Goundamani
Goundamani | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Subramaniyan Karuppaiya May 25, 1939 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Spouse |
Shanthi (m. 1963) |
| Children | 2 |
Subramaniyan Karuppaiya (born 25 May 1939[1]), known by his stage name Goundamani,[2] is an Indian actor and comedian who works in Tamil cinema.[3] He is known for his comic duo partnership in Tamil films with fellow actor Senthil. The pair dominated the Tamil industry as comedians in the 1980s and 90s.[4]
He was called Goundamani after acting as a Gounder in one of his early day dramas and the pseudonym stuck with him forever.[5][2] He has the ability to give counter dialogues on the spot and off the script on stage and during shooting but it has nothing to do with his screen name, contrary to popular belief (as counter is a term that was popular only from the late 2000s).[6] He was at his peak of his career as a comedian in Tamil cinema for nearly 40 years.[7] Despite his popularity, Goundamani is known for being a social recluse.[8] Goundamani is also popularly known as the king of comedy in Tamil cinema.
Early life[edit]
Goundamani was born as Subramaniyan on 25 May 1939 in Vallakundapuram, a village near Udumalaipettai in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.[2] His father is Karuppaiya and his mother is Annammal. He married Shanthi in 1963 and has 2 daughters.[9][10]
Career[edit]
On having interest in acting, he went to Chennai and initially started acting in theatre dramas and then entered into the Tamil film industry (Kollywood) due to his strong theatrical background.[2]
He made his film acting debut in Server Sundaram where he featured in a minor and uncredited role as a driver. He made his full-fledged debut in 1977 film 16 Vayathinile where he played the role of Rajinikanth's sidekick. His role in the 1977 P. Bharathiraja directorial was also Goundamani's first credited role in his film
Goundamani has played lead roles in a few films during his career, but is predominantly a supporting actor playing comedy roles. While performing roles of a solo comedian in films, he often co-starred with Senthil to form a comedy duo.[11] The pair was described as "Tamil cinema's Laurel and Hardy" and have performed slapstick humour in many Tamil films from the mid-1980s until the early 2000s.[12][13] Both of them are also remembered as partners-in-crime and also known for their chemistry.[14]
Both Goundamani and Senthil were critically acclaimed for their career defining performance in Gangai Amaren's directorial Karakattakkaran (1989). Karakattakaran also coincidentally marked Goundamani and Senthil's 100th film as comedians together.[15] Senthil and Goundamani both reportedly spent full 28 days on set during the shooting of the film.[16] Goundamani's phrases in one of the comedy scenes featured in Karakattakaran, "Adhu enda enna pathu andha kelvi ketta?" when Senthil asked him "Intha cara vachiruntha Sopanasundhariya yaaru vaichiruka" became the highlight of the film and later became viral internet memes.[17]
Goundamani's comedy scene from Thangamana Raasa (1989) is also best remembered by critics for dreaming of singing under the music of Ilaiyaraja when he was spending a jail term for petty crime. His one line phrases "Start the music", "Arasiyal la ithellam saatharnamappa" and "Kosu thollai thaanga mudiyala pa" which featured in the 1992 film Suriyan also later became a viral meme and trendsetter in Internet.[17]
After recuperating from diabetes and respiratory illnesses during the late 2000s, he featured in Vaaimai and also played the lead role in 49-O, which began productions in 2013. It was directed by debutant Arokiadoss, a former assistant of Gautham Vasudev Menon.[18][19][9][10] In 2019, he was approached by film director R. Kannan and actor Santhanam to cast him in a supporting role for their film project but Goundamani reportedly turned down the offer as he was sceptical about the role.[20][21]
Filmography[edit]
1960s[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Server Sundaram | Driver |
1970s[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Raman Ethanai Ramanadi | School Van Driver | |
| 1971 | Thenum Paalum | Driver | |
| 1977 | 16 Vayathinile | Subramani | Debut film |
| 1978 | Kizhake Pogum Rail | Ramaiya | |
| Sigappu Rojakal | Manager | ||
| 1979 | Anandam Enndru Arambam | ||
| Puthiya Vaarpugal | Ammavasai | ||
| Suvarilladha Chiththirangal | Kaliyannan |
1980s[edit]
1990s[edit]
2000s[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Veeranadai | Ulagavaayan | |
| Kannan Varuvaan[23] | Thannirmalai/Athiyapatham/Ezhumalai | ||
| Kannaal Pesavaa | Crendan | ||
| 2001 | Kunguma Pottu Gounder | Chinnasamy | |
| Vedham | Govindsamy | ||
| Samuthiram | Ramanathan | ||
| Azhagana Naatkal | Ranjith | ||
| 2002 | Baba | Annamalai | |
| Samasthanam | |||
| 2003 | Chokka Thangam | Muthu's uncle | |
| Yes Madam | |||
| Parasuram | Sub-Inspector Thangaraj | ||
| 2004 | Manmadhan | 'Puncture' Pandi | |
| 2006 | Suyetchai MLA | Visky | |
| 2008 | Thangam | Kalai |
2010s[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Jaggubhai | MIB alias Kalaniyappan | |
| Pollachi Mappillai | |||
| 2015 | 49-O | Savuri | [24] |
| 2016 | Enakku Veru Engum Kilaigal Kidayathu | Caravan Krishnan | [25] |
| Vaaimai | Benny |
References[edit]
- ^ "Birthday special: 12 rare photos of Tamil comedian Goundamani". Indian Express. 26 May 2019. Archived from the original on 9 June 2019.
- ^ a b c d "How Subramani became Goundamani – Birthday special". Dinamalar. 25 May 2019. Archived from the original on 2 June 2019.
- ^ Kesavan, N. (7 June 2016). "Into the world of Tamil film comedians". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 18 May 2017.
- ^ "Who's still watching Senthil, Goundamani comedy?". The News Minute. 19 October 2016. Archived from the original on 21 September 2019.
- ^ "King of comedy turns 75!". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020.
- ^ "A tribute to veteran comedian Goundamani". Vikatan. 25 May 2017. Archived from the original on 28 September 2019.
- ^ "Where is today's great comedian? | Cinemaexpress". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- ^ The Hindu Net Desk (4 June 2020). "Cricket meets comedy: When Subramaniam Badrinath ran into Goundamani". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- ^ a b Palaniappan, P (24 February 2012). "Comedian Kavundamani's wedding photo – A Rare Picture!". SouthDreamz. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- ^ a b "Comedian Kavundamani's Daughter Wedding". Indiaglitz.com. Archived from the original on 17 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- ^ "Tamil comedian Goundamani turns 76, fans storm Twitter". India Today. 25 May 2015. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- ^ "'With the legend': Sivakarthikeyan on meeting veteran comedian Goundamani". The News Minute. 24 August 2021. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- ^ The Hindu Net Desk (13 December 2018). "Cinema quiz: Senthil and Goundamani". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- ^ "Goundamani will always be my favourite comedian: Senthil". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- ^ a b "30 years of Karakattakaran – Gangai Amaren: The Vazhapazham comedy track was based on a similar sequence in an Adoor Bhasi film". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 20 August 2019.
- ^ "The Word View: That Vazhappazham scene". The Times of India. April 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- ^ a b "Happy Birthday Goundamani: 25 iconic Counters that defined the legend". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- ^ "Kavundamani is back as Hero with 49 O". Indiaglitz.com. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- ^ Lakshmi, Venketeswaran (16 December 2013). "Goundamani starts shooting for 49-O". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 17 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- ^ "Goundamani in talks for Santhanam-R Kannan project". The New Indian Express. 20 June 2019. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- ^ "Will Santhanam and Goundamani team up for an action entertainer?". The Times of India. 16 June 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- ^ Nallathai Naadu Kekum (1991) Archived 14 May 2023 at the Wayback Machine Classic Movies (Motion picture) (in Tamil). India: Jeppiar Pictures. 1991. Character's name mentioned from 01:31:10 to 01:39:27
- ^ "Soori's Goundamani connection revealed". Times of India. 27 September 2019. Archived from the original on 29 September 2019.
- ^ Kumar, S. R. Ashok (13 January 2015). "Goundamani's next as hero". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020.
- ^ Raghavan, Nikhil (21 May 2016). "Return of the counter". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016.
External links[edit]
- Goundamani at IMDb