Singanallur Venkataramana Iyer Sahasranamam (29 November 1913 – 19 February 1988), also known as S. V. S., was an Indian actor and director. Primarily a theatre actor, he also worked in over 200 films, mainly in Tamil cinema.
Early life Sahasranamam was born on 29 November 1913 at Singanallur. He was the fourth child born to Venkatraman and Parvathi. Because of his interest in acting, he left his home at an early age to join the Madurai Sri Balashanmuganandha Sabha, a popular theatre group, which was later renamed T. K. S. Nataka Sabha.
Career Several years after he joined T. K. S. Nataka Sabha, Sahasranamam started his own theatre group titled "Seva Stage". With that, he staged several popular plays such as Kangal, Irulum Oliyum and Vadivelu Vaathiyar. These plays were later adapted into feature films and were commercially successful. He also adapted the novels of writers such as B. S. Ramiah, T. Janakiraman and Ku Pa Rajagopalan, and made them into feature films. Although Sahasranamam was also successful in cinema, having acted in over 200 films since debuting in that field with Menaka (1935), he always considered theatre his main interest.
Awards Sahasranamam won the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Acting (Tamil) in 1967, and received the Sangeetha Kalasikhamani award in 1980 by the Indian Fine Arts Society, Chennai.
Personal life Sahasranamam's son S. V. S. Kumar is also an actor.
Illness and death Between March 1974 and February 1988, Sahasranamam suffered at least five heart attacks. He had chosen the artists for the play Nandha Vilakku, authored by novelist/dramatist Krishnamani, and asked them to come for a rehearsal on 21 February. But he suffered a heart attack on 19 February 1988 and died at 4:30 pm IST.
Partial filmography Year Film Role 1935 Menaka 1937 Balamani Ranjit Singh 1941 Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum 1942 Kannagi Paramasivan 1942 Naveena Vikramadityan 1944 Mahamaya Jayapalan 1944 Prabhavathi Shiva 1944 Rajarajeswari 1944PoompavaiShiva 1947 Paithiyakkaran 1949 Nallathambi Bhoopati 1949 Vaazhkai Murthi 1951 Marmayogi 1951 Manamagal Male protagonist 1951 Singari 1952 Parasakthi Chandrasekaran 1953 Kangal 1953 Rohini 1954 Edhir Paradhathu Gopu 1955 Needhipathi 1955 Valliyin Selvan Manoharam Pillay 1956 Kula Deivam Muthaiyya 1956 Naane Raja 1958Sengottai SingamDharmalingam 1959 Alli Petra Pillai 1959 Kalaivaanan Viswanathan 1959 Kan Thiranthathu Karuppaiah 1959 Naalu Veli Nilam 1959 Nalla Theerpu 1959 Orey Vazhi 1959 President Panchaksharam District Board president 1959 Uthami Petra Rathinam 1962 Policekaran Magal 1962 Padithal Mattum Podhuma 1963 Kunkhumam Justice Somanathan 1963 Vanambadi 1963 Anandha Jodhi Muthiah Pillai 1964 Kai Kodutha Deivam Mahadevan's lawyer 1964AlliSomu 1965 Poojaikku Vandha MalarSivanesan 1965 Santhi Doctor1966Yaarukkaga AzhudhaanNaidu 1966 Marakka Mudiyumaa? 1966 Sadhu Mirandal Bank Manager1966Avan Pithana?Nallaiah Raja 1966 Selvam1967Kan Kanda DeivamJudge 1968 Jeevanaamsam 1968 Kuzhanthaikkaga 1968 Thillana Mohanambal Shaktivelu 1969 Iru Kodugal 1969 Soappu Seeppu Kannadi 1971 Punnagai 1971 Sabatham Nalli Muthu 1972 Nawab Naarkali Thandavam 1974 Urimaikural 1976 Dasavatharam King Mahabali 1979 Gnana Kuzhandhai
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