NAGESH - THE LEGEND NO MORE WITH US
Born as Gundu Rao in 1933 in Erode district of Tamil Nadu, 400 km south of here in an orthodox Hindu Brahmin Vaishnavite family, Nagesh relocated to Chennai in the fifties in search of a career.
Sharing a single room in West Mambalam, then a remote, southwest suburb here, with lyricist Vaali and actor Srikant, Nagesh stumbled into showbiz after acting in an amateur play.
Thanks to generous praise from M.G. Ramachandran, Nagesh was introduced into films as a comedian with a sad twist in ‘Server Sundaram’ in 1964. – his first film was a blockbuster From then on he went ahead to carve a niche for himself in the Tamil Movie industry successfully
He was in fact the most sought after comedian in the MGR-Sivaji era - holding his own against these superstars - and became very busy doing shifts after shifts to become a regular feature in all films that were released in sixties and seventies.
The actor’s serious roles in films like Ethirneechal where he played a poor but a bright student dependent on others for a livelihood and that of a cancer patient in Neerkumizhi were well-received by audience and critics alike. There were other films which had audience in splits like Panathotam, Soap-Seepu-Kannadi, Patnathil Bootham, to name few.
But then who can forget the great actor in Nagesh if he/she has been watching movies from childhood When we were in the schools we had seen lots and lots people trying to act the role of ‘Dharumi’ in Thruvilayadal – a masterpiece where everyone vied with each other to bring their histrionics to the fore.
This character and the film was - why was - is still very popular that we hear the audio of this film relayed whenever there is a religious Hindu festival in any of the temples abound Tamil Nadu. That shell starved like figure of Dharumi – fitting to Nagesh - with an unflinched and pure bakthi towards God Sokanathar ; the thirst to earn a livelihood by writing poems from what he knew of the Tamil language; the way of presentation to the King; the hilarious arguments he advances in defending a song written by some one and brought to the congregation of Tamil Sangam – I think only Nagesh could have lived that role
The next one which touched me – and of course few of you too – was the excellent character in ‘Vaithy’ in Thillana Mohanambal I heard that writer of this story, who visualized this character was bent on handing this character to veteran Nagesh saying none others would fit in than him to do this character – After all, Nagesh did not prove him wrong The style, the modulation of voice, the way he went about with other characters donned by the greats like Sivaji, Baliah etc., was something the tinsel world will never ever produce again.
He has also acted in lots of dramas which I had witnessed during my school days – if I remember – under the banner of Ragini Recreations ably directed by none other than the great Balachander. They were amateur then but look at the turn of events which brought around an absolute transformation - beyond compare - to see this man maturing from stage to filmdom to entertain all us through the sweat of his brow.
The Jerry Lewis of Tamil cinema - Nagesh was a big fan of the American comedian and closely followed his style of dressing– though few of say that he had copied him in his dances etc will also appreciate it is not an easy task to do either – the bends during dances totally to the floor then raising up – all are not easily done Did you watch him in the songs of ‘Malaranra Mugam..” [Kathalika Neeramillai] ‘Avalukenna Azagiya Mugam ‘ [Server Sundaram] ; to mention a few.
When the competition amongst comedians was reaching the peak he was wise enough to shift his emphasis to Villainous role to keep things going – taken a leaf from Late Jai Shanka the Hero turned Villain – and was again a great success
Nagesh, a 1000 film veteran, was admired for his timing and intonation which had the audience in splits – appreciated very well as great relief in serious movies.
Nagesh has starred with three generations of actors. Beginning with MGR and Sivaji he acted with Rajnikanth and Kamal Hassan and later went on to share Screen space with current heartthrobs Vijay and Ajit Kumar. In his later years Nagesh starred in a few films and was a regular in most of Kamal Hassan movies.
The two had acted together in films which included Michael Madana Kama Rajan Apoorva Sagotharargal, Avvai Shanmugi and Panchathanthiram.
His role as a dead terrorist being transported by women protagonists in Kamal Hassan’s home production Magalir Mattum earned him lots of accolades.
The actor played himself in Rajnikant-starrer Thillu Mullu the Tamil version of Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Hindi movie Golmaal .
To merely describe him as a funny man would be an injustice to this acting institution par excellence,’ and ‘All of us in the Tamil film industry have learnt our craft from Nagesh,’ added Kamal Haasan amidst tears.
‘There was only one man who could steal a scene with aplomb and yet look appropriately, apologetically comical to soften the blow on fellow performers. It is truly an end of an era,’ superstar Rajnikant said.
‘In a way, the immortal song lip synched by Nagesh in ‘Neerkumuzhi’ (water bubble) - ‘After a playful life’s dance, a six feet (grave) alone is one’s real estate,’ would form an apt epitaph for the immortal Nagesh,’ actor, political commentator and former co-star Cho S. Ramaswamy .
We would all miss him amongst us today and as an ardent fan of his, I adore him for his great sense of timing – a definite trait for any comedian - and superb action- be it comedy, villain or a character . ALL ROLLED IN ONE WHICH ONLY A FEW CAN WELL ACHIEVE
I am sure all you who are privileged to reminisce would join in praying Him to rest this legend’s soul in peace and give enough strength to his family to bear this irrepariable loss, not to talk of the tinsel world which cradled him and bred him to fame all these 50 odd years and 1000 odd films
“I will not sleep till I finish whatever I have started” Nagesh said in August 2005 during the release of an autobiographical book ‘Siriththu Vaazha Vendum’ (’Live Laughing’).
HAS HE FINISHED WHATAEVER HE STARTED, TO ETERNALLY SLEEP NOW, WE WONDER !!
