J. P. Chandrababu

Joseph Panimayadas Chandrababu Rodriguez (1927–1974) was an Indian actor, comedian, director, singer. whose Chaplinesque-style on-screen movements and singing style made him popular from the late 1940s to the early 1970s. He had a mastery of the Madras Bashai, a dialect unique to the Madras region. His slapstick style of comedy has been emulated by subsequent actors. Many of his songs have remained popular.

J. P. Chandrababu
Casual Poster of CB
Born(1927-08-05)5 August 1927
Tuticorin, India
Died8 March 1974(1974-03-08) (aged 46)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupation(s)Comedian, actor, director, playback singer
Years active1947—1973

Early life

Chandrababu was born to a wealthy and eminent Christian Paravar family in 1927 at Tuticorin, India. His father, a freedom fighter, ran a paper called Sudhandhira Veeran which, along with the family assets, was seized by the British government in 1929 when he was arrested for participating in the satyagraha movement. He and the family were exiled to Colombo, Sri Lanka on his release, where his father worked for a Tamil newspaper. Chandrababu was educated at St. Joseph's College, Grandpass, Colombo and Aquinas College prior to his family moving once more, this time to Chennai in 1943. Here they lived in Triplicane, where his father worked for the Dinamani newspaper.[1]

Film career

Chandrababu was very passionate about acting despite opposition from his family members. His friend Ganapathy was the only person who motivated his acting skills. From his childhood, he was an expert in singing and whenever he got together with his friends or family, Chandrababu was asked to sing. Sri Lanka had a very western outlook in those times and Chandrabubu picked up on western styles of singing and dancing while there.[2] In these early years Chandrababu made acquaintances of the actors Sriram, B. R. Panthulu and, through them, T. R. Mahalingam. He made his debut with a small role in the 1947 film Dhana Amaravathi[2] but struggled thereafter to obtain parts.

He had spent many days starving himself and searching for a chance in films. In 1952, he attempted suicide by ingesting copper sulphate crystals in the canteen of Gemini Studios. He had written a suicide note explaining his reasons, which included that he had been unable to meet the director S. S. Vasan, and that his body was to be handed over to B. S. Ramaiah, the director of his only film at that date. Suicide was a criminal offence and so he was arrested. But when his case came to trial the judge asked him to prove his acting ability. Chandrababu rendered a Shakespearean monologue that so impressed the judge that he was not jailed.[2] One of those who had assisted him in being taken to hospital at the time of his attempted suicide was Gemini Ganesan. When Vasan learned of this episode he gave Chandrababu a small role in the 1952 film Moondru Pillaigal, which impressed Vasan so much that he predicted a successful career.[2] for him. Chandrababu also filmed Chinna Durai and Mohana Sundaram in the same year. It is claimed that, as of 2016, he remained the only person capable of yodelling in south Indian cinema,.[2] Chandrababu loved western music and learned the art of yodelling by listening to singers such as Gene Autry and Hank Williams. In Chinna Durai, produced and directed by T. R. Mahalingam, he sang the song Poda Raja Podi Nadaya, the first time that yodelling had been heard in a South Indian film.Chandrababu was paid Rs 200 for his role in Mohana Sundaram. At his peak he was to command over Rs 100,000, becoming the first South Indian comedy actor to command such a sum.[2]

When A. V. Meiyappan filmed Sahodhari, he found that it lacked an ingredient that would ensure box office success. Chandrababu was called and after watching the film he added a comedy track for himself, wrote it and also sang the song Naan oru muttalunga, converting the film into a hit. It was Chandrababu who first spoke and popularised the Madras Baashai in films. He learned this dialect from the rickshaw pullers and street vendors near his home in Triplicane and later in Mir Sahib Pet.

Sabaash Meena was one of the best Tamil comedy movies of its time, in which Chandrababu acted with Sivaji Ganesan, in dual roles. Chandrababu also established himself as a good singer. He was a playback singer rendering voice for himself in films. He lent his voice for S. Balachander for the song Kalyanam Kalyanam... Ullasamagave Ulagathil in Penn and for Sivaji Ganesan for the song Jolly Life Jolly Life in Kalyanam Panniyum Brammachari. Another song for comedian T.N. Sivadhanu is I Love You I Love You in Andhaman Kaidhi.

He sang under almost all of the music directors of the 1950s till the 1960s namely K. V. Mahadevan, T. G. Lingappa, G. Govindarajulu Naidu, S. V. Venkatraman, R. Sudarsanam, Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, G. Ramanathan, S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, Vedha, S. Rajeswara Rao, T. R. Pappa, P. R. Mani, C. N. Pandurangan, Meenakshi Subramanyam and M. S. Viswanathan.

He sang along duets mostly with K. Jamuna Rani and L. R. Eswari. Other singers include A. G. Rathnamala, Jikki, A. P. Komala, T. M. Soundararajan, P. B. Sreenivas, A. L. Raghavan, P. Suseela, P. Leela, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, K. Rani and Manorama.

Marriage

Chandrababu first met Sheila, an Anglo Indian and grand daughter of Coimbatore-based filmmaker Swamikannu Vincent[3] at her residence and subsequently marriage was arranged in 1958. Famous film personalities and politicians including chief minister Kamaraj attended their marriage. The initial days of married life had gone well. One day Sheila confessed that she fell in love with another person. After learning this, Chandrababu was heartbroken and ended up in a confused state. In the subsequent days, she attempted suicide which was foiled by Chandrababu. Considering Sheila's fortune, they divorced formally. He continued to offer support to her until she left for London. After a few days, she married a doctor in London with the acceptance of Chandrababu by a letter communication. In a business mired by sycophancy, he chose not to mince his words and this restricted his opportunities[2] from the 1960s onward. After this, he had decided to take a temporary break from his film career, and he went to Delhi without informing even his close friends. He spent those days consuming alcohol. Later he restarted his career in the industry despite his failed love and marriage.

Financial misfortune and death

Chandrababu had arranged with a financier, to direct his first film Maadi Veettu Ezhai with M. G. Ramachandran as the hero. Eventually, he failed on this venture as Ramachandran failed to cooperate with him. The film project was also dropped. The reasons for Ramachandran's non-cooperation is well explained by script writer Aroordhas, in his 2002 memoirs Naan Muham Paartha Cinema Kannadigal. It's because Chandrababu became abusive towards Ramachandran's elder sibling M. G. Chakrapani. Chandrababu's final attempt was to direct and act in Thattungal Thirakkappadum in 1966; it was highly acclaimed for its cinematography but was not a box office success. MGR did offer a helping hand to him, by offering him a comedy slot in his own production, Adimai Penn released in 1969.

Due to his personal problems, Chandrababu spent his last days penniless. During his last years he stayed in the house of his good friend M. S. Viswanathan, until his death on 8 March 1974. It was Sivaji Ganesan who arranged all his final rites and he was buried in Quibble Island, Chennai.[1]

Filmography

Year Film Role Notes
1947Dhana Amaravathi
1951Mohana SundaramGopu
1952Moondru PillaigalMusic director
Chinna DuraiSecretary
1957Pudhumai PithanArivumani
1958Pathi BakthiKalaipithan
Sabaash MeenaShekar
1959SahodhariAnandakonar
1962Paadha KaanikkaiVeerasamy Pillai's son
AnnaiDayanidhi
1966Thattungal ThirakkappadumAdaikalamAlso director
1973Bharatha VilasDoctor

Discography

Music composers he sang for

Playback singers he sang with

He sang memorable duets with mostly comical songs K. Jamuna Rani, L. R. Eswari, Jikki, P. Leela P. Susheela, A. P. Komala, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, A. G. Rathnamala, Manorama and K. Rani.

He also sang with other male singers such as T. M. Soundararajan, A. L. Raghavan, V. N. Sundaram, S. C. Krishnan, P. B. Sreenivas and T. G. Lingappa.

The following are some of Chandrababu's songs that have remained popular:

Year Film Language Song Music Co-Singer
1947Dhana AmaravathiTamilUnnalazhagirku Inai Ennatthai SolvadhuK. V. Mahadevan
1951Mohana SundaramTamilHello My Dear Darling Hello My Rose CharmingT. G. Lingappa
Inbam Konjum VelaiJikki
1952Andhaman KaidhiTamilI love you..I love you.. Aasaiyanene Un MeleG. Govindarajulu NaiduA. G. Rathnamala
playback for T. N. Sivadhanu
1952Chinna DuraiTamilPoda Raja Podi NadayaaT. G. Lingappa
1953KangalTamilAalu Ganam Aanal Moolai GaaliS. V. Venkatraman
1953AzhagiTamilOnnu Rendu Moonu Photo ReadyP. R. Mani
1953Vazha PirandhavalTamilCinema Kalaiyai Elidhaaga EnniS. Rajeswara Rao & G. Ramanathan
1954Kalyanam Panniyum BrammachariTamilJolly Life Jolly LifeT. G. Lingappaplayback for Sivaji Ganesan
1954PennTamilKalyaanam Kalyaanam... Ullasamagave UlagathilR. Sudarsanamplayback for S. Balachander
1955GulebagavaliTamilParaanda Mannar Ellam.... Achi Nimirndha VandiViswanathan–RamamoorthyA. G. Rathnamala
1955Maaman MagalTamilGova Maambazhame Malgova MaambazhameS. V. Venkatraman
1955Nalla ThangalTamilUnnai Kandu Mayamgaadha Pergal UndoG. Ramanathan
1956Marma VeeranTamilO Aiyaa O AmmaaVedhaK. Rani, S. C. Krishnan & Jikki
Thillaalangadi Kuyile AdiP. Leela
1957MahadheviTamilUn Thirumugathey Oru MugamaaViswanathan–RamamoorthyA. G. Rathnamala
Thanthanaa Thaalam PoduvomA. G. Rathnamala
1957PudhaiyalTamilUnakkaaga Ellam UnakkaagaViswanathan–Ramamoorthy
Hello My Dear RaniA. L. Raghavan
1957Pudhumai PithanTamilAraichi Mani.... Thillaana Paatu Paadi KullathaaraG. RamanathanJikki
1957Pathini DeivamTamilAathukku Paalam AvasiyamViswanathan–RamamoorthyT. M. Soundararajan
1957Manamagan ThevaiTamilBambara KannaaleG. Ramanathan
1957Samaya SanjeeviTamilPaper PaperG. Ramanathan
1958Padhi BhaktiTamilRock Rock RockViswanathan–RamamoorthyV. N. Sundaram
Indha Thinnai Paechu VeeranidamT. M. Soundararajan
Kosari Kosari
1958Padhi BhaktiTeluguRock Rock RockT. Chalapathi RaoV. N. Sundaram
Kosari Kosari
1958KaathavaraayanTamilJigu Jigu JiguG. RamanathanJikki
Thanthaane Thaane Thanthaane
Sangili Jingili.... Vaaraandi Vaaraandi KutticchaatthaanS. C. Krishnan, A. G. Rathnamala & T. M. Soundararajan
1958Nadodi MannanTamilThadukkaadhe Ennai ThadukkaadheS. M. Subbaiah NaiduK. Jamuna Rani
1958Sabaash Meena TamilErungammaa Summaa ErungammaaT. G. LingappaT. G. Lingappa & P. Susheela
1959SahodhariTamilNaan Oru MuttaalungaR. Sudarsanam
1959PandithevanTamilNee AadinalC. N. Pandurangan & Meenakshi SubramanyamK. Jamuna Rani
Solluradha Solliputten
1959Naan Sollum RagasiyamTamilVilaiyaadu Raajaa VilaiyaaduG. RamanathanA. P. Komala
1959MaragadhamTamilKunguma Poove Konjum PuraaveS. M. Subbaiah NaiduK. Jamuna Rani
1960Kavalai Illaadha ManithanTamilPirakkum Podhum AzhukindraaiViswanathan–Ramamoorthy
Kavalai Illaadha Manithan
1960Petra ManamTamilPaadi Paadi PaadiS. Rajeswara RaoSoolamangalam Rajalakshmi
Manathirkugantha Mayile
1961Sri ValliTamilAiyo Machaan MannaaruG. Ramanathan
1961Kumara RajaTamilAan Ondru Aada Penn Ondru PaadaT. R. PappaP. Leela
Onnume Puriyalae Ulagathile
Moodinaalum ThiranthaalumK. Jamuna Rani
Ennai Paartha KannuK. Jamuna Rani
1962Paadha KaanikkaiTamilKaadhal Enbadhu Edhu VaraiViswanathan–RamamoorthyP. B. Sreenivas, P. Susheela & L. R. Eswari
Thaniyaa Thavikkira Vayasu
1962AnnaiTamilButthiyulla ManidharellaamR. Sudarsanam
1962Policekaran MagalTamilPorandhaalum Aambalaiya Porakka KoodaadhuViswanathan–RamamoorthyL. R. Eswari
1962Bandha PasamTamilEppo Vachikkalaam Eppadi VachikkalaamViswanathan–Ramamoorthy
1962SenthamaraiTamilThangaadhamma Thangaadhu Samsaaram ThangaadhuViswanathan–RamamoorthyK. Jamuna Rani
1963Kadavulai KandenTamilKonjam SindhikkanumK. V. MahadevanL. R. Eswari
Ungal Kaigal UyarattumP. B. Sreenivas
1963Yarukku SonthamTamilEnnai TheriyalaiyaaK. V. Mahadevan
Oho Meri Bul BulK. Jamuna Rani
1964Aandavan KattalaiTamilSirippu Varudhu Sirippu VarudhuViswanathan–Ramamoorthy
1965Preminchi Pelli ChesukoTeluguViswanathan–Ramamoorthy & B. Shankar Rao
1966Thattungal ThirakkappadumTamilKanmani PaappaaM. S. Viswanathan
1967Hanthakuni HatyaTeluguM. S. Viswanathan & Pamarthi
1967Valiba VirundhuTamilOndra Kannu DoriyaR. Sudarsanam
Vaaliba VirundhuT. M. Soundararajan & L. R. Eswari
1968Nimirndhu NilTamilPudichalum Pudhicha Puliyankomba PudichaM. S. ViswanathanL. R. Eswari
1970PaadhukaappuTamilNammal Ki PyaariM. S. ViswanathanL. R. Eswari
1972NeedhiTamilEngaladhu BoomiM. S. ViswanathanT. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela & Manorama

References

  1. Kolappan, B. (17 January 2013). "The tragic story of a comedian, J.P. Chandrababu - the Hindu". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  2. Guy, Randor (25 September 2009). "Actor with mercurial feet". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 May 2011. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
  3. Guy, Randor (7 December 2004). "The Hindu : Book Review / Language Books : Pioneer filmmaker". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
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