Adoor Bhasi Wiki, Age, Death, Wife, Children, Family, Biography & More

Adoor Bhasi was an Indian actor, singer, politician, and film director primarily known for his acting in comedy characters. He acted predominantly in the Malayalam film industry with over 700 films to his credit. With a career span of over four decades, he was active until his death. Some of his well-liked performances were on Chattakkari (1974), April 18 (1984), Yathra (1985), Rajavinte Makan (1986), and Sarvakalashala (1987). He died in March 1990 after suffering from kidney-related disease.

Wiki/Biography

K. Bhaskaran Nair, known by the stage name Adoor Bhasi, was born on Friday, 1 March 1929, while some sources claim that he was born on Tuesday, 1 March 1927, (age 61 years or 63 years, at the time of death) in Peringanad village in Adoor, Travancore, British India (now Kerala, India). His zodiac sign is Pisces.

He comes from a family of legendary authors. He started his education at a missionary school, Vadakkekottaram, in Thiruvananthapuram. After his father’s untimely death in 1938, the family shifted to Adoor, where he continued his school education at the English High School in Adoor. He further pursued a Textile Chemistry diploma at the Institute of Textile Technology, Thiruvananthapuram.

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 5″

Hair Colour: Black

Eye Colour: Salt and pepper

Family & Caste

Adoor Bhasi belonged to a Keralite Hindu family of Nair caste.

Parents & Siblings

Adoor Bhasi’s father, E. V. Krishna Pillai, was a famous humorist, writer, lawyer, and member of the Travancore Legislative Council (MLC).

His mother, Maheshwari Amma (the youngest daughter of C. V. Raman Pillai), was a homemaker.

His siblings were K. Omana Amma, K. Ramachandran Nair (Chandraji), Rajalakshmi Amma, K. Padmanabhan Nair, K. Sankaran Nair, and K. Krishnan Nair. His eldest brother, Chandraji, was the first to enter the film industry from his family. He was the manager of Raj Kapoor’s RK Studios and acted in a negative role in the Bollywood film Aashiq (1962). He later performed in Malayalam films like Chithram (1988).

His younger brother Padmanabhan Nair, aka Padman, was a journalist, editor, and author. The well-known books in his name are Kunchukuruppum Prahladanum, Sahodaran Bhasiyude Jeevacharitram, Nadakanthyam Bhasyam, and Bhasuram Hasyam. ^[1]Onmanorama

Wife & Children

Adoor Bhasi was a bachelor. In the book, Adoor Bhasi Chinthayum Chiriyum, his brother Padman wrote about the first and last time Adoor Bhasi went to meet a girl for marriage. It turned out that the proposed girl was the daughter of one of his classmates. ^[2]Malayala Manorama

Other Relatives

Bhasi was the grandson of the legendary author and social activist C. V. Raman Pillai (1858-1922), whose works include Marthandavarma (1891), Dharmaraja (1913) and Premamritam (1915).

Adoor Bhasi’s nephew, B. Harikumar, was a famous writer and actor. He has written over 35 novels among other publications, including a biography of Bhasi, titled Chiriyude Thampuran in 2014.

 

Religion

Adoor Bhasi follows Hinduism. He was a staunch believer of Lord Ayyappa and Guruvayurappan. His brother, Padman, wrote in the book, Adoor Bhasi Chinthayum Chiriyum, that Adoor Bhasi used to carry a mobile puja room to his shooting sets, for his daily prayers.

Career

Early Career

Though Adoor Bhasi started as an apprentice at the Lakshmi textile factory in Thiruvananthapuram after completing his diploma, it was not for long. During this time, he stayed with his maternal aunt, B Gourikutty Amma, in the famous Rosscote Bungalow built by his grandfather, C. V. Raman Pillai. He started acting in stage dramas and broadcast plays by All India Radio, Thiruvananthapuram. Later, he became a manager of P. K. Memorial Press and Sakhi Weekly, run by famous playwright T. N. Gopinathan Nair. His association with the film industry starts from there.

Actor

Adoor Bhasi’s first film was Thiramala (1953), in which he played a relatively minor role. It was directed by Vimal Kumar and written by T. N. Gopinathan Nair.

 

His breakthrough came with the film Mudiyanaya Puthran (1961) directed by Ramu Kariat. This film won the National Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam. His first full-length comedy character was in the film Viruthan Shanku (1968), which was widely accepted by the audience.

Adoor Bhasi appeared in many films thereafter. Most of his characters were comic support to the protagonists. He played negative or villain roles in Itha Oru Manushyan (1978) and Karimpana (1980). He was the hero in the much-acclaimed Cheriyachante Kroorakrithyangal (1979) by John Abraham. He won the Kerala State Best Actor award for the portrayal of Cheriyachen in this film.

He received appreciation for his acts as a lady in various films such as Arakkallan Mukkalkallan (1974), Kannappanunni (1977), and Ithikkara Pakki (1980). He played double roles in the films Lankadahanam (1971), Bhadradeepam (1973), and Kottaram Vilkkanundu (1975).

The last film that Adoor Bhasi worked on was as the character Xavier in the film Ragam Anuragam which was released in 1991, after his death.

Director

Adoor Bhasi’s directorial debut was Aadhya Paadam (1977) with the star cast of Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, Sheela, and Jayan. He is mentioned as one of the first people to recognize the talent of legendary actor Kamal Haasan. The other two films under his direction are Acharam Ammini Osharam Omana (1977) and Reghu Vamsam (1978).

Playback Singer

Adoor Bhasi sang over 25 songs in the various films he acted in and directed. Most of the songs were humorous. Some of the notable songs were Kuruvipetti from Sthanarthi Saramma (1966), Thallu Thallu from Abhijatyam (1971), and Velutha Vavinum Makalkkum from Chakravakam (1974). He was also the lyricist for one of the songs he sang, Angaadi Marunnukal from the film Amrithavaahini (1976).

 

Controversy

Allegation of exploitation by actor KPAC Lalitha

Many years after his death, KPAC Lalitha talked about how Adoor Bhasi conspired against her. She alleged that Adoor Bhasi, using his connections at that time had her removed from many roles in various films. Though she complained to the film association, Chalachitra Parishad, she was scolded by the secretary, K. P. Ummer. She mentioned the event in detail in her autobiography, Katha Thudarum.

Awards

• In 1974, Adoor Bhasi won the Best Actor Award at the Kerala State Film Awards for his role as an Anglo-Indian named Morris in Chattakkaari.

• In 1976, he won the Best Actor Award at the Filmfare Awards South for the film Raagam.

• In 1979, he won the Best Actor Award at the Kerala State Film Awards for Cheriyachante Kroorakrithyangal.

• In 1984, he won the Second Best Actor award at the Kerala State Film Awards for the film April 18.
  

  Adoor Bhasi with one of the awards

Death

Adoor Bhasi passed away on 29 March 1990 after battling a kidney-related disease in Chennai. He had to undergo dialysis treatment as both his kidneys had failed and also suffered from other health issues such as hypertension and diabetes during his last days. The death of his longtime friend and colleague, actor Prem Nazir, also deeply affected him emotionally, which deteriorated his total health. His last rites with State Honours were performed at his family home in Adoor.

Facts/Trivia

• Adoor Bhasi is referred to as the Hasyasamrat (King of Comedy) and Charlie Chaplin of Kerala by his fans.

• The pairing of actor Bahadur with Adoor Bhasi was a superhit combination in many films. They were called the Laurel and Hardy of Malayalam Cinema.

• Adoor Bhasi acted in Prem Nazir’s debut film Thyagaseema (1951). It was never released. They went on to act in 268 films together.
  

  Adoor Bhasi’s name in the poster of the film Thyagaseema (1951)

• Adoor Bhasi contested in Municipal Council elections once as a member of the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) but lost to the candidate of the Praja Socialist Party (PSP) by a small margin of 26 votes. ^[3]The Hindu

• He had a liking for dried fish fry and the vegetarian dish, Aviyal.

• He had a particular liking for gold jewellery.

• He worked with every leading actor of his time, such as Sathyan, Prem Nazir, Madhu, K. P. Ummer, Jayan, Sukumaran, M. G. Soman, Mammootty, and Mohanlal.
  

  Adoor Bhasi with his colleagues during actor Prem Nazir’s son’s marriage