P. U. Chinnappa
| Pudukkottai Ulaganathan Pillai Chinnappa | |
|---|---|
P. U. Chinnappa
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| Born |
Pudukottai Ulaganathan Chinnaswamy Pillai 5 May 1916 Pudukkottai state, India |
| Died | 23 September 1951 (aged 36) Madras, Madras State, India |
| Other names | Nadigar Mannar |
| Spouse(s) | A. Sakunthala |
| Children | P. U. C. Raja Bahadur |
| Parent(s) | Ulaga Nathan Pillai,Meenakshi Ammal |
Pudukkottai Ulaganathan Pillai Chinnappa (5 May 1916 – 23 September 1951), also popularly known as P. U. Chinnappa, was a popular singer and Tamil movie actor during the 1930s and from Pudukottai, Tamil Nadu, India. He is also credited to be one of the first major influential actors of South Cinema. His notable movies include Uthama Puthiran, Aryamala, Kannagi, Manonmani, Kubera Kuchela and Jagathalaprathapan.
Despite attaining the super star status, his career was cut short by a sudden death.
P. U. Chinnappa was born to Ulaganathapillai and Meenakshi ammal on 5 May 1916. He had two sisters. His father was a stage artist and hence he made his way easily into stage acting. Chinnappa had education only till 4th grade, he was not much involved in academics, he was rather interested in acting. Even as a kid he acted in several stage shows, his acting as a thief in Sadaram stage play as a kid won applause from audiences. Not only in acting Chinnappa was interested in wrestling and Silambam. Since his family was poor, at an age of 5 he went to rope production work for 5 rupees per month. However he didn't work there for a long time.
By seeing his son's interest in acting his father decided to pursue a career in acting for him. At an age of 8, Chinnappa joined in Meenalokshani Vidvabala Sabha (Under Sankaradas Swamy, this sabha was run by Palaniyapillai). At that time T.K.S brothers were acting under this company and was very famous at that time. Chinnappa didn't last long there too, as he was not given significant roles. At that time Madurai Original Boys company were conducting stage play in Pudukkotai, Chinnappa was recruited for a salary of Rs.15 with a 3-year contract.
Even though Chinnappa was offered small roles in Madurai Original Boys company, he used to perform other characters during his free time. One day in the company's house he was singing Sathi Anusaya stage play songs, his songs were heard by Sachidanantha Pillai who was staying on the top floor of the company's house. Pillai started inquiring who has sung the songs and Chinnappa was asked to perform in front of him again. Pillai was very happy and instantly increased his salary from Rs.15 to Rs.75 at that moment and promoted Chinnappa as hero.
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