S Nottani

S. Nottani, also known as Shewakaram Nottani, was an eminent India Filmmaker. He was in Bombay (Mumbai), Maharashtra. He hailed from a Parsi Family. Nottani is famous for his predominant contributions to the Tamil Film Industry. Nottani is well known as he created the first Malayalam Talkie, the Balan. Balan got released in the year 1938. Nottani always dreamt of acting and showcasing his skills.

He had those sharp features and a charming personality with a perfect physique required for an actor. At the age of twenty, he went to Bombay Talkies Click to look into! >> Read More... for seeking a job. Initially, he faced rejections and failure but later got appointed as a trainee in the editing room. Nottani had a sharp mind and was a quick learner. He soon grasped all the vitals of the editing, direction, and cinematography.

Nottani had worked with T.R Sundaram, who was impressed by his technical skills and offered him to join his mechanical cast. T.R Sundaram identified his potential and made him join his studio. His other works include Inbavali, Sivalinga Satchi, Bhakta Gowri, Santhana Thevan, released in the year 1949, 1942, 1941, and 1937.He was active in the industry between 1938 to 1949.

Nottani has also worked for the second Malayam Talkie named Jnanambika.Later he moved to Trichur for a new project.However, this project faced atrocities with actors refusing to work due to some issues that arose, and eventually, Nottani ran short of money. Nottani had suffered atrocities in his life. He saw both un uprise and a downfall in his life. He also got financial ill during this period. He and his pregnant wife had suffered a lot. There weretimes when they had barely anything to eat and had to sell ornaments and even begged for a meal.

He also wandered to different places in search of livelihood to feed his family. He saw the toughest time in his life. But life took a toil when his wife to sustain the family started stitching clothes. Her work became popular, and soon there was sunrise in their life. After a dark period, there came a ray of hope in their lives. Nottani then got into this business and launched his self-designed product, which was a half-sleeved shirt. It became a very favoured one, and soon, the darkness vanished from their lives. He came to be known as a prominent businessman. After that, Nottani quit the film industry and never looked back.Nottani died in the year 1949.