Love is bliss …! – Prof. K. Gnanasambhandan

Q: We heard that you played a major role in founding a humor club in Madurai. Tell us about it …

A: If we give importance to humor in our daily life, many of our daily problems would get solved on their own. Sometimes, the doors give out unpleasant sound when we open or close them. If we put oil to the hinges, the sound will stop. Humor works like this oil drop. Whenever we make a mistake, if we ourselves make fun of it, others will also laugh along with us and the problem will end then and there. Dr. Sethuraman, the founder of Madurai Meenakshi Bhavan wished that Madurai should also have a humor club like the one in Chennai metro. I am happy to say that I’ve been responsible for establishing humor clubs in eleven districts in Tamil Nadu. I feel contented to think that I was able to help in the formation of these clubs though I lived in Cholavandhaan. I should thank my family only for their cooperation in my efforts. Many VIP artistes including Manorama had participated in our club programs. If humor runs in my programs on television channels, I would say that these clubs should be given the credit.

Q: Tell us about your contribution to cinema …

A: A: Kamalhasan gave me a role in his film Virumaandi. The role suited my real-life character. As Madurai was the backdrop for the film, Kamal video-graphed some features of the town including ‘jallikattu’, marriages, rituals conducted at the funerals etc. I helped him all along. During story discussion, Kamal told me that I should also play a role in the film. It was a pleasant surprise but I felt nervous too. Till that minute, I was only a film fan, professor, judge for debates etc. Though I had never tried acting in film Kamal was very confident. He told me that I would be the commentator for the ‘jallikattu’ and that I could do it with ease. The scene was shot with big artistes like Napoleon, Bala and a huge crowd around. I was learning my dialogue by heart, Kamal encouraged me a lot and told me to deliver it in village diction. When I watched the film after release, I heaved a sigh of relief that my scene had come out very well. My second film was ‘Kai vantha kalai’, in which actor Pandiya Raj’s son was the hero. Then, I donned the role of a judge in a film in which Sundar. C and Vivek had acted. The backdrop of this film also was Madurai. The scene required me to deliver the verdict ordering Sundar and Vivek to stay in the Gandhi Ashram and do service as a punishment for their mischief! The scenes were shot with realism and I enjoyed them very much.