K. S. Gopalakrishnan
Tamil director. Originally a playwright, started as actor in Nawab Rajamanikkam Co. Later production manager for Venus Pics. Scripted Bhimsingh?’s Padikkatha Methai (1960) and later Krishnan-Panju’s Annai (1962). Commercially successful middle-budget director in 60s/70s Tamil cinema, initially making theatrical melodramas (début feature, Sharada, is about a man with sexual problems). Shifted to mythologicals with the hit Adi Parasakthi after A.P. Nagarajan revived the genre. Adi Parasakthi is sometimes seen as the first mythological hit to revive the famous ‘ little’ tradition of 50s Tamil cinema: films featuring local deities rather than stories from pan-Indian epics. Launched his own studio after the success of Karpagam, naming it after the film. He is not to be confused either with an earlier Tamil director who worked at the Gemini? Studios in the 40s, or with the more recent Malayalam director with the same name.
FILMOGRAPHY: 1962: Sharada; Daivathin Daivam; 1963: Karpagam; 1964: Ayiram Roopai; Kaikodutha Daivam; Suhagan; 1965: Ennathan Mudivu; Rishte Naate; Ennathan Mudivu; 1966: Chinnachiru Ulagam; Chitthi; Selvam; 1967: Kan Kanda Daivam; Pesum Daivam; 1968: Panama Pasama; Uyira Manama; 1969: Kulavilakku; 1970: Malathi; Tapalkaran Thangai; 1971: Adi Parasakthi; Kulama Kunama; 1972: Kurathi Magan; Vazhai Yadi Vazhai; 1973: Nathayil Muthu; Vandhale Magarasi; 1974: Swathi Nakshatram; 1976: Dashavatharam; Vayilla Poochi; 1977: Palabhisekham; Punniyam Seithaval; Rowdy Rakkamma; 1978: Shri Kanchi Kamakshi; Ullathil Kuzhanthayadi; 1979: Adukku Malli; 1980: Nandri Kalangal; Neer Nilam Neruppu; 1981: Magarantham; 1982: Daiviyin Thiruvilaiyadal; Nayakarin Magal; 1983: Yuga Dharmam; 1985: Padikkatha Panayar; 1986: Mahashakti Mariamman; 1988: Parthal Pasu; 1989: Athaimadi Methaiyadi; 1992: Kaviya Thalaivan.