Bhasi, Adoor (1929-90)

Malayalam cinema’s best-known film star in the 60s and 70s after Prem Nazir. Until 1980, he starred in a third of all films made in Malayalam. Born in Adoor, originally named K. Bhaskaran Nair. A former textile technologist and stage performer, he went into films when he moved to Madras and worked briefly as production manager on Tamil films. A renowned comedian, he continued the slapstick style introduced into Malayalam cinema by S.P. Pillai. His first major role was as Anachal Krishna Pillai in P. Bhaskaran’s Adya Kiranangal. Later developed the persona of the wide-eyed, wooden-faced and sometimes unsmiling figure delivering lines in a staccato rhythm, which recalled the literary satires of his father, E.V. Krishna Pillai (1894-1938), especially in Kavya Mela, where he plays a poet directly reminiscent of Krishna Pillai’s Kavitakkesu (1929). His style evoked the major tradition of Malayalam farces pioneered by the plays of C.V. Raman Pillai, later used to parody the romantic poetry of the post-Vallathol era. As such, Bhasi functions as the satirical, even cynical, counter to Prem Nazir’s extension of the romantic tradition as he mouths the lyrics of Vyalar Rama Varma. Bhasi’s best-known performance outside Kerala is in John Abraham’s Cheriyachente Kroora Krithyangal, masterfully cast as the cowering Cherian consumed by guilt. Also remembered for his out-of-character ‘serious’ role as the father in Aravindan’s Uttarayanam, and for his triple role in Padunna Puzha. Also directed four films. Contested the Trivandrum Corp elections as an Independent candidate backed by the Left parties, but lost.

FILMOGRAPHY (* also d): 1961: Mudiyanaya Puthran; Gnana Sundari; 1962: Veluthampi Dalawa; Bhagya Jatakam; Viyarppinte Vila; 1963: Ninamaninja Kalpadukal; Moodupadam; Satyabhama; Chilampoli; Ammeye Kannan; 1964: Devalayam; Thacholi Othenan; Kuttikkuppayam; School Master; Atom Bomb; Oralkoodi Kalanayi; Karutha Kayi; Adya Kiranangal; Bhargavi Nilayam; Bharthavu; Kalanjukuttiya Thangam; Kudumbini; Althara; 1965: Devatha; Shyamalachechi;Odeyil Ninnu; Kadatthukaran; Porter Kunjali; Inapravugal; Muthalaly; Kalyanaphoto; Ammu; Thankakudam; Kattuthulasi; Mayavi; Jeevitha Yatra; Rajamalli; Kattupookal; Kathiruna Nikkah; Kochumon; Bhoomiyile Malakha; Shakuntala; Pattu Thoovala; Chettathi; Kavya Mela; Murappennu; Thommente Makkal; Sarpakadu; 1966: Kalithozhen; Kusirthikuttan/Anni?; Archana; Station Master; Pakal Kinavu; Rowdy; Pinchu Hridayam; Jail; Kootukar; Kalyana Rathriyil; Kayamkulam Kochunni; Tharavatamma; Kanmanikal; Puchakanni; Kallipennu; Kanakachilanka; Karuna; Sthanarthi Saramma; Tilottama; Priyatama; Mayor Nair; Kunjali Marakkar; 1967: Ashwamedham; Ramanan; Sahadharmini; Jeevikan Anuvadhikuka; Irutinte Atmavu; Agniputhri; Kottayam Kola Case; Udyogastha; Postman; Kudumbam; Mainatharuvi Kola Case; Madatharuvi; Aval; Bhagyamudra; Kannatha Veshankal; Anveshichu Kandatiyilla; Chitramela; Nagarame Nandi; Pavapettaval; Pareeksha; Cochin Express; N.G.O.; Kavalam Chundan; Nadan Pennu; Kasavuthattam; Swapnabhoomi; 1968: Thirichadi; Viruthan Sanku; Manaswini; Inspector; Dial 2244; Asuravithu; Vazhipizhacha Santhathi; Karthika; Padunna Puzha; Punnapra Vyalar; Lakshaprabhu; Love in Kerala; Kaliyalla Kalyanam; Yakshi; Thulabharam; Midumidukki; Anju Sundarigal; Aparadhini; Kodungalluramma; Velutha Kathrina; Agni Pareeksha; Kayalkarayil; Bharyamar Sukshikuka; 1969: Vila Kuranja Manushyar; Anashchadanam; Padicha Kallan; Veetu Mrugham; Almaram; Kattukurangu; Mr Kerala; Rahasyam; Susie; Adimagal; Kannur Deluxe; Sandhya; Kadalpalam; Mooladhanam; Jwala; Vilakkapetta Bandhangal; Nadhi; Danger Biscuit; Kootu Kudumbam; Virunnukari; Rest House; 1970: Ambalapravu; Kurukshetram; Moodalamanju; Pearl View;Saraswathi; Amma Enna Stree; Anatha; Palunku Pathram; Kalpana; Stree; Vazhve Mayam; Cross Belt; Ezhuthatha Katha; Bhikara Nimishankal; Dattuputhran; Rakta Pushpam; Vivaham Swargathil; Othenente Makan; Kuttavali; Vivahitha; Kakathampurati; A Chitrashalabham Paranotte; Priya; Lottery Ticket; Triveni; Tara; Aranazhikaneram; 1971: Abhijathyam; Line Bus; Achante Bharya; Neethi; CID Nazir; Moonnupukkal; Inquilab Zindabad; Marunattil Oru Malayali; Karakanakadal; Ummachu; Vilakku Vangiya Veena; Shiksha; Oru Penninte Katha; Lanka Dahanam; Vidyarthikale Ithile Ithile; Vithukal; 1972: Sambhavami Yuge Yuge; Nadan Premam; Aradi Manninte Janmi; Kandavarundo; Pushpanjali; Devi; Maya; Manthrakodi; Manushya Bandhangal; Aromalunni; Taxi Car; Mayiladum Kunnu; Omana; Kalippava; Ini Oru Janmam Tharu; Chemparathi; Achannum Bappayum; Oru Sundariyude Katha; Miss Mary; Punarjanmam; Maraivil Thiruvu Sukshikuha; Gandharvakshetram; Nrithyasala; Azhimukham; Anveshanam; Snehadeepame Mizhi Thurakku; Brahmachari; Ananthasayanam; Putrakameshti; Shakti; Sathi; Postmane Kananilla; Chhayam; Teerthayatra; Maram; 1973: Police Ariyaruthu; Football Champion; Agnathavasam; Enippadikal; Panchavati; Bhadra Deepam; Thiruvabharanam; Masappadi Mathupilla; Kalachakram; Udayam; Ponnapuram Kotta; Aradhika; Kavitha; Kaliyugam; Chenda; Veendum Prabhatam; Manushya Puthran; Rakkuyil; Thani Niram; Ladies’ Hostel; Darshanam; Achani; Soundarya Pooja; Urvashi Bharathi; Thenaruvi; Pacha Nottukal; Pavangal Pennungal; Nakhangal; Kapalika; Dharma Yuddham; Prethangalude Thazhvara; Chukku; Driksakshi; Sastram Jayichu Manushyan Thottu; Interview; Poyi Mukhangal; Manasu; Thottavadi; Divya Darshanam; Ithu Manushiano?; Checkpost; Thekkan Kattu; Madhavikutty; Padmavyuham; Angathattu; 1974: Manyashri Vishwamithran; Chanchala; Oru Pidi Ari; Pattabhishekham; Shapamoksham; Chandrakantham; Suprabhatam; Nathoon; Panchatanthram; Rahasya Rathri; Durga; Setu Bandhanam; Nellu; Alakal; Poonthenaruvi; Neela Kannukal; Chattakkari; Night Duty; Nagaram Sagaram; Aswathi; College Girl; Swarna Vigraham; Ayalathe Sundari; Kalyana Saugandhikam; Chakravakam; Thacholi Marumagan Chandu; Thumbolarcha; Nadhi Nadanmare Avasiamundu; Raja Hamsam; Sapta Swarangal; Uttarayanam; Bhoomidevi Pushpiniyayi; Arakallan Mukkal Kallan; Chief Guest; Swarna Malsiyam; 1975: Abhimanam; Alibaba and Forty-one Thieves; Aranyakandam; Babu Mon; Boy Friend; Cheenavala; Chumadu Thangi; Chuvanna Sandhyakal; Criminals; Dharmakshetre Kurukshetre; Hello Darling; Kottaram Vilakkanundu; Kuttichathan; Love Marriage; Madhura Pathinezhu; Makkal; Manishada; Mattoru Seeta; Mucheettu Kalikarante Magal; Neela Ponman; Omana Kunju; Padmaragam; Palazhi Madhanam; Pennpada; Picnic; Pravaham; Ragam; Sammanam; Surya Vamsam; Thamarathoni; Thiruvonam; Tourist Bungalow; Ullasa Yathra; Velicham Akale; 1976: Abhinandanam; Ajayanum Vijayanum; Amma; Ammini Ammavan; Amritha Vahini; Anubhavam; Appooppan; Ayalakkari; Chennai Valarthiya Kutty; Chottanikara Amma; Dweep; Kamadhenu; Kanyadanam; Kayamkulam Kochunniyude Maghan; Light House; Manasa Veena; Mallanum Mathevanum; Mohini Attam; Muthu; Nee Ente Lahari; Neelasaree; Nurayum Pathayum; Ozhukkinethire; Panchami; Panchamrutham; Parijatham; Pickpocket; Ponn; Prasadam; Priyamvadha; Pushpa Sarem; Rathriyile Yathrakar; Rajayogam; Seemantha Puthran; Sexilla Stuntilla; Thuruppu Gulam; Vanadevatha; Vazhi Vilakku; Yakshaganam; Yuddha Bhoomi; 1977: Suryakanthi; Acharam Ammini Osaram Omana*; Adyapadam*; Akale Akasam; Akshaya Pathram; Ammayi Amma; Anjali; Aparajitha; Bharya Vijayam; Chakravarthini; Chaturvedam; Gandharvam; Guruvayoor Kesavan; Itha Ivide Vare; Jalatarangam; Kaduvaye Pidicha Kiduva; Kannappanunni; Lakshmi; Madanolsavam; Makam Piranna Manka; Minimol; Mohamum Mukthiyum; Mutthate Mulla; Nalumani Pookkal; Nirai Kudam; Parivarthanam; Rathi Manmathan; Rendu Lokam; Samudram; Satyavan Savithri; Sneham; Sujatha; Sukradasa; Tholkkan Enikku Manassilla; Varadakshina; Veedu Oru Swargam; Vishukkani; 1978: Anappachan; Aarum Anniyaralla; Adimakachavadam; Anubhoothikalude Nimisham; Ashokavanam; Aval Vishwasthayayirunnu; Balapareekshanam; Bharyayum Kamukiyum; Ee Ganam Marakkumo; Itha Oru Manushyan; Jayikkanai Janichavan; Kadathanattu Makam; Kalpa Vruksha; Kanalkkattakal; Kudumbam Namakku Sreekovil; Mannu; Mattoru Karnan; Nakshatrangale Kaval; Nivedyam; Onappudava; Rathi Nirvedham; Raghuvamsam*; Shathru Samharam; Snehathinte Mukhangal; Thampuratti; Vadagaikku Oru Hridayam; Vyamoham; Yagaswam; Theerangal; Bandhanam; 1979: Ward No. 7; Cheriyachente Kroora Krithyangal; Kathirmandapam; Kaumarapayam; Manushiyan; Prabhu; Rathammillatha Manushyan; Thuramukham; Vellayanni Paramu; 1980: Ammayum Makkalum; Anthappuram; Digvijayam; Ithikkara Pakki; Kalika; Karimbana; Meen; Nayattu; Rajanigandhi; 1981: Ilakkangal; Ellam Ninakku Vendi; Kallan Pavithran; Kodumudikal; Munnettam; Pathiya Suryan; Sahasam; Thakilukottampuram; Theekali; 1982: Ganam; Chillu; Chiriyo Chiri; Ente Mohanangal Poovaninju; Enikkum Oru Divasam; Irattimadhuram; Jambulingam; Kattile Pattu; Keni; Koritharicha Naal; Mayilanji; Nagamadhathu Thampuratti; Olangal; Ormakkayi; Oru Kunji Janikkunnu Mathurka Kutumbam; Snehapoorvam Meera; 1983: Mahabali; Adhyathe Anuragam; Adhipathyam; Aroodam; Ashtapadi; Eenum; Ente Katha; Guru Dakshina; Himavahini; Justice Raja; Kuyiline Thedi; Maniyara; Nanayam; Onnu Chirikku; Oomakuyil; Pinninvalu; Sandhyakku Virinja Poovu; Sandhya Vandanam; Yangana Nee Marakkum; 1984: Alkoottathil Thaniye; April 18; Athirathram; Ente Kalithozhen; Etha Ennumuthal; Jeevitham; Koottinilangili; Lakshmana Rekha; Manithali; Muthodu Muthu; Onnanu Nammal; Pavam Poornima; Saundamevide? Bandamevide?; Thathamme Poocha Poocha; Vellom; Vepralam; Vettah; 1985: Anakkorumma; Avidathepole Ivideyum; Eeran Sandhya; Ee Thanalil Ithirineram; Kilippattu; Kochuthemmadi; Madhu Vidhurathri; Manya Mahajangale; Mulamoottil Adima; Nerariyum Nerathu; Orikkal Oridathu; Pachavelicham; Principal Olivil; Yathra; 1986: Vaiki Odunna Varathi; 1987: Sarvakalasala; Manivathoorile Ayiram Sivarathrikal; Purushartham.

Actor