KOTTAYAM: “You are lucky for not having any ailments. You won’t die soon..,” quipped an emotional Adoor Bhasi to Prem Nazir, the evergreen hero of yesteryears. Though it was painful, Nazir replied laughing, “I could be the first (in death).” And Nazir’s words turned out to be true.
One such incident in ‘Ente Bhasiyannan,’ written by Bhasi’s younger brother K Padmakumar alias Padman, is enough to recount the bonhomie that Bhasi long cherished with Nazir. It is hard to portray the life of a man, who had such an eventful and elaborate life. However, Padman has succeeded in putting together the memories in the soon-to-be released biography on Adoor Bhasi, who was one of the pivotal actors and the most endearing comic star who shot to fame in the early Malayalam movie era.
Bhasi inherited the tradition of his grandfather noted writer C V Raman Pillai and father E V Krishna Pillai, one of the best satirists of Malayalam. Later, he found a niche in the world of art earlier as a theatre artist and later emerged as one of the great comedians in Malayalam cinema. The book details the events from his childhood days as the third generation member of a renowned family to the pinnacle of a glorious actor and unfolds the mysteries and gossips that surrounded him, as well as his rapport, character and financial crisis during his early days.
Padman, also unveils the truth behind the much celebrated gossip regarding Sukumari, a versatile actress, who died a year ago. Pointing to a soliloquy of Krishnan, Bhasi’s then secretary “Who is she- wife or mother..?” Padman well describes the relation between the much acclaimed pair of yesteryear Malayalam cinema. Plagued by her thoughts for the remainder of his life and Bhasi’s deep longing to see her is also described without mentioning her name as well.
Padman also recollects his failed efforts to bring Bhasi and Sukumari under the institution of marriage. With illuminating anecdotes, the book also dwells on Bhasi’s relation with Sreelatha, another celebrated pair of Bhasi, during the 70s.
“There were lots of mysteries that surrounded Bhasi- regarding his relationships, wealth, and reasons behind leading an unmarried life. I decided to write a book 24 years after his death on March 29, 1990, when I realised that there was no better person than me who could reveal the truth behind such matters,” Padman told ‘Express.’ He was also precise in selecting the cover picture of the book. “That photograph was taken while Bhasiyannan and Sukumariyamma were coming out of Guruvayoor temple. It was one of my favourite photographs of him,” he said.
To be published by Mathrubhumi Books, the book will be released on Sunday at a function to be organised as part of the ‘Sathabhishekam’ (84th birthday) celebrations of Padman. Traffic Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and veteran journalist Thomas Jacob will participate in the programme. Padmakumar retired as the editor-in-charge of Malayala Manorama weekly in 2002.
