Highlights
- Well-known Malayalam junior artiste Joseph Rodriguez, nicknamed 'Saigal' by late thespian Sivaji Ganesan, is no more.
- He passed away unsung at a private hospital here on Saturday, a day after performing a small role in the Malayalam film Kaassh whose shoot was in progress at nearby Edakochi.
- Rodriguez, 81, fell ill on Friday night and was admitted to the hospital. He is survived by wife, a son and a daughter.
- He had essayed small roles in nearby 600 films and had shared screen space with late M G Ramachandran (MGR), Sivaji Ganesan, N T Rama Rao and Raj Kumar in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi films.
- He began singing in local ferries to make both ends meet when he was noticed by veteran singer K J Yesudas's father Augustine Joseph, who advised him to go to Chennai.
- In Chennai, he became a singer and actor in various Tamil plays and was a member of Sivaji Ganesan's drama troupe.
- According to industry sources, Joseph got the 'Saigal' tag after Sivaji was impressed by his rendition of K L Saigal's So Ja Rajakumar.
- Despite being in the industry for several decades, only small roles came his way and he remained as a junior artiste throughout. He was also part of chorus in Malayalam films.
- Union Minister Prof K V Thomas, Malayalam actors Mamootty, Innocent and Music Director M K Arjunan were among those who paid their respects.
- The funeral was held at St Mary's Church at Edakochi.
Well-known Malayalam junior artisteJoseph Rodriguez, nicknamed 'Saigal' by late thespian SivajiGanesan, is no more.
He passed away unsung at a private hospital hereon Saturday, a day after performing a small role in theMalayalam film
Kaassh whose shoot was in progress at nearbyEdakochi.
Rodriguez, 81, fell ill on Friday night and was admittedto the hospital. He is survived by wife, a son and a daughter.
He had essayed small roles in nearby 600 films and hadshared screen space with late M G Ramachandran (MGR), SivajiGanesan, N T Rama Rao and Raj Kumar in Tamil, Telugu, Kannadaand Hindi films.
He began singing in local ferries to make both ends meetwhen he was noticed by veteran singer K J Yesudas's fatherAugustine Joseph, who advised him to go to Chennai.
In Chennai, he became a singer and actor in various Tamilplays and was a member of Sivaji Ganesan's drama troupe.
According to industry sources, Joseph got the 'Saigal'tag after Sivaji was impressed by his rendition of K L Saigal's
So Ja Rajakumar.
Despite being in the industry for several decades, onlysmall roles came his way and he remained as a junior artistethroughout. He was also part of chorus in Malayalam films.
Union Minister Prof K V Thomas, Malayalam actors Mamootty,Innocent and Music Director M K Arjunan were among those whopaid their respects.
The funeral was held at St Mary's Church at Edakochi.