S. S. RAJENDRAN

S. S. RAJENDRAN – Film Actor

Sedapatti Suryanarayana Devar Rajendran – (January 1928 – 24 October 2014) commonly known by his stage name S. S. Rajendran. Popularly known as SSR, was born at Sedapatti hamlet near Usilampatti, Madras Presidency, India, and was introduced to Tamil cinema through the hit film Parasakthi, released in 1952. He was a cult figure in the early 1950s and 60s who thrilled movie fans by his breath-taking dialogue delivery and flawless Tamil pronunciation — a feat only matched by the thespian Sivaji Ganesan. SSR first received offers to act on stage productions when he was in the 6th std. He joined Puliya Maanagar Boy's Company, which was famous in southern Tamil Nadu, established by P. K. Subba Reddiyar. He started acting in the productions in small roles, and soon after was selected to act as "Bala Abhimanyu".

Later he joined T.K.S. Brothers Drama Company, Muththamizh Kala Vidva Rathna TKS Sabha. T. K. Shanmugam, his mentor, was taken ill one day and could not perform in the play that night for Siva Leela. Rajendran, who was hardly 15 years old, was selected by the troupe to act as the hero Shenbagapandian, replacing Shanmugam. He became a drama star overnight. During those days, he had several opportunities to meet Periyar E. V. Ramasamy and Arignar C. N. Annadurai. He left T.K.S. drama company in 1943 and joined Mohana Gana Sabha in Madras.

He had his first film offer in Abhimanyu, but the opportunity was lost to S. M. Kumaresan. SSR became a playback singer with the song "Inba ulakile manmadhan poonganai" in the film Andaal — music by G. Ramanathan, produced by Salem Moorthy Pictures. After that Rajendran started his own drama company and made efforts to enter filmdom.

SSR was introduced to Tamil cinema through the hit film Parasakthi in 1952, directed by renowned duo directors Krishnan-Panju, in the character Gnanasekharan, as the elder brother of Sivaji Ganesan. Following with block busters Mudhalali, President Panchatcharam, Pillai Kani Amudhu, Thalai Koduthan Thambi, Thedi Vandha Selvam, C. N. Annadurai's Edhayum Thangum Idhayam, M. Karunanidhi's Avan Pithana, Poompuhar and Modern Theatres Kumudham. SSR acted with M. G. Ramachandran in Raja Desingu as Mohamed Khan and in Kaanji Thalaivan as Paranjothi. He had worked in many films with Sivaji Ganesan such as Manohara, Rangoon Radha, Raja Rani, Deivapiravi, Aalayamani, Pachai Vilakku, Pazhani, Kungumam, Shanthi and Kai Kodutha Dheivam (This film won National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil - President's Silver Medal in 1965.)

Other notable films were Sorgavaasal, Ammaiyappan, Ratha Kanneer, Kuladeivam, Thai Piranthaal Vazhi Pirakkum, Kalyanikku Kalyanam, Sivagangai Seemai, also in AVM's Kaakkum Karangal, Poomalai and K. Balachander's Ethiroli. SSR was one of the hero in demand who acted non-stop, when M. G. Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan ruled the Tamil industry. S. S. Rajendran carved out a niche for himself and dominated the field. He paired with leading heroines like B. Saroja Devi, Padmini, C. R. Vijayakumari, Raja Sulochana, Kanchana and K. R. Vijaya.

His drama company SSR Nadaka Mandram staged famous plays. Thousands of plays performed throughout the nation. His noted plays where Or Iravu (C.N.Annadurai), Manimagudam (M. Karunanidhi), Thenpaandi Veeran (P. Nedumaran). Once his play was staged in Mumbai (Shanmuganandha Hall) in the presence of Raj Kapoor and Prithviraj Kapoor and honoured him. He gave opportunities to artistes M. N. Rajam, Sheela, Manorama and Navarasa Thilagam R. Muthuraman. Later SSR was very selective about the roles in films.

Director K. S. Gopalakrishnan was introduced from his film Saradha (a silver jubilee hit) and Saradha Studios was established to commomerate the success of this film by its producer A. L. Srinivasan. Like wise, SSRs film "Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum" in which his co-star was Raja Sulochana,^[4] a block buster on the year 1958, its producer/director Pulavar A. K. Velan, from the revenue, established a studio named Arunachalam Studios, in Arunachalam Road, Saligramam, Chennai. Debut of Director Muktha Srinivasan was SSRs film Mudhalali, Devika was introduced in this film. Director A. Bhimsingh's first film was Ammaiyappan in which hero was SSR. Director K. Shankar first Tamil film was Sivagangai Seemai.

He has written songs, scripted movies and directed three films Thangarathinam, Alli and Manimagudam in which J. Jayalalitha paired with him. He was honoured by Vijayakanth and Sarath Kumar by offering him notable rolls in their films Vallarasu and Rishi. He also wrote songs "Thunbam Theeradho" for Thangarathinam (1960) sung by T. M. Soundararajan and K. Jamuna Rani and Indraikku Naan Pirandhen for Erattai Manithan music by M. S. Viswanathan. He has sung a song Senthamizhnattu Katharinesavu Selaigal Vettigal Vanguveer in Pudhumaipenn (1959) tuned by K. V. Mahadevan and written by Udumalai Narayana Kavi. 

Popularly known as ILATCHIYA NADIGAR, he received Seven President awards including central/state. Founder, member of SOUTH INDIAN ARTISTS ASSOCIATION and was elected as its President for three times. SSR was honoured with Thyagaraja Bhagavathar Award by Tamil Nadu State Government, 1999 and also he has received Kalaimamani award.

He joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party and contested from Theni constituency in the assembly election, but lost by a margin. He raised funds for DMK and acted in movies glorifying Dravidian ideologies. SSR was the first elected member of legislative assembly among actors in India when he was elected to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly as an Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidateTheni (State Assembly Constituency) in Madras State legislative assembly election, 1962.^[5] Subsequently, he was elected as a member (MP) of Rajya Sabha. Later, he joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and won from Andipatti constituency in the 1980 assembly election,secured highest leading margin more than other constituencies on that assembly election. He was appointed deputy chairman of Small Savings Scheme. Today, he is retired from the politics.

SSR married Pankajammal to whom Elangovan, Rajendrakumar, Kalaivanan, Selvaraj and Bhagyalakshmi were born. A public cinema theatre, film studio,and recording theatre under the banner of SSR PANKAJAM established by them in Chennai. These establishments are a tribute to SSR’s wife Pankajam and hence its christened as the same. He married to C. R. Vijayakumari and had a son Ravikumar. Later he married Thamaraiselvi and had a son and daughter named Kannan and Lakshmi.

SSR was admitted to Meenakshi Hospital, Mylapore on 23 October 2014 in critical condition. He died on 24 October 2014 morning, of issues related to lung infection. Rajendran was 86.

His works include:

Year	Film
1948	Sri Aandal
1952	Parasakthi
1952	Panam
1954	Manohara
1954	Ratha Kanneer
1954	Sorgavaasal
1954	Ammaiyappan
1956	Raja Rani
1956	Kula Dheivam
1956	Rangoon Radha
1957	Mudhalali
1958	Anbu Engey
1958	Petra Maganai Vitra Annai
1958	Thai Pirandhaal Vazhi Pirakkum
1958	Thedi Vandha Selvam
1958	Pillai Kani Amudhu
1958	Edhirigal Jakradhai
1959	Alli Petra Pillai
1959	Kalyanikku Kalyanam
1959	Mamiyaar Mechiya Marumagal
1959	Nattukku Oru Nallavan
1959	President Panchatcharam
1959	Sivagangai Seemai
1959	Thalai Koduthan Thambi
1959	Sollu Thambi Sollu
1960	Dheivapiravi
1960	Raja Desingu
1960	Petra Manam
1960	Koodi Vaazhthaal Kodi Nanmai
1960	Thangarathinam
1961	Kumudham
1961	Manappandhal
1961	Panam Pandhiyile
1962	Dheivathin Dheivam
1962	Senthamarai
1962	Muthu Mandapam
1962	Aalayamani
1962	Saradha
1962	Ethaiyum Thanggum Ithaiyam
1963	Kaanji Thalaivan
1963	Aasai Alaigal
1963	Kaidhiyin Kadhali
1963	Kattu Roja
1963	Nanum Oru Pen
1963	Neengatha Ninaivu
1963	Vanampaadi
1963	Kungumam
1964	Pachai Vilakku
1964	Alli
1964	Kai Kodutha Dheivam
1964	Poombugar
1964	Vazhi Pirandhadhu
1965	Pazhani
1965	Anandhi
1965	Santhi
1965	Kaakkum Karangal
1965	Paditha Manaivi
1965	Poomalai
1966	Avan Pitthana
1966	Mani Magudam
1966	Marakka Mudiyuma
1966	Thedi Vandha Thirumagal
1969	Kula Vilakku
1970	Edhiroli
1981	Irattai Manithan
1985	Anbin Mugavari
1996	Rajali
1998	Dharma
2000	Vallarasu
2001	Rishi
2003	Dum