How Cunniah revolutionised the mythological drama tradition in Tamil theatre
This profile explores the life and career of C. Cunniah, a legendary figure in 20th-century Tamil theatre known for his grand mythological productions. It traces his journey from a compositor to a prominent theatre company owner.
Why it matters
It preserves the cultural history of Tamil performing arts and the evolution of mythological drama traditions.
C. Cunniah was one of Tamil theatre’s greatest legends in the early decades of the 20th century. His productions were known for their grandeur, and he was considered a forerunner to the likes of Nawab Rajamanickam Pillai and R.S. Manohar in the mythological genre. A brief profile of this legend, compiled by T.C. Vadivelu Naicker, a noted theatre artiste and one of the pioneers of early Tamil cinema, was published in the drama book of Cunniah’s last magnum opus theatrical work, Bhagavad Gita .
The content is a historical biographical profile with no political or social agenda.
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