Pandu

Biography:

Pandu, an Indian Tamil actor and graphic designer, left a significant mark in the world of Tamil cinema with his comedic roles. Born on February 19, 1947, and passing away on May 6, 2021, he embarked on his acting journey in the film “Maanavan” in 1970. However, Pandu was not just a talented actor; he held a Doctor of Philosophy degree in arts from France and was a visual artist who founded the graphic design company, Capital Letters. One of his notable achievements in the field of graphic design was crafting the party symbol and logo for the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Interestingly, his brother, Idichapuli Selvaraj, had also previously graced the silver screen as a comedian.

Pandu’s academic journey in the arts began with some reluctance but eventually led him to excel in the field of graphic design. He pursued his diploma and later post-graduation in arts and design, with a government scholarship. Pandu further honed his artistic skills by obtaining a doctorate degree in arts and design from France. His artistic talents extended beyond graphic design as he played a role in creating iconic imagery such as the Tamil Nadu Tourism Logo “Umbrella” and a painting of Jayalalithaa for a song.

Additionally, he contributed to numerous logos, including those for Sun TV and Shankara Nethralaya, totaling more than 250 logos for various organizations. Notably, Pandu’s collaboration with MGR, the iconic Indian actor turned politician, began in 1973 when he designed stickers for MGR’s classic film, “Ulagam Sutrum Valiban.” Despite his accomplishments in the world of design, Pandu made his mark in cinema, particularly through his supporting role in Agathiyan’s “Kadhal Kottai,” where he portrayed Ramasamy alongside Ajith Kumar.

In 2013, Pandu appeared in the film “Vellachi,” which featured his son, Pintu Pandu, in a leading role. Outside of the entertainment industry, he ventured into businesses, including a brass and aluminium enterprise named Prapanj Unlimited in Chennai, which he ran as a family business with his son, Prabhu Panju. Pandu was also involved in designing name boards for offices and residences within the Tamil film fraternity through his company, Capital Letters. Furthermore, in 2014, he hosted an art exhibition alongside his son, Panju Pandu, where his paintings were showcased at various international exhibitions worldwide.

Tragically, Pandu’s life was cut short on May 6, 2021, when he succumbed to COVID-19 at the age of 74 after being hospitalized. His legacy lives on through his multifaceted contributions to the worlds of cinema, graphic design, and the arts.