Famous film and drama actor Kainakari Thankaraj (76) has passed away. He was undergoing treatment for liver disease. He died at his home in Keralapuram, Kollam. He has worked in several theater committees, including KPAC. She has acted in 35 movies. Anapachan’s first film starring Prem Nazeer starred in over 10,000 roles. He has starred in films such as Imayou, Lucifer and Home.
Biography published by Malayala Manorama during Saptathi: Kainakari is a village in Alappuzha. Kuttanad soil covered with streams and paddy fields. Today it is not just soil. It also has the form and voice of a human being; Kainakari Thankaraj – A human figure with a golden glow in the land of Karumadikuttan. Kerala had fallen asleep and the characters have been seen transcending into that form. Yes, in the fullness of that Thankaraj sapta. 70 years of success.
October 18, 1946. Libra was one then. That’s the star. Thankaraj was born on that day. Narayan Kutty and Janakiamma, a playwright and actor, are parents. The father’s passion for acting spread to his only son. At the age of 13, Thankaraj started acting. No one called. It’s a good idea.
Selected to present for the school year. Kanam is IJ’s play ‘The Walls Are Falling’. Teachers’ screen test to determine actors. Thirteen-year-old Thankaraj, like many others, was on his way out. But Thankaraj was not ready to back down. Usha Theaters was formed by bringing together all those who were rejected. The same play was performed even better in different parts of Kainakari. The presentation was free. It was the beginning of a walking journey. For eight years, Thankaraj filled the amateur stage with various plays. The name of the country was added before the name. Thankaraj Kainakari became Thankaraj.
Drama life
Life and drama became more than two things for Thankaraj. At the age of 23, he entered the professional arena through the Nooranad workshop. Other actors in the play were Ochira Sankarankutty, Adoor Pankajam and Mavelikkara Ponnamma who acted with his father. Next year’s Best Actor award for Alappuzha Youngsters’ play ‘Raatri’. Thankaraj never looked back. From committees to committees. From stage to stage. Nine years in KPAC. Five years in Changanassery Geetha. Chalakudy Sarathi History ‘Fasakil’ More than 1400 venues. Then Kayamkulam People’s, Alleppey Theaters, Kottayam National, Adoor Jaya, Cherthala Jubilee, Cochin Drishyakalanjali, Ambalappuzha Aksharajwala. Finally in the Kottarakkara Asraya Samithi. 10,100 venues during his 57-year acting career. Thankaraj says that no other theater actor who has gone through so many stages has lived in Malayalam soil today and underlines that there will never be another actor who has gone through so many stages. In the meanwhile he got a job in two public sector companies but soon quit it and joined the drama.
From Kainakari to Kainagiri
When the camp was held at the Kollam Ashram, the theater owners got a little ‘sweet’. The two of us said that the committee was working very hard, and they were ignorant about the play. Then Kainakari said that he would hold two committees alone. Thus formed his own committee. Not one. Two. Kainagiri A and B.
Some beliefs are co-opted when naming committees and plays. So I went to see Jolson. It was Jolson who suggested that the committee be renamed Kainagiri. He said he would stand tall like Kailash. One was a family committee and the cast consisted of Kainakari, youngest daughter Kochumol and son-in-law Chandran. Son to tie the curtain. Thankaraj wrote four plays. But the heyday of drama was over. The course collections in Kuttanad had to be sold one by one. The balance sheet of what his own committee has done for 18 years.
Fighting in drama
At one time, the owners of the committees saw the actors as second-class citizens. No accommodation will be provided while going to the theater. If you play in five venues, you will not be paid for acting on the sixth stage. Dismissed at any time. So many injustices. Thankaraj organized the actors. Today’s LDF convener Vaikom Vishwan formed the union with the president and Thankaraj as secretary. The committee owners also organized against it. Thankaraj banned for six years Suryasoma’s opportunity in Wild Horse was missed (played by Rajan P. Dev). However, exploitation has declined.
Back to the movies
The invitation to the silver screen came as the play filled. KPAC recalled after starring in a few films; To act in the forest where the lion sleeps. The author SL said that the play should be given only if Thankaraj is present. Demand for the house. So back to the play. It’s been six months since I last saw you in the movie world. Thankaraj has bagged over 100 awards. Thankaraj says without hesitation that he has not won any award and that everything has come together. Even Kainakari, who has been living in ‘Kainigiri’ in Kerala for 18 years, has not applied for a pension. Drama and family were the same for Thankaraj. He forgot his family and did nothing. Proud to be the quietest living drama actor. There is still a pain left. The Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy has not given this award to this artist. That is when they become aware. Or does he just not pay attention when you tell him something to do?