T. S. Balaiah – Thespian of Tamil cinema best known for supporting roles

T. S. Balaiah (1914 – 1972) was a legendary figure of Tamil cinema, who was active in films during 1960s and 1970s. A doyen of acting, he is known for portraying every kind of roles including emotional, negative and comic, and mostly portrayed character roles. He along with MGR, N. S. Krishnan and M. K. Radha marked his screen debut together with 1936 film, Sathi Leelavathi by director Ellis R. Dungan. The film hogged in limelight for a while for all wrong reasons. It was the first Tamil film to be a subject of court case involving copyright violations. He owned millions of fans during his life time and shared screen space with almost all actors of his time.

Balaiah was born in Sundankottai, present-day Thoothukudi district. Balaiah started his acting career through theatre at the age of 15 before joining films, and has been a part of different theatre groups. He was a member of ‘Madurai Original Boys’ drama company which introduced many stage actors to Tamil screen. Sathi Leelavathi marked his screen debut along with screen gods – MGR, N. S. Krishnan and M. K. Radha in 1936. Mohini (1948) was his first film in a lead role. However he reverted to character roles later. At the age of 40 he started gaining weight which prompted him to accept character roles only.

T. S. Balaiah – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. His full name is Tirunelveli S. Balaiah. He was adopted by Subramaniya Pillai, attributing to his initials – T. S.

2. His son Junior Balaiah and daughter Manochithra have appeared in south Indian films.

3. When Kandaswamy Mudaliar wrote a script to launch his son M.K. Radha in films, T. S. Balaiah got his first film role through Sathi Leelavathi.

4. He shared stage space with M.K. Radha, M. G. Ramachandran and N. S. Krishnan while working in ‘Madurai Original Boys’ drama company, and later these four friends marked their screen debut together with Sathi Leelavathi.

5. He excelled as a villain in the famous movies such as Ambikapathy, Andhaman Kaidi, Madurai Veeran, Hello Mister Zamindar, Thaikkupin Tharam and Thiruvilaiyadal.

6. His comic roles in Kadhalikka Neramillai, Kavalai Illaadha Manithan, Bama Vijayam and Thillana Mohanambal were also well received.

7. Legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan takes his name along with M. R. Radha as his most admired actors.

8. As a kid he was not interested in studies, and hence ran away from home stealing money and joined a circus company. He was accompanied by his friend.

9. Director Bhim Singh used him in several of his ‘Pa’ series films while Sridhar offered him comic roles most.

10. He passed away at the age of only 57 during his active years in cinema, leaving behind a void which was never filled later. It was just three days before the release of his son’s debut film. The duo had planned to work in a movie together, which never happened.