S. Pankajakshan Pillai alias S. P. Pillai was born in 1913 in the temple town of
Ettumanoor in
Kottayam district. His father Shankara Pillai, was a police constable. Pillai lost his parents at a young age. He could not afford basic education but obtained training in
Ottan Thullal from
Kalamandalam for a few years. He started his career as a supporting actor in stage plays. His first film, Appan Thamburan's
Bhootharayar, did not release. His first released film was
Jnanambika (1940). He shot to fame as a comedy actor after the superhit film
Nalla Thanka (1951). He did notable roles in more than 300 films, including Snehaseema, Nayaru pidichapulivalu, Chemmen, Bharya, Vidarunna Mottukal. He played the role of Paananar in almost all the
Vadakkan Pattu films of
Udaya. He has even sung the song
Vayaranu Nammalkku Daivam for the movie
Thaskaraveeran, in 1957.
Sanchari (1981) was his last film. He won the
Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor for his performance in
Taxi Driver. He died on 12 June 1985. Actress
Manju Pillai is his granddaughter. ==Awards==