junior). Lyricist Udumalai Narayana Kavi; actors “Kaka” Radhakrishnan and “Pulimoottai” Ramasamy were also associated with N.S.Krishnan as a team of artists. Time is a giant-size rubber that erases even deep seated memories but N.S.Krishnan would be indelible in the hearts of people.
Overwhelming generosity in helping others sank him in huge debts. His last days were miserable. He passed away on 30th August 1952. In Nagercoil, opposite Pioneer Lodge, the statue of N.S.Krishnan has been installed. He would exist in our memory for ever.
Source: ‘Viduthalai’
