Sebastian Kunjukunju Bhagavathar

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Sebastian Kunjukunju Bhagavathar (9 February 1901 – 1985) was a Malayalam theatre actor, singer, and writer from Ambalappuzha in Kerala, India. He helped popularize Malayalam musical theatre, called sangeetha natakam, and, with Ochira Velukutty, revived interest in the form with the 1930 play Karuna, an adaptation of Kumaran Asan’s famous poem.

Born on 9 February 1901 to Pollayil Vincent and Margarita as their second child, he was the brother of actor Alleppey Vincent, who acted in Balan, the first Malayalam talkie. Sebastian studied at Leo XIII School in Ambalappuzha and later at St. Albert’s High School in Ernakulam. While in Ernakulam, he joined a Tamil drama troupe and toured Tamil Nadu before returning home to care for his ailing father.

In 1923 he married Marykutty. His first lead role was Njanasundari, a Malayalam version of a Tamil drama about Prince Plendran and Princess Njanasundari. After that, he initially struggled to secure major roles. In 1929 the Royal Cinema & Dramatic Company staged Parudeesa Nashtam (Paradise Lost); Sebastian played Adam, with Ochira Velukutty as Eve. He went on to star in Satyavansavitri, Alliarjuna, Kovalan Charitram, Nallathanka, and Harishchandra, often teamed with Velukutty, and drew large audiences.