Pudukottai Ulaganathan Chinnappa (1915-51)
Major 40s Tamil star born in Pudukottai, the son of a stage actor. Joined the Madurai Original Boys’ Co. aged 8; later known as actor and singer, releasing several records many of which (along with his subsequent film music) have remained popular. Trained in Carnatic music by Nannaya Bhagavathar and Karaikal Vedachala Bhagavathar; simultaneously trained in traditional martial arts (e.g. silambam) and gymnastics. Début at Jupiter Pics in Raja Sandow’s Chandrakantha; broke through with a double role in T.R. Sundaram’s Uthama Puthran based on A. Dumas’s The Man in the Iron Mask. Displayed his musical abilities as well as those of actor and stuntman in Sundaram’s Manonmani; also remembered for his acting and clear diction as Kovalan in T.R. Mani’s Kannagi.
FILMOGRAPHY: 1936: Chandrakantha; 1937: Rajamohan; 1938: Anadhai Penn; Punjab Kesari; Yayati; 1939: Mathru Bhoomi; 1940: Uthama Puthran; 1941: Kacha Devayani; Aryamala; Dharmaveeran; Dayalan; 1942: Kannagi; Prithvirajan; Harishchandra; 1943: Kubera Kuchela; Manonmani; 1944: Jagathala Prathapan; Mahamaya; 1945: Ardhanari; 1946: Pankajavalli; Vikatakavi; 1947: Tulasi Jalandhar; 1948: Krishna Bhakti; 1949: Mangayar Karasi; Ratnakumar; 1951: Vanasundari; Sudarshan.