A recipient of Padmashri from the Government of India, Thikkurisi Sukumaran Nair was a Malayali poet, lyricist, script writer, playwright, film director and actor, who predominantly worked in Malayalam cinema. He has also been bestowed with The Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South -1986, and J. C. Daniel Award (Kerala State Film Award for Lifetime Achievement) -1995. He has directed the movies Achante Bharya (1971), Poojapushpam (1969), Saraswathi (1970), and Palunku Pathram (1970). He was also an actor who featured in Janadhipathyam (1997), Midhya (1990), Anakkorumma (1985), Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum (1979), Romeo (1976), Neela Ponman (1975), Anarkali (1966), and Sasidharan (1950). His 2017 venture as an actor includes the Malayalam movie Chodhyam, under the direction of G. S. Vijayan, starring Rashin Rahman and Rupini in lead roles.