Chandrababu 96th Birth Anniversary: Some lesser-known facts about the misunderstood genius
When the film industry was ruled by two stalwarts – Sivaji Ganesan and MGR – a multi-talented comic actor held on to his own forte and commanded remuneration on par with the leading stars.
The name is Chandrababu. Born in Tuticorin as Joseph Panimayadasan Rodriguez to freedom fighter J.P. Rodriguez, his on-screen moniker is still a mystery.
His father, a friend of freedom fighter V.O. Chidambaram Pillai, was running a magazine ‘Sudhanthira Veeran’ at Mannadi in Chennai and was exiled to Sri Lanka for his campaign against British rule.
A charming dancer and singing comedian, this man initiated ‘yodelling’ in playback singing, as early as the 1950s.
Chandrababu’s chaplinesque on-screen movements and unique crooning style made him intensely popular from the late 1940s to the early 1970s.
The talented actor went on to star in seventy six films in this period and through his versatility, managed to carve an indelible niche for himself.
Known for his generosity and candor, his habit of calling a spade a spade earned him a lot of enemies, restricting his opportunities slowly, and his last years turned out to be a tragic tale.
There is an apocryphal story that on the night of his marriage, he allowed his wife to join her lover after she disclosed her love for another man.
Bambara Kannalae, Kunguma Poove, Buddhi Ulla Manithenellam, Sirippu varudu Sirippu varudu, Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga, and Onnume Puriyale Ulagithile are some of his greatest hits.
Bambara Kannalae, Kunguma Poove, Buddhi Ulla Manithenellam, Sirippu varudu Sirippu varudu, Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga, and Onnume Puriyale Ulagithile are some of his greatest hits.
