Swarnam, Swornam
Writer, director, journalist
K. Sornam (1933 – 8 June 2021) was an Indian journalist, screenwriter and director who worked in Tamil cinema. He was active in the second half of the 1900s, and shared close associations with chief ministers of Tamil Nadu Karunanidhi and M. G. Ramachandran.
Film career
Born in Thirukkuvalai, Sornam worked as a literary writer with his relative, Karunanidhi. He had a key role in the operations of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's political newspaper, Murasoli. While at Murasoli, Sornam brought out the supplement Pudhayal, and also worked on archiving Karunanidhi's writings. In the 1960s, he worked on the theatrical play Vidai Kodu Thaaye (Bid Me Farewell Mother), a revolutionary play written to highlight the need for social reforms. For his script, he was presented with an award by C. N. Annadurai.[1]
Sornam went on to enrol in film institute in Chennai, besides becoming the secretary of Tamil Eyal Isai Nadaga Manram, a theatre organisation. Sornam wrote the dialogues for 3 movies starring MGR, including Nam Naadu (1969), Adimai Penn (1969) and Ulagam Sutrum Valiban (1973).[2][3][4] He also directed films with actors such as Sivakumar and Kamal Haasan in Thangathile Vairam (1975), R. Muthuraman's Seer Varisai (1976), and Jaishankar's Aasai Manaivi (1977).
In 1987, he directed the film Ore Raththam featuring Karthik in the lead role. The film has since garnered attention for marking the acting debut of politician M. K. Stalin.[5] In the 1990s, Sornam was later the editor-in-charge for the magazine Ilaya Suriyan, that had been created by M. K. Stalin, and regularly served as the political party's voice.[1][6]
Death
Sornam died on 8 June 2021, aged 88, due to age-related ailments.[1]
Partial filmography
| Year | Film | Credited as | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director | Writer | |||
| 1960 | Aada Vandha Deivam | Template:N | Template:Y | |
| 1969 | Nam Naadu | Template:N | Template:Y | |
| 1969 | Adimai Penn | Template:N | Template:Y | |
| 1971 | Kumari Kottam | Template:N | Template:Y | screenplay credits |
| 1973 | Ulagam Sutrum Valiban | Template:N | Template:Y | |
| 1975 | Thangathile Vairam | Template:Y | Template:Y | |
| 1976 | Nee Oru Maharani | Template:Y | Template:Y | |
| 1977 | Aasai Manaivi | Template:Y | Template:Y | |
| 1978 | Ganga Yamuna Kaveri | Template:Y | Template:Y | |
| 1978 | Seervarisai | Template:Y | Template:Y | |
| 1978 | Mela Thalangal | Template:Y | Template:Y | |
| 1979 | Naan Oru Kai Paarkiren | Template:Y | Template:Y | |
| 1987 | Ore Raththam | Template:Y | Template:N | |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 'Voice' of megastars of Tamil Nadu politics, K Sornam, falls silent. The Times of India(9 June 2021). Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ↑ Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban (1973). The Hindu(30 April 2016). Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ↑ Aadavantha Deivam (1960). The Hindu(21 September 2013). Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ↑ MGR Remembered – Part 55 | Ulagam Suttru Vaaliban [The Globe Trotting Youth], Sri Kantha, Sachi. Ilankai Tamil Sangam(March 17, 2020). Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ↑ MK Stalin's brief stint with acting: Two films and a TV serial, Shekar, Anjana. The News Minute(26 March 2021). Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ↑ DMK fails to exploit Congress(I)-AIADMK divorce due to rampant infighting within party. India Today(April 30, 1993). Retrieved 10 June 2021.