# Suruli Rajan

Suruli Rajan (January 14, 1938 - December 5, 1980) was as an Indian actor and comedian who worked primarily in Tamil cinema. Posthumously, he was awarded with the Best Comedian Award by the state Government of Tamil Nadu in 1981.

## Early and personal life

Rajan was born in 1938 in Periyakulam, situated near Theni in Tamil Nadu, India. His father, Ponnaiya Pillai, worked as an accountant for local farm owners in the surrounding areas of Theni. Rajan was named after the Surulivelar Swamy, the family deity at a temple on top of a hill overlooking Suruli Falls.
Rajan lost both of his parents when he was young, forcing him to discontinue his schooling. He moved to his brother's house in Madurai and worked as an apprentice mechanic in a neighbourhood workshop. Seeking fame in acting, he starred in several amateur stage plays in Madurai before moving to Madras in 1959 with the intention of being part of bigger productions.
After a period of scarce opportunities, he worked with various drama troupes, including those of O. A. K. Thevar, Pisir Ramarao, T.N. Balu and in Karunanidhi's 'Kagithapoo' staged in aid of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party's election fund. It was filmmaker Joseph Thaliath Jr. of The Citadel Film Corporation Pvt. Ltd who brought Suruli Rajan to cinema, first in a brief appearance in Iravum Pagalum in 1965 and soon after in a more noticeable comic role in Kathal Paduthum Padu the year following.
His association with T.N. Balu led to notable roles in successful films directed by T.R. Ramanna, such as Naan and Moondrezhuthu. Despite his youth, Suruli Rajan often portrayed older characters in his early movies. Other roles he played during this period include a brief but memorable appearance as a Madras Tamil-speaking character in APN's "Thirumalai Thenkumari" (1970) and the role of a devout fisherman in Aathi Parasakthi (1971). Surulirajan gained popularity in the late '70s due to his distinctive intonation and comedic flair for the absurd.
While occasionally leaning towards suggestive humor, he consistently succeeded in evoking laughter. Suruli's noteworthy portrayal of a miserly rural character in M.A. Khaja's Manthoppu Kiliye (1979) received rare acclaim, securing a distinguished position among the timeless comedic sequences in Tamil cinema. His comedic antics became a ubiquitous presence in many films of that era, earning him a record for appearing in no less than 50 movies in a single year in 1980.
His career was cut short due to his untimely death in 1980 while he was at the peak of his career.

## Filmography

| Year | Film | Role |
| 1965 | Iravum Pagalum | Debut |
| 1966 | Andru Kanda Mugam | Constable |
| 1966 | Kathal Paduthum Padu | |
| 1967 | Uyir Mel Aasai | |
| 1967 | Naan | Sundaralingam |
| 1968 | Moondrezhuthu | Venkateswara Rao |
| 1968 | Thaer Thiruvizha | Boat Passenger |
| 1968 | Delhi Mapillai | Chopra |
| 1969 | Naangu Killadigal | Baba |
| 1969 | Anjal Petti 520 | Ramanujam |
| 1969 | Thulabharam | Modi Masthan |
| 1970 | Thirumalai Thenkumari | Mannaru |
| 1971 | Kankatchi | |
| 1971 | Veettukku Oru Pillai | Ayyakannu |
| 1972 | Kurathi Magan | |
| 1973 | Thirumalai Deivam | Rangen |
| 1973 | Rajapart Rangadurai | Konangi/Konangipatti |
| 1973 | Rajaraja Cholan | Palace Servant |
| 1974 | Anbu Thangai | |
| 1974 | Thangappathakkam | Soodamani |
| 1975 | Aayirathil Oruthi | Sivakolunthu |
| 1975 | Anbe Aaruyire | Servant |
| 1976 | Akka | |
| 1976 | Badrakali | |
| 1976 | Inspector Manaivi | |
| 1976 | Janaki Sabatham | |
| 1976 | Kumara Vijayam | |
| 1976 | Madhana Maaligai | |
| 1976 | Mayor Meenakshi | |
| 1976 | Mittai Mummi | |
| 1976 | Nee Indri Naan Illai | |
| 1976 | Ore Thanthai | |
| 1976 | Rojavin Raja | |
| 1976 | Thunive Thunai | |
| 1976 | Ungalil Oruthi | |
| 1976 | Uravaadum Nenjam | |
| 1976 | Vazhvu En Pakkam | |
| 1977 | Aattukara Alamelu | |
| 1977 | Annan Oru Koyil | Police Constable |
| 1977 | Deepam | |
| 1977 | Durga Devi | |
| 1977 | Gasslight Mangamma | |
| 1977 | Ilaya Thalaimurai | |
| 1977 | Madhura Geetham | |
| 1977 | Munnooru Naal | |
| 1977 | Nee Vazha Vendum | |
| 1977 | Odi Vilayadu Thatha | |
| 1977 | Oli Mayamana Ethirkalam | |
| 1977 | Oruvanukku Oruthi | |
| 1977 | Palabhishekam | |
| 1977 | Bhuvana Oru Kelvikuri | |
| 1977 | Perumaikuriyaval | |
| 1977 | Raasi Nalla Raasi | |
| 1977 | Sonnathai Seiven | |
| 1977 | Sonthamadi Nee Enakku | |
| 1977 | Thoondil Meen | |
| 1977 | Aarupushpangal | Kanthasamy |
| 1978 | Aayiram Jenmangal | |
| 1978 | Shankar Salim Simon | Kabali |
| 1978 | Aghni Pravesam | |
| 1978 | Anna Lakshmi | |
| 1978 | Athaivida Rahasiyam | |
| 1978 | Aval Thantha Uravu | |
| 1978 | Bairavi | |
| 1978 | Chittu Kuruvi | |
| 1978 | Ival Oru Seethai | |
| 1978 | Kannamoochi | |
| 1978 | Kannan Oru Kai Kuzhandai | |
| 1978 | Karate Kamala | |
| 1978 | Machanai Patheengala | |
| 1978 | Makkal Kural | |
| 1978 | Manitharil Ithanai Nirangala | |
| 1978 | Meenatshi Kunkumam | |
| 1978 | Mela Thalangal | |
| 1978 | Oru Veedu Oru Ulagam | |
| 1978 | Panchamurtham | |
| 1978 | Pavathin Sambalam | |
| 1978 | Rajavukku Etha Rani | |
| 1978 | Rudra Thandavam | |
| 1978 | Sakkaipodu Podu Raja | |
| 1978 | Sonnadhu Needhana | |
| 1978 | Taxi Driver | |
| 1978 | Thai Meethu Sathiyam | |
| 1978 | Thirukkalyanam | |
| 1978 | Thirupura Sundari | |
| 1978 | Unakkum Vaazhvu Varum | |
| 1978 | En Kelvikku Enna Bathil | |
| 1978 | Ennai Pol Oruvan | Usha Father |
| 1979 | Annai Oru Alayam | |
| 1979 | Appothey Sonneyney Keetiya | |
| 1979 | Dharma Yuddham | |
| 1979 | Ennadi Meenakshi | |
| 1979 | Kadavul Amaitha Medai | |
| 1979 | Kamasasthiram | |
| 1979 | Kizhakkum Merkkum Santhikkindrana | |
| 1979 | Lakshmi | |
| 1979 | Manthoppu Kiliye | |
| 1979 | Mudal Iravu | |
| 1979 | Mugathil Mugam Parkalam | |
| 1979 | Naanoru Kai Paarkiren | |
| 1979 | Nangooram | |
| 1979 | Neechal Kulam | |
| 1979 | Needhikkumun Neeya Naana | |
| 1979 | Neeya? | |
| 1979 | Pasi | |
| 1979 | Oru Vidukathai Oru Thodardathai | |
| 1979 | Paathai Maarinal | |
| 1979 | Pagalil Oru Iravu | |
| 1979 | Pancha Bootham | |
| 1979 | Poonthalir | |
| 1979 | Raja Rajeswari | |
| 1979 | Siri Siri Maamaa | |
| 1979 | Sithira Chevvanam | |
| 1979 | Sri Ramajayam | |
| 1979 | Thayillamal Naanillai | |
| 1979 | Veettukku Veedu Vasappadi | |
| 1979 | Yaarukku Yaar Kaval | |
| 1980 | Anbukku Naan Adimai | |
| 1980 | Antharangam Oomayanathu | |
| 1980 | Azhaitthal Varuven | |
| 1980 | Bambai Mail 109 | |
| 1980 | Deiveega Rahangal | |
| 1980 | Doorathu Idi Muzhakkam | Neelakandam |
| 1980 | Edhir Veettu Jannal | |
| 1980 | Ellam Un Kairasi | |
| 1980 | Enga Vathiyar | |
| 1980 | Enga Vathiyar | |
| 1980 | Geetha Oru Shenbaga Poo | |
| 1980 | Johnny | |
| 1980 | Kaadu | |
| 1980 | Kaali | |
| 1980 | Kadhal Kadhal Kadhal | |
| 1980 | Kalam Bathil Sollum | |
| 1980 | Karadi | |
| 1980 | Karumbu Vill | |
| 1980 | Kathal Kiligal | |
| 1980 | Kumarip Pennin Ulathile | |
| 1980 | Kuruvik Koodu | |
| 1980 | Malargindra Paruvathile | |
| 1980 | Meenakshi | |
| 1980 | Megathukkum Thagamundu | |
| 1980 | Murattu Kaalai (1980 film) | |
| 1980 | Muzhu Nilavu | |
| 1980 | Naan Potta Saval | |
| 1980 | Neer Nilam Neruppu | |
| 1980 | Oli Pirandhadhu | |
| 1980 | Ore Mutham | |
| 1980 | Oru Marathu Paravaigal | |
| 1980 | Panam Penn Pasam | |
| 1980 | Paruvathin Vasalile | |
| 1980 | Pennukku Yaar Kaaval | |
| 1980 | Pollathavan | |
| 1980 | Ponnagaram | |
| 1980 | Porkalam | |
| 1980 | Pudiya Thoranangal | |
| 1980 | Rishi Moolam | |
| 1980 | Rusi Kanda Poonai | |
| 1980 | Saranam Iyyappa | |
| 1980 | Thani Maram | |
| 1980 | Theru Vilakku | |
| 1980 | Ullasa Paravaigal | |
| 1980 | Valli Mayil | |
| 1980 | Vandichakkaram | |
| 1980 | Veli Thandiya Velladu | |
| 1981 | Meendum Kokila | Film Director |
| 1981 | Aadugal Nanaigindrana | |
| 1981 | Anichamalar | |
| 1981 | Kadavulin Theerpu | |
| 1981 | Engamma Maharani | |
| 1981 | Kannadi | |
| 1981 | Kanni Mahamayi | |
| 1981 | Kazhugu | |
| 1981 | Lorry Driver Rajakkannu | |
| 1981 | Sathya Sundharam | |
| 1981 | Oru Iravu Oru Paarvai | |
| 1981 | Pennin Vaazhkkai | |
| 1981 | Pennmanam Pesugirathu | |
| 1981 | Ram Lakshman | |
| 1981 | Sankarlal | |
| 1981 | Satya Sundaram | |
| 1981 | Vadagai Veedu | |
| 1981 | Vasanthakalam | |
| 1982 | Aval Yetriya Dheebangal | |
| 1982 | Hitler Umanath | |
| 1982 | Iniyavale Vaa | |
| 1982 | Irattai Manithan | |
| 1982 | Muraiponnu | |
| 1982 | Nayakarin Magal | |
| 1982 | Nirandharam | |
| 1982 | Oorukku Oru Pillai | |
| 1982 | Pannaiburathu Pandavargal | |
| 1982 | Sangili | |
| 1983 | Avaloru Kaviyam | |
| 1983 | Kashmir Kadhali | |
| 1983 | Oppandham | |
| 1983 | Samsaram Enbathu Veenai | |
| 1984 | Pillayar | |
| 1984 | Erattai Manithan | |
| 1984 | Idhey Naa Savaal | |
| 1985 | Yemaatrathe Yemaaraathe | |