S. P. Pillai

S P Pillai, an outstanding comedian of his era, was born on October 12th, 1912, in Ettumanoor, Kerala, India. His father Shankara Pillai was a police constable. As he had lost his parents at a very early age, he was not able to finish his schooling. But for his good luck, he got a chance to practice Ottan Thullal from a very known Kerala Kalamandalam. S P Pillai worked very hard and was a well-known artist in the theater before he entered films. He played many supporting roles in plays. He was selected for a side role in Appan Thamburan's "Bhootharayar". The movie didn't work much at the box office for his bad luck.

"Jnanambika" in 1940 was his first movie as the lead, but even this wasn't able to crack his luck. Then at last in 1951, the movie "Nalla Thanka" gave him all the fame and a noted name in the Malayalam film industry. After this movie he never turned back, just went on and on to become the most cherished comedian of the era. His best-known works in the Malayalam film industry are "Chemmeen," Ammaye Kaanaan" and "Acharam Ammini Osaram Omana."

S P Pillai along with Adoor Bhasi, Shankaradi and Bahadoor forms a group of comic actors, particularly in the era of 1950's to 1960's. They all entertained the audience a lot when they were on screen together. "Keledi Nee Enne Kettunna Kaalathu" is a very noted comedy song picturised on him. He played the role of Paanaran, singing the song. "Aaromalunni" is one of the few movies where he played a serious role. He was the comic touch in all Malayalam movies at that time. He has also done playback singing for the movie "Thaskaraveeran".

He won state award for Second Best Actor in 1977, for his movie "Taxi Driver". Manju Pillai, a noted television comedy actress, is his granddaughter. It was Indian cinema's bad luck when we lost him on 12th June 1985.