V. M. Ezhumalai – Character artist and comedian of Tamil cinema in early talkies

V. M. Ezhumalai was a character artist of Tamil cinema, best known for playing comic roles. He joined films during the early talkies and was associated with cine world till early 1960s. His active career in film industry was during 1937 – 1962. His body language and mannerisms, along with dialogue delivery skills make him one of the earliest authorized comedians of Tamil cinema. Many comic songs have also been filmed on him in the black and white era.

V. M. Ezhumalai as Sundaram Pillai in ‘Digambara Samiyar’

V. M. Ezhumalai started his professional career with theatre in the early 1930s. At a time when Indian cinema was witnessing a transformation from silent films to talkies he joined the film industry. He was first featured in Vallala Maharaja released in 1937. From there on he spent 25 years in the industry. Though he essayed different character roles on screen, he earned popularity as a comedian.

He worked on a monthly salary at Modern Theatres for many years during his initial phase in Tamil cinema. He acted in around 40 films, mostly donning comic roles. Some of his performances include – Athisaya Thirudan, Missiamma, Kadan Vaangi Kalyaanam, Illarame Nallaram, Maya Bazaar, Panam Panthiyile, Guna Sundari, Kalaivaanan etc. Ellorum Vazhavendum in 1962 was his last release.

V. M. Ezhumalai – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. He was one of the earliest comedians of Tamil screen.

2. He frequently shared screen space with comedians, Kali N. Rathnam and A. Karunanidhi, giving many hilarious scenes to cine viewers.

3. He shared screen space with actor Gemini Ganesan in several movies in the 1950s such as Kadan Vaangi Kalyaanam, Guna Sundari, Pathini Deivam and Athisaya Thirudan. Savithri played female lead in these films.

4. He also shared screen space with Sivaji Ganesan for movies like Naan Petra Selvam, Makkalai Petra Magarasi, Koondukkili etc. He shared screen space with MGR in Koondukkili, Malaikkallan etc.