Died 20 May 1952 | ||
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Born Subramanian Alias M.V. Mani.
Contents
- Early life
- Entry into Chennai and acted in drama and film Industry
- Entry into freedom struggle and social work
- MV Mani Filmography
- References
Died 20 May 1952 Residence Chennai, Tamil Nadu Nationality Indian Other name(s) Mantri Vancheeswaran Mani
Occupation Drama and film actor;
Known for Freedom fighter. Great conservationist as reported by Legendary Tamil actor and C.M of Tamil Nadu M.G. Ramachandran in his autobiography ‘Nan Yaean Piranthaen’.
Notable work Formed South Indian Film Artistes Association in 1938 for the first time and was the Secretary of the said Association with P.N. Velu Nair as President.
Early life
Born in Vaikom, a temple city situated in Kottayam District Vancheeswaran Subramanian known as M.V. Mani as eldest son to his parents Vancheeswaran and Kaveri Ammal. Aspiring to become a film/drama actor made him to give up his education, after having passed 5th standard in Vaikom at the tender age of 11, left his home and his parents with 4 annas (equivalent to Indian rupee 25 paise) with a baggage full of utmost confidence and hope in himself to shine as star in filmdom a day.
Having left home, first he got into a job as a cook in Malayatur to survive for some time and proceeded to Thanjavur to learn Carnatic music as a pre-requisite in those days to become film star/drama actor. Becoming to be a fully proficient in music seemed to be a time consuming process, he proceeded immediately to Madras (now known as Chennai), the Mecca of South Indian Film Industry, at the age of 16 (year 1919), with practically nothing as his possession except of a pair of tattered Dhoti and a towel.
Entry into Chennai and acted in drama and film Industry
He joined the then renowned drama troupe "Ottraivaadai Theatre", run by one Jagannatha aiyer to start his career as a drama actor there. With the blessings and grace of Aiyer, he acted in several dramas such as Lava Kusa, Pathi Pakti, Rajambal, Krishna Leela. His best performance Judge in the drama -’Rajambal’, helped him to play the role of an advocate in its film version. Then, on the recommendation of N.S Krishnan, Mani was given a plum role of a Detective Srinivasan in the film "Sathi Leelavathi", ( the first debut film for the legendary Actor turned Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.G. Ramachandran who highlighted about him in his own biography "Naan Yaen Piraenthaen",).Also he acted/associated with famous film personalities viz., S.S.Vasan, A.Nageswara Rao, Anjali Devi, M.G. Chakrapani, R.S. Manohar, N.C. Vasanthakokilam, K.B. Sundarambal, G.N. Balasubramanian,T.N. Rajaratnam Pillai, Comedian Sarangapani, T.S. Balaiah, M.K.Radha, Ellis Duncan of Hollywood and others
His sway in Tamil film Industry paved him acting in "Sathi Anusaya" with the Great Carnatic musician cum actor G.N. Balasubramaniam (GNB), "Sri Kandha Leela" with the popular versatile actress K.B.Sundarambal (Avvaiyaar Pugazh); followed by "Kalamegam", acted with the legendary Nadhaswara Vidvan "Rajarathnam Pillai". In "Venu Ganam", he co-starred with the famous Carnatic Music Singer "N.C.Vasantha Kokilam" followed by "Maccha Reka" acted with the celebrated Artist "T.R. Mahalingam".
His prowess acting ability made Great S.S. Vasan to offer a great role of Patti [Minister] in his film "Dasi Aparanji", which proved to be a hit film in those days. His role as Minister earned him to appellate Manthri V. Mani, shortly known as M.V.Mani In "Madana Mala" he exhibited his talent in sword fighting which was popular in those days.
Entry into freedom struggle and social work
Mani was a true Gandhiyan and has taken part in the freedom struggle by sharing dais in the public meetings with Rajaji, Namakkal Rajamanikkam Pillai, Kalki Krishnamurthi and others. His own trials and tribulations in Film Industry urged him to create an Association with the prime motive of enhancing the status of those associated with Film Industry in general and actors in particular. Being a herculean task to achieve, he worked day and night with a vow of no shaving till the association is successfully formed. Finally, Mani succeeded in his efforts in forming the Film Actors ‘Association with Mr. P.S.Velu Nair as President and himself as the first secretary of the association The seed that Mani had sown to form a strong film artists welfare association has grown into a great Vriksha presently known as "Nadigar Sangam"
M.V. Mani Filmography
1.Sathi Leelavathi (1936) produced by Manorama films and directed by Ellis R. Dungan [Hollywood] and actors were M.V. Mani, M.K.Radha, T.S.Balaiya, M.G.Ramachandran [legendary actor who become Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu] later and N.S.Krishnan and T.A. Maduram. See the review from "The Hindu", dated 07/14.04.2016)
2.Sathi Anusuya (1937) produced by M.A.S & Company directed by Prem Ratna. The main actors were G.N. Balasubramaniyam legendary Carnatic Musician and T.S.Balaiya.
3.Sri Kandha Leela (1938) produced by Kovai Premier cinetone [P] Ltd,; Film directed by H.S. Mehta and actors were M.V.Mani, M.G. Dhandapani, K.B. Sundarambal, Danalakshmi and others. (See the reiview taken from "The Hindu", dated 30.03.2013)
4.Kalamegam (1940) : M.V. Mani (also known as Thanjavur Mani) acted in this film with the celebrated Nadaswara Vidwan T.N.Rajamanickam pillai.
5.Venu Ganam(1941): M.V. Mani acted with celebrated Carnatic vocalist N.C. Vasanthakokilam. (See the review taken from "The Hindu" dated 12.02.2010)
6.Bhakta Naradar (1942) produced by Gemini Studios directed by S. Soundar Rajan and along with M.V. Mani, Kotthamangalam Seenu, Kotthamangalam Subbu, S.R. Janaki, and others.
7.Anandan(1942): Written and Directed by S.D.S. Yogi, acted with S.D.R.Chandran, B.Saraswathi etc., See the review of "The Hindu", dated 01.11.2015)
8.Dasi Aparanji (1944) produced by S.S.Vasan of Gemini studios directed by B.N.Rao Actors were besides M.V. Mani, Pushpavalli, M.K.Radha, N.A. Sundarm, Kotthamangalam Subbu, M.S. Sundaribai and others. See the review of "The Hindu" dated 19.09.2008)
9.Deiva Needhi (1947) : Acted with P.Kannamba and K.R. Ramasamy etc., (see the review from The Hindu Dated: 12.12.2010)
10.Madana Mala (1948) Film directed by K. Vembu. [film produced in 1948] acted by M.V. Mani with P.B. Rangachari, P.S. Veerappa, R.N. Nambiar (See the review from "The Hindu", dated 05.03.2011)
11.Maya Malai (1951): film directed by Mirshavur Raja Saheb actors were M.V. Mani, A. Nageswara Rao and Anjali Devi. [produced in 1951]
12.Rajambal (1951): produced by Arunaa films directed by S. Balachandar; acted with R.S. Manohar and Mathuri Devi. [produced in 1951]. (See the Review taken from "The Hindu" dated 03.01.2009).
13.Manavathi (1952): Acted with Y.V.Rao, S. Varalakshmi, directed by P.V. Ramanna and other details unavailable
14.Jagadalapradhapan (1944): produced by S.M.Sriramulu Naidu; acted by M.V.Mani, P.U. Chinnappaa, T.S. Balaiya, and others. [produced in 1944].Watch the Video:YOU TUBE & http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/jagathalaprathapan-1944/article569093.ece Dated 14 August 2010