Serukalathur Sama


Serukulathur Sama was a Tamil film actor who was primarily known for playing the role of the Hindu god Krishna in mythological films of the 1930s and 1940s.

Early Life

Born in the village Serukalathur in Thanjavur district to Mirasudar Vaidyanadhaiyer, his birth name was Swaminathan. When he was 5 years old his mother died and the father re-married. So Swaminathan went to live with his uncle in Thanjavur. He learned Carnatic music along with academic studies. After passing the S. S. L. C. examination, he married and begot 3 children. He went to Madras in search of employment. There he worked as a clerk for 2 months in the office of the Indian National Congress Party and then for 10 years in the Cosmopolitan Club.

Film Career

He was a handsome person and had the ability to sing in bass voice. While he was working in the Cosmopolitan club he came in contact with a member of the club Ananthanarayanan Narayanan, who established Srinivasa Cinetone, the first sound recording studio of south India in Kilpauk. Narayanan introduced Swaminathan into films. Swaminathan, now known as Serukalathur Sama, had good looks and singing talent. He was cast as Lord Krishna in most of the films.

Film Producer and Director

With his success as an actor he embarked on production of films. He leased National Movietone Studio on Poonamallee High Road, Chennai and changed its name as Bharat Cinetone. His first production was Shylock, adapted from Shakespeare's The Merchant Of Venice. He directed the film along with his lawyer friend and signed as Sama-Ramu.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1934Draupadi VastrapaharanamKrishna
1935Maayaa Bazaar
1936Bama Parinayam
1937ChintamaniKrishna
1937AmbikapathyKambar
1938Vishnu Leela
1939Thiruneelakantar
1940Krishnan Thoothu
1940Parasuramar
1940SakuntalaiKanwa Rishi
1940ShailakShailak
1941Subadra Arjuna
1941Thiruvalluvar
1942ManonmaniSundara Munivar
1942NandanarVedhiyar
1942Rajasooyam
1943Arundhathi
1943Sivakavi
1944Baktha Hanuman
1944BharthruhariBharthruhari
1944Rajarajeshwari
1945Bhakta Kalathi
1945Burma RaniBuddhist monk
1945Meera
1946Aaravalli Sooravalli
1948Jeevajothi
1948Raja Mukthi
1950Beedala Patlu
1950Ezhai Padum Padu
1950Vijayakumari
1951MarmayogiSage
1954Panam Paduthum Padu
1962Manithan Maravillai
1962PattinatharSivasarmar