Serukalathur Sama

Swaminathan Vaidyanathan, known by his stage name Serukulathur Sama, was an Indian film actor who was primarily known for playing the role of the Hindu god Krishna in Tamil language mythological films of the 1930s and 1940s.

Early Life

Born in the village Serukalathur in Thanjavur district to Mirasudar (Manager of own farm) Vaidyanadhaiyer, his birth name was Swaminathan. When he was 5 years old his mother died and the father re-married. So Swaminathan went to live with his uncle in Thanjavur. He learned Carnatic music along with academic studies. After passing the S. S. L. C. examination, he married and begot 3 children. He went to Madras in search of employment. There he worked as a clerk for 2 months in the office of the Indian National Congress Party and then for 10 years in the Cosmopolitan Club.[1]

Film Career

He was a handsome person and had the ability to sing in bass voice. While he was working in the Cosmopolitan club he came in contact with a member of the club Ananthanarayanan Narayanan, who established Srinivasa Cinetone, the first sound recording studio of south India in Kilpauk. Narayanan introduced Swaminathan into films. Swaminathan, now known as Serukalathur Sama, had good looks and singing talent. He was cast as Lord Krishna in most of the films.[2]

Film Producer and Director

With his success as an actor he embarked on production of films. He leased National Movietone Studio on Poonamallee High Road, Chennai and changed its name as Bharat Cinetone. His first production was Shylock, (Tamilized as Shailak) adapted from Shakespeare's The Merchant Of Venice. He directed the film along with his lawyer friend and signed as Sama-Ramu.[2]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1934Draupadi VastrapaharanamKrishna
1935Maayaa Bazaar
1936Bama Parinayam
1937ChintamaniKrishna
AmbikapathyKambar
1938Vishnu Leela
1939Thiruneelakantar
1940Krishnan Thoothu
Parasuramar
SakuntalaiKanwa Rishi
ShailakShailak
1941Subadra Arjuna
Thiruvalluvar
1942ManonmaniSundara Munivar
NandanarVedhiyar
Rajasooyam
1943Arundhathi
Sivakavi
1944Baktha Hanuman
BharthruhariBharthruhari
Rajarajeshwari
1945Bhakta Kalathi
Burma RaniBuddhist monk
Meera
1946Aaravalli Sooravalli
1948Jeevajothi
Raja Mukthi
1950Beedala Patlu
Ezhai Padum Padu
Vijayakumari
1951MarmayogiSage
1954Panam Paduthum Padu
1962Manithan Maravillai
PattinatharSivasarmar
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References
  1. "Nadigamani Serukalathur Sama". Kundoosi (in Tamil): Pages: 9 — 12, 62–64. February 1951.
  2. Guy, Randor (5 October 2013). "Rajasuyam (1942)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 August 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
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