R. Muthuraman

Radhakrishnan Devar Muthuraman popularly known as R. Muthuraman (4 July 1929 – 1981) was an Indian film actor who predominantly appeared in Tamil language films. He was a leading actor during the 1960s and 1970s and was fondly called as Navarasa Thilagam. He had paired with all the leading heroines of his time and acted in over a hundred films. Muthuraman's son Karthik is also a popular Tamil actor and politician, and his grandson Gautham Karthik is also an actor who made his debut in Kadal (2013).

Early life

Muthuraman was born in Thanjavur (Orathanadu Taluk -Okkanadumelayur) to a family that had no stage or acting links. He was the son of an advocate and his uncle was a police officer. However, in his youth he was attracted towards films and the fine arts. He joined the field much later in life, as he first became a government employee due to family pressure.

Film career

In 1947, was acting in stage group called Vairam Nadaka Sabha along with Veteran Manorama, Kulatheivam Rajagopal etc. He was helped by a known philanthropist Sri KSBS Ganapathi (Late) from Thoothukudi to come in Cine field.

Muthuraman was a stage actor in his early days. He joined veteran actor S.S. Rajendran's SSR Nataka Mandram and then Seva Stage and acted in numerous dramas, including Manimagudam, Muthumandapam and Bharathiyar's poetic dramas.

He acted as Suppu, a simpleton in Thenthoosi, a film that starred Gemini Ganesan in the lead role. He went to play a few major roles and many secondary roles in about 100 movies in the sixties and seventies. Although he was a player in an era dominated by stalwarts such as MGR, Sivaji Ganesan and Gemini Ganesan, he made a name and place for himself as a popular supporting actor. This handsome and mature actor was known as Navarasa Thilakam.

He was paired with many heroines of the time including Devika and Jayalalithaa, but his most constant heroine with whom he was paired for a record of 19 times was Kanchana. He starred in many successful films, in co-hero roles in movies such as Kaadhalikka Neramillai and supporting roles in movies such as Server Sundaram.

Family

Muthuraman was married to Sulochana. The couple had four children, the youngest of whom, Karthik Muthuraman, became a popular actor in his own right.

Death

In October 1981, Muthuraman arrived at Ooty to attend the shooting for Ayiram Muthangal. When he was jogging as part of a routine exercise, he fainted due to a heart attack. The film unit of Moondram Pirai saw Muthuraman on the road and called for a doctor. But the doctor declared Muthuraman dead on 16 October. He was 52 years old at the time of his death.