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{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Raja Sandow
| image = Rajasandow.jpg
| imagesize =
| caption =
| birthname =
| birth_date = 1894 or 1895<ref>[[S. Theodore Baskaran]], in his book ''The eye of the serpent'', gives 1894 as the year of birth for Sandow. [[Randor Guy]] says he was born in 1895.</ref>
| birth_place = [[Pudukottai]], [[India]]
| death_date = {{Death year and age|1943|1894}}
| death_place =
| othername =
| yearsactive = 1923–1943
| spouse =
| homepage =
| notable role =
| academyawards =
| emmyawards =
| tonyawards =
| occupation = Film director, <br> film producer,<br> Actor
| footnotes =
}}

'''Raja Sandow''' (born '''P. K. Nagalingam''') was an Indian film actor, film director and producer.<ref name="A">{{cite book | first=S. Theodore| last=Baskaran | author-link=S. Theodore Baskaran | year= 1996| title=The eye of the serpent: an introduction to Tamil cinema | publisher= East West Books| location= Chennai| pages=194 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PhFlAAAAMAAJ}}</ref> He began his career as an actor in silent films and later became a prominent actor and director in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and [[Hindi]] films of the 1930s. He is considered to be one of the pioneers of early [[Cinema of India|Indian cinema]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20020323061757/http://hindu.com/thehindu/2001/10/18/stories/13181282.htm Mylapore and movies, The Hindu 18 October 2001]</ref><ref>[http://www.screenindia.com/old/print.php?content_id=3722 Trendsetter from www.screenindia.com]{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="M">{{cite book | first=Selvaraj| last= Velayutham| year= 2008| title= Tamil cinema: the cultural politics of India's other film industry |edition= Hardback| publisher= Routledge| location= New York| isbn= 978-0-415-39680-6 | pages=3 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=65Aqrna4o5oC}}</ref><ref>[http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mag/2004/05/02/stories/2004050200210400.htm Blazing new trails, The Hindu 2 May 2004]</ref>

==Biography and career==
Raja Sandow was born in [[Pudukottai]], Tamil Nadu.<ref name="B">{{cite book | first=B.S| last=Baliga| year= 1957| title=Madras District Gazetteers: Pudukkottai | publisher= Superintendent, Govt. Press| location= Chennai| pages=274 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_mJDAAAAYAAJ}}</ref> He was trained as a gymnast and started his film career as a stunt actor in S.N. Patankar's National Film Company at [[Bombay]].<ref name="C">{{cite book | year= 1980| title=Cinema vision India, Volume 1 Issue 1| location= Chennai| pages=37 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jL5ZAAAAMAAJ}}</ref> He was given the name "Raja Sandow" because of his physique (after strongman [[Eugen Sandow]]).<ref name="I">{{cite book | first=Neepa| last=Majumdar| year= 2009| title=Wanted Cultured Ladies Only!: Female Stardom and Cinema in India, 1930s–1950s| publisher=University of Illinois Press| ISBN= 978-0-252-07628-2 | pages=111–2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TdM2Ben3alIC}}</ref> His first lead role was in Patankar's ''Bhaktha Bhodhana'' (1922), for which he was paid Rs. 101 as salary.<ref name="guy1">{{cite news|last=Randor Guy|author-link=Randor Guy|title= A man with a vision |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/08/13/stories/2010081351210800.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107225723/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2010/08/13/stories/2010081351210800.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 November 2012|access-date=20 August 2010|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=20 August 2010}}</ref> He became famous by starring in silent films like ''Veer Bhemsen'' (1923), ''The Telephone Girl'' (1926).<ref name="D">{{cite book | first=Neepa| last=Majumdar| year= 2009| title=Wanted Cultured Ladies Only!: Female Stardom and Cinema in India, 1930s–1950s| publisher=University of Illinois Press| ISBN= 978-0-252-07628-2 | pages=98 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TdM2Ben3alIC}}</ref> After acting in a few silent films he also worked as a director in Ranjit Studios for a monthly salary.<ref name="A"/> His first film as director was ''Sneh Jyoti'' (1928).<ref name="F">{{cite book | first=Suresh| last=Chabria| year= 1994| title=Light of Asia: Indian silent cinema, 1912–1934| publisher=Wiley Eastern| ISBN= 978-81-224-0680-1| pages=138 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CORkAAAAMAAJ}}</ref>

Returning to Tamil Nadu, he directed and acted in a number of silent films for [[R. Padmanaban]]'s Associate Film Company.<ref name="A"/> Many of his silent films had reformist social themes like ''Peyum pennum'' (1930), ''Nandhanar'' (1930), ''Anadhai Penn'' (1931), ''Pride of Hindustan'' (1931) and ''sathi usha sundari'' (1931).<ref name="E">{{cite book | first=S Theodore| last= Baskaran| author-link=S. Theodore Baskaran | year= 2004| title= ''Em Thamizhar Seidha Padam'' |edition= Paperback | publisher= Uyirmmai Padippagam| location= Chennai| isbn= 81-88641-29-4 | pages=46–50 | language =ta}}</ref> After talking films were introduced with ''[[Alam Ara]]'' in 1931, he went back to Bombay and starred in many Hindi and Tamil talkies. He was often paired with the actresses Gohar and [[Ruby Myers|Sulochana (Ruby Myers)]].<ref name="A"/><ref name="I"/> Between 1932–35, he acted in many socially themed Hindi films like ''Shyam sundar'' (1932), ''Devaki'' (1934) and ''Indira MA'' (1935). In 1935, he was commissioned to direct his first Tamil film ''Menaka'' and returned to Madras. He continued directing and acting in films till his death in 1943. ''Vasantha Sena''(1936), ''Chalak Chor'' (1936), ''Chandra kantha'' (1936), ''Vishnuleela'' (1938), ''[[Thiruneelakantar]]'' (1939) and ''Choodamani'' (1941) were some of the films he directed and starred in during that period. The last film he worked in was ''[[Sivakavi]]'' (1943).
Sandow suffered a heart attack and died at [[Coimbatore]] on 25 November 1943.<ref name="L"/> He was survived by his wife ''Leelabai'' and one Son.

==Legacy==
[[File:Sandowindirama.jpg|thumb|left|350px|Raja Sandow with [[Ruby Myers|Sulochana (Ruby Myers)]] in ''Indira M.A'' (1934)]]
Sandow was the first Tamil film director to adopt the practice of using names of actors in film titles. He was the first to introduce intimate kissing scenes and dancers in revealing costumes to the then conservative Tamil film industry.<ref name ="G">[https://web.archive.org/web/20080105002002/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/01/04/stories/2008010450511600.htm Blast from the past (Menaka 1935), The Hindu, 4 January 2008 ]</ref><ref name="K">[http://www.appusami.com/v2/Default.asp?ColsName=2&ColsValue=4732&hidtxtvid=124&catid=111 From silents to sivaji ganesan]{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> He was also the first director and producer to move Tamil cinema from remaking mythological stories and into making social themed films. He even advertised his films as "Don't miss to see your own picture".<ref name="J">{{cite book | year= 1975| title=Journal of Tamil studies, Issues 8–13| publisher=International Institute of Tamil Studies| pages=41 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9U0HAQAAIAAJ}}</ref> Sandow was also the first director to use Tamil literary works for film by directing ''Anadhai penn'' in 1931 based on [[Kothainayaki Ammal|Vai. Mu. Kothainayagi Ammal]]'s novel of the same name.<ref name="L">{{cite book | first=S Theodore| last= Baskaran| author-link=S. Theodore Baskaran | year= 2004| title= ''Em Thamizhar Seidha Padam'' |edition= Paperback | publisher= Uyirmmai Padippagam| location= Chennai| isbn= 81-88641-29-4 | pages=35–36 | language =ta}}</ref>

Writing about Sandow, film historian [[S. Theodore Baskaran|Theodore Baskaran]] says:

{{Cquote |As a director, actor, scriptwriter and producer, his contribution to Tamil cinema is significant. Many of the stars of the Forties and Fifties have worked with him. He was very competent at coaching actors and maintained complete control over his films. He was a martinet on the sets and was often compared to a ringmaster in a circus. In his films, the emphasis shifted from songs to the spoken word.<ref name ="A"/>}}

Film historian [[Randor Guy]] has also described him as a tough task master:

{{Cquote |Raja Sandow was a tough and no-nonsense guy who would not hesitate to shout at and slap his crew and cast including women! Regretfully there are no such directors these days!.<ref name ="K"/>}}

The Tamil Nadu Government has instituted an annual award in his name called ''Raja Sandow memorial Award'', given for outstanding services to [[Tamil Cinema]].<ref name ="H">{{Cite web |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2000/07/10/stories/09100224.htm |title=The stamp of honour, The Hindu 10 July 2000 |access-date=11 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806041332/http://www.thehindu.com/2000/07/10/stories/09100224.htm |archive-date=6 August 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> A Postage stamp has been in issued in recognition of his contributions to Indian cinema.<ref>[http://www.indianstampghar.com/2009/05/special-cover-india-pioneers-of-film-industry-4/ Indianstampghar.com]</ref>

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Film
! Language
! Credits
|-
| 1922
| ''Bhaktha Bhodhana''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1922
| ''Karna''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1922
| ''Suryakumari''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1923
| ''Veer Bhimsen''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1923
| ''Vratrasoor Vadha''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1924
| ''Ra Mandlik''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1924
| ''Bismi Sadi''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1924
| ''Razia Begum''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1924
| ''Sadguni Sushila''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1924
| ''Sati Sone''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1925
| ''Deshna Dushman'' (The Divine Punishment)
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1925
| ''Deva dasi''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1925
| ''Indrasabha''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1925
| ''Kala Chor''(The Black Thief)
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1925
| ''Khandani Khavis''(The Noble Scamp)
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1925
| ''Matri Prem''(For Mother's Sake)
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1925
| ''Mojili Mumbai''(Slaves of Luxury)
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1925
| ''Panchdanda''(Five Divine Wands)
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1925
| ''Raja Yogi''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1925
| ''Suvarna''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1925
| ''Veer Kunal''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1925
| ''Vimala''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1926
| ''Madhav Kam Kundala''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1926
| ''Mena Kumari''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1926
| ''Muntaz Mahal''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1926
| ''Neerajanam''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1926
| ''Prithvi Putra''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1926
| ''Ra Kawat''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1926
| ''Samrat Shiladitya''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1926
| Telephone Girl
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1926
| Typist Girl
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1927
| ''Bhaneli Bhamini''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1927
| ''Sati Madri''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1927
| ''Sindh Ni Sumari ''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1927
| The Mission Girl
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1927
| ''Aladdin Aur Jadui Chirag''(Aladdin & the Wonderful Lamp)
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1928
| ''Grihalakshmi''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1928
| ''Naag Padmini''
|Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1928
| ''Sneh Jyoti''
| Silent film
| Actor, director
|-
| 1928
| Up-to-date
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1928
| ''Vishwamohini''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1929
| Young India
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1929
| Young India
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1930
| Bhimsen The Mighty
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1930
| ''Peyum pennum''
| Silent film
| Actor, director
|-
| 1930
| ''Rajlakshmi''
| Silent film
| Actor
|-
| 1930
| ''Nandhanar'' (Elevation of the Downtrodden)
| Silent film
| Actor, director
|-
| 1930
| ''Sri Valli Thirumanam''
| Silent film
| Actor, director
|-
| 1930
| ''Anadhai penn''
| Silent film
| Actor, director
|-
| 1931
| ''Taranhar'' (Pride of Hindustan)
| Silent film
| Actor, director
|-
| 1931
| ''Sati Usha Sundari''
| Silent film
| Director
|-
| 1931
| ''Rajeshwari''
| Silent film
| Director
|-
| 1931
| ''Bhaktavatsala (Dhuruvanin Garvabangam)''
| Silent film
| Director
|-
| 1932
| ''Parijaatha pushpaharanam''
| Tamil
| Director
|-
| 1932
| ''Shyam sundar''
| Hindi
| Actor
|-
| 1933
| ''Pardesi Preetam''
| Hindi
| Actor
|-
| 1933
| ''Noor-E-Imaan''
| Hindi
| Actor
|-
| 1934
| ''Devaki''
| Hindi
| Actor
|-
| 1934
| ''Kashmeera''
| Hindi
| Actor
|-
| 1934
| ''Toofani Taruni''
| Hindi
| Actor
|-
| 1934
| ''Indira M.A''
| Hindi
| Actor
|-
| 1935
| ''Toofani Taruni''
| Hindi
| Actor
|-
| 1935
| ''Raat-Ki-Rani''
| Hindi
| Actor, director
|-
| 1935
| Barrister's wife
| Hindi
| Actor
|-
| 1935
| College Kanya
| Hindi
| Actor
|-
| 1935
| ''Desh Dasi''
| Hindi
| Actor
|-
| 1935
| ''[[Menaka (1935 film)|Menaka]]''
| Tamil
| Director
|-
| 1936
| ''Prabhu Ka Pyara''
| Hindi
| Actor
|-
| 1936
| ''Vasantha Sena''
| Tamil
| Actor, director
|-
| 1936
| ''Vasantha Sena''
| Tamil
| Actor, director
|-
| 1936
| ''Chalak Chor''
| Hindi
| Actor, director
|-
| 1936
| ''Chandrakantha''
| Tamil
| Scriptwriter, director
|-
| 1936
| ''Dil ka Daku''
| Hindi
| Actor
|-
| 1936
| ''Matlabi Duniya''
| Hindi
| Actor
|-
| 1937
| ''Toofani Tarzan''
| Hindi
| Actor
|-
| 1937
| ''Minor Rajamani''
| Tamil
| Director
|-
| 1938
| ''Nandha Kumar''
| Tamil
| Actor
|-
| 1938
| ''Vishnuleela''
| Tamil
| Actor, director
|-
| 1939
| ''[[Thiruneelakantar]]''
| Tamil
| Actor
|-
| 1941
| ''Choodamani''
| Telugu
| Director
|-
| 1942
| ''Araichimani''
| Tamil
| Director
|-
| 1943
| ''[[Sivakavi]]''
| Tamil
| Director (replaced halfway)
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|0654920}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sandow, P. K. Raja}}
[[Category:Film directors from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Tamil film directors]]
[[Category:Tamil-language film directors]]
[[Category:Tamil screenwriters]]
[[Category:1894 births]]
[[Category:1942 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Pudukkottai]]
[[Category:Male actors from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Indian male silent film actors]]
[[Category:Indian silent film directors]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian film directors]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian screenwriters]]

P. K. Raja Sandow - Revision history

ChristenHii: add page further and cleaned formatting for accuracy

imported>GreenC bot: Rescued 3 archive links; reformat 3 links. Wayback Medic 2.5