->Chris the speller at 05:14, 4 January 2022

2022-01-04T05:14:23Z

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{{short description|Indian actor and comedian (1917-1994)}}
{{EngvarB|date=February 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = K. A. Thangavelu
| image = K. A. Thangavelu.jpg
| other_names = Danaal Thangavelu
| birth_name = Karaikal Arunachalam Thangavelu<ref name="MohanRaman" />
| birth_date = {{birth date|1917|01|15|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Karaikal, Puducherry]], [[French India]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|1994|9|28|1917|1|15|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Chennai, Tamil Nadu]]
| occupation = Actor, comedian
| years_active = 1936; 1951–1994
| spouse = Rajamani (m. 1943)<br />[[M. Saroja]] (m.1959–1994; until his death)
| children = 3
}}

'''Karaikal Arunachalam Thangavelu''' (15 January 1917 – 28 September 1994) popularly known as "Danaal Thangavelu", was an Indian actor and comedian popular in the 1950s to 1970s. Not known for physical, acrobatic comedy like his contemporaries [[J. P. Chandrababu]] and [[Nagesh]], Thangavelu's humor is recognised for his impeccable timing in verbal agility and the characteristic twang of his delivery. He exclusively acted in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] films.

== Early life ==
Thangavelu was born on 15 January 1917,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://sangam.org/mgr-remembered-part-41/ |title=MGR Remembered – Part 41 – Ilankai Tamil Sangam |last=Kantha |first=Sachi Sri |author-link=Sachi Sri Kantha |date=19 December 2017 |website=[[Ilankai Tamil Sangam]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224003449/http://sangam.org/mgr-remembered-part-41/ |archive-date=24 December 2017 |access-date=9 February 2020}}</ref> in [[Karaikal]], but shifted at an early age to [[Tirumalairayanpattinam]]. He was one of three sons of Arunachalam and Karumammal. Due to Arunachalam's alcoholism, the family struggled for food every day. Karumammal died when Thangavelu was six years old, and Arunachalam remarried; Thangavelu's stepmother often [[Wicked stepmother|abused him]].<ref name="MohanRaman" /> Arunachalam left for Singapore to find better employment and Thangavelu was sent to live with his relatives, but they too abused and ill-treated him.<ref name="kalyanamalai" /> As a child, Thangavelu was a music and theatre fan, often sneaking into halls to watch plays. He eventually joined the Rajambal Company troupe, and was taught acting and mentored originally by Yedhartham Ponnuswamy Pillai, and later by M. Kandaswamy Mudaliar.<ref name="MohanRaman" />

== Career ==
Thangavelu spent nine years at Rajambal Company, and after Kandaswamy Mudaliar shifted to the film industry, he too did the same, debuting with a minor, uncredited role in ''[[Sathi Leelavathi (1936 film)|Sathi Leelavathi]]'' (1936). Due to lack of success, Thangavelu quit films and survived on alms at a [[Kartikeya|Murugan]] temple near [[Kanchipuram]] until actor M. M. Marappa saw his plight and brought him back into the acting field, this time in theatre. As a result, Thangavelu became more financially stable, and his father also returned to live with him. After a long sabbatical from films, Thangavelu returned to the field in 1951 with ''[[Manamagal]]''; director [[N. S. Krishnan]] cast him after having already seen and liking his several stage performances. He followed it with a comical role in ''[[Singari]]'' the same year, through which he got the prefix "Danaal" after the often repeated word of his character. Films like ''[[Ponvayal]]'' and ''[[Panam Paduthum Padu]]'' (both released in 1954) were instrumental in establishing Thangavelu as a comedian.<ref name="MohanRaman" /> Throughout his career, Thangavelu acted only in Tamil films.<ref name="kalyanamalai" /> He had won Tamil Nadu government's [[Kalaimamani]] in 1968 and [[Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award|Kalaivanar award]] in 1989.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19940929&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |title=K. A. Thangavelu dead |date=29 September 1994 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |page=1}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Thangavelu was originally married to Rajamani.<ref name="kalyanamalai" /> He later married actress [[M. Saroja]] who was his pair in more than 50 films. Despite their [[Age disparity in sexual relationships|age difference]], they loved and married in Madurai Murugan temple during the 100th day celebration of their film ''[[Kalyana Parisu]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kesavan |first=N. |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/Comediennes-who-made-Tamil-cinema-bright/article14404869.ece |title=Comediennes who made Tamil cinema bright |date=26 June 2016 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=9 February 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227092659/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/Comediennes-who-made-Tamil-cinema-bright/article14404869.ece |archive-date=27 February 2018}}</ref>

== Death ==
Thangavelu died on 28 September 1994 at his house in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.<ref name="kalyanamalai" />

== Partial Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="background:#000;"
! Year !! Film !! Role
!Ref.
|-
|1936
|[[Sathi Leelavathi (1936 film)|''Sathi Leelavathi'']]
|
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rajanayaham |first=R. P. |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/supplements/hindu-talkies/63625-.html |title=நினைவுகளின் சிறகுகள்: கே.ஏ. தங்கவேலு – அண்ணே என்னைச் சுடப்போறாங்க! |date=13 November 2015 |work=[[The Hindu (Tamil)]] |access-date=9 February 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112040430/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/supplements/hindu-talkies/63625-.html |archive-date=12 November 2019 |trans-title=Wings of memories: K. A. Thangavelu – My big brother is going to shoot me!}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" |1951 ||''[[Manamagal]]''||
|
|-
|''[[Singari]]''||
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |1952 ||''[[Amarakavi]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Kaliyugam]]''||
|
|-
|''[[Panam (film)|Panam]]''||
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |1953 ||''[[Anbu (1953 film)|Anbu]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Thirumbi Paar (1953 film)|Thirumbi Paar]]''||
|
|-
|''[[Panakkaari|Panakkari]]''||
|
|-
| rowspan="8" |1954 ||''[[Illara Jothi]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Sugam Enge|Suham Engei]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Nanban (1954 film)|Nanban]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Panam Paduthum Padu]]''||
|
|-
|''[[Ponvayal]]''||Esraj
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-columns/ponvayal-1954/article2801100.ece |title=Ponvayal 1954 |date=14 January 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=9 February 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200209093321/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-columns/ponvayal-1954/article2801100.ece |archive-date=9 February 2020}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Pona Machaan Thirumbi Vandhan|Pona Machchan Thirumbi Vanthan]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Vilayattu Bommai]]''||
|
|-
|''[[Vaira Maalai]]''||
|
|-
| rowspan="11" |1955 ||''[[Ulagam Palavitham]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Ellam Inba Mayam]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Kathanayaki]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Gulebakavali (1955 film)|Gulebakavali]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Koteeswaran]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Gomathiyin Kaadhalan]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Chella Pillai]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Maheswari]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Mangaiyar Thilakam]]''||
|
|-
| ''Methavikal''||
|
|-
|''[[Missiamma]]''||
|
|-
| rowspan="9" |1956 ||''[[Rambaiyin Kaadhal (1956 film)|Rambaiyin Kaadhal]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (1956 film)|Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum]]''||Gulam
|<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7JevgDCLbuNTkt1MURBcnhwR0E/view |title=அலிபாபாவும் 40 திருடர்களும் |publisher=[[Modern Theatres]] |year=c. 1956 |language=ta |trans-title=Alibaba and the Forty Thieves |type=songbook |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801100800/https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7JevgDCLbuNTkt1MURBcnhwR0E/view |archive-date=1 August 2020}} [https://archive.org/details/Alibabavum40Thirudargalum1956Songbook Alt URL]</ref>
|-
| ''[[Amara Deepam (1956 film)|Amara Deepam]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Kaalam Maari Pochu (1956 film)|Kalam Maripochchu]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Kudumba Vilakku]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Nalla Veedu]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Naga Panchami (1956 film)|Naga Panchami]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Marma Veeran]]''||
|
|-
|''[[Mathar Kula Manikkam]]''||
|
|-
| rowspan="12" |1957 ||''[[Alavudinum Arbutha Vilakkum]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Ambikapathy (1957 film)|Ambikapathi]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Engal Veettu Mahalakshmi]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Karpukkarasi]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Chakravarthi Thirumagal]]''||
|
|-
| ''Soubakyavathi''||
|
|-
| ''[[Neelamalai Thirudan]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Bhaktha Markandeya]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Baagyavathi]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Mallika (1957 film)|Mallika]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Maya Bazaar]]''||
|
|-
|''[[Vanangamudi]]''||
|
|-
| rowspan="10" |1958 ||''[[Uthama Puthiran (1958 film)|Uthama Puthiran]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Kadan Vaangi Kalyaanam]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Kanniyin Sabatham]]''||
|
|-
| ''Kaathavarayan''||
|
|-
| ''Senjulakshmi''||
|
|-
| ''[[Neelavukku Niranja Manasu]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Boologa Rambai]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Manamulla Maruthaaram]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Mangalya Bhagyam]]''||
|
|-
|''[[Vanji Kottai Valipan]]''||
|
|-
| rowspan="4" |1959 ||''[[Kalyana Parisu]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Thaai Magalukku Kattiya Thaali]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Naan Sollum Ragasiyam]]''||
|
|-
|''[[Manjal Mahimai]]''||
|
|-
| rowspan="13" |1960 ||''[[Adutha Veettu Penn]]''||Singer
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/adutha-veettu-penn-1960/article5104325.ece |title=Adutha Veettu Penn 1960 |date=7 September 2013 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=7 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908103335/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/adutha-veettu-penn-1960/article5104325.ece |archive-date=8 September 2013}}</ref>
|-
| ''Anbirkoor Anni''||
|
|-
| ''[[Irumbu Thirai]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Kadavulin Kuzhandhai]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Kaithi Kannayiram]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Kairasi]]''||Madhu
|<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7JevgDCLbuNR0laUEZCM0lzUW8/view |title=வாசு பிலிம்ஸ் கைராசி (பாட்டுப் புத்தகம்) |publisher=Sri Kamakoti Printers, Moor Road, Chennai-1 |year=1960 |location=Chennai |language=ta |access-date=9 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623083303/https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7JevgDCLbuNR0laUEZCM0lzUW8/view |archive-date=23 June 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Thangam Manasu Thangam]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Thangarathinam]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Deivapiravi]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Naan Kanda Sorgam]]''
|Sundar
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guy |first=Randor |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/blast-from-the-past-naan-kanda-sorgam-1960/article6868907.ece |title=Naan Kanda Sorgam 1960 |date=7 February 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=9 February 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305161936/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/blast-from-the-past-naan-kanda-sorgam-1960/article6868907.ece |archive-date=5 March 2017}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Pattaliyin Vetri]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Pudhiya Pathai (1960 film)|Pudhiya Pathai]]''||
|
|-
|''[[Meenda Sorgam]]''||
|
|-
| rowspan="5" |1961 ||''[[Arasilangkumari]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Thirudathe]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Panithirai]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Pasamalar]]''||
|
|-
|''[[Then Nilavu]]''||
|
|-
| rowspan="6" |1962 ||''[[Raani Samyuktha ]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Azhagu Nila]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Vikramaadhithan]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Parthal Pasi Theerum]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Valar Pirai]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Senthamarai (film)|Senthamarai]]''||
|
|-
| rowspan="4" |1963 ||''[[Arivaali ]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Idhayathil Nee]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Koduthu Vaithaval ]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Kattu Roja]]''||
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |1964||''Ullasa Payanam''||
|
|-
| ''[[Vazhkai Vazhvatharke]]''||
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |1965 ||''[[Enga Veetu Pillai]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Enga Veettu Penn]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Vallavanukku Vallavan]]''||
|
|-
| rowspan="5" |1966 ||''[[Enga Paappa]]''||
|
|-
|''[[Iru Vallavargal]]''||
|
|-
|''[[Kathal Paduthum Padu]]''||
|
|-
|''[[Parakkum Pavai]]''||
|
|-
|''[[Petralthan Pillaiya]]''||
|
|-
| rowspan="4" |1967 ||''[[Uyir Mel Aasai]]''||
|
|-
|''[[Rajathi]]''||
|
|-
|''Pen Endral Pen''||
|
|-
|''Penne Nee Vazhga''||
|
|-
| rowspan="4" |1968 ||''[[Galatta Kalyanam]]''||Dharmalingam
|
|-
|''[[Thillana Mohanambal]]''||
|
|-
|''[[Kuzhanthaikkaga]]''||
|
|-
|''[[Harichandra (1968 film)|Harichandra]]''||
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |1969 ||''[[Nam Naadu (1969 film)|Nam Naadu]]''||
|
|-
|''[[Gurudhakshaneiy]]''||
|
|-
|''[[Anjal Petti 520]]''||
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |1970 ||''[[Vietnam Veedu]]''||
|
|-
|''[[Kann Malar]]''||
|
|-
|''[[Nilave Nee Satchi]]''||
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |1971 ||''[[Sumathi En Sundari]]''||
|
|-
|''[[Arutperunjothi]]''||
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |1973 ||''[[Amman Arul]]''||
|
|-
|''[[Ponnunjal]]''||
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |1974 ||''[[Kalyanamam Kalyanam]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Anbu Thangai]]''||
|
|-
| rowspan="1" |1981 ||''[[Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo]]''||Head constable
|
|-
| rowspan="1" |1982 ||''[[Krodham (1982 film)|Krodham]]''||
|
|-
| rowspan="1" |1987 ||''[[Manaivi Ready]]''||Thangappan
|
|-
|1989
|Avathellam Pennale
|Naidu
|
|-
|1994
|[[Periya Marudhu (film)|Periya Marudhu]]
|Vaithiyar
|
|}

== References ==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="MohanRaman">{{Cite news |last=Raman |first=Mohan V. |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/King-of-comedy/article14995630.ece |title=King of comedy |date=24 September 2016 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=9 February 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181212085703/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/King-of-comedy/article14995630.ece |archive-date=12 December 2018 |author-link=Mohan Raman}}</ref>
<ref name="kalyanamalai">{{Cite web |url=http://www.kalyanamalaimagazine.com/Content/Thiraichuvai/Nov10_16_30/Potpourri_of_titbits_about_Tamil_cinema_Thangavelu.html |title=Potpourri of titbits about cinema – Thangavelu |last=Majordasan |website=Kalyanamalai |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029204028/http://www.kalyanamalaimagazine.com/Content/Thiraichuvai/Nov10_16_30/Potpourri_of_titbits_about_Tamil_cinema_Thangavelu.html |archive-date=29 October 2016 |access-date=9 February 2020}}</ref>
}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb name|3472914}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thangavelu, K. A.}}
[[Category:1917 births]]
[[Category:1994 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century comedians]]
[[Category:Indian male comedians]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Indian Tamil people]]
[[Category:Male actors from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Male actors in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:People from Karaikal district]]
[[Category:Tamil comedians]]
[[Category:Tamil male actors]]

K. A. Thangavelu - Revision history

->Chris the speller at 05:14, 4 January 2022