Chandra Babu

J. P Chandra Babu

Joseph Panimayadas Rodriguez Chandrababu was a Tamil film comedian, actor, director, singer and dancer, whose Chaplinesque style on-screen movements and singing style made him popular from the late 1940s to the early 1970s. 

Born: 1927, Thoothukudi

Died: March 7, 1974, Chennai

Spouse: Sheila

Songs: Kalyanam Kalyanam

Movies: Ratha Kanneer

Parents: Roselin Fernando, Joseph Pichai Rodriguez

Joseph Panimayadas Rodriguez Chandrababu (1927–1974) (Tamil: ஜோசப் பனிமயதாஸ் சந்திரபாபு) was a Tamil film comedian, actor, director, singer and dancer, whose Chaplinesque style on-screen movements and singing style made him popular from the late 1940s to the early 1970s. His style has also been likened to that of Jerry Lewis. He had a mastery of the Madras Bashai, a dialect unique to the Madras region His slapstick style of comedy has been emulated by subsequent actors, such as Prabhu Deva in Kaadhalan movie. Many of his songs have remained popular.

There is confusion regarding his full name. His last name has been variously given as Chandrababu, Rodriguez and Fernando, whilst his middle name has been shown as Panimayadas or Pichai, and his first as Joseph or Jacob. His father was Joseph Pichai Rodriguez and his mother Roselin Fernando.

His Film career

Chandrababu was very passionate about acting despite opposition from his family members. But his friend Ganapathy is only person motivating his acting skills. From his childhood, he was expert in singing and whenever he meet his friends or relations they want Chandrababu to sing. He had spent many days starving himself and searching for a chance in the film. In 1952 he attempted suicide by ingesting copper sulphate crystals in the canteen of Gemini Studios. He had written a suicide note explaining his reasons, which included that he had been unable to meet the director S. S. Vasan, and that his body was to be handed over to B. S. Ramaiah, the director of his only film at that date. Suicide was a criminal offence and so he was arrested. but when his case came to trial the judge asked him to prove his acting ability. Chandrababu rendered a Shakespearean monologue that so impressed the judge that he was not jailed.

Sri Lanka had a very western outlook in those times and Chandrabubu picked up on western styles of song and dance while there. In these early years Chandrababu made acquaintances of the actors Sriram, B. R. Panthulu and, through them, T. R. Mahalingam. They appreciated his talent in singing and mimicry of Hollywood stars such as Charles Boyer. He made his debut with a small role in the 1947 film Dhana Amaravathi but struggled thereafter to obtain parts.

One of those who had assisted him in being taken to hospital at the time of his attempted suicide was Gemini Ganesan. When Vasan came to know of this episode he gave Chandrababu a small role in the 1952 film Moondru Pillaigal, the playing of which impressed Vasan so much that he predicted a successful career.

Chandrababu also filmed Chinnadurai and Mohanasundaram in the same year. In Chinnadorai, produced and directed by T. R. Mahalingam, he sang the song Poda Raja Podi Nadaya, the first time that yodelling had been heard in Indian film.[citation needed] It is claimed that, as of 2009, he remained the only person capable of yodelling in south Indian cinema,.Chandrababu loved western music and learned the art of yodelling by listening to singers such as Gene Autry and Hank Williams.

Chandrababu was paid Rs 200 for his role in Mohanasundaram.[citation needed] At his peak he was to command over Rs 100,000, becoming the first Indian actor to do so.

When A. V. Meiyappan filmed Sahodari, he found that it lacked an ingredient that would ensure box office success. Chandrababu was called and after watching the film he added a comedy track for himself, wrote it and also sang the song Naan oru muttalunga, converting the film into a hit.

It was Chandrababu who first spoke and popularised the Madras Baashai in films. He learned this dialect from the rickshaw pullers and street vendors near his home in Triplicane and later in Mir Sahib Pet.

Sabash Meena was one of the best Tamil comedy movies for its times and in it, Chandrababu acted with Sivaji Ganesan, in dual roles.