The first memorial function of veteran actor SS Rajendran, also known as the ‘Latchiya Nadigar’ of Tamil Cinema, was held on Monday evening at the Kamarajar Arangam. The veteran actor passed away in October last year (read our tribute here). The auditorium was packed with fans, actors, and veterans with great memories of the actor. The event started off with a tribute to the late actress Manorama, who might have graced the stage, had she been alive.
Members of the Pandavar Ani were also present at the memorial tribute event, including Vishal, Ponvannan, Kovai Sarala, Sangeetha, and Sonia. They paid respects to SS Rajendran’s portrait, and spoke about their memories of the actor.
Actress Kutty Padmini, who has acted in several films as a child artiste, said that she owes her command over Tamil to SSR ‘Mama’. She had a few bittersweet memories to share. How he used to force feed her raw eggs so that she would gain weight. Ponvannan spoke about how SS Rajendran, as a theatre artiste, played all the roles that Sivaji played in films, with the same intensity. Actor Rajesh spoke about how SSR was not just a skilled actor but also a good director, lyricist, singer, and politician. He added that he was an actor who had no jealousy or greed. That he was in films out of sheer passion.
Vishal had an interesting anecdote to share about young actors and their unfamiliarity with the achievements of yesteryear actors. For instance, his best friend, actor Arya had no idea about Satyajit Ray. All right, I think to myself. Arya didn’t know much about Indian avant-garde cinema.
But then Vishal drops the second bomb. Arya didn’t recognise Ambika, the popular 80s actress, on the sets of Avan Ivan. He went and asked her if she was a newcomer.
Vishal had to pull him aside and make him watch a few of her scenes. Only then did Arya realise what a talented actress she was, and made sure he apologised to her at the first opportunity.
Vishal said this was the level of knowledge some of today’s young actors have, and he wanted actors of all generations to collaborate with youngsters in films. And attend events where they could interact more. We were hoping he wouldn’t bring up the Nadigar Sangam issue at the function, but he did. In a somewhat supernatural mode. He ended his speech by saying that the spirits of legendslike SSR, MGR, and Sivaji Ganesan were there with him and other members of the Pandavar Ani Team. And this motivated them to work for the betterment of the organisation. Dare we call it Team-Spirit?
