Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar

2021-12-09T12:24:50Z

2400:3C00:1:A102:DF00:0:0:274:

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1915|06|28}}
| birth_name = Marudamalai Marudachalamurthy Ayyavoo Chinnappa Thevar
| birth_place = Ramanathapuram, [[Coimbatore]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|1978|09|08|1915|06|28}}
| death_place = [[Coimbatore]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
| children = 3|nationality = [[India]]n
| spouse = Maarimuthammal
| image =
| occupation = [[Actor]], [[Film producer]]
| years_active = 1940-1978}}
'''"''[[Eugen Sandow|Sandow]]''"''' '''Marudur Marudachalamurthy Ayyavoo Chinnappa Thevar''' (28 June 1915 – 8 September 1978) was a producer of [[Tamil cinema|Tamil films]] in the mid-1950s through the 1960s and 1970s. He is best known for his films featuring animals, and has produced numerous movies with [[M. G. Ramachandran]] as lead actor (16 movies with under his famous banner: '''''Devar Films''''').

He launched all his movies under the ''Devar Films'', which also produced the [[Rajesh Khanna]]'s [[Bollywood]] hit [[Haathi Mere Saathi (1971 film)|Haathi Mere Saathi]] (1971) in which he achieved national fame and ''Dhandayupathi Films'' banner.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title = Mohan's Musings: Sandow M M A Chinnappa Devar|url = http://mohanramanmuses.blogspot.in/2012/07/sandow-m-m-chinnappa-devar.html|website = mohanramanmuses.blogspot.in|access-date = 2015-09-04}}</ref>

The title of "'''Sandow'''" was given to Chinnappa Thevar in tribute (to the father of the modern bodybuilding, '''[[Eugen Sandow]]''') and because of his impressive muscles.

==Early years==
M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar was born in [[Ramanathapuram, Coimbatore|Ramanathapuram]] locality in [[Coimbatore]] to Ayyavoo thevar and Ramakkal. He has one elder brother named Subbiah thevar and three younger brothers named Nataraja thevar, Arumugam ([[M.A. Thirumugam]]) and Mariappan. His father was an agriculturist.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title = "Sandow" M.M.A.Chinnappa Devar|url = https://antrukandamugam.wordpress.com/2014/01/26/saando-m-m-a-chinnappa-devar/|website = Antru Kanda Mugam|access-date = 2015-09-04}}</ref>

Chinnappa thevar studied only till 5th grade due to financial reasons. During his youth in the 1930s, he joined in Pankaja mill for a salary of Rs.9 and started his earnings. He later worked in Stanes motor company for few years. He also earned through milk production, rice shop and soda production.

From a very young age he was interested in gymnasium. He started "Veera Maruthi Deha Payirchi saalai" with his friends in Ramanathapuram area. To join the film industry, he mastered various martial arts and improved his physique.

He and his brother first acted in the 1940 film Thilottama. It was a fight sequence where only their shadows were filmed. Devar earned the title ‘[[Eugen Sandow|Sandow]]’ because of his physique and fighting skills.<ref>{{Cite news|title = Sandow and superstars|url = http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/sandow-and-superstars/article3678424.ece|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 2012-07-24|access-date = 2015-09-04|issn = 0971-751X|language = en}}</ref>

He had started playing small roles in films that were shot in [[Central Studios]], Coimbatore, until he was chosen by [[Jupiter Pictures]]<ref>{{Cite news|title = Rajakumari 1947|url = http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/rajakumari-1947/article3023314.ece|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 2008-09-05|access-date = 2015-09-04|issn = 0971-751X|language = en}}</ref> for villain role in the 1947 movie [[Rajakumari (1947 film)|Rajakumari]] with a then relatively unknown lead actor [[M. G. Ramachandran]] with whom he formed a deep friendship. In the film Mohini (1948) there was a scene taken in forest, where the character played by M.G.Ramachandran rushes to rescue a family travelling in a bullock-cart from being robbed by a gang and the main robbers role was played by M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar as the main robber.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/mohini-1948/article3023927.ece | title=Mohini 1948 | date=19 October 2007 | newspaper=The Hindu | access-date=17 August 2020 }}</ref>

==Producer==

Chinnappa thevar developed a deep friendship with [[M. G. Ramachandran]]. MGR too apparently recommended Devar in the films he worked. This went on till 1956 when Devar started his own production company Devar Films, and asked MGR to be the hero. MGR agreed, and they made Thaikkupin Thaaram. The film was a success, and launched Devar as a filmmaker.

He later during moved to [[Chennai]] in the early 1950s, which by then became the South Indian Cinema Hub. He launched his production company the famous "Devar Films" and used the facilities of [[Vijaya Vauhini Studios]] for indoor shooting and post production activities.

He is best known for various [[M. G. Ramachandran]] movies and introduced [[Saroja Devi]] to Tamil Movies who became a celluloid queen.

When MGR became busy with his own production Nadodi Mannan, Devar was forced to make a few other movies.

In 1960, he started to record the music for [[Thaai Sollai Thattadhe]] and cast Ashokan as the hero. When the recording was over, MGR heard the songs and wanted the story to be narrated. Apparently, after this there was a promise between them that MGR will adhere to all of Devar's conditions and, in return, Devar would make films only with him and no other ‘big’ hero. This ‘agreement’ led to Devar making 16 films with MGR, the last being Nalla Neram in 1972, the Tamil remake of [[Haathi Mere Saathi (1971 film)|Haathi Mere Saathi]].

Despite working with MGR on several films, he never got a chance to work with [[Sivaji Ganesan]]. He once mentioned that he didn't have right story for Mr. Ganesan.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title = Kalyanamalai Magazine - Serial story, Thiraichuvai - Potpourri of titbits about Tamil cinema, Director Sando Chinnapa Devar|url = http://www.kalyanamalaimagazine.com/Content/Thiraichuvai/Feb12_1_15/Potpourri_of_titbits_about_Tamil_cinema_Director_Sando_Chinnapa_Devar_part2.html|website = www.kalyanamalaimagazine.com|access-date = 2015-09-04}}</ref>

Devar is also known for using animals as a supporting theme in his movies, and at times as the lead character. His brother M. A. Thirumugam was also a successful director was worked predominantly for "Devar Films" production company.

Together the duo gave [[Rajesh Khanna]]'s biggest blockbuster hit [[Haathi Mere Saathi (1971 film)|Haathi Mere Saathi]], which also introduced the [[Salim–Javed]] duo as script writers to [[Bollywood]].

In Tamil film industry he was one of the most successful movie producers and his two recurring subjects were his animals and devotional movies, as he was an ardent devotee of Lord [[Murugan]].

=== Later years ===
In his later years with MGR getting more and more into active politics, Devar started to make films in the Socio –mythological Genre. They were films set in modern times with the Central theme that faith and belief in God will solve one's problems.<ref name=":2" />

Chinnapa thevar also planned to make movies with [[Rajinikanth]] who was rising popular at that time. Rajini worked on the movie ''[[Thai Meethu Sathiyam]]'' under the Devar Films banner directed by Thevar's son-in-law R. [[R. Thyagarajan (director)|R. Thyagarajan]]. While shooting for the movie, Chinnapa thevar fell ill and died couple of days later.

== Personal life ==
Chinnapa Thevar married Mari Muthammal at an early age of 21 by 1936. The couple has one son, Dhandayuthapani, and two daughters, Subbulakshmi and Jagadeeshwari. His elder daughter Subbulakshmi married [[R. Thyagarajan (director)|R. Thyagarajan]], who became a director later. Vellikizhamai Viratham (1974) and [[Aattukara Alamelu]](1977) are a couple of famous films to his credit.

=== Ardent Lord Murugan devotee ===
Chinnapa Thevar practiced Hindu religion and was an ardent devotee for [[Lord Muruga]]. Once Income Tax officials raided his house and was astonished to find so many Viboothi packets of Murugan temples, but no cash. Any profit from the movie he splits into four parts. The first part was given to Murugan temples as he believed that all of his success was because of [[Kartikeya|Lord Muruga]]. Because of this many Murugan temples like [[Palani Murugan temple|Pazhani temple]], Tiruchendur temple and [[Marudamalai|Marudhamalai]] temple were benefited. The second part he kept for himself. The third part is for his old friends who supported him during his early days who collected few thousands and sent him to [[Chennai|Madras]] for film making. The fourth and final part he gave to the needy people.

== Death ==
On 6 September 1978, during the shooting of the film ''[[Thai Meethu Sathiyam]]'' at [[Ooty]], Devar complained of chest pain, since he had high blood pressure<ref name=":0" /> he was advised by the doctors in Ooty to get admitted in hospital, he was soon brought in his car from Ooty to Coimbatore. He was admitted in a private hospital upon arrival. After treatment he recovered partially, but again got chest pain on 8 September 1978 and died by 10 a.m morning in spite of intense treatment. He was 63 when he died.<ref name=":1" />

The day of his demise was a ‘[[Shashthi (day)|Shashti]]’ day, very special to Lord Muruga.

=== Tribute and cremation ===
Thevar's body was brought from hospital to his [[Ramanathapuram, Coimbatore]] residence and kept for public to pay their last respect. [[M. G. Ramachandran|M.G.R]], who had a long-term association with Thevar not only paid rich tribute to Chinnapa Thevar but also came to Coimbatore for his funeral. Several eminent personalities like [[Rajinikanth]] [[Jaishankar]] attended Thevar's funeral.

==Filmography==
;Films produced by Thevar
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
! Year !! Film !! Language !! Notes
|-
| 1956 || ''[[Thaikkupin Tharam]]'' || Tamil || First Film under '''Devar Films''' banner First Film with ''MGR''
|-
| 1957 || ''[[Neelamalai Thirudan]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1958 || ''[[Sengottai Singam]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1959 || ''[[Vaazha Vaitha Deivam]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1960 || ''[[Uthami Petra Rathinam]]'' || Tamil || Presented by '''Devar Films''' Produced by Amara Productions
|-
| 1960 || ''[[Yanai Paagan]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1961 || ''[[Kongunattu Thangam]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1961 || ''[[Thaai Sollai Thattadhe]]'' || Tamil || Re-join with ''MGR''
|-
| 1962 || ''[[Thayai Katha Thanayan]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1962 || ''[[Kudumba Thalaivan]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1963 || ''[[Dharmam Thalai Kaakkum]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1963 || ''[[Needhikkuppin Paasam]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1964 || [[Vettaikaaran (1964 film)|''Vettaikaaran'']] || Tamil ||
|-
| 1964 || [[Deiva Thirumagal (1964 film)|''Deiva Thirumagal'']] || Tamil || First Film under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner First and Last Film directed by ''Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar''
|-
| 1964 || ''[[Thozhilali]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1965 || [[Kattu Rani (1965 film)|''Kattu Rani'']] || Tamil || Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Thayum Magalum]]'' || Tamil || Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Kanni Thaai]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Mugaraasi]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Thanipiravi]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Thaikku Thalaimagan]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Magaraasi]]'' || Tamil || Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Deivacheyal]]'' || Tamil || Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Vivasayee]]'' || Tamil || 25th Film
|-
| 1968 || ''[[Thaer Thiruvizha]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1968 || ''[[Nervazhi]]'' || Tamil || Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner
|-
| 1968 || ''[[Kadhal Vaaganam]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1969 || ''[[Akka Thangai]]'' || Tamil || Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner
|-
| 1969 || ''[[Thunaivan]]'' || Tamil || Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner
|-
| 1970 || ''[[Penn Deivam]]'' || Tamil || Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner
|-
| 1970 || ''[[Maanavan]]'' || Tamil || Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner
|-
| 1971 || ''[[Haathi Mere Saathi (1971 film)|Haathi Mere Saathi]]'' || Hindi || First Hindi Film Highest Gross of the Year
|-
| 1971 || ''[[Kettikaran]]'' || Tamil || Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner
|-
| 1972 || ''[[Nalla Neram]]'' || Tamil || Remake of ''Haathi Mere Saathi'' Last Film with ''MGR''
|-
| 1972 || ''[[Janwar Aur Insaan]]'' || Hindi || Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner
|-
| 1972 || ''[[Dheivam]]'' || Tamil || Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner
|-
| 1973 || ''[[Komatha En Kulamatha]]'' || Tamil || Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner
|-
| 1973 || ''[[Gaai Aur Gori]]'' || Hindi || Remake of ''Komatha En Kulamatha'' Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner
|-
| 1974 || ''[[Vellikizhamai Viratham]]'' || Tamil || Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner
|-
| 1974 || ''[[Shubh Din]]'' || Hindi || Remake of ''Vellikizhamai Viratham'' Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner
|-
| 1975 || [[Raaja (1975 film)|''Raaja'']] || Hindi ||
|-
| 1975 || ''[[Thiruvarul]]'' || Tamil || Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner
|-
| 1976 || ''[[Thayilla Kuzhandhai]]'' || Tamil || Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner
|-
| 1976 || [[Maa (1976 film)|''Maa'']] || Hindi ||
|-
| 1977 || ''[[Sorgam Naragam]]'' || Tamil || Remake of ''[[Swargam Narakam]]'' Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner
|-
| 1977 || ''[[Aattukara Alamelu]]'' || Tamil || Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner
|-
| 1978 || ''[[Pottelu Punnamma]]'' || Telugu || Remake of ''Aattukara Alamelu'' First Telugu Film
|-
| 1978 || ''[[Mera Rakshak]]'' || Hindi || Remake of ''Aattukara Alamelu''
|-
| 1978 || ''[[Thai Meethu Sathiyam]]'' || Tamil || Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner
|-
|}

;Films produced after the death of Thevar [By his Son-in-law Sri. R. Thyagarjan B.Sc]
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
! Year !! Film !! Language !! Notes
|-
| 1979 || ''[[Thaayillamal Naan Illai]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1979 || ''[[Annai Oru Aalayam]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1980 || ''[[Do Aur Do Paanch]]'' || Hindi ||
|-
| 1980 || ''[[Anbukku Naan Adimai]]'' || Tamil || 50th Film
|-
| 1981 || ''[[Ram Lakshman]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1981 || ''[[Anjatha Nenjangal]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1982 || [[Ranga (1982 film)|''Ranga'']] || Tamil ||
|-
| 1982 || ''[[Adhisayappiravigal]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1983 || ''[[Thai Veedu]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1983 || ''[[Jeet Hamaari]]'' || Hindi || Remake of ''Thai Veedu'' Last Hindi Film
|-
| 1983 || ''[[Apoorva Sahodarigal]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1983 || "[[Sashti viratham]]" || Tamil ||
|-
| 1984 || ''[[Nalla Naal]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1985 || ''[[Anthasthu]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1985 || ''[[Annai Bhoomi 3D]]'' || Tamil || First 3D Tamil Film
|-
| 1985 || ''[[Panam Pathum Seyyum]]'' || Tamil || Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner
|-
| 1985 || [[Selvi (film)|''Selvi'']] || Tamil || 75th Film
Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner
|-
| 1986 || ''[[Dharmam]]'' || Tamil ||
|-
| 1986 || ''[[Piranthaen Valarnthaen]]'' || Tamil || Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner
|-
| 1987 || ''[[Chellakutti]]'' || Tamil || Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner
|-
| 1988 || ''[[Dharmathin Thalaivan]]'' || Tamil || Under '''Dhandayuthapani Films''' banner Last Film for this banner.
|-
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080911011141/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/09/05/stories/2008090550361600.htm Randoor Guys article in -The Hindu]
* {{IMDb name|0222218}}
* [http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/sandow-and-superstars/article3680375.ece Mohan V Raman article in -The Hindu]

==External links==
*[http://www.kalyanamalaimagazine.com/Content/Thiraichuvai/Jan12_16_31/Potpourri_of_titbits_about_Tamil_cinema_Director_Sando_Chinnapa_Devar.html Article on Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar in Kalyana Malai]
*[http://mymovieminutes.blogspot.sg/2012/12/the-distinct-features-of-devar-films.html Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar in My Movie Minutes]
*[http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/sandow-and-superstars/article3678424.ece Sandow and Superstars in -The Hindu]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thevar, Sando Chinnappa}}
[[Category:Tamil film producers]]
[[Category:1915 births]]
[[Category:1978 deaths]]

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Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar