K. A. Thangavelu

Birth : 1917-01-15, Tirumalarayanpattinam, Karaikal, Puducherry, India

Death : 1994-09-28

History

K. A. Thangavelu (Tamil:டணால் கே.எ தங்கவேலு) popularly known as "Danaal Thangavelu" was a Tamil film comedian popular in the 1950s to 1985 and above. Not known for physical, acrobatic comedy like his contemporaries J.P.Chandrababu and Nagesh, Thangavelu's humor is recognized for his impeccable timing in verbal agility and the characteristic twang of his delivery. He was a successful comedian and his role as a phony writer Bhairavan in the movie Kalyana Parisu [Wedding Present] was much appreciated by Tamil movie fans. Thangavelu's humor enriched movies such as Thillana Mohanambal in his role as a nattuvangam master (dance choreographer) to the heroine. He died on September 28, 1994.

Movies

Periya Marudhu
Periya Marudhu remains a loyal henchman to Sivasankaran attracting the villagers' ire. However, his life changes when Kaveri comes to stay with him, and he falls in love with her.
Manaivi Ready
Thangappan
Radha, a young man, visits a village to attend the wedding of his friend's sister. However, when the groom runs away, he is forced to marry the devastated bride.
Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey
The film had Kamal Haasan playing dual roles; An unemployed guy from a middle class society and a guy from a rich society returning from abroad after his father's death. In order to claim the property of the Kamal Haasan, Vinuchakravarthy with his mob guys assaults him and make him a drug addict by repeated injections of some harmful sedatives. Radha's father (Danaal Thangavelu) who is a family friend of the rich-one's father with Radha who is also a lover of the another Kamal comes as an excursion. Due to her curiousness she sees the rich-one and finds out that he is in a dangerous state of his health due to the drug addiction. With the help of the house's servant Radha replaces the other Kamal to this house and saves him and his properties from the hands of Vinuchakravarthy and Senthamarai.
Uruvangal Maralam
Uruvangal Maralam is a Tamil language film starring Y. Gee. Mahendra in the lead role of the protagonist. This movie is literally a remake of the English movie 'Oh, God!'. The story revolves around Y.G.Mahendra who believes in God more than anything else in this world.He is once called by God Sivaji Ganesan who tells him that he has to inform people about the various things about to happen in the future. Y.G starts his task of telling people, but no one believes him in the beginning. Slowly when what he says starts occurring people term him a powerful monk and start coming to...
Ellam Inbamayyam
Pazhani and Velu, two innocent villagers, move to the city to earn a living. When Velu's employer cheats him, Pazhani helps him take revenge.
Karaiyellam Shenbagappoo
C Kalayana Raman comes to a village to do his research work. However, he finds himself entangled in the case of Latha, a woman who died under mysterious circumstances.
Kadal Meengal
A fisherman who is in love with a woman in his village is presumed dead after he fails to return from sea on one of his trips.
Bhama Rukmani
Bhama loves and wants to marry Nandagopal, but he loves Rukmani. Forced by his mother, he marries Bhama and compounds this blunder by marrying Rukmani as well.
Gnana Kuzhandhai
Ponni's Father
Gnana Kuzhandhai (Wisdom Child) is a 1979 Tamil Hindu Devotional - Mythological film was directed by K. Kameshwara Rao and Produced by P. L. Mohan Ram. The film script were written by Era. Pazhanisamy. Music by K. V. Mahadevan assets to the movie. The film starring Baby Sudha and Master Sridhar played titled role with Gemini Ganesan Venniradai Nirmala V. S. Raghavan R. S. Manohar, S. V. Subbaiah, Jai Ganesh, Latha and K. A. Thangavelu played portraying supporting role.
Manitharil Ithanai Nirangalah!
Mohan falls in love with Santha, who has a dark past. However, she finds herself in a dilemma when she learns who Mohan's father is.
Sakka Podu Podu Raja
Sakka Podu Podu Raja is a 1978 Tamil-language film starring Jaishankar, Jayachitra in the lead roles. Kamal Haasan and Phataphat Jayalaxmi played guest roles.
Avan Oru Sarithiram
Idaya Malar
Movie directed by Gemini Ganesan, Thamarai Manalan starring Gemini, Kamal Hassan, Sujatha.
Uzhaikkum Karangal
Rangan is a servant at the house of Nagalingam, a rich and ruthless man. While he strives to fight against his employer's misdeeds, the latter's sister falls in love with him.
Then Sindhudhe Vaanam
Then Sindhudhe Vaanam is a 1975 Indian Tamil-language film starring Sivakumar and Kamal Haasan in the lead roles. It was directed by Ra. Sankaran and produced by V.C. Ganesan. V. Kumar composed the soundtracks. Two beautiful melodious songs were also the special reasons for the film's fame.
Anbu Thangai
Ramu, a lyricist, struggles to find a job and a husband for his sister Sita. He tries to gain recognition; however, difficulties arise when his friend takes all the credit.
Vani Rani
Identical twins Vani and Rani are separated at birth. One is tortured by her abusive aunt while the other grows up as a street performer. However, their lives change forever when they swap places. A remake of 1972 Hindi film Seeta Aur Geeta.
Arutperunjothi
Biographical film of Ramalinga Swamigal
Vietnam Veedu
Prestige Padmanabha Iyer retires from his company executive position and has a lonely and unhappy life with his family in the ancestral home Vietnam House, named for the constant fighting and arguing.
Nam Nadu
Gurudhatchanai
Harichandra
Harichandra (Tamil: ஹரிச்சந்திரா) is a 1968 Indian Tamil film, directed by K. S. Prakash Rao and produced by G. Varalakshmi. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, G. Varalakshmi, T. S. Balaiah and K. A. Thangavelu in lead roles. The film had musical score by K. V. Mahadevan
Thillana Mohanambal
Nattuvanar Muthukumara Swamy
A classical bharathanatyam dancer and a nathaswaram player fall in love against the wishes of her family.This movie is about how they try to work things out and that hardships that they have to endure. Dance and music are used as an integral part of the story rather than a pastime.
Galatta Kalyanam
Dharmalingam
In order to marry Lalitha, Madhan sets out to find suitable bachelors to marry her three beautiful sisters as part of a condition set by her father.
Petralthan Pillaya
Anandhan, a homeless person, finds an abandoned baby boy in a temple and brings him up as his own son. However, after five years, the real parents of the kid come in search of him.
Kanni Thaai
In a military camp, captain Saravanan promises to his dying brother-in-arms to take care of his 6-year-old daughter Rani. Saravanan and Rani begin a big trip through the country, full of pitfalls.
Enga Veettu Pillai
Malaiyappa
Ramu is an innocent son of a rich landlord who is afraid of his brother-in-law Narendran and his whiplash. To escape from his punishments, Ramu leaves his house and his look-alike replaces him.
Arivaali
Muthuvel
Arivaali (Genius) is a 1963 Tamil language drama film written, produced and directed by A. T. Krishnaswami. The film features Sivaji Ganesan and P. Bhanumathi in lead roles. The film, had musical score by S. V. Venkatraman and was released on 1 March 1963.
Parthal Pasi Theerum
Believing his wife to be dead, a soldier in the British-Indian army marries another woman and moves on. After few years, he finds out that his ex-wife is still alive and feels miserable.
Panithirai
Bhagya Lakshmi
Venugopal
Kamala, a shy child bride, who was widowed soon after marriage, is inseparable from Radha, a vivacious college-going young woman. When Radha meets dashing fellow student, Sundar, the trio's lives change drastically
Then Nilavu
Sokkalingam
Pasamalar
Two siblings, Rajasekharan and Radha, become orphans when they lose their mother at a young age. Things take a turn when Rajasekharan's friend Anand falls in love with Radha.
Punar Janmam
Jagannathan
Punar Janmam (Rebirth) is a 1961 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by R. S. Mani. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini, Ragini and P. Kannamba in lead roles. The film, produced by N. S. Diraviyam under Vijaya Films banner, had musical score by T. Chalapathi Rao and was released on 21 April 1961.
Thirudadhe
Arasilangumari
Pudhiya Pathai
Kairasi
Raja Desingu
Irumbu Thirai
Naan Kanda Swargam
Sundar
Naan Kanda Sorgam (transl. My Heaven) is a 1960 Indian Tamil-language comic fantasy film directed and produced by C. Pullaiah. The film stars K. A. Thangavelu and Sowcar Janaki in the lead roles. It is a remake of the 1958 Bengali film Jamalaye Jibanta Manush, and was simultaneously filmed in Telugu as Devanthakudu. The film was released on 12 August 1960 and became a commercial success.
Meenda Sorgam
Sachithanandham Pillai
Nirmala (Padmini) is a poor but talented young dancer who falls in love with a rich man's son Sekar (Gemini Ganesan), but he is forced to marry a rich man's daughter Prathiba (Tambaram Lalitha). Nirmala promises to her lover that she will never dance in public. Due to various circumstances, Sekar's house is up for auction, and in order to save him, she performs in public. With the money thus earned, she saves his house, but Sekar is unaware of this. When he learns the truth, he begins searching of her, and in the meantime, Prathiba, who is now reformed, commits suicide. Sekar meets Nirmala, who is on the verge of committing suicide, and they are reunited.
Deiva Piravi
Madhavan marries Thangam. He takes care of Thangam’s mother and brother along with his younger brother. Meanwhile, Madhavan gives shelter to his father’s mistress and her daughter. The evil ladies allege Thangam for loose morals. The rest of the story is how they come into good terms.
Adutha Veettu Penn
Singer
Mannaru falls in love with his neighbour, Leela, who is a skilled dancer and singer. Realising that he could woo Leela through music, Mannaru seeks help from his musically talented friend.
Thaai Magalukku Kattiya Thaali
Kalyana Parisu
Baskar and Vasanthi are college-mates. A naughty girl creates misunderstanding between them, and an enraged Vasanthi complains to the college dean, who immediately dismisses Baskar. Now left homeless, Baskar however manages to get employed at a tea company, and gets to stay with his close friend Sampath. Vasanthi approaches Baskar and apologises for her cruel act. Baskar forgives her, and they both fall in love. Vasanthi lives with her mother and her elder sister Geetha who is unmarried. Baskar rents the vacant portion of their house. Over time, Vasanthi passes her exams and gets employed.
Manjal Mahimai
Manjal Mahimai (English: Power of Turmeric) is a 1959 Tamil language drama film, produced by D. Madhusudhana Rao under Annapurna Pictures and directed by Adurthi Subba Rao. Starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri in the laed roles and music composed by Master Venu. The film is based on Aasapoorna Devi's Bengali novel Agni Pariksha which was first remade as Telugu movie Mangalya Balam (1958); both the movies are made simultaneously by same banner & director and some of the scenes & artists are same in both versions. It was later remade as Hindi movie Chhoti Si Mulaqat (1967) with slight changes, starring Uttam Kumar, Vyjayanthimala in pivotal roles
Crafty Thief
King
The story about a Crafty Thief, wicked Minister Neelakalakantam out to rob the state's finances and is also after many women one of them Gowri, who is in love with thief character, takes him to a Saint to give up his thieving ways. The Plans works. However, in order to expose the Minister, he is forced to break his promise. While trying to open the palace's jewel safe contains four rare diamonds, he meets an Old - One eye beggar who is actually the king in disguise. The Villain finally get exposed, with the lovers uniting with the blessing of the King
Kadan Vaangi Kalyanam
Vazha Vaitha Daivam
Thirumanam
Vanjikottai Valiban
Velan
Vanjikkottai Valiban is a 1958 Indian Tamil-language romance film written by Gemini Studios story department consisting of K. J. Mahadevan, C. Srinivasan and Kothamangalam Subbu while the film was directed and produced by S. S. Vasan. It stars Gemini Ganesan and Vyjayanthimala in lead with Padmini, P.S. Veerappa, T. K. Shanmugam, Pasupuleti Kannamba, Vijayakumari, K. A. Thangavelu and M. S. Sundari Bai as the ensemble cast of the film.
Kathavarayan
Uthama Puthiran
Ponnan
A conspiring uncle separates the twin sons of his sister, the queen. One becomes his uncle's pawn while the other grows to be a brave and honest man, who inadvertently learns of his true parentage.
Bhuloka Rambhai
Story revolving around the friendship between a prince and the son of the Prime Minister. Their friendship is tested over many trials and tribulations as they fight all kinds of negative forces.
Rani Lalithangi
Lalithangi (Bhanumathi) is a queen who rules over her kingdom, showing the world that a woman could rule as effectively as a man. Another king, a kind-hearted man, has a son (Sivaji Ganesan), a talented sculptor and lover of fine arts. A scheming and ambitious chieftain (Veerappa), who has his eye on the prince's kingdom, plans to kill him in the course of a gypsy dance. He also deputes an attractive dancer (Rajasulochana) to ensnare him, but the prince escapes her wiles and begins to hate women. Lalithangi who wants to win over the hero disguises herself as a yogini and hands over a love letter to the prince. This enrages him and he throws her out. Determined to win his heart, she learns dancing. During an art festival at the palace, Lalithangi succeeds in dancing and changing the prince's mind! How she persuades the prince to fall in love with her and wins him as her life partner form the rest of the plot.
Karpukarasi
Vanangaamudi
Puthu Vazhvu
Vaikuntam is a lad who lives in a village. He is a good singer and in love with a lass Nagammal. But Nagammal's brother is against their love. One day he ties Vaikundam to a tree. Vaikundam was rescued by a rich woman who was passing that way. She takes Vaikundam to her city. When she came to know that Vaikundam is talented in singing, she promotes him as a singer. She renames him as Geethamani. He becomes famous and also rich. He neglects his parents and ill treats them. His lover Nagammal tries to commit suicide because of his behaviour. How Geethamani realises his delusion and reconciles with his parents and Nagammal forms the rest of the story.
Chakravarthi Thirumagal
Engal Veettu Mahalakshmi
Subbu
Lawyer Ganapathi and his wife Annapurna are the eldest members of a family. His brother Subbu and his wife Anusuya live in the village. The duo treats their cousin brother Gopu, who is an idealist, as their own sibling. Annapurna is a chronic patient so Gopu's wife Susheela takes care of the family. Jealous of the bonding between Annapurna and Susheela, Anusuya creates a rift between them. Gopu and Susheela move to the village. Gopu propounds cooperative farming and prospers.
Matharkula Manikkam
The film is based on two couples – where the first couple Dr. Chandra Shekar (Gemini Ganesan) & Parvathi (Anjali Devi) and the second couple is Ravi (A. Nageswara Rao) & Lakshmi (Savitri). Ravi & Lakshmi are happy lovers. Ravi is summoned and asked to marry another girl forcibly. Since his father's life & honor are at stake, Ravi agrees to the marriage. Simultaneously another marriage takes place in the same village Dr. Chandra Shekar visits his best friend's sister marriage but the marriage cancels in the last moment due to dowry problems to keep up his friend's prestige Shekar marriage's his sister called Parvathi. Due to sudden marriage, the couple doesn't see each other. Thereby because marriage is happening without his wish Ravi also not seen the bride's face. Both the bridal parties traveling on the same train which run into a disastrous accident. In the accident Ravi's parents and wife are dead.
Rambayin Kadhal
Rambayin kadhal (1956) is a Tamil Language Fantasy Fiction movie starring Thangavelu, Banumathi
Amara Deepam
Amara Deepam is a Tamil film is directed by T. Prakash Rao released in 1956. A educated unemployed person Ashok (Sivaji Ganesan) falls in love with athe daughter Aruna (Savitri) of an wealthy Industrialist.Aruna is taken hostage by her husband to be Sukumar (M.N. Nambiar), and while Ashok trails them to save Aruna, Ashok loses his memory in an accident. Ashok Meets Roopa (Padmini) and they begin to like each other. Sometime later Aruna comes back and as Ashok fails to recognize Aruna things look complicated.The rest of the film deals with how Ashok struggles with his memory and how both Aruna and Roopa try to win him over. The Udhavi Thayaripalar(Co-Producer)-- L.S.Mani
Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum
Alibaba's brother is killed by dacoit Abu Hussain and the body is kept in the cave. Since Alibaba too has the password, Abu visits him as a merchant with 40 barrels, each one hiding one of his men.
Maheswari
Dharmalingam
Manickam is wanted by the army of East India Company. He is absconding and takes refuge in the house of Maheswari. Manickam and Maheswari fall in love with each other. Manickam's father Dharmalingam demands a large dowry from Maheswari's mother, Kanthimathi, who somehow manages to give the amount. However, Dharmalingam comes to know that Kanthimathi is ridiculed by the villagers as a woman of loose moral character. So, he sends back Maheswari to her home. Manickam is helpless because he depends on his father for everything.
Gomathiyin Kaadhalan
Mani
Rajan loses his luggage in the train and ends up as a driver in Dharmalingam's family. He falls in love with Gomathy, the eldest daughter of Mullaivaasal Zamindar, his family's arch-rival.
Mangayar Thilakam
Kalamani
The story starts with the special birthday celebration of a girl. Vasudevan (Sivaji Ganesan) narrates the story which goes back 14 years behind. Karunakaran (S. V. Subbaiah) and Vasudevan (Master Baji) are brothers whose parents had died. They are very much loving and close to each other but Vasudevan longs for mother's love.
Gulebagavali
A king has two wives. He banishes his first wife as an astrologer told him that he would lose his vision because of her son. The mother and son live in the woods and when he meets his father without knowing his identity, the king loses his sight. When the son gets to know about the sad tale from his mother, he sets out to bring a rare flower from Bakavali, which would restore the king's sight. To achieve it, he undergoes many adventures — enters into a debate with a queen and wins the battle of wits, challenges a woman held captive by a crook in a fake dice contest, and rescues a slave dancer of a tribal chief. The hero wins them all and succeeds in getting the flower along with the three women who turn out to be princesses and siblings! Meanwhile, his stepbrothers try to steal the flower, but are exposed.
Ponvayal
Considered to be a lost film.
Panakkaari
Thirumbi Paar
Thirumbi Paar, directed by T. R. Sundaram, was an interesting film in which Sivaji Ganesan played a role with negative shades. The character dabbles in avenues such as journalism and politics. T. P. Muthulakshmi plays the dumb wife of an elderly husband (K. A. Thangavelu) who goes to work early. Sivaji Ganesan, a seducer, who sneaks into the dumb woman’s house, alters the clock to send the husband away well before the usual time. This sequence was mercilessly scissored by the censors and what was left lost its touch of satire and innuendo!
Poongothai
Panam
Adiyapatham
Panam (English: Money) is a 1952 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by N. S. Krishnan. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini, N. S. Krishnan and T. A. Mathuram in lead roles. The film had musical score by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
Amarakavi
Amarakavi (English: Immortal Poet) is a 1952 Indian Tamil language film produced and directed by F. Nagoor. The film featured M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and T. R. Rajakumari in the lead roles.