Thomas Burleigh Kurishingal is an Indian actor, director, producer, script writer, music composer in

Malayalam cinema Malayalam cinema is an Indian film industry of Malayalam-language motion pictures. It is based in Kochi, Kerala, India. The films produced in Malayalam cinema are known for their cinematography and story-driven plots. In 1982, ''Elippathayam' ...

, and author of in English.

Biography

He was born to Kurishingal K. J. Berly (also spelt Burleigh) a freedom fighter and Annie Burleigh (a woman activist and leader of the pre-independence era who led a satyagraha against toddy shops in fort Cochin), on 1 September 1932 at

Fort Kochi Fort Kochi, Fort Cochin in English, Cochim de Baixo ("Lower Kochi") in Cochin Portuguese creole, is a neighbourhood of Cochin (Kochi) city in Kerala, India. Fort Kochi takes its name from the Fort Manuel of Cochin, the first European fort ...

, Kerala. His debut movie was ''Thiramala'' in 1953 as a 21 year old perhaps becoming one of the youngest heroes in Malayalam film industry at that time. He later went to do a course on acting in

University of California, Los Angeles The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public land-grant research university in Los Angeles, California. UCLA's academic roots were established in 1881 as a teachers college then known as the southern branch of the California St ...

. There he acted in a few English movies and television series in small roles. He acted in a Hollywood movie ''

Never So Few ''Never So Few'' is a 1959 CinemaScope Metrocolor war film, directed by John Sturges and starring Frank Sinatra, Gina Lollobrigida, Peter Lawford, Steve McQueen, Richard Johnson, Paul Henreid, Brian Donlevy, Dean Jones, Charles Bronson, and Ph ...

'' in 1959. He produced an English movie, ''Maya'' for children. He is also interested in magic, violin, Madeleine instrumental music and painting. His painting ''Galiyan'' is selected and shown on International festivals. Later in 1969 he came back and started seafood exporting business. In 1973 he directed a movie, ''Ithu Manushyano?''. Popular song ''Sughamoru bindu dukhamoru bindu'' is from this movie. Then he directed ''Vellarikkaappattanam'' in 1985 with Veteran actor

Prem Nazir Prem Nazir (born Abdul Khader; 7 April 1926 – 16 January 1989) was an Indian actor known as one of Malayalam cinema's definitive leading man, leading men of his generation. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential actors in the histo ...

as hero. He published a collection of English writings to his credit ''Beyond Heart'' (published 2000), which prose-poetry, ''Fragrant Petals'' (2004), in memory of his father. He has also published a cartoon book, ''O Kerala'' (2007). and ''Sacred Savage'', a historical novel (2017). He is married to Sophy. They have three children, Tanya, Tarun and Tamina and three grandchildren Tahir, Kiara and Kayaan. He currently resides at his family home in

, Kerala.http://www.marunadanmalayali.com/index.php?page=newsDetail&id=15460

Filmography

As an actor

* '' Thiramaala'' (1953) * ''

Double Barrel "Double Barrel" is a 1970 reggae single by Dave and Ansell Collins (though credited in both the UK and the U.S. to 'Dave and Ansil Collins'). It was the second reggae tune to top the UK charts, two years after Desmond Dekker's number 1 breakth ...

'' (2015)

Direction

* '' Ithu Manushyano'' (1973) * '' Vellarikkaappattanam'' (1985)

Story

* ''Ithu Manushyano?'' (1973) * ''Vellarikkaappattanam'' (1985)

Screenplay

* ''Ithu Manushyano?'' (1973) * ''Vellarikkaappattanam'' (1985)

Production

* ''Ithu Manushyano?'' (1973) * ''Vellarikkaappattanam'' (1985)

Dialogue

* ''Ithu Manushyano?'' (1973)

Music

* "Mangalangal"... ''Vellarikkaappattanam'' (1985) * "Romaancham Poothirangum"... ''Vellarikkaappattanam'' * "Hemantha Kalam" ... ''Vellarikkaappattanam''

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Berly, Thomas Male actors from Kochi Male actors in Malayalam cinema Indian male film actors Malayalam film directors Malayalam screenwriters Malayalam film producers Malayalam film score composers 1932 births Living people Film producers from Kochi Film directors from Kochi Musicians from Kochi 20th-century Indian film directors Screenwriters from Kochi