| Alias | Srinivasan |
|---|---|
| Age | 80 years |
| Height | 5'8" |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Language Worked in | Tamil |
| Spouse | Lakshmi |
| Children | Geetha , Rajeswari , Shivshankar |
| Birth Place | Tamil Nadu, India |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Favourite Cuisine | South Indian |
| Favourite Color | White |
| City | Chennai |
Thengai Srinivasan (21 October 1937 – 9 November 1988) was an Indian Tamil film actor popular in the 1970s and 1980s. He was given the title Thengai (coconut) after his role as a coconut-seller in the drama Kal Manam, staged by actor K. Kannan. Though originally a comedian, he was a well-rounded actor and also excelled in other genres.
Thengai Srinivasan was born to Rajavel Mudaliar (Chennai) and Subammal (Srivaikuntam in Tuticorin district) on 21 October 1937. He had two sisters. When he was aged seven years old, his family moved to Chennai. Srinivasan' father was an artist who staged several plays and it was his influence which first stimulated Srinivasan's interest in an acting career. Srinivasan’s first stage appearance was in his father's drama ‘Galatta kalyanam’.
He subsequently joined a drama troupe run by writer Ravindar and actor K. Kannan, and became very busy as a stage actor. He earned the prefix Thengai for his excellent performance as a coconut vendor in the drama Kal Manam, staged by Kannan. Upon watching the drama, popular comedian K. A. Thangavelu declared that thereafter Srinivasan would be known as ‘Thengai’ Srinivasan.
Srinivasan was married to Lakshmi. The couple have two daughters, named Geetha and Rajeswari and a son named Shivshankar. Geetha’s son Yogi and Shivshankar’s daughter Shrutika have also entered the film industry.