He was born on 20 July 1917 in Athiyadi, Jaffna as the youngest son of the family. His father Manikkam Kanakasabey was a merchant in Jaffna. His mother Manikkam Murugesu was a housewife. He studied at Jaffna Central College up to junior class.

 

In 1941 he married Padma Selvadore. However, she died untimely and later married her sister, Kamala Selvadore. Apart from cinema, he was also a planter. Horseback riding and tennis were his main hobbies and he was an active member of the Tamil Union Sports Club and the Orient Club. The couple had two sons and four daughters.

 

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