Adoor Bhasi (1929-1990) was an Indian actor, singer, and film director, known primarily for his consummate performances in comedic roles. He is a versatile entertainer who has appeared in more than 700 films. His career spanned more than forty years and he remained active until his death. Some of his popular performances include Chattakari (1974), 18 April (1984), Yathra (1985), Rajavinte Makan (1986) and Sarvakalashala (1987), among others. He died in March 1990 from kidney-related illnesses.
Wiki/Biography
K. Bhaskaran Nair (stage name Adoor Bhasi) was born on Friday, March 1, 1929 in Peringanand, a small village in Adoor, Kerala, India (he died aged 61). His zodiac sign is Pisces. He comes from a family of legendary writers. Adoor Bhasi is the fourth child of EV Krishna Pillai and Maheshwari Amma. He began his education at Vadakkekottaram Mission School in Thiruvananthapuram. After his father’s untimely death in 1938, the family moved to Peringanad and continued his education at Adore British High School. He further studied at the Institute of Textile Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, where he received a diploma in textile chemistry.
family
Adoor Bhasi belongs to a Kerala Hindu family.
Parents and siblings
Adoor Bhasi’s father EV Krishna Pillai is a famous humorist, author, lawyer and member of the Travancore Legislative Assembly (MLC).
Portrait of EV Krishna Pillai, father of Adoor Bhasi
His mother Maheshwari Amma (youngest daughter of CV Raman Pillai) is a housewife.
Adore Bassey and his mother
His siblings are K. Omana Amma, K. Ramachandran Nair (Chandraji), Rajaalakshmi Amma, K. Padmanabhan Nair, K. Sankaran Nair and K. Krishnan Nair. His eldest brother Chandraji was the first to enter the film industry. He was the manager of Raj Kapoor’s RK Studios and played a negative role in the Bollywood film Aashiq (1962). He later acted in Malayalam films such as Chithram (1988).
Adoor Bhasi and his eldest brother Chandraji
His younger brother Padmanabhan Nair or Padman is a journalist, editor and author. Famous books named after him are “Kunchukuruppum Prahladanum”, “Sahodaran Bhasiyude Jeevacharitram”, “Nadakanthyam Bhasyam” and “Bhasuram Hasyam”.
Adoor Bhasi and his brother Padman
wife and children
Adoor Bhasi is a bachelor. In the book “Adoor Bhasi Chinthayum Chiriyum” written by his brother Padman, it is recorded that Adoor Bhasi went to meet a girl for proposal for the first and last time. It turned out that the girl who proposed was the daughter of one of his classmates.
other relatives
Bhasi is the grandson of legendary writer and social activist CV Raman Pillai (1858-1922), whose works include Marthanda Varma (1891), Dharmaraja and Premamritham.
Adoor Bhasi’s grandfather, the great novelist CV Raman Pillai
Adoor Bhasi’s nephew B. Harikumar is a famous writer and actor. He has published more than 35 novels and other publications, including Adoor Bhasi (2014), a biography of Adoor Bhasi.
caste
Adoor Bhasi is part of the Nair community of Hindus in Kerala.
Profession
Movie
actor
Although Adoor Bhasi started working as an apprentice at Lakshmi Textile Mills in Thiruvananthapuram after completing his diploma, the good times did not last long. During this period, he lived with his aunt B Gourikutty Amma in the famous Rosscote Bungalow built by his grandfather CV Raman Pillai. He started performing stage and radio plays on the All India Radio in Thiruvananthapuram. Later, he became the manager of a publishing house of famous playwright TN Gopalakrishnan Nair. That’s when his association with the film industry began. Adoor Bhasi’s first film was Thiramaala (1953), in which he played a relatively minor role. The film is directed by Vimal Kumar and written by TN Gopalakrishnan Nair.
His breakthrough came with the film Mudiyananya Puthran (1961) directed by Ramu Kariat. The film won the Malayalam National Award for Best Feature Film. His first full-length comedy role was in the film Viruthan Shanku (1968), which was well received by the audience.
Adoor Bhasi in the movie Viruthan Shanku
Since then, Adore Bassey has become an inevitable part of almost every movie. Most of his roles are comic support to the protagonist. He was not always in supporting roles, he played negative or villainous roles in Itha Oru Manushyan (1978) and Karimpana (1980). He was the hero in John Abraham’s critically acclaimed Cheriyachante Kroorakrithyangal (1979). He won the Kerala State Award for Best Actor for his role as Cheriyachan in this film.
Adoor Bhasi plays Cheriyachan in the movie “Cheriyachante Kroorathakal”
He was appreciated for his lady roles in several films including “Arakkallan Mukkal Kallan” (1974), “Kannapanunni” (1977) and “Ithikkara Pakki” (1980). He played dual roles in the films “Lankadahanam” (1971), “Bhadradeepam” (1973) and “Kottttaram Vilkanundu” (1975).
Adoor Bhasi in the movie Arakkallan Mukkal Kallan
director
Adoor Bhasi made his directorial debut with Aadhya Paadam (1977), starring Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, Sheela and Jayan (Jayan). He is considered to be one of the first people to recognize the talent of legendary actor Kamal Haasan. Two other films he directed were “Acharam Ammini Osharam Omana” (1977) and “Reghu Vamsam” (1978).
Poster of Adoor Bhasi’s first directorial film Aadhya Paadam
playback singer
Adoor Bhasi has sung more than 25 songs in various films he has acted in and directed. Most of the songs are humorous. Some of the famous songs include Kuruvipetti… from Sthanarthi Saramma (1966), Thallu Thallu… from Abhijatyam (1971) and Velutha Vavinum Makalkkum… from Chakravakam (1974).
dispute
Actor KPAC Lalitha accused of exploitation
Actor KPAC Lalitha in an interview spoke about how Adoor Bhasi became a villain in her life many years after his death. She claimed that Ador Bassey used his connections at the time to remove her from the intended role. Although she complained to the association, then called Chalachitra Parishad, she was reprimanded by secretary KP Ummer. She mentioned these in detail in her autobiography Katha Thudarum.
Awards, Honors, Achievements
- In 1974, Adoor Bhasi won the Kerala State Award for Best Actor for his role as the British-Indian Morris in Chattakaari (1974).
- In 1976, he won the Filmfare South Award for Best Actor for the film Raagam (1975).
- In 1979, he won the Kerala State Best Actor Award for Cheriyachante Kroorakrithyangal (1979).
- In 1984, he won the second Kerala State Best Actor Award for his film “April 18, 1984”.
die
Adoor Bhasi passed away on March 29, 1990, after battling kidney-related ailments. In his final days, he suffered from other health problems, including high blood pressure and diabetes. Furthermore, he was saddened by the death of his old friend and colleague, actor Prem Nazir. The final rites in which he received state honors were held at his home in Adore.
Facts/Trivia
- Adoor Bhasi is known as Hasyasamrat (King of Comedy) and the Charlie Chaplin of Kerala by his fans.
- The pairing of actors Bahadur and Adore Bassi was so popular that they were called the Laurel and Hardy of Malayalam cinema.
- Adoor Bhasi starred in Prem Nazir’s debut film Thyagaseema (1951). It has never been released.
Adoor Bhasi’s name in the poster of the film Thyagaseema (1951)
- Adoor Bhasi contested one municipal council election but lost by a meager 26 votes.
- He has interacted with every leading actor of his generation such as Satyan, Prem Nazir, Madhu, KPUmmer, Jayan, Sukumaran, MGSoman, Mammootty and Mohanlal.
Adoor Bhasi with colleagues at actor Prem Nazir’s son’s wedding
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education