Film director K.S. Gopalakrishnan dead

Tamil film director K.S. Gopalakrishnan, whose treatment of women as a main character in films including Sarada , Karpagam and Kulama Kunama won accolades, died here on Saturday. He was in his late 80s.

“He was a fantastic writer and had a flair for all aspects of film-making. ‘ Karpagam’ was a great film and Gopalakrishnan gave the title to the studio he acquired,” said Chitralaya Gopu, who replaced Gopalakrishnan as the writer for late director Sridhar.

Sarada with S.S.Rajendran and Vijayakumar in lead roles powerfully portrays the agonising moments after the protagonist becomes impotent. In

Karpagam, he introduced K.R. Vijaya and the film dealt with how the hero, widowed in a short span after his marriage, gradually reconciles himself to a life with his wife’s friend. Later, he introduced Jayachitra in his film

Kurathimagan .

“His subjects found an empathy with women,” said Mr Gopu.

Gopalakrishnan, who had his roots in Tamil theatre, was dialogue writer, lyricist and director, who also ventured into production. He directed and produced over 50 films.

Tamil film historian Vamanan said Gopalakrishnan knew how to play sentiments effectively in films and struck a chord with women audience. “He knew how to get the best from actors. But melodrama was both his strength and weakness. His theatre background helped him in song selection.

He was also good at singing Tirupugal of Arunagirinathar and was even conferred with the title Tirupugal Isai Arasu,” said Mr Vamanan. His film Kaikodutha Theivam, starring Sivaji Ganesan, won the President’s Award. National poet Subramania Bharathiyar’s song ‘Sindhu Nathiyinmisai Nilaviniley’ rendered by T.M. Soundararajan and Sivaj’s lip movement captured the imagination of a generation of film-goers.

Mr. Vamanan says Gopalakrishnan decided to use Vaali to pen the lyrics for the film Karpagam at a time when Kannadasan was the uncrowned king of the Tamil film world. The songs ‘Mannavane Azhalama’ and ‘Athaimadi Methaiyadi by Vaali enhanced his place in Tamil cinema further.

‘Un Azhagai Kanniyarkal Sonnathinaley’ in Uthamaputhiram bears testimony to Gopalakrishan’s talent as a song writer, while his capabilities as dialogue writer can be seen in a film like Padikkatha Methai .