Tamil cinema has known many stalwarts whose fame has transcended time and the one person who most of them revered is N.S. Krishnan better known as Kalaivanar.  Though his onscreen persona was that of a comedian, he used humor to present his moral messages to the society which won him both adoration and adulation among the people.  Legend has it that NSK was so generous that even a totally unknown person can easily approach him and get thousands of rupees from him citing a sob story.

NSK was instrumental in forming the Nadigar Sangam, which is functioning till date to protect the livelihood of drama actors in particular.  Apart from acting, he was a writer, singer and producer and formed a striking onscreen partnership with his wife T. A Mathuram.  He was a true visionary which is evident in his song “Vignianatha valakka porandi” in which he speaks about getting his wife the mixer, grinder, fridge and other household electronics items much before they were invented.  He also envisaged a robot as a household help in that era. 

Alas, as life would have it NSK was embroiled in the controversial Lakshmikanthan murder case and was jailed for 30 months which sapped his energy and health.  The legend passed away at the age of 49 but his fame has not lost its shine and we feel blessed to write this short note about NSK for our throwback Thursday this week.