Sankaradi remembering the first realistic actor in malayalam cinema
Chandrasekhara Menon, better known by his stage (and ancestor house) name Sankaradi (Malayalam: ശങ്കരാടി; 1924–2001), was an Indian actor. He was a veteran Malayalam comedian and character artiste, who had over 700 Malayalam films to his credit. He was one of the first realistic actors in South Indian cinema. He dominated the Malayalam film scene in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s as comedian along with Adoor Bhasi and Bahadur. Later, he switched to character roles.
Sankaradi passed intermediate from Maharajas College, Ernakulam. Before entering films, Sankaradi briefly dabbled in politics, journalism and theatre. He had earlier joined the Indian National Congress, but later became a cardholder of the undivided Communist Party of India (CPI). However, he returned his party card after the CPI split in 1964 and turned to theatre.
Sankaradi joined the trade union movement at Baroda Railways while he was studying Marine engineering at Baroda. He abandoned his studies to pursue job as a journalist in The Literary Review a newspaper from Mumbai.
Film career
A stint in theatre in the mid-1960s in Kerala prepared Sankaradi for his foray into films. Since his debut in Kunchacko's Kadalamma, he remained an integral part of Malayalam cinema till his death.
In 1968, he acted in Viruthan Shanku, the first full-length comedy in Malayalam cinema directed by P. Venu. Sankaradi won the state's best character artiste award in 1969-71. He also holds the record for featuring in over 300 films with evergreen hero Prem Nazir.
He was born to Memana Parameswara Pillai and Sankaradi Thoppil Parambil Janaki Amma on 1924 at Cherai, Kochi, India. He had four siblings, Balan Menon, Sarojini, Lakshmikuty and Indira.
Sankaradi remained bachelor for a long time till he married Sharada in the late 1980s; the couple had no children. He was known throughout his film career by his house name (Tharavadu) "Sankaradi". He died at his home in Cherai at 10 PM on 8 October 2001, aged 77. He was ailing for a while until his death. He was cremated with full state honours at the premises of his home the next day. 'Harikrishnans', directed by Fazil, was his last film.
Filmography
Actor
1999
The Porter as
Ezhuthachan Panikkar
1998
Kusruthi Kuruppu
1998
Meenathil Thalikettu as
Durga's husband
1998
Sundarakilladi as
Malliyannan
1998
Harikrishnans
1997
Aaram Thamburan as
Ezhuthachan
1997
Aniyathi Pravu as
Ramachandran Nair
1997
Oral Mathram as
Tea Shop Owner
1997
Sankeerthanampole
1997
Vamsam as
Father Illikkadan
1996
April 19
1996
Lalanam as
Madhavan Pilla
1996
Thooval Kottaram as
Advocate
1996
Kaalapani as
Kunju Muhammad Musaliar
1995
Alanchery Thambrakal as
Chekutti Writer
1995
Sindoora Rekha as
Pisharadi
1995
The King as
Pillai
1995
No: 1 Sneha Theeram Bangalore North
1995
Mazhayethum Munpe as
Uma's Father
1995
Spadikam as
Judge
1994
Chanakya Soothrangal as
Velu Pilla
1994
Minnaram as
Iyer
1994
Pingami as
Muthappan
1994
Thenmavin Kombath as
Kannayyan
1993
Aalavattam as
Madhavan Maman
1993
Chenkol
1993
Kabooliwala as
Nair
1993
Midhunam
1993
Ponnaram Thottathe rajavu as
Madhava Menon
1993
Golanthara Vartha
1993
Sopanam as
Marar
1993
Aagneyam as
Ammavan
1993
Devasuram as
Kuttikrishnan Nair
1993
Aayirappara
1993
Samooham
1992
Aadharam as
Kesavan Nair
1992
Aayushkalam as
Fernandez
1992
Kaazhchakkppuram as
Madhavan Pillai
1992
Kallanum Polisum as
Madhava Kurup
1992
Kasargode Khadarbhai as
Pachalam Pappachan
1992
Nakshthrakoodaram as
Raghava Panikkar
1992
Snehasagaram as
Mamman
1992
Thiruthalvadhi
1992
Utsava Melam
1992
Vietnam Colony as
Insane Man
1992
Pappayude Swantham Appoos
1992
Mr & Mrs
1992
Johnnie Walker as
Principal
1991
Aakasha Kottayile Sultan as
Pillaichan
1991
Advaitham as
Gopalan Nair
1991
Bhoomika as
Chellappan Pillai
1991
Kakkathollayiram
1991
Kizhakkunarum Pakshi
1991
Mukha Chithram as
Sunanda's Father
1991
Nettippattam as
Achuthan Nair
1991
Uncle Bun as
Ittiyachan
1991
Godfather as
Advocate
1991
Ennum Nanmakal as
Gopinathan Nair
1991
Sandesham as
Kumara Pillai
1991
Chanchattam as
Yamuna's Father
1991
Amina Tailors as
Kunji Kannan Nair
1991
Anaswaram
1991
Kanalkkattu
1991
Adayalam as
Panicker
1991
Nayam Vyakthamakkunnu as
Sankaranarayanan Thampi
1991
Pookkalam Varavayi as
The Priest
1990
Brahma Rakshass as
Shankara Warrier
1990
Kouthuka Varthakal as
Aswathy's Father
1990
Kuruppinte Kanakku Pustakom as
Padmanabhan Nair
1990
Minda Poochakku Kalyanam as
Balaraman Pillai
1990
Mukham as
Kesavan Nair
1990
Radha Madhavam
1990
Rajavazhcha as
Kaimal
1990
Sasneham as
Padmanabhan
1990
Superstar as
Menon
1990
Thalayanamanthram as
Thankappan
1990
Thazhvaram as
Nanu
1990
Vidhyarambham
1990
Kalikkalam as
Ammavan
1990
His Highness Abdullah as
Raman Menon
1990
Shubha Yathra
1989
Ashokante Aswathikuttikku
1989
Chakkikotha Chankaran as
Police Officer
1989
Mazhavil Kavadi as
Kuriya Varkey
1989
Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam as
Pisharadi
1989
Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal as
College Principal
1989
Pooram
1989
Pradeshika Vaarthakal
1989
Ramji Rao Speaking as
Manager
1989
Ulsavapittennu as
Pangunni Nair
1989
Mrigaya as
Shankunni Smith
1989
Kireedam as
Krishnan Nair
1989
Vadakkunokkiyantram as
Thalathil Chanthu Nair
1989
Utharam as
Achuthan Nair
1989
Varavelpu as
Ammavan
1989
Adikkurippu as
Advocate Krishnakurup
1988
Athirtikal as
Manager Pilla
1988
Daisy as
Malayalam Teacher
1988
Padippura as
Koru Nair
1988
Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu as
Madhavan Nair
1988
Mukthi as
Ravunni Warrier
1988
Abkari as
Govindan
1988
Orkkappurathu as
House owner
1987
Aalippazhangal
1987
Ayitham
1987
Cheppu
1987
Idanazhiyil Oru Kaalocha as
Father K. M.
1987
Ivide Ellavarkkum Sugham as
Lazar
1987
Jaithra Yaathra as
An Advocate
1987
Nirabhedhangal as
Father of Shalini
1987
Oru Minnaminunginte Nurungu Vettam as
Menon
1987
Sarvakalasala as
Fr. Chanakathara
1987
Sruthi as
Kesava Menon
1987
Swargam
1987
Vamban as
Rajan Muthalali
1987
Vilambaram as
Judge
1987
Vrutham as
Kaimal
1987
Achuvettante Veedu as
Jacob
1987
Thoovanathumbikal as
Radha's Father
1987
Kalam Mari Katha Mari as
Sulaiman
1987
Nadodikkattu as
Panicker
1987
Adimakal Udamakal as
Govindan
1987
Ithrayum Kalam as
Mani
1987
Sreedharante Onnam Thirumurivu as
Kumaran
1986
Ashtabandham as
Jamath President
1986
Hello My Dear: Wrong Number as
Judge
1986
Ithra Maathram as
K. V. Menon
1986
Koodanayum Kattu as
Freddy, father of Liza
1986
Love Story as
Sreedharan
1986
Manasilloru Manimuthu
1986
Ninnishtam Ennishtam as
Doctor
1986
Oppam Oppathinoppam as
Paramu Nair
1986
Oru Yuga Sandhya
1986
Pappan Priyappetta Pappan as
Singapore Antappan
1986
Rithubhedam as
Karunakara Panikkar
1986
Sughamodevi as
Rajasekharan
1986
Thalavattam as
Thirumeni
1986
Vivahitare Itihile as
Dr. Satheesh
1986
Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam as
Adv. P. Sreedharan Nair
1986
Aavanazhi as
Vishwanathan
1986
Ice Cream as
Doctor
1986
Nandi Veendum Varika as
Chathukutty
1986
Gandhinagar 2nd Street
1985
Aanakkorumma
1985
Archana Aaradhana
1985
Ente Ammu Ninte Thulasi Avarude Chakki as
Vasu Pillai
1985
Gayathridevi Ente Amma as
Nambiar
1985
Guruji Oru Vakku
1985
Janakeeya Kodathi as
Sankaran
1985
Naayakan as
Murari Mash
1985
Orikkal Oridathu as
Kutti Naanu, father of Soniya (Rohini)
1985
Pacha Velicham as
Father of Mukundan (Shanker)
1985
Akalathe Ambili as
Father of Ambili
1985
Dheivatheyorthu
1985
Boeing Boeing as
M. T. E. Damodaran
1985
Koodum Thedi as
Eesho
1985
Anu Bandham as
Joseph
1985
Onnanam Kunnil Oradi Kunnil as
Col. P. K. Nair
1985
Thammil Thammil as
Bridegroom
1985
Eeran Sandhya as
Gopalan
1984
Aattuvanchi Ulanjappol
1984
Aduthaduthu as
Adiyodi
1984
Aksharangal as
Kumaran the writer; father of Geetha and Nalini
1984
Anithichuvappu
1984
Appunni as
Adhikari
1984
April 18
1984
Arante Mulla Kochu Mulla
1984
Ente Gramam
1984
Ente Nandinikkutty
1984
Ivide Thudangunnu as
Old Man at the Hotel #1
1984
Kaliyil Alpam Karyam
1984
Manasariyathe as
Sankaran
1984
Manithali as
Restaurant Owner
1984
Muthodu Muthu as
Thekkedathu Krishna Karnavar
1984
Pavam Poornima as
Nanu Kuruppu
1984
Poochakkoru Mookkuthi as
Adv. Sankaran Kutty
1984
Radhayude Kamukan
1984
Rekshas as
Sankaran
1984
Unni Vanna Divasom as
Kurup
1984
Vanitha Police
1984
Adiyozhukkukal as
Joseph
1984
Athirathram
1983
Aana as
Ali
1983
Aaroodam as
Thampuran
1983
Aashrayam
1983
Asthram as
Nanu
1983
Bandham
1983
Changatham
1983
Engane Nee Marakkum as
Raman Menon
1983
Iniyenkilum as
Narasimha Pai Govinda Pai
1983
Justice Raja as
Raman Nair
1983
Kinnaram as
V. N. Das, manager of the company where Sethu works
1983
Mandanmmar Londanil as
Kunjunni Mashu
1983
Maniyara as
Sheeja's Father
1983
Nathi Muthal Nathi Vare as
Velu Mooppan
1983
Onnu Chirikku as
Ananthapadmanabhan Iyer
1983
Oru Madapravinte Katha
1983
Parasparam
1983
Rathilayam as
Constable Vasu Pilla
1983
Thaalam Thettiya Tharattu as
Velu Pillai
1983
Yuddham as
Esthappan
1982
Aadharsham as
Velu Pilla
1982
Aarambham as
Velu
1982
Alolam as
Nanu Nair
1982
Ayudham as
Moosa
1982
Chiriyo Chiri
1982
Ee Nadu
1982
Enthino Pookunna Pookal as
Kurup
1982
Ethiralikal as
Mammukka
1982
Idavela as
Nambeesan Sir
1982
Ilakkangal as
Valyachan
1982
Kakka
1982
Kaliya Mardanam as
Mechanic
1982
Karthavyam as
Menon
1982
Kurukkante Kalyanam as
Thrivikraman
1982
Maruppacha as
Sankaradi Sankunni Menon
1982
Mazhanilavu as
Sankara Pilla
1982
Mukhangal as
Panikker
1982
Mylanji as
Beerankunju
1982
Naagamadhathu Thampuratti
1982
Njan Onnu Parayatte as
Sankaran Nair
1982
Ormakkayi as
Father
1982
Oru Vilippadakale
1982
Ponmudy as
Kesummavan
1982
Ruby My Darling
1982
Sooryan as
A. R. C. Menon
1982
Varikuzhi
1982
Veedu as
Boss
1982
Innalenkil Nale as
Mr. Kannan
1982
Njan Ekananu as
Raman Nair
1982
Jumbulingam
1982
Ente Sathrukkal
1982
Anthi Veyilile Ponnu
1981
Aarathi as
Balan
1981
Asthamikkatha Pakalukal as
Sankaran
1981
Avathaaram as
Mammukka
1981
Ellaam Ninakku Vendi
1981
Grihalakshmi as
Manager
1981
Inaye Thedi
1981
Kaahalam
1981
Maniyan Pillai Athava Maniyan Pillai
1981
Orikkal Koodi
1981
Pinneyum Pookkunna Kaadu
1981
Prema Geethangal
1981
Raktham as
Pillai
1981
Sambhavam
1981
Swargangal Swapnangal as
Janardhanan
1981
Thaaravu as
Raman
1981
Tharattu
1981
Theekkali
1981
Vayal as
Kaimal
1981
Vida Parayum Mumbe
1981
Thenum Vayambum as
Warrier
1981
Thrishna as
Parameswaran
1981
Archana Teacher as
Nanu Nair
1981
Sphodanam
1981
Sanchari as
Sankaran
1981
Kolilakkam
1981
Thadavara as
Prof. Vijayanath
1980
Aagamanam as
Raman Nair
1980
Adhikaram as
Bhaskara Menon, an Advocate
1980
Air Hostess (as Sankarady)
1980
Akalangalil Abhayam
1980
Arangum Aniyarayum as
Suppu Iyyer
1980
Dhooramarigey
1980
Edanthottam as
Rappai
1980
Ishtamanu Pakshe
1980
Ivar as
Varkkey, father of Susamma
1980
Makara Vilakku
1980
Muthichippikal as
Kurup
1980
Oormakale Vida Tharu
1980
Oppol
1980
Oru Varsham Oru Maasam
1980
Pavizha Mutthu
1980
Pralayam
1980
Puzha
1980
Raagam Thaanam Pallavi as
Father of Jayachandran
1980
Swandam Enna Padam as
Uncle of Usha
1980
Theeram Thedunnavar
1980
Vaiki Vanna Vasantham as
Velu Pilla
1980
Karimpana
1980
Lorry
1980
Meen as
Mooppan
1980
Aniyatha Valakal as
Sujatha's Uncle
1980
Angaadi as
Karunakaran
1980
Benz Vasu as
Pappu's Father
1980
Ethikkara Pakky as
Muthayyan
1979
Aarattu as
Vareethu
1979
Agni Parvatham
1979
Agni Vyooham as
Shekharan Pilla
1979
Angakkuri as
Gopalan
1979
Anubhavangale Nanni
1979
Choola
1979
College Beauty
1979
Edavazhiyile Poocha Minda Poocha as
Sankaran Nair
1979
Ezhu Nirangal as
Narendran
1979
Ivide Kattinu Sugandam as
Sreedharan Menon
1979
Jimmy as
Paulose
1979
Kalam Kaathu Ninnilla
1979
Kathir Mandapam
1979
Manasa Vacha Karmana as
Father of Geetha (Jayabharati)
1979
Mochanam as
Sankara Pilla
1979
Neeyo Njaano as
Govinda Swamy Gunder
1979
Oru Raagam Pala Thaalam
1979
Prabhatha Sandhya as
Thirumeni
1979
Puthiya Velicham as
Panikkar
1979
Radha Enna Pennkutti
1979
Rekthamillatha Manushyan as
Appayya / Mathai
1979
Suddhikalasam as
Ayanikkal Vikraman Kartha
1979
Thuramugham
1979
Vellayani Paramu as
Swamikal
1979
Alavuddinum Athbutha Vilakkum as
Jameela's Father (Malayalam Version)
1978
Aarum Anyaralla as
Naanu Pilla
1978
Adavukal Pathinettu as
Shekharan Kutty's Father
1978
Adimakachavadam as
Varkey Muthalali
1978
Agni
1978
Anubhoothikalude Nimisham
1978
Asthamayam
1978
Avakaasham
1978
Bandhanam
1978
Ente Neela Akasham
1978
Iniyum Puzha Ozhukum as
Mr. Kurup
1978
Kanyaka
1978
Kudumbam Namakku Sreekovil
1978
Madanolsavam as
De Cruz
1978
Manooradham
1978
Mudhra Mothiram as
Swami
1978
Ninakku Njanum Enikku Neeyum as
Kurup
1978
Nivedhyam
1978
Njan Njan Mathram
1978
Prarthana
1978
Prema Shilpi
1978
Rajan Paranja Katha
1978
Randil Onnu as
Kuttappan
1978
Reghu Vamsam
1978
Sathru Samharam
1978
Snehathinte Mukhangal as
Ammavan
1978
Snehikkan Oru Pennu
1978
Snehikkan Samayamilla
1978
Tharu Oru Janmam Koodi
1978
Ulkatal as
Priest
1978
Uthrada Rathri
1978
Vadakakkoru Hridhyam as
Paramu Pillai
1978
Vishwa Roopam
1978
Yagaswam
1978
Eeta
1978
Aval Vishwasthayayirunnu as
Thomachan
1978
Avalude Ravukal as
Damodaran, brother of Lakshmi and father of Radha
1978
Anumodhanam
1977
Ammayi Amma
1977
Amme Anupame
1977
Aniyara
1977
Anjali
1977
Aradhana
1977
Chathur Vedam
1977
Guruvayoor Kesavan
1977
Hridhayame Sakshi as
Kurup
1977
Innale Innu
1977
Itha Ivide Vare as
Shivaraman Nair
1977
Jagadguru Aadi Sankaran as
Moorkkathu Namboothiri
1977
Kaduvaye Pidicha Kiduva
1977
Lakshmi
1977
Makam Piranna Manka
1977
Manas Oru Mayil
1977
Mini Mol
1977
Niraparayum Nilavilakkum
1977
Nurayum Pathayum
1977
Oonjal as
Thirumeni
1977
Rathi Manmathan as
Kuruppu
1977
Saghakkale Munottu
1977
Sneha Yamuna
1977
Thaalappoly
1977
Varadhakshina
1977
Veedue Oru Swargam
1977
Vezhambal
1977
Vishukkani
1977
Yatheem
1977
Yuddha Kandam
1977
Aadhya Paadam
1977
Sathyavan Savithri as
Rajaguru
1977
Ormakal Marikkumo? as
Chandrasekharan's uncle
1977
Agni Nakshatram
1977
Sreedevi as
P. K. Menon
1977
Madhura Swapanam
1977
Panchamrutham
1976
Abhinandanam as
Menon
1976
Ajayanum Vijayanum
1976
Amba Ambika Ambalika as
Fishermen's King
1976
Ammini Ammavan
1976
Amrudha Vahini as
Madhava Kurup
1976
Anubhavam
1976
Ayalkari as
Uncle of Suku
1976
Chennai Valarthiya Kutty
1976
Chirikudukka as
Keshavan Nair
1976
Kamadhenu
1976
Kanyadanam
1976
Light House as
Raghavan Pilla
1976
Madhuram Thirumadhuram
1976
Missi
1976
Mohiniyattom
1976
Muthu
1976
Paalkkadal
1976
Panchami as
Yohannan
1976
Pick Pocket
1976
Prasadam as
Gopalappilla
1976
Preeyamvadha
1976
Rajanganam
1976
Sarvekkalu
1976
Sindhooram
1976
Sreemadh Bhagwad Geetha
1976
Theekkanal
1976
Udhyana Lakshmi
1976
Vazhi Vilakku
1976
Neeyente Lahari
1976
Ponni as
Nanjan
1976
Aruthu
1976
Swimming Pool
1976
Samasya
1976
Appooppan as
Sankaran Menon
1976
Agni Pushpam
1975
Aaranya Kaandum
1975
Abhimanam
1975
Akkaladama
1975
Ayodhya
1975
Babu Mon as
Pathiru Menon
1975
Chandanan Chola
1975
Cheenavala as
Konthi
1975
Chuvanna Sandhyakal
1975
Hello Darling
1975
Kalyana Pandhal
1975
Kamam Krodham Moham
1975
Kottaram Vilakkanundu
1975
Love Letter
1975
Love Marriage as
Major Nair
1975
Madhura Padhinezhu
1975
Makkal
1975
Pravaham as
Damodhara Menon
1975
Raagam as
Dharmapalan, father of Madhusudanan
1975
Sammanam
1975
Utsavam as
Sankaran
1975
Raasaleela
1974
Alakal
1974
Aswathy
1974
Bhoogolam Thiriyunnu as
Aanashanka Pilla
1974
Bhoomi Devi Pushpiniyayi as
Pachupilla
1974
Chandrakantham as
Sreesankara Pilla
1974
Chattakkari as
Mr. Warrier, father of Sasi and Usha
1974
College Girl as
Parakulam Raman Nair
1974
Honeymoon
1974
Jeevikkan Marannu Poya Sthree
1974
Manyasree Viswamitran as
Vakkeel
1974
Mazhakaaru as
Krishnananda swami
1974
Nathoon
1974
Neela Kannukal
1974
Nellu as
Damodara Warrier
1974
Night Duty as
Kuttan Pilla
1974
Oru Pidi Ari
1974
Paathiravum Pakalvelichavum
1974
Pancha Thanthram as
Kurup / Devdutt
1974
Pattabhisekam as
Pothuval
1974
Rajhamsam as
Sankaran Nair
1974
Rehasya Rathri
1974
Saptha Swarangal as
Kunju Panikkar
1974
Thacholi Marumakan Chandu as
Thazhathumadom Kannoth Moothavar
1974
Vrindavanam
1974
Poonthen Aruvi as
Isaac
1974
Ayalathe Sundari as
Kuttan Nair
1974
Kanyakumari
1973
Aasha Chakram as
Ramu
1973
Achani
1973
Ajnathavasam as
Kochu Raman
1973
Angathattu
1973
Azhakulla Saleena as
Agausthi
1973
Chaayam
1973
Chenda
1973
Chukku as
Kammath
1973
Darshanam
1973
Divyadharsanam as
Kunju Kuttan
1973
Enippadikal as
Pappu Pillai, father of Kesava, Shobha, Shubha, and two more girls