Y. G. Parthasarathy
Y. G. Parthasarathy | |
|---|---|
| Born | 30 September 1917 |
| Died | 1990 |
| Occupations | Playwright, actor |
| Spouse | Mrs YGP |
| Children | 2, including Y. G. Mahendran |
| Relatives | Vyjayanthimala (niece) |
Y. G. Parthasarathy (30 September 1917 – 1990) was an Indian playwright and actor who founded the drama troupe United Amateur Artistes (UAA) along with his friend Padmanabhan "Pattu" in 1952.[1][2]
Theatre career
After returning from Delhi, Parthasarathy was acting with the Suguna Vilasa Sabha in 1948. There he met fellow actor and scriptwriter N. Padmanabhan, known as "Pattu". The two shared an interest in comedy and, after becoming dissatisfied with the opportunities available to them, established United Amateur Artistes in 1952. The troupe's first production was It Happened at Midnight.[3]
UAA became known for plays that used colloquial Tamil, sometimes mixed with English, in contrast with the more formal language then common on the Tamil stage. The troupe also encouraged women to perform and developed a particular association with social comedies. Among its early productions were Yaman Emaandan, Never Say Die and Pavam Balaraman.[3] A retrospective in The Hindu credited Parthasarathy's amateur troupe with helping usher in an era of social plays set in environments familiar to audiences.[2]
UAA also became an early platform for performers and writers who later established careers in theatre and cinema. People associated with the troupe included Jayalalithaa, Nagesh, Lakshmi, Cho Ramaswamy, A. R. Srinivasan, Moulee, Visu and Vietnam Veedu Sundaram.[3][1][4]
Alongside his theatre activities, Parthasarathy worked in the Indian government's import and export administration and rose to the position of Deputy Chief Controller of Imports and Exports.[1][2]
Personal life
Parthasarathy married Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy in 1948.[2] They had two sons, actor and theatre personality Y. G. Mahendran and Y. G. Rajendra.[5] Rajalakshmi later said that her husband encouraged her to establish a school rather than devote herself exclusively to domestic life. The institution developed into the Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan group of schools.[5]
Parthasarathy's centenary was commemorated in Chennai in September 2017 with a nine-day theatre festival that concluded on 30 September, his birthday.[1]
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal | Venkatarama Iyer |
| 1976 | Manmatha Leelai | Rekha's father |
| 1977 | Thani Kudithanam | Naana's father-in-law |
| 1978 | Shankar Salim Simon | |
| Oru Nadigai Natakam Parkiral | Annasamy | |
| Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu | Padma's Father | |
| 1979 | Adukku Malli | |
| 1981 | Tik Tik Tik | Uncredited role |
| 1983 | Paayum Puli | |
| 1986 | Iravu Pookkal | Judge |
References
- 1 2 3 4 Balasubramanian, Roshne (27 September 2017). "A legend who chanted drama". The New Indian Express.
- 1 2 3 4 Rangajaran, Malathi (21 September 2017). "More than just an actor: the life of Y.G. Parthasarathy". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 9 October 2022.
- 1 2 3 "From journalist… … to theatre personality… … to educationist". Madras Musings. 16 August 2015. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
- ↑ Suganth, M. (25 December 2017). "UAA was the first troupe to speak colloquial Tamil on stage". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Dr Mrs YGP, educationist and founder of Chennai's PSBB schools, passes away". The News Minute. 6 August 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2026.