#1: Singanallur - Where it All Began...

Sahasranamam, or SVS as he was fondly known, was born on 29th November, 1913 in Singanallur. Born to Singanallur Venkatraman Iyer and Parvathi, SVS was the fifth out of six children. He had two elder brothers, two elder sisters, and one younger sister. 

His parents were especially known for their kindness, empathy, and service to fellow human beings. SVS has quoted in his autobiography that his father used to partake any bonus salary that he received, with others. Day or night, rain or shine, his parents always received a hungry visitor with open arms and ensured the guest was well fed. 

Often, children learn from what parents "do" and how they "behave" rather than what they "say". Likewise, SVS too, perhaps imbibed these qualities from his parents, unconsciously. For he was known for his philanthropy and kindness all through his life. Complete strangers have come up to me in the past to gush about my grandparents' kindness and selflessness.

Coming back to his childhood, in 1918, when the Bombay Flu hit India, unlike many who fled Singanallur, Sahasranamam's parents decided to stay back in their village to serve the sick. A decision which cost a life in his family. His mother's! 

SVS lost his thirty-five-year old mother when he was barely six, in 1919. He recalls, in his autobiography, the unfortunate circumstance where he didn't get to see even the mortal remains of his mother. After that tragic loss, SVS was sent to his uncle's house where he continued his schooling until the year 1926. 

At the age of eleven, SVS started acting in his school plays. He played the part of a Prince in the drama 'Mann Meedhu Kanda Sogam' and received thundering applause for his performance. The echoes of the applause remained in his ears long after the play ended, and this is when his tryst with stage truly began. 

Coincidentally, in 1926, he happened to watch a drama by the TKS Brothers who launched the Madurai Bala Shanmuganandha Sabha. SVS looked in wonder as the boys, not much older than him, performed flawlessly on stage. That's when the burning within him intensified. He too wanted to get on stage, perform, sing, and receive all the accolades.

Never one to give up, SVS promptly sold his English book for a few annas and used this money to run away and join the Bala Shanmuganandha Sabha. This is where he met Kameshwara Iyer— the manager of the troupe. When Kameshwara Iyer looked at the young SVS, he sensed something fishy. "Do you have your parent's written consent or has one of them accompanied you?" Was his first question.

Unperturbed, SVS assured he had written consent from his father and ran to get a full-scale paper to forge his father's signature. Not realizing the manager would verify his claim.

It was thus an unexpected shock to SVS when his father walked in to the drama company within two days of his joining. SVS trembled in his shoes at the fury evident on his father's face. When asked whether he wanted to study, SVS stuttered a reply that he preferred to act instead. 

Venkatramana Iyer scathingly looked at his youngest son before replying 'Un thalaezhuthu pola nadakattum'. I now wonder how the older man would have reacted then had he known his son would later create history in the field of Indian Theatre. 

Although his father left him to fend for himself, his eldest brother who returned from the army, visited the drama company to check on his youngest brother. When his eldest brother wondered how SVS remained in the shadows despite his efforts to search for him, SVS replied with glee that he changed his initials from SV to P.

"Why P?" Asked his brother. 

"P for Pollachi," SVS replied swiftly. 

This time, when this family member let him stay back, it was only after approving his younger brother's choice and wholeheartedly blessing him.  

SV Sahasranamam was now a part of Bala Shanmuganandha Sabha. The journey began!