J. P. Chandrababu

J.P.Chandrababu
File:J.P.Chandrababu.jpg
Born	Tuticorin, India
Died	Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupation(s)	Comedian, actor, director, playback singer, singer and dancer
Spouse	Sheila

Joseph Panimayadas Rodriguez Chandrababu (1927–1974) (Tamil: ஜோசப் பனிமயதாஸ் சந்திரபாபு) was a Tamil film comedian, actor, director, singer and dancer, whose Chaplinesque style on-screen movements and singing style made him popular from the late 1940s to the early 1970s. His style has also been likened to that of Jerry Lewis. He had a mastery of the Madras Bashai, a dialect unique to the Madras region His slapstick style of comedy has been emulated by subsequent actors, such as Prabhu Deva in Kaadhalan movie. Many of his songs have remained popular.

There is confusion regarding his full name. His last name has been variously given as Chandrababu, Rodriguez and Fernando, whilst his middle name has been shown as Panimayadas or Pichai, and his first as Joseph or Jacob. His father was Joseph Pichai Rodriguez and his mother Roselin Fernando.

Early life

Chandrababu was born to a Christian family in 1927 at Tuticorin, India. His father, a freedom fighter, ran a paper called Sudhandhira Veeran which, along with the family assets, was seized by the British government in 1929 when he was arrested for participating in the satyagraha movement. He and the family were exiled to Colombo, Sri Lanka on his release, where his father worked for a Tamil newspaper. Chandrababu was educated at St. Joseph's College, Colombo and Aquinas College prior to his family moving once more, this time to Chennai in 1943. Here they lived in Triplicane, where his father worked for the Dinamani newspaper.

Film career

Chandrababu was very passionate about acting despite opposition from his family members. His friend Ganapathy was the only person who motivated his acting skills. From his childhood, he was an expert in singing and whenever he got together with his friends or family, Chandrababu was asked to sing. He had spent many days starving himself and searching for a chance in films. In 1952, he attempted suicide by ingesting copper sulphate crystals in the canteen of Gemini Studios. He had written a suicide note explaining his reasons, which included that he had been unable to meet the director S. S. Vasan, and that his body was to be handed over to B. S. Ramaiah, the director of his only film at that date. Suicide was a criminal offence and so he was arrested. But when his case came to trial the judge asked him to prove his acting ability. Chandrababu rendered a Shakespearean monologue that so impressed the judge that he was not jailed.

Sri Lanka had a very western outlook in those times and Chandrabubu picked up on western styles of singing and dancing while there. In these early years Chandrababu made acquaintances of the actors Sriram, B. R. Panthulu and, through them, T. R. Mahalingam. They appreciated his talent in singing and mimicry of Hollywood stars such as Charles Boyer. He made his debut with a small role in the 1947 film Dhana Amaravathi but struggled thereafter to obtain parts.

One of those who had assisted him in being taken to hospital at the time of his attempted suicide was Gemini Ganesan. When Vasan came to know of this episode he gave Chandrababu a small role in the 1952 film Moondru Pillaigal, which impressed Vasan so much that he predicted a successful career. for him.

Chandrababu also filmed Chinnadurai and Mohanasundaram in the same year. In Chinnadurai, produced and directed by T. R. Mahalingam, he sang the song Poda Raja Podi Nadaya, the first time that yodelling had been heard in an Indian film. It is claimed that, as of 2009, he remained the only person capable of yodelling in south Indian cinema,. Chandrababu loved western music and learned the art of yodelling by listening to singers such as Gene Autry and Hank Williams.

Chandrababu was paid Rs 200 for his role in Mohanasundaram. At his peak he was to command over Rs 100,000, becoming the first Indian actor to do so.

When A. V. Meiyappan filmed Sahodari, he found that it lacked an ingredient that would ensure box office success. Chandrababu was called and after watching the film he added a comedy track for himself, wrote it and also sang the song Naan oru muttalunga, converting the film into a hit.

It was Chandrababu who first spoke and popularised the Madras Baashai in films. He learned this dialect from the rickshaw pullers and street vendors near his home in Triplicane and later in Mir Sahib Pet.

Sabaash Meena was one of the best Tamil comedy movies of its time, in which Chandrababu acted with Sivaji Ganesan, in dual roles.

Chandrababu also established himself as a good singer. He was a playback singer rendering voice for himself in films. He lent his voice for S. Balachander for the song Kalyanam Kalyanam... Ullasamagave Ulagathil in Penn and for Sivaji Ganesan for the song Jolly Life Jolly Life in Kalyanam Panniyum Brahmachari .

He sang under almost all of the music directors of the 1950s till 1960s namely T. G. Lingappa, G. Govindarajulu Naidu, S. V. Venkatraman, R. Sudharsanam, Viswanathan Ramamoorthy, G. Ramanathan, S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, S. Rajeswara Rao, T. R. Papa and K. V. Mahadevan.

He sang along duets mostly with K. Jamuna Rani and L. R. Eswari. Other singers include A. G. Rathnamala, Jikki, A. P. Komala, T. M. Soundararajan, P. B. Sreenivas, A. L. Raghavan, P. Suseela, P. Leela, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi and Manorama.

Failed marriage

Chandrababu first met Sheila at her residence and subsequently marriage was arranged in 1958. Famous film personalities and politicians including chief minister Kamaraj attended their marriage. The initial days of married life had gone well. One day Sheila confessed that, she was not living a truthful life with him and had been raped unconscious by someone. Later she fell in love with another person. After learning this, Chandrababu was heart brokened and ended up in a confused state. In the subsequent days, she had attempted suicide which was foiled by Chandrababu. Considering Sheila's fortune, they had divorced formally. He continued to offer support to her until she left for London. After a few days, she married a doctor in London with the acceptance of Chandrababu by a letter communication. In a business mired by sycophancy, he chose not to mince his words and this restricted his opportunities from the 1960s onward. After this, he had decided to take a temporary break from Film career, and he went to Delhi without informing even his close friends. He spent those days consuming alcohol. Later he restarted his career in Film industry despite his failed love and marriage.

Financial misfortune

Chandrababu directed the film Maadi Veettu ezhai with M. G. Ramachandran as hero. Eventually, he failed on this venture as Ramachandran did not cooperate with him. The film was also dropped. The reasons for Ramachandran's non-cooperation is well explained by script writer Aroordhas, in his 2002 memoirs Naan Muham Paartha Cinema Kannadigal. Its because Chandababu became abusive towards Ramachandran's elder sibling M. G. Chakrapani.

His last work was to direct and act in Thattungal Thirakkappadum, which was highly acclaimed for its cinematography but was not a box office success. Due to the loss in the film Maadi Veettu Ezhai, he spent his last days with penniless. Later died on March 7, 1974.

Popular Tamil songs

The following are some of Chandrababu's songs that have remained popular:

Year	Film	Song	Music	Co-Singer
1951	Mohanasundaram	Hello My Dear Darling Hello My Rose Charming	T. G. Lingappa
1952	Andhaman Kaidhi	I love you..I love you.. Aasaiyanene Un Mele	G. Govindarajulu Naidu	A. G. Rathnamala
1952	Chinnadhurai	Poda Raja Podi Nadaya	T. G. Lingappa
1953	Kangal	Aalu Ganam Aanal Moolai Gaali	S. V. Venkatraman
1954	Kalyanam Panniyum Brahmachari	Jolly Life, Jolly Life	T. G. Lingappa	playback for Sivaji Ganesan
1954	Penn	Kalyanam Kalyanam... Ullasamagave Ulagathil	R. Sudharsanam	playback for S. Balachander
1955	Gulebagavali	Paraanda Mannar Ellam.... Achi Nimirndha Vandi	Viswanathan Ramamoorthy	A. G. Rathnamala
1955	Maman Magal	Gova Mambazhame Malgova Mambazhame	S. V. Venkatraman
1957	Mahadhevi	Un Thirumugathey Oru Mugama	Viswanathan Ramamoorthy	A. G. Rathnamala
1957	Mahadhevi	Thanthana Taalam Poduvom	Viswanathan Ramamoorthy	A. G. Rathnamala
1957	Pudhaiyal	Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga	Viswanathan Ramamoorthy
1957	Pudhaiyal	Hello My Dear Ramy	Viswanathan Ramamoorthy	A. L. Raghavan
1957	Pudhumai Pithan	Araichi Mani.... Thillaana Paatu Paadi Kullathaara	G. Ramanathan	Jikki
1957	Pathini Dheivam	Aathukku Paalam Avasiyam	Viswanathan Ramamoorthy	T. M. Soundararajan
1957	Manamagan Thevai	Bambara Kannale	G. Ramanathan
1957	Samaya Sanjeevi	Paper Paper	G. Ramanathan
1958	Padhi Bhakti	Rock Rock Rock	Viswanathan Ramamoorthy	V. N. Sundaram
1958	Padhi Bhakti	Intha Thinnai Paechu Veeranidam	Viswanathan Ramamoorthy	T. M. Soundararajan
1958	Padhi Bhakti	Kosari Kosari	Viswanathan Ramamoorthy
1958	Kathavarayan	Jigu Jigu Jigu	G. Ramanathan	Jikki
1958	Kathavarayan	Thanthaane Thane Thanthaane	G. Ramanathan
1958	Nadodi Mannan	Thadukkadhe Ennai Thadukkadhe	S. M. Subbaiah Naidu	K. Jamuna Rani
1959	Sahodari	Naan Oru Muttalunga	R. Sudharsanam
1959	Pandi Thevan	Nee Adinal	T. G. Lingappa	K. Jamuna Rani
1959	Pandi Thevan	Solluratha Solliputaen	T. G. Lingappa
1959	Naan Sollum Ragasiyam	Vilaiyadu Raja Vilaiyadu	G. Ramanathan	A. P. Komala
1959	Maragadham	Kunguma Poove Konjum Puraave	S. M. Subbaiah Naidu	K. Jamuna Rani
1960	Kavalai Illaadha Manithan	Pirakkum Podhum Azhukindrai	Viswanathan Ramamoorthy
1960	Kavalai Illaadha Manithan	Kavalai Illaadha Manithan	Viswanathan Ramamoorthy
1960	Petra Manam	Paadi Paadi Paadi	S. Rajeswara Rao	Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
1961	Sri Valli	Ayyo Machan Mannaru	G. Ramanathan
1961	Kumara Raja	Aan Ondru Aada Penn Ondru Paada	T. R. Papa	P. Leela
1961	Kumara Raja	Onnume Puriyalae Ulagathile	T. R. Papa
1961	Kumara Raja	Moodinaalum Thiranthaalum	T. R. Papa	K. Jamuna Rani
1961	Kumara Raja	Ennai Paartha Kannu	T. R. Papa	K. Jamuna Rani
1962	Paadha Kaanikkai	Kadhal Embathu Edhu Varai	Viswanathan Ramamoorthy	P. B. Sreenivas, P. Suseela & L. R. Eswari
1962	Paadha Kaanikkai	Thaniya Thavikkira Vayasu	Viswanathan Ramamoorthy
1962	Annai	Buthiyulla Manidharellam	R. Sudharsanam
1962	Policekaaran Magal	Porandhalum Aambalaiya Porakka Koodadhu	Viswanathan Ramamoorthy	L. R. Eswari
1962	Bandhapaasam	Eppo Vachikkalaam Eppadi Vachikkalaam	Viswanathan Ramamoorthy
1962	Senthamarai	Thangadhamma Thangadhu Samsaram Thangadhu	Viswanathan Ramamoorthy	K. Jamuna Rani
1963	Kadavulai Kanden	Konjam Thallikanum	K. V. Mahadevan	K. Jamuna Rani
1963	Kadavulai Kanden	Ungal Kaigal Uyarattum	K. V. Mahadevan	P. B. Sreenivas
1963	Yaarukku Sondham	Ennai Theriyalaiyaa
1963	Yaarukku Chondham	Oho Meri Bul Bul	K. V. Mahadevan	K. Jamuna Rani
1964	Aandavan Kattalai	Sirippu Varudhu Sirippu Varudhu	Viswanathan Ramamoorthy
1966	Thattungal Thirakkappadum	Kanmani Pappa
1967	Valiba Virundhu	Ondra Kannu Doriya	R. Sudharsanam	K. Jamuna Rani
1968	Nimirnthu Nil	Pudichalum Pudhicha Puliyankomba Pudicha		L. R. Eswari
1972	Neethi	Engaladhu Boomi		T. M. Soundararajan, P. Suseela & Manorama

References

• Aranthai Narayanan: Thamil Cinemavin Kathai, New Century Book House, Chennai, 2002 2nd edition, pp 279–280.
• Aroordhas: Naan Muham Paartha Cinema Kannadigal, Kalaignan Pathipakam, Chennai, 2002, pp 184–201.
• Vamanan: Thirai Isai Alaigal, part 1, Manivasagar Pathipakam, Chennai, 2004 2nd edition, pp 595–605.
• "The agony and ecstasy of being - Chandrababu". Southside. 2007. Archived from the original on 19 May 2008.
• Guy, Randor (2 October 2009). "A voice that mesmerised". The Hindu. Retrieved 26 March 2011.

External links

• J. P. Chandrababu at IMDb
• Article on J. P. Chandrababu in Kalyana Malai