Potpourri of titbits about cinema - Sasikumar

Excerpts from his talk:

“My given name is Vijaykumar. My father is a staunch follower of ‘Thanthai’ Periyar. Periyar named me ‘Vetriselvan’. When I was in the army, my name was ‘Vetriselvan’ only. I changed my name to Sasikumar when I entered cinema. I am a patriot and I am a member of the Congress Party. I’ll strive hard for the welfare of the party as well as for the nation till my end. I don’t expect anything in return. Cinema is the live-wire of my life. I’ll not leave cinema till my last breath.”

When I met his son Vijayasarathi recently, I recalled these words of his father with excitement. When I asked him whether he remembered the incident in which both his parents died of fire accident, he started crying and narrated the incident in between sobs. “My father was preparing to attend the Congress Party’s public meeting at Ennore. He wanted to take milk before leaving for the meeting. When my mother lit the pump stove to warm the milk for all of us, the stove exploded. My mother’s sari caught fire. My sister and I, who were playing outside the house rushed into the house on hearing the noise. I was just four and my sister was six at that time. When my father rushed to the kitchen and tried to put down the fire by hugging my mother tightly, the fire caught hold of him also. Both rushed to the bathroom and opened the shower to douse the fire. Both were admitted to the hospital with the help of our neighbors. My father signaled to me and Nandini to tell that they would be back safely. They were admitted to the Royapettah Hospital. Leading actors including MGR, Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan and Major Sunderrajan came and spoke to the doctors. K. R. Vijaya madam and AVM Saravanan both brought air-coolers and kept them in the room of my parents. Many helped by donating blood. Intense treatment was given for three days. My father requested everyone to sing ‘Janaganamana’ and chant ‘Vande matharam’ during his last hours. On 24-8-1974, both died, not responding to the treatment. My mother died two hours after my father died. The last rites were performed at Kannammapet with military honors. Kamaraj Aiyah paid his last homage. The entire film industry was present. Sivaji Ganesan raised the slogan “Jai Hind” with others accompanying him.

Our grandmother brought us up amid great difficulties. Almost daily, some channel or other will be telecasting one of my father’s films. Whenever I watch them, my eyes well up with tears of joy. “

Sasikumar’s attractive personality and distinct talent will always remain fresh in our hearts!