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M.N. Nambiar

M.N. Nambiar

Actor

Born March 5, 1919 in Kannur, Kerala, India

Died November 19, 2008

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Biography

M. N. Nambiar (born Manjeri Narayanan Nambiar) was a film actor in Tamil cinema who dominated the industry in the role of villain for around 50 years. Also known as Nambiar Swami or Maha Guruswami, he was a spiritual leader who pioneered the movement of taking pilgrims to Sabarimala.

Nambiar started as a hero, Nambiar Guruswami soon started donning the role of a villain — so much so that today his name is synonymous with villainy in Kollywood. Nambiar swami has worked with seven generations of actors. His first pay was Rs.3 with Boys Company. He would retain Rs.1 and send Rs.2 to his mother. He made quite a statement in the early 50s with his portrayal of 11 roles in Digambara Samiyar, one of his films as the Lead. His arresting performance in films such as Manthiri Kumari, Velaikaari, Ayirathil Oruvan, Thillana Mohanambal, Missiyamma and Nenjam Marappadillai paved way for a very successful career that spanned over five decades.

A majority of the more than 1000 films that he has done is in Tamil, though he has acted in Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi, besides an English film `Jungle' (with Rod Cameron, the film's hero, directed by William Burke) in which he appears in a few brief scenes. The film was released in 1952. The Hindi film he acted in was a remake of the Tamil Kanavane Kankanda Deivam. After becoming popular in Tamil films he started his own drama troupe called Nambiar Nataka Mandram. They staged two plays — `Kaviyin Kanavu' and a comedy play `Kalyana Supermarket.'

Nambiar swami was that rare contradictory personality - a cruel, charming villain on the silver screen while being a very pious man in real life. He was also a pure vegetarian and teetotaler. He was also an ardent devotee of Sabarimala Sri Ayyappan. He has had a long association with the temple, and visited the shrine more than 65 times over the last half a century; this has led to him being called Maha Guruswamy. His colleagues noted that he died during the famous Sabarimala season and it may be due to the blessing of his Lord.

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Oru Mullai Poo - Sathyaraj, Radhika - Thaai Naadu - Tamil Classic Song

un manasula paattuthaan irukkuthu - Pandi Nattu thangam - உன்மனசுல பாட்டுதான்

Nenjam Undu Nermai Undu - MGR - En Annan

Filmography

Actor

248

Type

Year

Ah Aah: Anbe Aaruyire Poster

Ah Aah: Anbe Aaruyire Feature Film2005Father of Memories

Sudesi Feature Film2005

Arasatchi Poster

Arasatchi Feature Film2004Doctor

Anbe Anbe Poster

Anbe Anbe Feature Film2003

Kadhal Sadugudu Poster

Kadhal Sadugudu Feature Film2003Kausalya's grandfather

Winner Feature Film2003Veer pratap

Baba Feature Film2002Baba's Uncle

Varushamellam Vasantham Poster

Varushamellam Vasantham Feature Film2002Raja & Ramesh's Grandfather

Alaigal TV Series2001

Sharja To Sharja Poster

Sharja To Sharja Feature Film2001Valiya Kappithan

Endrendrum Kadhal Poster

Endrendrum Kadhal Feature Film1999Sethupathi

Pooparika varugirom Poster

Pooparika varugirom Feature Film1999Narayanan

Rojavanam Poster

Rojavanam Feature Film1999

Nattupura Nayagan Feature Film1997Kuppusamy

Poove Unakkaga Poster

Poove Unakkaga Feature Film1996Sadhasivam

Kattumarakaran Poster

Kattumarakaran Feature Film1995

Raasaiyya Poster

Raasaiyya Feature Film1995

Raja Mudra Feature Film1995

Paasamalargal Poster

Paasamalargal Feature Film1994

Sethupathi I.P.S Poster

Sethupathi I.P.S Feature Film1994Sethupathi's Father

Ejamaan Feature Film1993Grandfather of Vaanavarayan

Gentleman Poster

Gentleman Feature Film1993Ramesh's Father

Kizhakke Varum Paattu Feature Film1993

Manikantana Mahime Poster

Manikantana Mahime Feature Film1993

Nalladhey Nadakkum Feature Film1993

Thanga Pappa Feature Film1993Adaikalam

Nadodi Paattukkaran Poster

Nadodi Paattukkaran Feature Film1992Singer

Thai Mozhi Poster

Thai Mozhi Feature Film1992Church Father

Thanga Manasukkaaaran Poster

Thanga Manasukkaaaran Feature Film1992Sadha Swamy

Villu Paattu Karan Poster

Villu Paattu Karan Feature Film1992

Kaaval Nilayam Feature Film1991

Maanagara Kaaval Poster

Maanagara Kaaval Feature Film1991IG Jayaprakash

Saami Potta Mudhichhu Poster

Saami Potta Mudhichhu Feature Film1991

Avasara Police 100 Poster

Avasara Police 100 Feature Film1990

Jagathala Prathapan Poster

Jagathala Prathapan Feature Film1990Professor

Kalyana Rasi Feature Film1990

Paalam Feature Film1990SP Izhavenil

Paattali Magan Poster

Paattali Magan Feature Film1990

Periya Veettu Panakkaran Poster

Periya Veettu Panakkaran Feature Film1990

Pulan Visaaranai Poster

Pulan Visaaranai Feature Film1990DGP

Meenakshi Thiruvilayadal Feature Film1989

Paandi Naattu Thangam Poster

Paandi Naattu Thangam Feature Film1989Thangapandian's father

Paattukku Oru Thalaivan Poster

Paattukku Oru Thalaivan Feature Film1989Father of Arivu

Thaai Naadu Poster

Thaai Naadu Feature Film1989

Enga Ooru Kaavakkaaran Poster

Enga Ooru Kaavakkaaran Feature Film1988

Anjatha Singam Feature Film1987

Enga Ooru Paattukkaaran Poster

Enga Ooru Paattukkaaran Feature Film1987Kallampattiyan

Jallikkattu Poster

Jallikkattu Feature Film1987Dheenadalayan

Krishnan Vandaan Poster

Krishnan Vandaan Feature Film1987

Uzhavan Magan Poster

Uzhavan Magan Feature Film1987

Velundu Vinaiyillai Poster

Velundu Vinaiyillai Feature Film1987

Vilangu Feature Film1987

Karimedu Karuvaayan Poster

Karimedu Karuvaayan Feature Film1986

Mela Thiranthathu Kadhavu Poster

Mela Thiranthathu Kadhavu Feature Film1986

Eetti Feature Film1985

Iiam KAndru Feature Film1985

Iravu Pookkal Poster

Iravu Pookkal Feature Film1985Villain

Kaarimedu Karuvayan Feature Film1985

Naan Sigappu Manithan Poster

Naan Sigappu Manithan Feature Film1985Police officer

Neethiyin Nizhal Poster

Neethiyin Nizhal Feature Film1985Krishna Prasad

Nermai Feature Film1985

Raja Rishi Poster

Raja Rishi Feature Film1985

Thanga Mama Poster

Thanga Mama Feature Film1985

Charitra Nayakan Poster

Charitra Nayakan Feature Film1984

Ezhuthata Sattaangal Poster

Ezhuthata Sattaangal Feature Film1984

Iru Methaigal Poster

Iru Methaigal Feature Film1984

Naan Mahaan Alla Poster

Naan Mahaan Alla Feature Film1984G.M.K

Simha Soppanam Poster

Simha Soppanam Feature Film1984

Tharasu Feature Film1984

Vamsa Vilakku Poster

Vamsa Vilakku Feature Film1984

Vazhkai Feature Film1984

Vetri Feature Film1984Chandrasekharan

Dowry Kalyanam Poster

Dowry Kalyanam Feature Film1983Rowthar who runs a grocery shop

Mridanga Chakravarthi Poster

Mridanga Chakravarthi Feature Film1983

Saatchi Feature Film1983

Sandhippu Poster

Sandhippu Feature Film1983

Thayi Veedu Feature Film1983Rajasingam

Chilandhi Vala Poster

Chilandhi Vala Feature Film1982Sekharan

Oorukku Oru Pillai Poster

Oorukku Oru Pillai Feature Film1982

Sangili Feature Film1982'Lion' Dayanidhi

Thai Mookambhikai Poster

Thai Mookambhikai Feature Film1982

Thooral ninnu pochhu Poster

Thooral ninnu pochhu Feature Film1982

Garjanai Poster

Garjanai Feature Film1981Mithra

Kolilakkam Poster

Kolilakkam Feature Film1981

Lorry Driver Rajakannu Poster

Lorry Driver Rajakannu Feature Film1981

Ram Lakshman Poster

Ram Lakshman Feature Film1981Chandrasekar

Thadavara Feature Film1981Madhavan

Guru Feature Film1980Head of anti-social group

Ratha Pasam Poster

Ratha Pasam Feature Film1980

Shakthi Feature Film1980Vikraman

Aavesham Poster

Aavesham Feature Film1979Shekharan

Mamangam Poster

Mamangam Feature Film1979Army Leader

Neeya Feature Film1979Appu Kuttan

Pancha Ratnam Feature Film1979

Suprabadham Poster

Suprabadham Feature Film1979

Thirisoolam Poster

Thirisoolam Feature Film1979

Vetrikku Oruvan Poster

Vetrikku Oruvan Feature Film1979

En Kelvikku Enna Bathil Poster

En Kelvikku Enna Bathil Feature Film1978Sivaraman

Maduraiyai Meeta Sundara Pandian Poster

Maduraiyai Meeta Sundara Pandian Feature Film1978

Punya Bhoomi Poster

Punya Bhoomi Feature Film1978

Thacholy Ambu Poster

Thacholy Ambu Feature Film1978Ittiri Panicker

Thanga Rangan Feature Film1978

Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga Poster

Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga Feature Film1977

Meenava Nanban Poster

Meenava Nanban Feature Film1977

Navarathnam Poster

Navarathnam Feature Film1977

Needhikku Thalai Vanangu Poster

Needhikku Thalai Vanangu Feature Film1976

Sathyam Feature Film1976Sokkanathan

Barah Ghante Feature Film1975

Mannavan Vandanadi Poster

Mannavan Vandanadi Feature Film1975

Nalai Namadhe Poster

Nalai Namadhe Feature Film1975Ranjith

Ninaithathai Mudippavan Poster

Ninaithathai Mudippavan Feature Film1975

Pallandhu Vazhga Poster

Pallandhu Vazhga Feature Film1975

Netru Indru Nalai Poster

Netru Indru Nalai Feature Film1974

Sirithu Vazha Vendum Poster

Sirithu Vazha Vendum Feature Film1974

Thayi Feature Film1974

Urimai Kural Poster

Urimai Kural Feature Film1974

Jesus Feature Film1973

Pattikatu Ponnaiah Poster

Pattikatu Ponnaiah Feature Film1973

Ponnunnjal Poster

Ponnunnjal Feature Film1973

Raja Part Rangadurai Poster

Raja Part Rangadurai Feature Film1973Somasundaram the father of Alamel

Raja Raja Chozhan Poster

Raja Raja Chozhan Feature Film1973Balathevar

Ulagam Sutrum Valiban Poster

Ulagam Sutrum Valiban Feature Film1973

Annamitta Kai Poster

Annamitta Kai Feature Film1972

Dharmam Engey Feature Film1972Marthandan

Idaya Veenai Poster

Idaya Veenai Feature Film1972

Kurathi Magan Poster

Kurathi Magan Feature Film1972

Naan Yen Pirandhen Poster

Naan Yen Pirandhen Feature Film1972Rajan

Raman Thediya Seethai Poster

Raman Thediya Seethai Feature Film1972

Adi Parasakthi Poster

Adi Parasakthi Feature Film1971

Kulama Kunama Poster

Kulama Kunama Feature Film1971

Kumari Kottam Poster

Kumari Kottam Feature Film1971

Oru Thai Makkal Poster

Oru Thai Makkal Feature Film1971

Praptham Poster

Praptham Feature Film1971

Savale Samali Poster

Savale Samali Feature Film1971Rajavelu

Thangaikkaga Feature Film1971

En Annan Poster

En Annan Feature Film1970Nayagam

Jeevanaadi Feature Film1970

Padhukappu Poster

Padhukappu Feature Film1970

Raman Ethanai Ramanadi Poster

Raman Ethanai Ramanadi Feature Film1970

Thabaalkaaran Thangai Poster

Thabaalkaaran Thangai Feature Film1970

Anbalipu Feature Film1969Vasudevan

Anjal Petty 520 Poster

Anjal Petty 520 Feature Film1969Nagarajan

Deiva Magan Poster

Deiva Magan Feature Film1969

Gurudakshinai Poster

Gurudakshinai Feature Film1969

Kanne Papa Poster

Kanne Papa Feature Film1969Inspector James

Nil Gavani Kadhali Poster

Nil Gavani Kadhali Feature Film1969

Shubadinam Feature Film1969

Sivantha Mann Poster

Sivantha Mann Feature Film1969Diwan

Enga Ooru Raja Poster

Enga Ooru Raja Feature Film1968

Harishchandra Poster

Harishchandra Feature Film1968Viswamithra

Kudiyiruntha Koyil Poster

Kudiyiruntha Koyil Feature Film1968

Lakshmi Kalyanam Poster

Lakshmi Kalyanam Feature Film1968

Pudhiya Bhoomi Poster

Pudhiya Bhoomi Feature Film1968Kankeyan

Rahasya Police 115 Poster

Rahasya Police 115 Feature Film1968

Ther Thiruvizha Poster

Ther Thiruvizha Feature Film1968

Thillana Mohanambal Poster

Thillana Mohanambal Feature Film1968Madanpur Maharaja

Thirumal Perumai Poster

Thirumal Perumai Feature Film1968A Chola King

Arasa Kattalai Poster

Arasa Kattalai Feature Film1967

Kavalkaran Poster

Kavalkaran Feature Film1967

Raaja Veetu Pillai Feature Film1967

Thaikku Thalaimagan Poster

Thaikku Thalaimagan Feature Film1967

Vivasaayee Poster

Vivasaayee Feature Film1967

Chandrodhayam Poster

Chandrodhayam Feature Film1966Paranthaman

Mani Makudam Poster

Mani Makudam Feature Film1966

Muharassi Poster

Muharassi Feature Film1966

Naan Anaittal Poster

Naan Anaittal Feature Film1966

Parakkum Pavai Poster

Parakkum Pavai Feature Film1966

Thali Bhagyam Feature Film1966

Aasai Mugam Poster

Aasai Mugam Feature Film1965

Ayirathil Oruvan Poster

Ayirathil Oruvan Feature Film1965Pirate Leader

Enga Veetu Pillai Poster

Enga Veetu Pillai Feature Film1965

Kalankari Vilakkam Poster

Kalankari Vilakkam Feature Film1965

Kannithai Poster

Kannithai Feature Film1965

Thazampoo Poster

Thazampoo Feature Film1965

Deiva Thai Poster

Deiva Thai Feature Film1964

En Kadamai Poster

En Kadamai Feature Film1964

Padakottai Poster

Padakottai Feature Film1964

Thayin Madiyil Poster

Thayin Madiyil Feature Film1964

Thozhilali Poster

Thozhilali Feature Film1964Velu, a bus driver

Vettaikaran Poster

Vettaikaran Feature Film1964

Annai Illam Poster

Annai Illam Feature Film1963

Chittor Rani Padmini Feature Film1963Alauddin Khalji

Ezhai Pangalan Poster

Ezhai Pangalan Feature Film1963

Kalai Arasi Poster

Kalai Arasi Feature Film1963

Kavita Feature Film1963

Needhikkupin Pasam Poster

Needhikkupin Pasam Feature Film1963

Nenjam Marappathillai Poster

Nenjam Marappathillai Feature Film1963Zamindar

Panathottam Poster

Panathottam Feature Film1963

Parisu Feature Film1963

Madappura Poster

Madappura Feature Film1962Khannan

Rani Samyuktha Poster

Rani Samyuktha Feature Film1962Mohammad Ghori

Arasilankumari Poster

Arasilankumari Feature Film1961Vetrivelan

Nallavan Vazhvan Feature Film1961

Nichaya Thamboolam Poster

Nichaya Thamboolam Feature Film1961Pattusamy a friend of Raghu

Pasamalar Poster

Pasamalar Feature Film1961

Saugandh Feature Film1961

Thaai Sollai Thattathey Poster

Thaai Sollai Thattathey Feature Film1961

Thennilavu Poster

Thennilavu Feature Film1961

Thirudathe Poster

Thirudathe Feature Film1961

Baghdad Thirudan Poster

Baghdad Thirudan Feature Film1960Hyder

Ellorum Innattu Mannar Feature Film1960

Raja Bhakti Feature Film1960

Veerakkanal Feature Film1960

Aana Valarthiyal Vanampady Feature Film1959Azhagasundaram

Bhagapirivinai Poster

Bhagapirivinai Feature Film1959

Pennkulathin Ponnvillakku Poster

Pennkulathin Ponnvillakku Feature Film1959

Thangapathumai Feature Film1959Balakumara, the Senapathi

Annaiyin Aanai Poster

Annaiyin Aanai Feature Film1958Balu

Bhuloka Rambhai Poster

Bhuloka Rambhai Feature Film1958

Nadodi Mannan Poster

Nadodi Mannan Feature Film1958Pingalan

Sitamgar Feature Film1958

Uttama Puthiran Poster

Uttama Puthiran Feature Film1958

Ambikapathy Poster

Ambikapathy Feature Film1957Ottakoothar, a poet at the Chola court

Iru Sahodarigal Feature Film1957Vasudevan

Karpukkarasi Poster

Karpukkarasi Feature Film1957Jegaveeran

Makkalai Petra Maharasi Poster

Makkalai Petra Maharasi Feature Film1957Kannan

Mayabazar Poster

Mayabazar Feature Film1957Sakuni

Rajarajan Feature Film1957

Sarangadhara Feature Film1957

Thangamalai Rahasyam Poster

Thangamalai Rahasyam Feature Film1957Adithan

Vanangamudi Poster

Vanangamudi Feature Film1957Narendran

Amaradeepam Poster

Amaradeepam Feature Film1956

Devta Feature Film1956Veer Sen

Naan Petra Selvam Poster

Naan Petra Selvam Feature Film1956Sundar

Rambayin Kaadhal Poster

Rambayin Kaadhal Feature Film1956Narada

Tenali Raman Poster

Tenali Raman Feature Film1956Rajaguru

Guna Sundari Feature Film1955Husband of Rupasundari

Kanavane Kan Kanda Daivam Poster

Kanavane Kan Kanda Daivam Feature Film1955General Veerasenan

Kaveri Feature Film1955Spiritual Guru

Pennarasi Feature Film1955

En Magal Feature Film1954

Mangalyam Feature Film1954

Atmasakhi Poster

Atmasakhi Feature Film1953Mohan the son of Kamalam

Azhagi Feature Film1953

Kanna Talli Poster

Kanna Talli Feature Film1953Sankar

Amma Feature Film1952Mohan, son of a different rich man

Kanchana Poster

Kanchana Feature Film1952Manohar, a college classmate of Pushpanathan

The Jungle Poster

The Jungle Feature Film1952Mahaji

Ek Tha Raja Poster

Ek Tha Raja Feature Film1951

Sarvadhikari Feature Film1951

Digambara Samiyar Poster

Digambara Samiyar Feature Film1950Chokkalingam Pillai

Manthiri Kumari Poster

Manthiri Kumari Feature Film1950Royal priest

Vijayakumari Feature Film1950Brother of a fisherwoman

Velaikkari Poster

Velaikkari Feature Film1949Landlord's Son

Abhimanyu Feature Film1948Lakkanan

Mohini Feature Film1948

Raja Kumari Poster

Raja Kumari Feature Film1947

Vidyaptahi Feature Film1946

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