J. P. Chandrababu
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JP Chandrababu (1926–1974) - Tamil film comedian-actor, singer and dancer, whose chaplin-style on-screen movements and unique singing style, with some humorous yet philosophical Tamil lyrics and a bass voice, made him popular from the late 1940s to the early 1970s.
He was often likened to the styles of Jerry Lewis, the famous Hollywood comedian-actor. His slapstick style of comedy was then used by later generation actors like Prabhu Deva in Kaadhalan movie. Chandrababu's eloquence in Madras Bashai, a dialect unique to the lower socio economic status, was incomparable for a long time until Kamal Haasan could do it (although when Kamal does that, it’s irritating rather than entertaining), a couple of decades later. Many of Chandrababu’s songs have remained popular through the generations to this day - to the old and young alike.
Chandrababu’s family originally hailed from Tuticorin, India - from the Tamil Paravas community - however, he was born and raised in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where his father worked for a Tamil daily published there, during the British colonial days.
Chandrababu made his way to Chennai (Madras) in India, and eventually came into the Tamil film world, which gave him a chance to unleash his many talents.
Chandrababu occupied the second tier of popular Tamil film comedians, after N.S. Krishnan but before Nagesh. In a world used to sycophancy (for most of the time it was that), there was one man who cut it out completely, Chandrababu. Even M.G.R., who was more than Anne to lesser mortals, who was Vathiyaar, Thalaivar, even Puratchi Nadigar (revolutionary actor), was only ‘Mr. M.G.R’ to Chandrababu. He saw nothing revolutionary in MGR’s acting, not even one revolution. One must say that this sort of spunk, along with Chandrababu’s habit of calling a spade a spade and an ass an ass, earned him a lot of enemies. The tragedy was that Chandrababu who knew a spade for a spade did not know the enemy for the enemy. It was this naiveté that finally sealed his fate. Though multi-talented and successful in his career, he could not emulate the same level of success in his personal life - he became addicted to alcohol after a failed marriage and died in 1974, at the relatively young age of 48 - still making a mark in the world of Tamil arts.
The Sivaji-Prabhu Charities Trust, with the Department of Posts, has brought out a special postal cover commemorating Chandrababu's long and successful career. The cover was released by T. Panneerselvam, Postmaster-General, Chennai City Region. It depicts stills from Chandrababu's films Sabash Meena - a 1958 classic he starred in along with Sivaji - Kadavulai Kanden and Sahodari, and his pictures with M.G.R. and M.R. Radha. The function was attended by many noteworthy personalities from the film industry, actor Prabhu, producer Ramkumar (sons of Sivaji Ganesan), music director M.S. Viswanathan, AVM Saravanan and KRG, president, SIFCC. Clips from Chandrababu's movies were also screened at the function.
[edit] Popular songs
The following are some of Chandrababu's songs that have remained popular to this day :
- Konjam Thallikanum (song) - Kadavulai Kandein (film)
- Buthiyulla Manidharellam (song) – Annai (film)
- Kavalai Illadha Manidhan - Kavalai Illadha Manidhan
- Kunguma Poove Konjum Puraave - Maragadham (with Jamuna Rani)
- Pirakkum Podhum Azhukindran - Kavalai Illadha Manidhan
- Porandhalum Aambalaiya Porakka Koodadhu - Policekaaran Magal (with LR Eswari)
- Naan Oru Muttalunga - Sahodari
- Eppo Vachikkalam - Pandhapasam
- Rock Rock Rock - Padhi Bhakti (with Tiruchi Loganathan)
- Thangadhamma Thangadhu Samsaram Thangadhu - Senthamarai
- Bambara Kannale - Manamagan Thevai
- Nee Adinal - Pandi Thevan (with Jikki)
- Kanmani Pappa - Thattungal Thirakkappadum
- Sirippu Varudhu Sirippu Varudhu - Andavan Kattalai
- Ayyo Machan Mannaru - Sri Valli
- Ondra Kannu Doriya - Valiba Virundhu (with Jamuna Rani)
- Thadukkadhe Ennai Thadukkadhe - Mannadhi Mannan (with Jamuna Rani)
- Jigu Jigu Jigu - Kathavarayan (with Jikki)
- Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga - Pudhayal - 1957
- Pudichalum Pudhicha Puliyankomba Pudicha - Nimirnthu Nil
- Kalyanam Kalyanam.. Ullasamagave Ulagathil - Penn
- Gova Mambazhame Malgova Mambazhame - Maman Magal
- Ennai theriyalayaa - Yaarukku Sondham
- Paraanda Mannar Ellam - Kulebaghavali
- Jolly Life Jolly Life - Kalyanam Panniyum Brahmachari (playback for Sivaji)
- Un Thirumugathey Oru Mugama (Mahadevi)
- Kadhal Enbathu Edhu Varai - Paatha Kaanikkai
- Thandana Paatu Paadanum
- Solluratha Solliputaen
- Aalu Ganam Aanaal
- Aan Ondru Paada
- Aathukku Paalam Avasiyam
- Hello My Dear Ramy
- Intha Thinnai Paechu - Padhi Bhakti (with TMS)
- Moodinalum Thirandhalum
- Onnume Puriyalae
- Thaniya Thavikkira Vayasu
- Thanthaane Than Thaane
- Thillaana Paatu Paadi
- Yeh Vilayaadu Raaja Vilayaadu
