Neelu's Nasal Touch

 

     R.Neelakandan,aka Neelu was an exuberant stage and film actor,who like late N.Mathrubootham,created a special track of comedy parade,with sustained and calculated role play.He was a passionate player of roles both on stage and on the big and small screens.Acting came to him like child's play and he would be making himself a butt of ridicule,with an effortless and extraordinary sobriety on his face and a kind of noisy deliberation to hit humorous goals.He was closely associated with the satirical comedian Cho Ramasamy and later had a significant share of space in the comedy moments created on stage, by Crazy Mohan and his group.
  For me,the most treasured role of Neelu on screen was in K.Balachander's film 'Nootrukku Nooru' in which he appeared as a rigorous professor of Mathematics and fell a victim in the hands of a batch of mischievous students.In a particular scene in that film,Neelu would be found teaching Calculus and every time when he would try to get up from his seat with the fond words"Now coming to Calculus,"he would struggle to extricate himself from the gum pasted chair, prepared by his students as a mark of revenge.One could obviously notice the discomfort coupled with humor,effectively displayed by this wonderful comedian.

   Neelu was in fact a special favourite of K.Balachander and no one can forget his impressive performance as the public prosecutor in the film 'KaviyaThalavi'arguing on behalf of the prosecution in a case of murder committed by Sowcar Janaki,who happened to kill her wayward,drunkard husband M.R.R.Vasu, to save the future of her daughter born of him. 
    Some of the other films in which he made a significant impact of comedy were Aayiram Poi,Mr.Sampath, Gowravam,Velum Mayilum Thunai,Mohamed bin Tughlaq,Sabatham,Sooriya Vamsam,Kamalahasan's comedy blockbusters Avvai Shanmugi,Kaadhala Kaadhalaa and Pammal K.Sambandham.Besides these popular films,he will also be remembered for the television serial Enge Brahmanan.

   Neelu carried on his comic roles with well meaning gestures on his face, signifying a sane sense of humour,sticking to the yardsticks of decency.His nasal tone delivery and the way he would meddle with it rhythmically,with his intrinsic love for Carnatic music,were his special assets.

   Neelu would certainly remain as one of the most cherished comedians of his times.In his death,Tamil audience have missed a greatly endearing comedian.However,audience memories of this ardent actor, will also push his name with dedication,into the golden archives of Tamil cinema,as a treasure to posterity,for nostalgic recalls and reviews.
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