imported>Kugan1997 at 20:57, 14 August 2021

2021-08-14T20:57:20Z

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{{short description|Indian director, actor}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Manivannan
| image = Manivannan.jpg
| caption = Manivannan in September 2012
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1953|7|31}}
| birth_place = [[Sulur]], [[Madras State]] (now [[Coimbatore District]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]])
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2013|06|15|1953|07|31}}<ref>{{cite news|title=I am not what I look like: Manivannan|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/25/stories/2006102503810200.htm|access-date=30 September 2013|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=25 October 2006|author=S.R. Ashok Kumar|location=Chennai, India|archive-date=6 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906185122/http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/25/stories/2006102503810200.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Tamil actor Manivannan died|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-15/news-interviews/39992049_1_manivannan-tamil-kamal-haasan|access-date=30 September 2013|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=19 June 2018|archive-date=18 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618184302/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-15/news-interviews/39992049_1_manivannan-tamil-kamal-haasan|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| death_place = [[Nesapakkam]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
| occupation = Film actor, director, writer, Tamil activist and music director
| children = Jyothi, [[Raghuvannan]]
| party = [[Naam Tamilar Katchi]]
| birthname = S. Manivannan Rajagopal
| yearsactive = 1978–2013
| spouse = Sengamalam
}}

'''S. Manivannan Rajagopal''' (31 July 1953 – 15 June 2013), better known by his mononym '''Manivannan''', was an Indian film director, actor and activist who worked mainly in [[Tamil cinema]]. In a career spanning three decades, he went from being a story and dialogue writer for director [[Bharathiraja]] from 1980–82 to a successful director who thrived in experimenting with different genres, before becoming an actor.<ref name="thehindu1">{{cite news |author=Karthik Subramanian |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/master-of-character-roles-manivannan-passes-away/article4817104.ece |title=Master of character roles Manivannan passes away |work=The Hindu |date=15 June 2013 |access-date=16 June 2013 |location=Chennai, India |archive-date=19 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619030023/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/master-of-character-roles-manivannan-passes-away/article4817104.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> With over 400 films to his name, Manivannan was one of the most experienced actors in the field and has directed exactly 50 films.<ref>{{cite web |agency=IANS |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/manivannan-s-death-a-huge-loss-tamil-film-fraternity-113061500563_1.html |title=Manivannan's death a huge loss: Tamil film fraternity |publisher=Business Standard |date=16 June 2013 |access-date=16 June 2013 |archive-date=22 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622010230/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/manivannan-s-death-a-huge-loss-tamil-film-fraternity-113061500563_1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Manivannan was mainly a [[supporting actor]] in films and often played the comedian or the villain's role.<ref name="thehindu1"/>

During his lifetime, he supported various political parties, including the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] and the [[Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]. He later became affiliated with the [[Naam Tamilar Katchi]] and had long supported its ideology of [[Sri Lankan Tamil nationalism]].

==Career==
{{See also|Manivannan filmography}}
Manivannan attended the Sulur Government Boy's High School and later enrolled at [[Government Arts College, Coimbatore|Government Arts College]].<ref name="newindianexpress1">{{cite web |author=B Meenakshi Sundaram |url=http://newindianexpress.com/states/tamil_nadu/Kovai-has-fond-memories-of-Manivannan-the-entertainer/2013/06/16/article1636912.ece |title=Kovai has fond memories of Manivannan, the entertainer |publisher=The New Indian Express |date=16 June 2013 |access-date=16 June 2013 |archive-date=19 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619182438/http://newindianexpress.com/states/tamil_nadu/Kovai-has-fond-memories-of-Manivannan-the-entertainer/2013/06/16/article1636912.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> While completing his [[pre-university course]] in Kovai, he became acquainted with [[Sathyaraj]] and became friends. According to Sathyaraj, he provided poor guidance to Manivannan and made him pursue a degree in history in advanced English, which made him struggle with topics such as [[Shakespeare]], forcing him to drop out later.<ref>{{cite news |author=Subha J Rao |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-cinema/many-shades-of-grey/article4683478.ece |title=Many shades of grey |work=The Hindu |date=4 May 2013 |access-date=16 June 2013 |location=Chennai, India |archive-date=11 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911090548/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-cinema/many-shades-of-grey/article4683478.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> While still at college, Manivannan was bitten by the stage-bug and consequently he staged a few performances. Inspired by the impact the film ''[[Kizhake Pogum Rail]]'' (1978) made on him, he wrote a fan mail to the film-maker [[Bharathiraja]] and the letter ran to more than a hundred pages.<ref name="deccanchronicle1">{{cite web |author=Anupama Subramanian |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130616/news-current-affairs/article/multi-talented-manivannan-passes-away |title=Multi-talented Manivannan passes away |publisher=Deccan Chronicle |date=16 June 2013 |access-date=16 June 2013 |archive-date=20 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220121220/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130616/news-current-affairs/article/multi-talented-manivannan-passes-away |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/cinebio/23-04-00/manivan.htm |title=dinakaran |access-date=2014-02-14 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030804003618/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/cinebio/23-04-00/manivan.htm |archive-date=4 August 2003 }}</ref> Bharathiraja took him under his fold as an apprentice. Manivannan joined Bharathiraja's camp around 1979, when the director was acting in and was directing by [[PS Nivas|P S Nivas]], ''[[Kallukkul Eeram]]''.<ref>{{cite news |agency=TNN |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-15/news-interviews/39991930_1_sathyaraj-veteran-actor-cardiac-arrest |title=Actor-director Mannivannan no more |date=15 June 2013 |access-date=16 June 2013 |archive-date=19 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619000841/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-15/news-interviews/39991930_1_sathyaraj-veteran-actor-cardiac-arrest |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead }}</ref>

He penned the story and dialogues for some of his mentor's films between 1980–82 like ''[[Nizhalgal]]'', ''[[Tik Tik Tik (1981 film)|Tick Tick Tick]]'', ''[[Alaigal Oivathillai]]'' and ''[[Kaadhal Oviyam]]''.<ref name="thehindu1"/> Manivannan assisted Bharathiraja in a handful of films like ''Koththa Jeevithaalu'' (Telugu), ''[[Red Rose (1980 film)|Red Rose]]'' (Hindi) starring [[Rajesh Khanna]] and ''Lovers'' (Hindi).He learned trade hard and fast within two years under Bharatiraja and by 1982 made his directorial début. He had also penned the story and dialogues for a bunch of other films like ''Lottery Ticket'' acted by [[Mohan (actor)|Mohan]] and [[Prabhu (actor)|Prabhu]], ''[[Agaya Gangai (film)|Agaya Gangai]]'' acted by [[Karthik (actor)|Karthik]], ''[[Nesam]]'' acted by [[Ajith Kumar]]. In ''[[Kodi Parakuthu]]'', directed by Bharathiraja, Manivannan did the villain's role.

Although Manivannan has directed 50 films in Tamil and had around 34 films as box-office hits, he was most known for his acting skills among public. He was considered unique in the industry for his wisdom and his character roles. He had acted alongside many a star including Sivaji Ganesan, [[Kamal Haasan]], [[Rajinikanth]], Sathyaraj, Karthik, Mohan, Madhavan, [[Vijay (actor)| Vijay]], Ajith Kumar, Surya and among others. He has starred in over 400 films. ''[[Amaidhi Padai]]'', directed by Manivannan, is believed to have given him headway as an actor. He started getting plush offers and was seen acting in as many as thirty films a year from 1990–2011.

Manivannan directed 50 films including a few ventures in Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi.<ref>{{cite news |agency=TNN |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-15/news-interviews/39992049_1_manivannan-tamil-kamal-haasan |title=Tamil actor Manivannan died |date=15 June 2013 |access-date=16 June 2013 |archive-date=18 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618184302/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-15/news-interviews/39992049_1_manivannan-tamil-kamal-haasan |work=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead }}</ref> As a director, he made films in different genres – from romance to thriller to drama.<ref name="thehindu1"/> He made his directorial début with ''[[Gopurangal Saivathillai]]'' in 1982.<ref>{{cite web |last=News |first=Express |url=http://newindianexpress.com/states/tamil_nadu/Comrade-takes-final-bow-friends-grieve/2013/06/16/article1636909.ece |title=Comrade takes final bow, friends grieve |publisher=The New Indian Express |access-date=16 June 2013 |archive-date=20 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620234731/http://newindianexpress.com/states/tamil_nadu/Comrade-takes-final-bow-friends-grieve/2013/06/16/article1636909.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> The Hindu wrote that his film ''[[Amaidhi Padai]]'' (1994) "has set the standards for political satire in Tamil cinema".<ref name="thehindu1"/>

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Manivannan prioritised his acting career. At the height of his acting career, six of his film released on the same day in January 1998.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20030814113829/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/interviews/manivan/maniva.htm</ref> Certain directorial ventures which he had started including ''Aaruvathu Sinam'' featuring [[Sathyaraj]] and [[Prabhu (actor)|Prabhu]], were delayed and then dropped.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20041116232414/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/cinenews/19-02-99/sathuya.htm</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20050209114122/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/gossip/22-03-00/simran.htm</ref> In 2013 he directed his 50th and last film ''[[Nagaraja Cholan MA, MLA]]'', a sequel to ''Amaidhi Padai''.<ref>{{cite web |author=Chennai, 15 June 2013, (PTI) |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/338899/actor-director-manivannan-passes-away.html |title=Actor-director Manivannan passes away |publisher=Deccanherald.com |access-date=16 June 2013 |archive-date=2 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702195450/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/338899/actor-director-manivannan-passes-away.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Manivannan directed his best friend [[Sathyaraj]] in a good 25 films<ref name="deccanchronicle1"/> and gave 12 successive hits as the director of Tamil films with Sathyaraj as the lead hero – ''Jallikattu'', ''Chinna Thambi Periya Thambi'', ''Ganam Kortaar Avargale'', ''Manidhan Marivittan'', ''Ullathil Nalla Ullam'', ''Vazhkkaichakkaram'', ''Pudhu Manithan'', ''Therku Theru Machan'', ''Government Mapillai'', ''Amaidhipadai''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/slideshow/the-most-consistent-directors-of-tamil-cinema/manivannan.html |title=Manivannan | Successive hits – Who gave the most in Tamil cinema? |publisher=Behindwoods |access-date=16 June 2013 |archive-date=23 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923052827/http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/slideshow/the-most-consistent-directors-of-tamil-cinema/manivannan.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

His protégés have proved themselves as successful directors. [[Vikraman]], [[R K Selvamani]], [[Sundar C.|Sundar C]], [[Seeman (director)|Seeman]], [[K. Selva Bharathy|K Selva Bharathy]], [[Radha Bharathi]], C V Sasikumar, E Ramadoss, Jeeva Balan and [[Rasu Madhuravan]] once took orders for Manivannan.<ref name="deccanchronicle1"/> Withering irony, and a very cool way of delivering the dialogues is Manivannan's motif and style in films.

==Politics==
Manivannan was first a staunch supporter of the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (DMK) as his father R S Maniam was the DMK town secretary of Sulur, which made Manivannan develop an interest in the ideology of the [[Dravidian movement]]. However, later he became a [[Marxist]] and an activist in the [[naxalite]] movement.<ref name="newindianexpress1"/> He had political differences even with his father.<ref name="newindianexpress1"/>

Manivannan was a Tamil patriot and joined the [[Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (MDMK) political party and campaigned for them during the [[2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|2006 Assembly elections]].<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/manivannan-passes-away-news-tamil-ngpnmqdejgf.html |title=Manivannan passes away! |publisher=Sify |access-date=16 June 2013 |archive-date=16 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616133931/http://www.sify.com/movies/manivannan-passes-away-news-tamil-ngpnmqdejgf.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> He later joined [[Naam Tamilar Katchi]] and has been as supporter of [[Tamil Eelam]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Shankar|title=என் உடல் மீது புலிக்கொடி போர்த்துங்கள்- மணிவண்ணன் உருக்கம்|url=http://tamil.oneindia.in/movies/news/2011/09/actor-manivannan-sensational-speech-tamils-aid0136.html|work=OneIndia|access-date=15 June 2013|archive-date=27 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227155846/http://tamil.oneindia.in/movies/news/2011/09/actor-manivannan-sensational-speech-tamils-aid0136.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Manivannan once said: "If I were born in [[Tamil Eelam]], I would have certainly joined the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]] as a warrior and sacrificed my life for the Eelam, since I am born in [[Tamil Nadu]], there is Eelam feeling in me".<ref>{{cite web|title=Seeman covers Manivannans body with Ltte flag and pays homage|url=http://www.tamilstar.com/news-id-seeman-covers-manivannans-body-with-ltte-flag-and-pays-homage-manivannan-passed-away-seeman-covers-manivannan-tamil-movies-tamil-cinema-news-15-06-135038.htm|access-date=17 June 2013|archive-date=17 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617043515/http://www.tamilstar.com/news-id-seeman-covers-manivannans-body-with-ltte-flag-and-pays-homage-manivannan-passed-away-seeman-covers-manivannan-tamil-movies-tamil-cinema-news-15-06-135038.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Manivannan hailed from a small town called [[Sulur]] in [[Coimbatore District]].<ref name="autogenerated1"/> He was born to R S Maniam, a rice merchant, textile trader and a well known politician in Coimbatore and Maragatham who has contested in the elections and won a seat in the panchayat. Manivannan married Sengamalam, has a daughter and a son Raghu, who is acting in the films and is popularly known as [[Raghu Manivannan|Raghuvannan]].<ref name="autogenerated1"/>

==Death==

Manivannan died shortly after the release of his 50th directorial venture ''[[Nagaraja Cholan MA, MLA]]'' due to a cardiac arrest (heart attack) on 15 June 2013 at the age of 59 in his Nesapakkam residence at Chennai.<ref name="death">{{cite web |url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-10/end-of-the-king-of-satire-manivannan-nagaraja-chola-ma-mla-15-06-13.html |title=End of the king of Satire, Manivannan, nagaraja chola ma mla |publisher=Behindwoods |date=15 June 2013 |access-date=15 June 2013 |archive-date=18 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618025826/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-10/end-of-the-king-of-satire-manivannan-nagaraja-chola-ma-mla-15-06-13.html |url-status=live }}</ref> His body was wrapped in the [[Symbols of Tamil Eelam|flag of Tamil Eelam]] as he wished.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/videos/42600.html |title=Videos – Manivannan's Final Request |publisher=IndiaGlitz |access-date=16 June 2013 |archive-date=18 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618034313/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/videos/42600.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Two months after his death, his wife died on 15 August 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tamil.oneindia.in/movies/news/2013/08/manivannan-wife-sengamalam-no-more-181351.html |title=Manivannan's wife no more {{!}} கணவர் இறந்த இரண்டே மாதத்தில் நடிகர் மணிவண்ணனின் மனைவி மரணம் – Oneindia Tamil |access-date=16 August 2013 |archive-date=18 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818201940/http://tamil.oneindia.in/movies/news/2013/08/manivannan-wife-sengamalam-no-more-181351.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/news-interviews/Manivannans-wife-breathes-her-last/articleshow/21857807.cms | work=The Times of India | title=Manivannan's wife breathes her last – The Times of India | access-date=16 August 2013 | archive-date=10 June 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610021203/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/news-interviews/Manivannans-wife-breathes-her-last/articleshow/21857807.cms | url-status=live }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|id=0542478|name=Manivannan}}
* [https://www.moviebuff.com/s-manivannan-rajagopal Manivannan] on Moviebuff

{{authority control}}

[[Category:1953 births]]
[[Category:2013 deaths]]
[[Category:Tamil comedians]]
[[Category:Male actors from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Male actors in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:Tamil film directors]]
[[Category:People from Coimbatore district]]
[[Category:Telugu film directors]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian film directors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian film directors]]
[[Category:Indian male comedians]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:Film directors from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]

Manivannan - Revision history

imported>Kugan1997 at 20:57, 14 August 2021