Delhi Ganesh, who acted in around 400 films, dies

Delhi Ganesh, who acted in around 400 films, dies

Delhi Ganesh

The Hindu Bureau

Chennai 11.11.2024

Tamil actor Delhi Ganesh, who excelled in supporting roles, died in Chennai on Saturday night. He was 80, and is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.

He is known for having effortlessly played the role of a mridhangam player, Gurumoorthy, in Sindhu Bhairavi; Iyer in Nayagan; a cook, Palghat Mani Iyer, in Michael Madana Kamarajan; Sethurama Iyer in Avvai Shanmugi; a psychiatrist, Panchabootham, in Thenali; and a villain, Francis Anbarasu, in Apoorva Sagodhararkal. He had acted in around 400 films.

His involvement in theatre during his days in Delhi had given him a strong foundation in acting. Three years after foraying into the film world, he won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize for his role as a rickshaw puller, Muniyandi, in Pasi in 1979.

In Middle Class Madhavan, he played the role of Prabhu’s father. His acting upon seeing Vadivelu break a coconut in the film tells a lot about his calibre.

“Ganesh worked in the Indian Air Force, and later as a stenographer in the Food Corporation of India in Chennai, before pursuing acting full-time. He was active in the Delhi-based theatre troupe, Dakshina Bharata Nataka Sabha,” said K. Venkatachalam, a Tamil film historian.

While working in Chennai, he joined director Kathadi Ramamurthy’s troupe. His role as Kuselar in the play Dowry Kalyana Vaibhogame drew the attention of director K. Balachander, who offered him a role in Pattina Pravesam. Balachander changed his name to Delhi Ganesh (from his original name Ganesan). He played the lead role in Engamma Sabatham. Ganesh used to say that his roles in Kamal Haasan-starrers earned him popularity.

Mr. Haasan had encouraged him to do a comedy role in Avvai Shanmugi.

Condolences pour in

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply saddened by the passing of Ganesh, and called him an illustrious film personality.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said the death was a huge loss to cinema. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin too expressed his condolences.

Minister Ma. Subramanian said the actor made a mark not only in films but also in television serials. VCK president Thol. Thirumavalavan said Ganesh earned the love and respect of the people.

Former AIADMK Ministers D. Jayakumar and P. Benjamin paid floral tributes to the mortal remains.

Actor Rajinikanth said, “My friend Delhi Ganesh was a wonderful human being and an excellent actor. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.” Mr. Haasan said Ganesh was a rare character artiste who handled comedy with a lot of nuance.

Actor and TVK chief Vijay said, “His [Ganesh’s] death is a huge loss to the Tamil film industry...”

Actor Y. Gee. Mahendra said, “He [Ganesh] had performed several serious and character roles, but he was a very jovial person...”

Mr. Ramamurthy recalled how he introduced Delhi Ganesh to Tamil theatre through the play Dowry Kalyana Vaibhogame . “He continued acting in many of our plays,” he said.

Actor Sivakumar recalled Ganesh’s “excellent” role of a mridangam artiste in Sindhu Bhairavi. Filmmaker Chitra Lakshmanan said Delhi Ganesh was warm and affectionate to everyone.