Cho Ramaswamy

Cho Ramaswamy studied at Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College. The recorded working language is Tamil. Positions recorded include member of Rajya Sabha. Works named in the authority record are Manam Oru Kurangu, Unmaiye Un Vilai Enna? And Muhammad ibn Tughluq. Distinctions recorded are Padma Bhushan.

• Office — Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha • Term Start — 1999 11 16 • Term End — 2005 11 15 • Constituency — Nominated • Prime Minister — Atal Bihari Vajpayee • Office1 — Founder & Author of Thuglak • Term Start1 — 1970 01 14 • Term End1 — 2016 12 07 • Successor1 — Swaminathan Gurumurthy • Predecessor1 — Position established • Name — Cho Ramaswamy • Birth Name — Srinivasa Iyer Ramaswamy • Born — 5 October 1934 • Birthplace — Mylapore, Madras Presidency, British India (present day Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India) • Died — 7 December 2016 • Place of death — Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India • Occupation — * Actor • political satirist • journalist • lawyer • editor • director • screen writer • Children — 2 • Relatives — Ramya Krishnan (niece) • Awards — Padma Bhushan (2017)

Srinivasa Ramaswamy was fondly addressed and remembered as Cho. He was born in a family of lawyers[4]

The elder son of R. Srinivasa Iyer and Rajammal, Cho had a younger brother, who was also an actor. Cho died on 7 December 2016.[5] He has two children Sriram Ramaswamy and Sindhuja. He did his schooling from P. S. High School. His niece is actress Ramya Krishnan. The name 'Cho' was the name of the character he played in a Tamil play written by Bhageerathan titled Thenmozhiyaal.[6]

Cho as an actor has been pitted against other actors across generations. His comic timing against T. S. Balaiah in Manam Oru Kurangu, or with M. R. Radha, or many times with actors like V. K. Ramaswamy, Nagesh, Manorama and Sachu in many films brought out the best in him. Cho and Manorama were paired together in 20 films, which included Malligaip poo, Annaiyum pithavum, Dharisanam, Anbait thedi, Ninaivil Nindraval, Nirai Kudam, Therottam, Aayiram Poi, Mohammed Bin Tughlaq, Bommalattam, Pugundha Veedu, Vilayaattu Pillai, Kanavan, Rojavin Raja and Velum Mayilum Thunai and were pitted in a non-couple role in Suryagandhi, Delhi Mappilai and Naadagame Ulagam. Cho acted alongside Nagesh in Thenmazhai, Ninaivil Nindraval, Ulagam Ivvalavudhaan and Bommalattam among others. He was paired opposite Sachu in films like Deva Sankalpam, Galaataa Kalyanam and Delhi Mappilai. Cho has acted with the MGR–Jayalalitha combo in films like Oli Villaku, Kanavan, Kumari Kottam, Mattukara Velan, Aadimai Penn, Engal Thangam, Thedi Vantha Mapillai, En Annan and Neerum Nerupum. Cho has acted with MGR in many films like Petralthaan Pillaiya, Sangey Muzhangu, Rickshawkaaran and Thalaivan. Cho has acted with Jayalalitha in other films like Bommalaattam, Galaattaak kalyanam, Suryagandhi, Vandhaale Maharaasi and Anbai Thedi. Cho has acted with Sivakumar in films like Shanmugapriya, Onne Onnu Kanne Kannu, Thaip Paasam, Uravu Solla Oruvan, Aan Pillai Singam, Yaarukkum Vetkamillai, Chinna Kuyil Padudhu, Sattai Illatha Pambaram and Kanna Thorakiran Samy. Among these, Yaarukkum Vetkamillai was directed by Cho in 1976.

He was the founder and editor of the Tamil magazine Thuglak.[10] Politicians such as J. B. Kripalani, Indira Gandhi, Karunanidhi, Chandra Shekhar, G. K. Moopanar, M. G. Ramachandran, Jayalalithaa, Ramakrishna Hegde, N. T. Rama Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and L. K. Advani, Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh and P. Chidambaram were targets of his editorial attacks. In his last years, he predicted that Narendra Modi would "win laurels for India" in the future,[11] and also praised Jayalalithaa for her administration of Tamil Nadu. Cho enjoyed challenging MG Ramachandran (MGR) and his politics, while Karunanidhi stayed his target. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), in his opinion, was populist and lacked ideology.[12] On 25 January 2017, the Government of India announced a posthumous Padma Bhushan award for his contribution towards Literature & Education – Journalism.[13]

• Illustration — Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls on Ailing Cho Ramaswamy in August 2015 Cho has been described as a right-wing public intellectual in tributes.[14] Cho was publicly opposed to Sri Lankan Tamil militants, particularly the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), at a time when Sri lanka's ethnic crisis was at its peak and almost all political parties in Tamil Nadu highlighted the issue of the Sri Lankan Tamils. The rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Hindutva wave made Cho their sympathiser. He started involving in direct politics as a mediator. In 1999, he was instrumental in bringing the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) together in an alliance with BJP.[15][16] He was successful in bringing G. K. Moopanar, of the Tamil Maanila Congress and Karunanidhi together in the 1996 elections, and getting Rajnikanth to publicly support the alliance to defeat Jayalalithaa. In 2001, He facilitated alliance between Jayalalithaa and Moopanar for Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.[17] Post 2004, he became soft towards Jayalalithaa and spent all his energy in opposing the DMK and promoting BJP. Later on, in 2011, he convinced Vijayakanth to partner with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).[18] Cho was an ardent supporter of Narendra Modi.[19] Cho had campaigned extensively for Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2014 Indian general election; Modi described Ramaswamy as "Rajguru", and called himself his "fan".[20] He was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President of India, K. R. Narayanan. In the Rajya Sabha 12 MPs are nominated by the President of India from amongst persons who have special knowledge or practical experience in the fields of literature, science, art or social service. He served as a Rajya Sabha MP from November 1999 to November 2005.[21] In her obit, Feminist writer V. Geetha referred to Cho as "the Sangh Parivar's political man in Chennai".

• Year — Film — Role — Notes • 1963 — Paar Magaley Paar • 1966 — Marakka Mudiyumaa? • Thenmazhai • 1967 — Ninaivil Nindraval • Manam Oru Kurangu • Penn Endraal Penn • Naan Yaar Theriyuma • Karpooram • Aalayam — Guest appearance • 1968 — Galatta Kalyanam — Vittal • Bommalattam • Neelagiri Express • Kuzhanthaikkaga • Delhi Mapillai — Chinna Thambi • Lakshmi Kalyanam • Kannan En Kadhalan • Oli Vilakku • Kanavan • Siritha Mugam • 1969 — Nirai Kudam • Aayiram Poi — Muthu • Ulagam Ivvalavuthaan • Adimai Penn • Aindhu Laksham • Kanni Penn • Magizham Poo • Annaiyum Pithavum • 1970 — En Annan • Maattukara Velan • Engal Thangam • Enga Mama — Gnanam • Thedi Vandha Mappillai — Karpagam • Dharisanam • Nadu Iravil • Vilayattu Pillai • Snegithi • 1971 — Muhammad bin Tughluq • Therottam • Neerum Neruppum • Rickshawkaran • Oru Thaai Makkal • Kumari Kottam — Babu • Arunodhayam • Soodhattam • Yanai Valartha Vanambadi Magan • 1972 — Thavapudhalavan • Unakkum Enakkum • Mr.Sampath • Puguntha Veedu • Thaaikku Oru Pillai • Sange Muzhangu • Deiva Sankalpam • 1973 — Vandhale Magarasi • Suryakanthi • Gauravam • Pon Vanndu • Vakkuruthi • Ganga Gowri • Manitharil Maanikkam • Kasi Yathirai • Ponnunjal • Shanmugapriya • Vayadi • Veettukku Vandha Marumagal • Malligai Poo • School Master • Nalla Mudivu • Anbu Sagodharargal • 1974 — Thanga Pathakkam • Orey Saatchi • Anbai Thedi • Idhayam Parkkirathu — Guest appearance • Roshakkaari • Devi Sri Karmariamman • Kalyanamam Kalyanam • Onne Onnu Kanne Kannu • Pillai Selvam • Thai Pasam • Magalukkaga • 1975 — Aan Pillai Singam • Sonthankal Vaazhga • Andharangam • Cinema Paithiyam — Guest appearance • Unga Veettu Kalyaanam • Avandhan Manidhan • Thai Veettu Seethanam • Uravu Solla Oruvan • Yarukkum Vetkamillai • Pinchu Manam • Melnaattu Marumagal — Guest appearance • 1976 — Unmaye Un Vilai Enna • Mayor Meenakshi • Rojavin Raja • Avan Oru Sarithiram — Guest appearance • Perum Pugazhum • 1977 — Thanikudithanam • Balappareetchai • Unnai Sutrum Ulagam — Guest appearance • 1978 — Sakka Podu Podu Raja • Annapoorani • 1979 — Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai • Nadagame Ulagam • Velum Mayilum Thunai • 1981 — Kadavulin Theerppu • 1983 — Adutha Varisu • 1984 — Naan Mahaan Alla — A. R. Chandran/Reddy • Saattai Illatha Pambaram • 1985 — Navgraha Nayagi • Puthiya Theerpu • 1986 — Kanna Thorakkanum Saami • 1987 — Chinna Kuyil Paaduthu • Kani Nilam • 'Manithan' • 'Anand' • Paruva Ragam • 1988 — 'Guru Sishyan' • 1990 — Adhisaya Piravi • 1990 — Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga • 1998 — Kadhala Kadhala

• Muhammad bin Tughluq (1971) • Mr. Sampath (1972) • Yarukkum Vetkam Illai (1975) • Unmaiye Un Vilai Enna (1976) • Sambo Siva Samboo (1977)

• Thenmazhai (1966) • Ninaivil Nindraval (1967) • Manam Oru Kurangu (1967) • Neelagiri Express (1968) • Bommalattam (1968) • Aayiram Poi (1969) • Nirai Kudam (1969)

• Kani Nilam (1987)

• Year — Play — Role — Notes • Kalyani — debut drama • Wait and See — directed by KB • Why Not — directed by KB • What For — directed by KB • Muhammad bin Tughluq • Yaarukkum Vetkamillai • Saathiram Sonnadhillai • Nermai Urangum Neram • Iraivan Irandhuvittana? • Enru Thaniyum Inda Sudandira Thaagam? • Judgement Reserved • Quo Vadis • Unmayae Unn Villai Ennae? • Saraswathiyin Selvan • Unmai Urangum Neram • Madras by Night

• Engey Brahmanan? • Verukatthakkatha Brahmaneeyam? • Sambavami Yuge Yuge • Vande Mataram • Ivargalai Therindhu Kollungal • Washington Il Nallathambi • Sarakar Pugunda Veedu • Koovam Nadikaraiyinile • Adhigaprasangam • Yaro Ivar Yaro? • Saadhal Ellaiyel Kaadhal • Mydear BrahmaDeva • India Enge Pogiradhu? • Kamarajarai Sandhitthen • Puratchi Geethai • Sattam Thalai Guniyattum • Enge Pogirai? • Embak Kana Onru Kandaen • Saraswathiyin Selvan • Manam Oru Kurangu • En Koodathu? • Eravil Chennai • Uravugal Ellaiyadi Pappa • Edarkaga? • Thiraiyulagathai Thirumbi Parkiraen • Unmayae Unn Villai Ennae? • Janatha Nagar Colony

Following Sanjay Gandhi's death in an air crash, Cho released stamps in memory of Capt. Subhash Saxena, the pilot of the aircraft, who also died in the air crash. The postal departments failed to realise that these stamps were not official and mistakenly delivered mail that had them affixed.[23]

Cho was hospitalized in January 2015 and was in and out of hospital due to illness. He died of a cardiac arrest at 3:58 AM on 7 December 2016, aged 82, at Apollo Hospital in Chennai, where he was receiving treatment for respiratory problems. He was survived by his wife, Soundaramba Ramaswamy,[24] son Rajivakshan alias Sriram, and daughter Sindhu.[25] His death happened a day after Jayalalithaa had died. Rajinikanth disclosed later that Jayalalithaa had always wished that Cho should live as long as she lived. He quoted: "As it turns out, he was alive till then and even few hours after that."[29] K. Veeramani, leader of the Dravidar Kazhagam and a self-confessed atheist, in his tributes to Cho, said he was a unique journalist with independent views.[30]

Cho Ramaswamy is recorded with the occupation film director. Recorded with the occupation journalist. Recorded with the occupation politician. Recorded with the occupation lawyer. Recorded with the occupation author. Recorded with the occupation actor. Recorded as writer, actor, politician, journalist and lawyer.