Tamil hero Satyaraj awarded lifetime contribution

CHENNAI: In Indian cinema, actors, who could play the villain and hero roles with equal aplomb have been far and  few between, a la Vinod Khanna, Shatrughan Sinha in this generation and Ajit in Hindi cinema of old world charm.
 
Ranking highly in this category is Tamil cinema's villain-turned hero Sathyaraj, who has been honoured with the lifetime contribution award in the performing art of cinema by the Satyabhama University here on Wednesday. 
 
The fair and lanky 53 year-old actor first took over from the villains he grew up watching like M N Nambiar and went on to emulate his favourite, legendary heroes of Tamil cinema, MGR and Sivaji Ganesan. He mimicked the latter in his presence and
won accolades from the late thespian once.
 
Sathyaraj proved his mettle again recently coming up with a sterling performance portraying the rationalist leader 'Periyar' Ramaswamy in the biographical film 'Periyar' now running all over Tamlil Nadu. It was late Sivaji Ganesan , who was originally longing to play this role. But could not do so in his lifetime, it may be recalled.
 
Although frequently the protagonist in his current run of films, Sathyaraj is well known for his past roles as a cultured, charming villain. He played a significant part in changing the grammar of villainy in popular Tamil cinema. Until his entry, the traditional Tamil film villain, when portraying villainy, was aggressive in his posture, actions and delivery of dialogue.
 
Sathyaraj introduced a more suave, nonchalant approach to depicting cruel villainy, avoiding indulgence in dramatic gestures and in heaping verbal blitz on an adversary.
 
Sathyaraj's entry int cinema happended after veteran actor Sivakumar made him join the drama troupe of Komal Swamynathan. This later led to his entry into Kollywood with the film 'Kodugal Illaatha Kolangal'. 
 
Some of his notable films include 'Mr Bharath', 'Vikram',  'Kaakki Sattai', 'Muthal Mariyathai', 'Enakkul Oruvan', 'Nooraavathu Naal' as the villain and 'Periyar', 'Adavadi' 'Suyetchai MLA',  'Mahanadigan' ,'Walter Vetrivel', 'Vedam Pudithu', 'Thaaimaaman' ,
'Malluvety Minor' and 'Vaathiyar Veetu Pillai', his 100th film.
 
Satyaraj was honoured with the Tamil Nadu government's Kalaimaamani and MGR awards.

 Composer Deva was also honoured by the university, has been holding his own with charecteristic melodic notes in the Tamil film industry.
  
His toe tapping 'gaana pattu' songs in which lyrics have little or no substance, have become immensly popular. The sociological content and the philosophical outmooring in his songs are being appreciated even by conservative Tamil middle class.
  
Some of his compositions of this genre although entirely original, are played in dance festivals and party circuits. He is also known for emulating snippets from famous old and recent English pop songs. But he creates a Deva 'touch' to these songs by mixing Indian instruments.
  
Some of Deva's hit films include 'Aasai', 'Annamalai', 'Avvai Shanmugi', 'Baasha', 'Bhagavathi', 'Chocolate', 'Citizen',  'Chokka Thangam' 'Devadhayai Kanden', 'Dum', 'Kaadhal Kottai',  'Kaalamellam Kaadhal Vaazhga', 'Kushi', 'Minsara Kanna',  'Mugavari', 'Nerukku Ner' , 'Ninaithen Vandhai', 'Ninaivirukkum  Varai', 'Pancha Thanthiram', 'Porkaalam', 'Priyamudan', 'Red',  'Thirumagan', 'Vaali', 'Vallarasu' and 'Viyapari'.