T. Damodaran
| T. Damodaran ടി. ദാമോദരൻ | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
c. 1935 Calicut, Kerala, India |
| Died |
28 March 2012 (aged 77) Calicut, Kerala, India |
| Occupation | screenwriter |
| Years active | 1975–2012 |
| Spouse(s) | Pushpa |
| Children | Deedi, Simna, Reshmi |
T. Damodaran (Malayalam: ടി. ദാമോദരൻ; c. 1935 – 28 March 2012[1]) was a screenwriter of Malayalam cinema. He scripted some of the biggest blockbusters in Malayalam cinema.[2] Damodaran and director I. V. Sasi teamed up to produce many hit movies,[3] including Angadi, Eee Nadu, Vartha, Avanazhi, Inspector Balram, 1921, Adimakal Udamakal, and Balram vs. Taradas. He also teamed up with director Priyadarshan to produce many hit movies including Aryan, Advaitham, Abhimanyu, and Kala Pani.
His daughter, Deedi Damodaran, is also a screenwriter of Malayalam cinema.[4] She made her debut with the film Gulmohar.[5]
Career
Popularly known as Damodaran Master, T. Damodaran began his career in cinema as script writer in early 70s. A physical education teacher in a school at Kozhikode by profession, Damodaran became active in theatre by late sixties and got into the company of several theatre and cinema artists of the era including Thikkodiyan, Kuthiravattom Pappu, Hariharan and Kunjandi. He was part of Slapstick Theatre, in which Kuthiravattom Pappu was a leading actor. He wrote and acted in several comedies and satires. His dramas were mainly packed with social issues and this was noticed by Hariharan, who forced Damodaran to enter into cinema making. Though, made his debut in 1973, Damodaran became active in cinema by late 70s, after joining with Sasi with whom, he later made around fifty films. It was the huge success of Angaadi in 1980, that formed a turning point in the career of Damodaran. Directed by I. V. Sasi, Angadi has Jayan and Seema in leading roles and broke several collection records. This was followed by Meen, Kanthavalayam, Karimbana, all super hits.
In the 80s, the scripts of Damodaran created sensation and furore at theatres. The scripts were mainly socio-dramas, which often criticised the establishments and were packed with heavy punch dialogues. Mostly directed by Sasi, these films were well received by general public. Thadakam, Thushaaram, Ee Nadu, Innalenkil Naale, Iniyenkilum, Vartha, Angadikappurathu, Avanazhi, all were huge hits at box office. Apart from I. V. Sasi, T. Damodaran, also wrote scripts for directors like Priyadarshan, Anil and Bharathan. Mani Ratnam's first and only film in Malayalam Unaru was based on the script by Damodaran in 1985. In the year 1988, Sasi directed a periodic drama based on the script by T. Damodaran, 1921, which was then the most expensive film in Malayalam. T. Damodaran has called this film as his dream project. Appearing Mammootty in leading, 1921 revolved around the Moppillai mutiny in Malabar in 1921 against British. This film was a huge hit at box office.
Though, in 90s, Damodaran reduced the number of films, several hits were born from his pen. Inspector Balram, Abhimanyu, Advaitham, Kala Pani were some among them. His last release was Yes Your Honour, directed by V. M. Vinu, starring Sreenivasan, Padmapriya, Innocent, and Saikumar, which was a hit.
Apart from being a writer Damodaran has acted in quite a few films, most noted roles being Hajiyar with Kalandan in Kilichundan Mampazham and as K P Hamsa in Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha (film) to name a few.These roles were given to him both as an appreciation to his action abilities as well as the respective directors respect to him.
Selected filmography
References
- ↑ http://www.mathrubhumi.com/story.php?id=262080
- ↑ "Author of blockbusters". The Hindu. 23 February 2007. Retrieved 25 March 2009.
- ↑ Kasbekar, Asha (2006). Pop Culture India!. ABC-CLIO. p. 234. ISBN 978-1-85109-636-7.
- ↑ "Scripting her success". The Hindu. 23 October 2009. Retrieved 23 October 2009.
- ↑ "Deedi damodaran". slideshare.net. Retrieved 23 October 2009.