This Prolific Actor Was The First Person To Announce India’s Independence On Radio

In the wee hours of August 15, 1947, a young man with his baritone voice made the first external broadcast announcement from All India Radio to East Asia that India had finally gained freedom from the British Raj and became an independent country. That special moment has ever since been engraved in the hearts and minds of the Indians. Can you guess whose voice this was?

Renowned actor Poornam Viswanathan became the first person to announce that India gained its independence on August 15, 1947, on All India Radio (AIR). He was a prolific actor who predominantly worked in Tamil movies. He started performing on stage at the age of 18. He further pursued acting by joining a South Indian drama troupe. He worked as a news reader at All India Radio (AIR).

When he relocated to Chennai in 1964, he portrayed versatile roles in various plays like Thanikuduthanam, Oor Vambu and Kaal Kattu written by Marina earned him appreciation and acclaim. He further impressed the audience with his performances in plays such as Kadavul Vandirundar, Adimaigal and Oonjal. His passion for acting and being associated with theatre for a long time led to him starting a drama troupe of his own which he called Poornam New Theatres.

Apart from his acting, he was also an assistant information officer at Press Information Bureau and later stepped in as an editor of Thittam and senior correspondent for Yojana, a monthly magazine published by the Government of India that covers socio-economic issues in the country.

He has starred in notable movies like Varumayin Niram Sivappu, Rajapart Rangadurai, Moondram Pirai, Thillu Mullu, Varusham 16, Keladi Kanmani, Aasai, Mahanadhi and Varumaiyin Niram Sivappu. Malayalam audience will remember him for his role in the blockbuster movie Chithram opposite Mohanlal. He also starred in the Bollywood blockbuster Ek Duuje Ke Liye along with Kamal Haasan and Rati Agnihotri.

Renowned writer Sujatha was quite impressed with Poornam’s acting talent and cast the actor as a protagonist in his drama titled Narendanin Vinotha Valakku. Kadavul Vanthirunthaar too was a comedy-drama penned by Sujatha that was a laughter riot and Poornam’s acting prowess was lauded by the audience.