S. S. Balan
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S. Balasubramanian | |
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| Born | S. Balasubramanian 28 December 1935 Madras, Madras Presidency, British India (now Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India) |
| Died | 19 December 2014 (aged 78) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Occupation | Journalist, filmmaker & political analyst |
S. Balasubramanian (28 December 1935 – 19 December 2014), better known as S. S. Balan, was an Indian journalist, filmmaker, political analyst, and media executive. He was also involved in aviculture and agriculture.[1]
Balan worked in Indian media for over six decades, serving as the editor of the Tamil-language magazine Ananda Vikatan and as managing director of Gemini Studios starting in 1956. He later served as chairman emeritus of the Vikatan Group after retiring from active involvement.
Balan died on 19 December 2014 in Chennai, India.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Balan was born on 28 December 1935 in Madras (now Chennai) to S. S. Vasan and Pattammal Vasan (d. 1996). He was the couple’s second child and only son, with an elder sister named Lakshmi Narayani. The family resided in their ancestral home on Edward Elliots Road (later renamed Radhakrishnan Salai).[3] The house was later converted into an office building.[4]
He studied at Presentation Convent, Church Park, and P. S. High School, and later earned a B.Com. degree from Loyola College, Madras.[5]
Magazine career
[edit]Ananda Vikatan, the flagship weekly magazine of Vikatan Publications, was founded in 1926 and acquired by S. S. Vasan in 1928. It is one of the longest-running Tamil-language publications.[6] Under family ownership, Vikatan grew in readership and influence within Tamil media, literature, and the arts.[7]
Balan joined Ananda Vikatan as joint managing director and chief editor on 26 August 1956 at the age of 19. He became managing director on 26 August 1969, following the death of his father, Vasan.[8] His concurrent leadership of both Ananda Vikatan and Gemini Studios led to his being colloquially referred to as "M.D." in Chennai media circles during the 1970s.[9]
In 1987, Balan was involved in a freedom of the press controversy when the Privileges Committee of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly sentenced him to three months in prison over a cartoon satire published on the cover of Ananda Vikatan.[10][11][12][13][14][15] Following public backlash, he was released after two days. In 1994, the Madras High Court ruled in his favor, awarding him ₹1,000 in compensation, which he reportedly framed and displayed in his office.[11][10][16]
Balan introduced a mentorship program for student journalists, contributing to the development of a number of Tamil media professionals.[17][18][19] He supported the careers of several editors, journalists, and writers, and is credited with helping Cho Ramaswamy launch Thuglak magazine.[20]
Writers who credited Balan with mentorship include Manian, Sujatha, Balakumaran, Crazy Mohan, Madhan,[21] and Rajesh Kumar.[22][23] Vikatan expanded its operations to include the publication of multiple Tamil magazines and books. It was among the early Indian publishers to adopt computerized typesetting and launch digital platforms. One of its noted projects was publishing a Tamil edition of the Concise Encyclopædia Britannica.[24] After Balan stepped down from his editorial role at age 70, changes in editorial direction drew criticism from some readers.[25]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Films | Director | Writer | Producer | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Gharana | No | Yes | No | Hindi | |
| 1963 | Grahasti | No | Yes | No | ||
| 1966 | Motor Sundaram Pillai | Yes | No | No | Tamil | |
| 1967 | Aurat | Yes | No | Yes | Hindi | |
| 1968 | Teen Bahuraniyan | Yes | No | Yes | ||
| Oli Vilakku | Yes | Yes | No | Tamil | ||
| 1969 | Shatranj | No | Yes | Yes | Hindi | |
| 1971 | Lakhon Mein Ek | Yes | No | Yes | ||
| 1972 | Sanjog | Yes | No | No | ||
| 1974 | Siriththu Vaazha Vendum | Yes | No | No | Tamil | |
| Kannavaari Kalalu | Yes | Yes | No | Telugu | ||
| 1975 | Ellorum Nallavare | Yes | No | Yes | Tamil | Also released in Hindi as Ek Gaon Ki Kahani |
| 1976 | Maa Daivam | Yes | Yes | No | Telugu | |
| 1978 | Nishan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Bengali |
Personal life
[edit]He died of a heart attack on 18 December 2014 in Chennai, nine days before his 79th birthday.[26]
References
[edit]- ^ "Ss Balan: Movies, Photos, Videos, News, Biography & Birthday | Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
- ^ https://www.printweek.in/news/vikatans-balasubramaniam-dies-12643
- ^ "A look at Gemini House's legacy". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 20 December 2004. Archived from the original on 11 August 2013.
- ^ "Giving way to modernity". Business Line. 9 December 2004. Archived from the original on 13 August 2014.
- ^ "Vikatan group chief S. Balasubramanian passes away". India Today. 22 December 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
- ^ "Ananda Vikatan, largest-selling Tamil weekly". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 25 March 2005. Archived from the original on 26 April 2005.
- ^ "Celebrating a multifaceted talent". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 18 April 2011.
- ^ "S. Bala Subramyan - Movies, Biography, News, Age & Photos". BookMyShow. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
- ^ "S.S. Balan | Dirección, Producción". IMDb (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved 2 April 2025.
- ^ a b T. S., Subramanian (5 December 2003). "The media and the state government". Frontline. 20 (24).
- ^ a b "Media under fire in Tamil Nadu". Asian Tribune. 8 December 2008. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013.
- ^ "Indian Editor Sentenced to Hard Labor for Lampooning Politicians". Associated Press. 4 April 1987.
- ^ Namboodiri, Udayan (7 May 2012). "Hollywood of the ugly". Daily Pioneer. Archived from the original on 11 August 2013.
- ^ Aggarwal, S. K. (1989). Media Credibility. New Delhi: Mittal Publications. pp. 224–226. ISBN 81-7099-1579.
- ^ Warrier, Shoba (19 November 2003). "The whole Constitution goes for a six". Rediff.com.
- ^ K, Ramachandran (16 November 2003). "A trophy to remember". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 1 January 2004.
- ^ "Ananda Vikatan, the Tamil weekly, gets a new editor". Exchange4media.com. Archived from the original on 13 August 2014.
- ^ Rangan, Bharadhwaj (25 February 2010). "Thamarai: Interview".
- ^ V, Jagannathan (30 April 2012). "Abducted Sukma collector Alex Paul Menon used to be a student journalist". The Weekend Leader. 3 (17).
- ^ B, Subajayanthi (27 March 2004). "Face with Many Masks". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 14 September 2008.
- ^ "Madhan no more holds position in 'Ananda Vikatan' magazine". tamilstar.com. Archived from the original on 16 September 2012.
- ^ "A writer eyeing the Guinness". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 9 August 2010. Archived from the original on 6 November 2010.
- ^ L.R., Jagadeesan (11 January 1999). "Social work has been a mission since the age of 14 for this retired librarian". India Today.
- ^ "Karunanidhi releases Encyclopædia Britannica in Tamil". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 29 April 2007. Archived from the original on 1 May 2007.
- ^ Kaarthik (22 September 2009). "Vikatan Becomes Sleazy".
- ^ "Chairman of Vikatan Group of Publications Passes Away - The New Indian Express". 24 December 2014. Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
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