Kumbakonam Sarangapani

Kumbakonam Sarangapani was a successful Indian actor, born in 1951 in Kumbakonam, Tanjore district. He predominantly worked in Tamil cinema and preferred comedian roles but occasionally played heroic roles. Being patriotic, he was a follower of the freedom movement and he named his children on famous freedom fighters like Gandhi Padamanbhan, Vijayalakshmi Pandit, Bhaskara Pate,l and Subash Chandra Bose.

His family devoted their career to music. Hence, arts was in his genes. At the age of seven, he performed in an advertisement for a bullock cart. Later, he joined Jagannath Iyer Company, where he learned to sing, dance, and act. During his early career, he chose to perform on the  "Stree part,"  a woman role, and later, he appeared in various leadership roles, in dramas and comedy.

He acted in a popular movie, "Rambayin Kadhal '' in a lead role and played a villain role in various films. In 1964, he was awarded Tamil Nadu State Award – Kalaimamani and also got the "Raja Sando '' Award for lifetime contribution to cinema in the year 1982.

His famous released movies are Bhakta Ramadas (1935), Rambhaiyin Kaadal (1939), Panchamritam (1942), Kaaraikkaal Ammaiyaar (1943), Udayana Vasavadatta (1947), Vedhala Ulagam (1948), Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (1956), Makkalai Petra Magarasi (1957), Manampole Mangalyam (1953), Mathar Kula Manickam (1956), Thangamalai Ragasiyam (1957), Kadan Vaangi Kalyanam (1958), Naan Petra Selvam (1956), Raajaambaal (1951), Mangaiyar Thilakam (1955), Rani Lalithangi (1957), etc.