The Tamil Nadu Thirapada Iyakkunar Sangam, or TANTIS, honoured legendary filmmaker Bhimsingh on his 100th birth anniversary, on Tuesday.
The official press note issued by the organisation, noted, that the director has carved out a lasting place for himself in Tamil cinema. The note read, "With his family-orientated films, beginning from 'Pa', like Padikkatha Medhai, Paasamalar, Paalum Pazhamum and Pazhani, Bhimsingh lives on in the hearts of the Tamil people."
The organisation said that it will honour and preserve the legacy of the National Award-winning director.
Director A Bhim Singh, was born in present day Andhra Pradesh on October 15, 1924. He started his film career working as an assistant editor to the hit director-duo Krishnan and Panju. He was married to Krishnan's sister Sona and later also married actor Sukumari. Popular editor B Lenin and cinemtographer B Kannan are Bhimsingh's sons with Sona, while he had Suresh with Sukumari.
Bhimsingh, in his career, has had actor Sivaji Ganesan as his regular collaborator in a career spanning over two decades. Notably, Kamal Haasan was first introduced in his film Kalathur Kannamma, and his penultimate film Iraivan Kodutha Varam featured Rajinikanth in the lead.
As a record in its own right, the director has made 14 films with 'Pa' syllable: Pathi Bakthi, Bhaaga Pirivinai, Padikkadha Medhai, Pasamalar, Palum Pazhamum, Paava Mannippu, Bandha Pasam, Parthal Pasi Theerum, Padithal Mattum Podhuma, Paar Magaley Paar, Pachchai Vilakku, Pazhani, Paaladai and Paadhukaappu.
Bhimsingh has won five National Awards for films like Bhaaga Pirivinai (President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Tamil), Kalathur Kannamma (Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film in Tamil), Paava Mannippu (All India Certificate of Merit for the Second Best Feature Film), Pasamalar (Certificate of Merit for Second Best Feature Film in Tamil), and Pazhani (Certificate of Merit for Second Best Feature Film in Tamil).
Apart from Tamil, Bhimsingh has also directed films in Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.