Anandha Kannan (23 March 1974 – 16 August 2021) was an Indian Singaporean actor and television host, popularly known for his theatre works and shows broadcast in Singapore and Sun Network.[1]
Anandha Kannan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Anandha Kannan March 23, 1974 Singapore |
| Died | 16 August 2021 (aged 47) Singapore |
| Occupation(s) | Television presenter, actor, |
| Spouse | Rani Kanna |
| Children | 1 |
Early life and family
editAnandha Kannan was born on 23 March 1973 in Singapore to Govindaraju and Vasanthakumari.
Career
editKannan’s career started with Vasantham as an actor and host. During his teenage years, he acted in radio dramas like Siruvar Medai and hosted TV shows like Siruvargal Naangal. He had a keen interest in the theatre scene from a young age and became famous for performing in Ravindran Drama Group’s (RDG) productions and later in local television dramas. In 1988, his role as one of the main characters in RDG’s Kudubathin Araigal earned the appreciation of many theatergoers. He won the Best Actor Award for Indian Cultural Month in 1990. He gave the prize money to RDG to enable it to produce more plays.[2]
Kannan moved to Chennai and joined Sun Music as a video jockey in the 2000s. It brought him fame and helped him broaden his audience base. He acted in a children’s drama called Sindubad on Sun TV which earned him many young fans. He also acted in Tamil films like the science-fiction Adhisaya Ulagam ( 2012). On Vasantham, Kannan hosted programmes such as Maalai Mathuram, Amali Thumali, Oorkuruvi and Suvai and the gameshow Savaal Singapore (2013 to 2018) which is a Tamil version of We Are Singaporeans. In 2011, he won the Best Host award at the station’s awards show Pradhana Vizha. He also received the International Youth Icon award at the World Universities Tamil Conference in 2013. With the support of the National Arts Council, Kannan went to India in 2017 to study Tamil folk theatre from the renowned teacher Na Muthuswamy.[2]
He started AK Theatre Ltd, a non-profit organisation, in 2013 to keep Indian culture alive among the younger generation. It produces performances that celebrate traditional Tamil forms of theatre such as Koothu, karagam, kummi, parai and villupattu. He also organised cultural and language festivals, stage productions, workshops and competitions free of charge, to benefit many students of folk arts. AK Theatre launched the Anandha Koothu, a diploma course in Indian musical theatre, in affilia-tion with the University of West London in 2019 to encourage youngsters and young adults. It is an internationally accredited art enrichment programme on traditional arts and theatre forms.[2]
He also acted as lead in Mullum Malarum with his co-host Prajin and Ithanai Naalai Engirunthai with Manochitra but both were never released to audiences. He also made guest appearance in Venkat Prabu movie Saroja. He was also famous for being brand ambassador of Naturals Spa & Salon.[3]
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Saroja | Guest Appearance | |
| 2010 | Mullum Malarum | Not yet Released | |
| 2012 | Adisaya Ulagam | 3D Movie | |
| 2012 | Ithanai Naalai Engirunthai | Not yet Released |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Savaal Singapore - Season 5[4] | Host | Vasantham (TV channel) |
| 2017 | Savaal Singapore - Season 4[4] | Host | Vasantham (TV channel) |
| 2015 | Savaal Singapore - Season 3[4] | Host | Vasantham (TV channel) |
| 2014 | Savaal Singapore - Season 2[4] | Host | Vasantham (TV channel) |
| 2013 | Savaal Singapore - Season 1[4] | Host | Vasantham (TV channel) |
| 2012 | Kadhal Channel[4] | Vikram Raj - Lead Role | Vasantham (TV channel) |
| Sindubad[4] | Sindubad - Lead Role | Sun TV |
Awards and recognitions
edit- Awarded as "International Youth Icon" at World Universities Tamil Conference 2013.[5]
- Television Actors Guild Award (South India) for "Best Actor"[5]
- Tamil Sudar Award, AK Theatre Limited, Awarded by Mediacorp 2019
Awards & Recognition at Pradhana Vizha as follows,
| Year | Award | Nominated Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Best Host (Info-Ed) | Savaal Singapore | Won |
| 2014 | Best Host - Variety | Savaal Singapore | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Host (Info-Ed) | Savaal Singapore | Nominated |
| 2018 | Best Host (Info-Ed) | Savaal Singapore | Nominated[6] |
Death
editAnandha Kannan died at the Singapore General Hospital on 16 August 2021 at the age of 48 due to bile-duct cancer & bladder cancer.[1][5][7]
References
edit- ^ a b "Popular VJ and actor Ananda Kannan passes away". The Times of India. 17 August 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Page 1". www.tabla.com.sg. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ "A beautiful affair". The Times of India. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Popular Tamil actor and VJ Anandha Kannan passes away". The Week. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
- ^ a b c "Popular actor and VJ Anandha Kannan passes away, condolences pour in". The News Minute. 17 August 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
- ^ "Pradhana Vizha 2018 to be telecast live on Vasantham on December 19". www.connectedtoindia.com. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
- ^ "Popular Tamil television anchor-actor Ananda Kannan passes away". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 17 August 2021.