Kothamangalam Seenu

Kothamangalam Seenu (Tamil: கொத்தமங்கலம் சீனு - 17 February 1910 - 30 August 2001) was a Tamil Stage, Cinema actor and a Carnatic music singer.

Early life

Kothamangalam Seenu whose birth name is V. S. Srinivasan, was born in Vathirairuppu (anglicised as ‘Watrap'), a village in Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu. His parents were Subramaniya Iyer and Narayani Ammal. Not much is known about his early life at his birth place except that he was well trained in Carnatic music. He went to Kothamangalam, a village in Pudukottai district in search of employment.

Career

He started his career as a singer and recorded some gramophone records. He gave concerts and also trained students in Carnatic music. Later he joined with Kothamangalam Subbu and began acting in dramas with him.

Film career

His melodious voice and expertise in Carnatic music attracted film producers. Soon, he began to act in films. The first film that he acted was Sarangadhara, released in 1935. He acted in the main character. During the early years of Tamil Cinema, music and songs dominated the films. In some cases there were as many as 50, 60 songs in one film. Therefore, there was much scope for singers to act in films and Seenu had good opportunities. However, there were already two big 'guns' who mesmerized people with their golden voice and acting skill. M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and P. U. Chinnappa were considered 'Super Stars' and held by the people in high esteem. But Kothamangalam Seenu established a place for himself as a singer actor. After Sarangadhara, he acted in Pattinathar and Vipra Narayana. His songs in Shantha Sakkubai, released in 1939, became very popular. He delivered a musical discourse (கதா காலட்சேபம்) that was a hit. He acted in the main role as Thirumangai Alvar in the film with the same name and was released in 1940. His songs in this film were popular. He acted in several films during the 1940s. His last film 'Thulasi Jalandar' was released in 1947. Thereafter, though he lived for more 50 years, he did not act in any films.

But he was performing Carnatic music concerts on Radio.