Many might know only the Shankar who made Indian, Robo etc but there was another eminent film maker K.Shankar Who had a long film career spanning more than 40 yrs. Kunnessiri Shankar was born in Palakkad district since his family moved to Coimbatore he did his studies there. Due to family/financial status he then started working and landed in a asst editor job in a cinema studio. In 1939 he joined Central Studios and then in Pakshiraja studios. During that period AVM was functioning from KAraikudi and they used to frequent pakshiraja studios for editing and thus Shankar was hepful for the AVM crew. Shankar also protected the Vedhala ulagam film reel from fire and thus made an impression on AVM. Also Mr M.V.Raman who was working under AVM Chettiar was impressed by Shankar’s involvement took him along when AVM migrated from Karaikudi to Chennai. Thus the man born in Palakkad, who was working in Coimbatore landed in Chennai - the city of dreams .He continued as editor in the AVM productions. An editor can become an excellent director and thus Shankar got the opportunity to direct first ever film, a Sinhala film “Doctor” under AVM banner. He continued to direct few other films especially bhakta ravana (hindi), bookailas(telugu) & bookailasa(Kannada) in the year 1957-1958. The film became super hit in all 3 languages and K.Shankar became noticeable among film makers. After spending 12-13 years in AVM, Shankar decided to move on so he came out of AVM and directed his first outside film “Ore Vazhi” meaning “Only Way” in 1959 which was produced by Vasu menon. This film had Prem Nazir doing the male lead. After the success of Malai itta mangai Kavingar Kannadasan produced an epic movie which dealt the story about Maruthupandiar brothers “Sivagangai Seemai” for which he chose Shankar to be the director. This film was God’s gift for Shankar as he was able to prove how good of a director he was. Though the film was a commercial failure the way the scenes were narrated and how he picturized the songs were all noticed by many film makers. Shankar & Mellisai Chakravarthy MSV’s association started with this film and they went on to become one of the longest career combo until 2000s (Vetri Vinayagar). Thendral vandhu veesadho, kanavu kanden, imaiyum vizhiyum, Sandhu pottu all classic songs from Sivagangai seemai tuned by MSV-TKR for the bful lyrics of Kaviyarasar are classic even today. Thus K.Shankar became a prime director. Films followed him. Kaviyarasar’s next venture Kavalai illadha manidhan (pirakkum podhum azhugindran). His major hit came in the form of Kairasi. It had Gemini Ganesh & Sarojadevi in lead. Melodious tunes by R.Govardanam master (kannum kannum pesiyadhu, anbulla athan vanakkam, kaathirundhen kaathirundhen, kaalamenum aatrinile all became popular), great story and of course fine direction by Shankar made the film a great success. Shankar excelled in choosing stories as well. Being an editor himself and now a director he played the role brilliant in identifying his stories. During that time he also started directing Malayalam & Hindi films. He also broke the myth of bhimsingh’s “Pa” series by directing another hit movie produced by Saravana films G.N.Velumani “Paadha kaanikkai” starring Gemini ganesh, Savithiri, Asokan,vijayakumari, MRR, MVrajamma, SVsubbiah,CKsaraswathi,master kamalhassan & JPchandrababu. Film was a great success and Shankar was successful in social drama as well. 1962-63 These years mark the new association of Shankar with Nadigar thilagam & also with Makkal thilagam. Shankar knew NT from the days of parasakthi when he was in AVM. From being a normal colleague they became friends and when Shankar first directed NT in PSV pictures“AAlayamani” it was like renewing the friendship which was going to last forever. He went on to direct more than 10 films of Sivaji Ganesan. Remember I mentioned about his story selection. He proves yet again in “Aalayamani”. What a tricky subject he chose and the way he directed it nothing but amazing. Especially the scenes involving NT,SSR & Sarojadevi. He brought in the “Anniyan” concept way back in 60’s and excelled in it. NT was class as usual obsessed with “Meena” doll and his hidden past while SSR was brilliant as the friend caught between his lover and best friend and SAro caught between 2 men all showcased their talent and movie was a runaway success and K.Shankar established himself as a brilliant director in TFM. During the same time to his surprise, he gets a call from Thalaivar’s (Puratchi thalaivar)office and he goes there thinking what would it be for. To his amusement thalaivar who is a great lover of arts has been following Shankar’s work so far and impressed by his talent he request Shankar direct his next film for G.N.Velumani. Production Company is already a home for Shankar but directing MGR was big question for him. He expressed his concern stating “I’m directing NT,Gemini and others and may be my style would not suit you and moreover the story you have is not my style” instantly MGR says “story will be changed according to your wish” and thus Shankar directed the hit film “PAnathottam” and his perception about MGR and his camp changed and a new association bloomed from then on. He directed more than 8-9 films of MGR as well thus Shankar became the only director who directed both Sivaji and MGR at the same time and handled their subjects very well. In the same year he gave hits like Aadiperukku(music by AMRaja), Ezhai pangalan(KVM) both with Gemini Ganesh. He also directed Ra .Ki.Rangarajan’s story with no star value actors except kannamba in “Idhu satyam”. Film had Asokan,Chandrakantha, Kannamba & others. Then came another critical story “Aandavan Kattalai” which dealt about a bachelor Professor falling for a student and blamed as a killer. Time & again his film making, taste for good music and the way of capturing songs all were too good and this movie was blockbuster. Can we forget the devotional “aaru maname aaru andha andavan kattalai aaru” thought provoking lyrics by Kaviyarasar. The evergreen NT-Devika TMS-PS duet “amaidhiyana nadhiyinile odam”. Classical melodies by MSV-TKR all paved the way for the film’s grand success. Shankar did not get carried away by the fact that he was able to direct both Puratchi thalaivar & Nadigar Thilagam at the same time. He continued what he knows best so time and again he directed movies with others and proved his caliber outside MT/NT arena as well. He directed a folklore movie “Veerakkanal” starring Gemini Ganesh & Anjalidevi which was a moderate hit He gave a super hit for AVM-Saravana films combined production “Panjavarna kili” which had Jai doing 2 roles , Muthuraman, KRVijaya and others. Shankar loved tamil and all his films had atleast 1 bharathiyar, bharathidasan songs. Panchavarna kili had the great song by Bharathidasan which talks about the greatness of Tamil language and who else but MSV-TKR can tune for such a lyrical beauty and who else but the only Nightingale of India Smt P.Susheela can render it. Yes “thamizhukkum amudhenru per” what a song. It stands the testimony after so many years and recently few youngsters have sung this same song and that video became viral in social media. Such is the impact of this song created some 40 yrs back and this captures Shankar’s taste in good music. Movie was a package of different story and wonderful songs especially the evergreen lullaby “Kannan varuvan kadhai solluvan”, lovely azhagan muruganidam all by P.Suseela Lyrics by Vaali. Vaali was asked to pen a counter song to bharathidasan’s Thamizhukkum amudhendru and he did a fantastic job in “Avalukkum thamizhendru per”. Thus Panjavarna kili is still remembered for wonderful songs by MSV-TKR and shankar’s direction. Shankar again took up a fantasy subject mixing Sivakamiyin sabatham into a social movie yes “KAlangarai Vilakkam”. Another super hit movie in Shankar-Puratchi thalaivar combo. What a making by Shankar. If you haven’t watched the movie yet please watch in youtube. The scene with the movie begins is an example for Shankar’s brilliant take. Night effect, car in road and a girl running .. Shankar hit sixer with just that 1 scene. Rest is history. Kalangarai vilakkam MSV’s solo hit and Mellisai chakravarthy proved again why he is the king of Light music. Re-recording for this movie is a class by itself. Ofcourse do we need to talk about songs.. everyone knows in depth about it. Pon ezhil poothathu (panju’s lyrics), Ennai marandhathen(again panju) Sange muzhangu(bharathidasan), Kaatru vanga ponen, pallavan pallavi padattume & enna uravo -3 TMS solos by Vaali. During the shooting of Kalangarai vilakkam, MGR found out that Shankar is in search of a groom for his daughter and immediately telephoned his brother M.G.Chakrapani requesting shankar’s daughter to be married to their son Ramamoorthy and thus MGR brought Shankar into the family. This not only proves the greatness of MGR but also his affection towards Shankar. He also started directing hindi movies like Jhoola( sunil dutt,vaijayanthi mala), Rajkumar (starring shammi Kapoor, sadhana) His stint with NT continued in the form of Anbukkarangal , while his association with MGR continued with hit movies like chandrodayam, kudiyirundha kovil. MGR first directed Nadodi mannan and then he planned a magnum opus “Adimai pen” with Sarojadevi, K.r.vijaya, rathna but got dropped due to various reasons and when he took up the project again he asked none other than his friend Shankar to be the captain and Shankar accepted and did amazing job. Can we forget Adimai pen, Jaipur palace shots. All brilliant direction by Shankar. Two notable singers TMS & ALRaghavan produced movie “Kallum kaniyagum” and they invited Shankar to direct their maiden venture and as usual he did amazing job. He continued to direct in hindi and also MGR films like pallandu vazhga(onre kulam endru), Uzhaikkum karangal, indru pol endrum vazhga Every human goes through changes as we grow and our interest and attention towards god automatically catches up after a certain age and Shankar who was making various social type movies switched gears to devotion with 1978’s super hit movie “Varuvan Vadivelan”. He continued what APN was doing once. May be Shankar might have felt the need for Devotional movies due to the scenario prevailed at that time. He made Devotional films one after another majority of which had music by MSV. Varuvan Vadivelan, Bala Nagamma, Devi Darisanam, Thaai Mookambikai. He is the creator behind the classic “Janani Janani”. Situation by Shankar, Music by Illayaraja and mesmerizing lyrics by Vaali. Classic indeed. Devotional movies continued in the form of Ayiram kannudayal, Raja rishi, Navagraha nayagi,Yaamirukka Bayamen, Deviyin thiruvilayadal, Nambinar keduvathillai, Suprabatham,Mupperum deviyar, Velundu vinaiyillai, Mupperum deviyar, Meenakshi thiruvilayadal, sabari malayil thanga sooryodayam,vetri vinayagar. His continuous making of Devotional movies landed him the title “Irai arul kalaiselvar” K.Shankar. During this period he did direct few social movies for his friends, Miruthanga chakravrthy,Chiranjeevi for Sivaji SSR’s last film Irattai manidhan (inspired from Golmal) was directed by Shankar as well. Vayasu ponnu, Neelakadalin orathil were also in his kitty. While he was directing Bookailasa in AVM(1957-58) both NTR & ANR were impressed by his work. Years later in 1979 he directed NTR & latha in Srungara ramudu. Shankar was the one to take Puratchi thalaivar to Mookambikai temple Thus K.Shankar is an unforgettable personality in the Tamil film Industry but unfortunately we don’t get to see anyone speak about him like we do for KB, Sridhar and few others K.B(my fav), C.V.Sridhar are great but eminent directors like P.Neelakantan, Dada mirasi, P.Madhavan, D.yoganand, K.Shankar, A.C.Thirulogachander all made a great impact to TFM and we should definitely appreciate these talented directors as well. Will come back with another artist soon Rajesh Lavanya.
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