Adoor Bhasi
Cine-goers in Malayalam can never forget the name Adoor Bhasi, who ruled the comic roles therein for more than a quarter of a century. Born to parents with literary background entered the filmdom through drama.
For about three decades no Malayalam cinema came out without Adoor Bhasi, one of the greatest comedians of filmdom. He came to cinema through drama, and once he started the film career, he never had to look back.
Bhaskaran Nair (Bhasi) was born on 1st March, 1929 at Thiruvananthapuram. His father was E.V.Krishna pillai, a known Malayalam writer (mainly humour-based stories)and mother Maheswari Amma (daughter of famous Malayalam novelist of earlier period , C.V. Raman Pillai). Bhasi had his schooling at Adoor Government High school. After completing SSLC, he studied Textile Technology and took a diploma in it. He worked in textile field , first at Madurai Mills and later in Leila Textiles, Alappuzha. Then he left this job to take up a journalist's job at Thiruvananthapuram.
During this period he started developing interest in drama, and established Thiruvananthapuram Kalavedi. He was the secretary of this group. He handled mainly comic roles in dramas.
It was in the year 1952, Bhasi got a chance to act in a film. It was Thyagaseema , which was not completed. As an actor he was noticed in Mudiyanaya Puthran (1962) by the viewers. After this he started acting in almost all Malayalam films and got established as a comedian. Within a period of twenty five years he acted about in 700 films.
He was chosen as the Best actor by the State Government twice, first in Chattakkari(1974) and next in Cheriyachante Kroora krithyangal(1979). Also he got the awards for best comedian (1971) and for the best supporting actor (1984).
Bhasi took up direction also. 'Aadya Paadhom' and 'Acharam Ammini, Osaram Omana' are two films directed by him. He showed interest in music also and was a singer too. He had sung in a few films. Two songs, "Thallu thallu,.. thallu thallu... pannasu vandi, thallu, thallu, thallu thallu thallippoli vandi ........ ee thallippoli vandi" and the song in 'Sthanarthi Saramma' (... vottilla, vottilla, katuvapettikkottilla....) are very famous comedy songs. His partner in many films was Sreelatha. (In those days the roles of comedians stand separate from the true story, very often).
Adoor Bhasi acted with Premnazir, Sathyan, Thikkurussi, etc. His acting was typical and spontaneous. Bhasi was unmarried. He died on 29th March 1990.