K. Sornam

K. Sornam
Born1933
Died8 June 2021(2021-06-08) (aged 87–88)
Other namesSwarnam, Swornam
OccupationsWriter, director, journalist

K. Sornam (1933 – 8 June 2021) was an Indian journalist, screenwriter and director who worked in Tamil cinema. He was active in the second half of the 1900s, and shared close associations with chief ministers of Tamil Nadu Karunanidhi and M. G. Ramachandran.

Film career

Born in Thirukkuvalai, Sornam worked as a literary writer with his relative, Karunanidhi. He had a key role in the operations of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's political newspaper, Murasoli. While at Murasoli, Sornam brought out the supplement Pudhayal, and also worked on archiving Karunanidhi's writings. In the 1960s, he worked on the theatrical play Vidai Kodu Thaaye (Bid Me Farewell Mother), a revolutionary play written to highlight the need for social reforms. For his script, he was presented with an award by C. N. Annadurai.[1]

Sornam went on to enrol in film institute in Chennai, besides becoming the secretary of Tamil Eyal Isai Nadaga Manram, a theatre organisation. Sornam wrote the dialogues for 3 movies starring MGR, including Nam Naadu (1969), Adimai Penn (1969) and Ulagam Sutrum Valiban (1973).[2][3][4] He also directed films with actors such as Sivakumar and Kamal Haasan in Thangathile Vairam (1975), R. Muthuraman's Seer Varisai (1976), and Jaishankar's Aasai Manaivi (1977).

In 1987, he directed the film Ore Raththam featuring Karthik in the lead role. The film has since garnered attention for marking the acting debut of politician M. K. Stalin.[5] In the 1990s, Sornam was later the editor-in-charge for the magazine Ilaya Suriyan, that had been created by M. K. Stalin, and regularly served as the political party's voice.[1][6]

Death

Sornam died on 8 June 2021, aged 88, due to age-related ailments.[1]

Partial filmography

Year Film Credited as Notes
Director Writer
1960Aada Vandha DeivamRed XGreen tick
1969Nam NaaduRed XGreen tick
1969Adimai PennRed XGreen tick
1971Kumari KottamRed XGreen tickscreenplay credits
1973Ulagam Sutrum ValibanRed XGreen tick
1975Thangathile VairamGreen tickGreen tick
1976Nee Oru MaharaniGreen tickGreen tick
1977Aasai ManaiviGreen tickGreen tick
1978Ganga Yamuna KaveriGreen tickGreen tick
1978SeervarisaiGreen tickGreen tick
1978Mela ThalangalGreen tickGreen tick
1979Naan Oru Kai PaarkirenGreen tickGreen tick
1987Ore RaththamGreen tickRed X

References

  1. 1 2 3 Govardan, D (9 June 2021). "'Voice' of megastars of Tamil Nadu politics, K Sornam, falls silent". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  2. ↑ Guy, Randor (30 April 2016). "Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban (1973)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 18 August 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  3. ↑ Guy, Randor (21 September 2013). "Aadavantha Deivam (1960)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 25 September 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  4. ↑ Sri Kantha, Sachi (17 March 2020). "MGR Remembered – Part 55 | Ulagam Suttru Vaaliban [The Globe Trotting Youth]". Ilankai Tamil Sangam. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  5. ↑ Shekar, Anjana (26 March 2021). "MK Stalin's brief stint with acting: Two films and a TV serial". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  6. ↑ Katyal, Sugita; Swamy, Prakash M. (30 April 1993). "DMK fails to exploit Congress(I)-AIADMK divorce due to rampant infighting within party". India Today. Archived from the original on 15 April 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.