Citizenship India Died 1985 Occupation Singer, Actor Siblings Alleppey Vincent | Name Sebastian Bhagavathar Ex-spouse Marykutty Role Theatre actor | |
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Movies Sheriyo Thetto, Gnanambika Parents Margarita, Pollayil Vincent People also search for Alleppey Vincent, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, V. Dakshinamoorthy, V.A. Reynold, S Nottani | ||
Sebastian Kunjukunju.wmv
Sebastian Kunjukunju Bhagavathar (9 February 1901 – 1985) was a Malayalam theatre actor, singer, and author. He is known for his contributions to Malayalam sangeetha natakam (musical operas). Along with Ochira Velukutty, he was responsible for breaking the monotony of musical operas with their 1930 play Karuna, an adaptation of Kumaran Asan's famous poetic piece. He is the brother of actor Alleppey Vincent.
Contents
- Sebastian Kunjukunjuwmv
- Anathalayolam Venna Tharameda Jeevithanouka 1951
- Early life and career
- As an actor
- As a Singer
- References
Anathalayolam Venna Tharameda - Jeevithanouka (1951)
Early life and career
Sebastian was born on 9 February 1901 to Pollayil Vincent and Margarita as their second child in Ambalappuzha taluk of Alappuzha district in the Indian state of Kerala. His brother Alleppey Vincent is also a well known person in Malayalam industry who acted in the first talkie ever made in Malayalam, Balan. After initial schooling in his native village, he attended the Leo XIII School in Alappuzha. He later enrolled at St. Albert's High School in Ernakulam. It was at St. Albert's that he joined a Tamil drama troupe and toured several parts of Tamil Nadu before returning to Ernakulam. During his stay in Ernakulam, Kunjukunju was busy with drama and music and paid little attention to his studies. He returned to his home village to look after his ailing father. In 1923, Kunjukunju married Marykutty. She gave her support to his later theatrical ventures.
Kunjukunju's first lead role was in Njanasundari, a Tamil drama translated into Malayalam which told the story of Prince Plendran and Princess Njanasundari. For next few years after Njanasundari, he could not get any major role in dramas. In 1929, "Royal Cinema & Dramatic Company" staged the drama Parudeesa Nashtam which was based on John Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost. Kunjukunju played the role of Adam, while Ochira Velukkutty, an actor who is said to have enacted female roles better than real women, played the Eve. This is followed by, Satyavansavitri, Alliarjuna, Kovalan Charitram, Nallathanka, and Harishchandra. The Kunjukunju–Velukkutty duo was the main attraction of all these dramas as they drew huge crowds.