R. S. Manohar was a popular actor of yesteryear who performed roles ranging from hero, villain to comedic characters. He was born at Namakkal in 1925. He acted in over 200 films. He is known for his versatility and dominating personality. He is also known as Nadaga Kavalar for his love for stage plays and his undeterred passion in continuing to put mythological stage plays almost his entire life.

Biography

Ramasamy Subramania Manohar was born on 29 June 1925 at Namakkal as Lakshmi Narashiman to Subramania Iyer and Rajalakshmi Ammal. He got the name Manohar after playing the lead role in the play Manohara during school days. He graduated from Pachaiyappa's College, Chennai.

While in college, Manohar used to perform stage plays. After graduation, he joined films. His first effort was 'Rajamabal,' produced by Aruna Films. His early memorable roles were in films such as 'Vannakkili,' 'Kaidhi Kannayiram,' 'Vallavanukku Vallavan,' 'Vallavan Oruvan' and 'Iru Vallavargal.'

But Manohar will always be remembered for the 'bad guy' roles, especially while facing off with M.G. Ramachandran in films such as 'Ayirathil Oruvan,' 'Ulagam Suttrum Valliban,' 'Pallandu Vazhga,' 'Adimai Penn,' 'Kaavalkaaran' and 'Idayakkani.'

Manohar will also be remembered for his immense contribution to the stage. After Nawab Rajamanikkam, it was Manohar who took theatre to a higher plane. Most of the 31 plays in which he acted - these were staged 7,950 times - were adaptations or interpretations of historical incidents or mythological stories.

Famous among Manohar's plays were 'Ilangeswaran,' 'Chanakkiya Sabadam,' 'Soorapadman,' 'Sisupalan,' 'Indrajith,' 'Sukrachariyar,' 'Naragasooran' and 'Thirunavukkarasar.'

He was a pioneer in introducing 'dramascope' with stereophonic sound system, split second transformation of scenes and pyrotechniques to represent battle scenes.

He received many awards for his contribution to drama and cinema, including a 'Nadaka Kavalar' award from MGR in 1970.