Y. Gee. Mahendra - Early Life

Early Life

Y. G. Mahendran was born on 9 January 1950 to Y. G. Parthasarathy and Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy. Y.G.P. founded the United Amateur Artists (UAA), one of the first drama companies in Madras city, in the year 1952. His drama company was a success and he emerged as one of the foremost dramatists of his era. Mahendra's mother Mrs. Rajalakshmi (also called Mrs. Y.G.P.) was the founder of the Padma Seshadri Group of Schools. Starting from modest beginnings in a thatched shed in the terrace of the Y.G.P home in 1959 with a batch of eleven students as an act of social service for the members of the Nungambakkam Recreation Club the school has since emerged as one of the best schools in India.

Hailing from a family of stage-lovers, Mahendra soon developed a liking for drama from his early days. He played the part of comedian in school plays and earned acclaim. On completion of his schooling from Don Bosco Matriculation School, Egmore, Chennai-600008, he studied Chemical Engineering at A.C.College of Technology, Univ. Madras, Guindy and MBA. During his college days, he was touted as a prospective film actor. He was in his early teens when he joined his father's drama troupe, the United Amateur Artists (UAA). This gave him the desired break. His first few plays were huge successes attracting audiences by thousands. Mahendra's had become one of the prominent names in the city. Eventually, he had to choose between acting and his career and he choose the former.

Y.G. Mahendran's daughter was married to legendary actress Savithri's grandson.