M. N. Nambiar
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.
Known For
Credits
- 2002 · Baba as Baba's Maternal Uncle
- 2002 · Varushamellam Vasantham as
- 2001 · Ninaikkatha Naalillai as
- 2001 · Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala as Mumtaj's father
- 1998 · Moovendhar as
- 1997 · Thambi Durai as
- 1997 · Pasamulla Pandiyare as Nesamani
- 1996 · Poove Unakkaga as Sadhasivam
- 1995 · Thotta Chinungi as
- 1995 · Raasaiyya as
- 1995 · Raja Muthirai as
- 1994 · Periya Marudhu as
- 1993 · Gentleman as Ramesh's Father
- 1993 · Sakkarai Devan as Sarasu Grandfather
- 1993 · Thanga Pappa as Adaikkalam
- 1992 · Thai Mozhi as Church Father
- 1992 · Thanga Manasukkaran as Sadha Swamy
- 1991 · Maanagara Kaaval as IG Jayaprakash
- 1991 · Enga Ooru Sippai as
- 1991 · Kumbakarai Thangaiah as
- 1990 · Avasara Police 100 as
- 1990 · Neengalum Herothan as M. N. Nambiar
- 1990 · Kalyana Rasi as
- 1990 · Jagathalaprathapan as John Frederick
- 1990 · Paalam as SP Izhavenil
- 1990 · Manasukkeththa Mappillai as
- 1990 · Pulan Visaranai as DGP
- 1989 · Paandi Naattu Thangam as Thangapandian's father
- 1988 · Manaivi Oru Mandhiri as
- 1988 · Nallavan as
- 1988 · Sakkarai Panthal as
- 1987 · Krishnan Vandhaan as
- 1987 · Enga Ooru Pattukaran as Kallampattiyan
- 1987 · Velundu Vinaiyillai as
- 1986 · Aayiram Kannudayaal as
- 1986 · Dharma Devathai as
- 1986 · Iravu Pookkal as
- 1986 · Mella Thirandhadhu Kadhavu as Hindi Teacher and Noorjahan's Father
- 1986 · Nambinar Keduvadhillai as
- 1986 · Karimedu Karuvayan as
- 1985 · Puthiya Theerpu as
- 1985 · Raja Rishi as Sage Vashishta
- 1985 · Thanga Mama as
- 1985 · Eetti as
- 1985 · Elan Kandru as
- 1985 · Naan Sigappu Manithan as Senior Police Officer
- 1985 · Needhiyin Nizhal as Krishna Prasad
- 1984 · Vamsa Vilakku as
- 1984 · Nyayam as
- 1984 · Tharaasu as
- 1984 · Pozhuthu Vidinchachu as
- 1984 · Vetri as
- 1984 · Naan Mahaan Alla as GMK
- 1983 · Thai Veedu as
- 1982 · Thaai Mookaambikai as
- 1982 · Thooral Ninnu Pochu as Kusthi Vaathiyaar
- 1981 · Ram Lakshman as Chandrasekar
- 1981 · Deiva Thirumanangal as
- 1980 · Ratha Paasam as
- 1979 · Neeya? as Appu Kuttan
- 1978 · En Kelvikku Enna Bathil as
- 1978 · Paavathin Sambalam as
- 1978 · Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan as The Prince Raja Rajan
- 1976 · Anna Nee En Deivam as
- 1975 · Mannavan Vanthaanadi as Punyakodi
- 1975 · Naalai Namadhe as
- 1974 · Urimai Kural as Doreswamy
- 1974 · Thaai as Kumar
- 1973 · Ponnunjal as Ponnan
- 1973 · Ulagam Sutrum Valiban as
- 1973 · Rajaraja Cholan as Bala Thevar
- 1972 · Kannamma as Gnanaprakasam
- 1972 · Naan Yen Pirandhen as Rajan
- 1972 · Kurathi Magan as Jambilingam
- 1972 · Dhikku Theriyadha Kaattil as Kali Muthu
- 1971 · Savale Samali as Rajavelu
- 1969 · Anbalippu as Vasudevan
- 1969 · Nil Gavani Kadhali as Gang Leader
- 1968 · Harichandra as
- 1968 · Enga Oor Raja as Rajankam
- 1968 · Pudhiya Boomi as
- 1968 · Ragasiya Police 115 as Inspector Kumar / Krishnan
- 1967 · Kaavalkaaran as Marudachalam
- 1966 · Parakkum Paavai as Rangasamy
- 1966 · Mugaraasi as
- 1966 · Chandhrodhayam as Paranthaman
- 1966 · Nadodi as
- 1966 · Naan Aanaiyittal as
- 1965 · Aasai Mugam as
- 1965 · Aayirathil Oruvan as Pirate Captain
- 1964 · En Kadamai as
- 1964 · Vettaikaaran as
- 1963 · Annai Illam as
- 1962 · Kudumba Thalaivan as
- 1962 · Rani Samyuktha as Mohammad Ghori
- 1961 · Nallavan Vazhvan as Inspector Madhavan
- 1961 · Thirudadhe as
- 1959 · Bhaaga Pirivinai as Mani
- 1958 · Pellinaati Pramanalu as
- 1958 · Nadodi Mannan as
- 1958 · Sarangadhara as Mahadevan
- 1958 · Uthama Puthiran as Naganathan
- 1957 · Ambikapathy as Ottakoothar
- 1957 · Thangamalai Ragasiyam as
- 1957 · Vanangaamudi as
- 1956 · Tenali Raman as Rajaguru
- 1956 · Naan Petra Selvam as Sundar
- 1955 · Kaveri as Gnananandar
- 1951 · Sarvadhikari as Mahavarman
- 1951 · Devaki as Gopu
- 1950 · Thigambara Samiar as Chokkalingam Pillai
- 1950 · Manthiri Kumari as Royal Priest
- 1950 · Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi as
- Future · Alaigal as Acha
- 2007 · Kuttrapathirikai as
- 2006 · Sudesi as
- 2003 · Winner as Velayutham
- 2003 · Anbe Anbe as
- 2003 · Kadhal Sadugudu as Kausalya`s Grandfather
- 2001 · Sharjah to Sharjah as Valiya Kappithan
- 2001 · Vinnukkum Mannukkum as Cameo
- 1999 · Poo Parikka Varugirom as Narayanan
- 1999 · Rojavanam as
- 1999 · Endrendrum Kadhal as Sethupathi, Vijay's father
- 1998 · Poonthottam as
- 1997 · Adimai Changili as
- 1997 · Vallal as Dharmarasu
- 1995 · Kattumarakaran as Vaidehi's grandfather
- 1995 · Karuppu Nila as Nandhini's father
- 1994 · Paasamalargal as
- 1994 · Sethupathi I.P.S as Ramarathnam
- 1993 · Yejaman as Vaanavarayan's grandfather
- 1993 · Ezhai Jaathi as Iyer
- 1992 · Villu Pattukaran as
- 1992 · Kaaviya Thalaivan as Damodaran
- 1992 · Nadodi Paattukkaran as
- 1991 · Kaaval Nilayam as Andhavar
- 1991 · Captain Prabhakaran as Special Task Force Officer
- 1990 · Periya Veettu Panakkaran as
- 1989 · Meenatchi Thiruvilaiyadal as Thirumalai Naicker
- 1989 · Paattukku Oru Thalaivan as
- 1989 · Thaai Naadu as Saleem Bhai
- 1988 · Enga Ooru Kaavakkaaran as
- 1988 · Thambi Thanga Kambi as
- 1988 · Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran as
- 1987 · Uzhavan Magan as Marudhamalai
- 1987 · Jallikkattu as
- 1985 · Nermai as Seetharam
- 1984 · Iru Medhaigal as
- 1984 · Ezhuthatha Sattangal as Farooq
- 1984 · Simma Soppanam as
- 1984 · Sarithira Nayagan as
- 1984 · Vaazhkai as
- 1983 · Miruthanga Chakravarthi as
- 1983 · Saatchi as
- 1983 · Sandhippu as Vedagiri
- 1983 · Dowry Kalyanam as Rowther
- 1982 · Sangili as
- 1982 · Parvaiyin Marupakkam as
- 1982 · Oorukku Oru Pillai as
- 1981 · Thadavara as Madhavan
- 1981 · Garjanai as
- 1981 · Lorry Driver Rajakannu as
- 1981 · Kolilakkam as
- 1980 · Saranam Ayyappa as
- 1980 · Sakthi as Vikraman
- 1980 · Guru as Head of anti-social group
- 1979 · Vetrikku Oruvan as
- 1979 · Aavesham as Shekaran
- 1979 · Thirisoolam as
- 1978 · Punniya Boomi as
- 1977 · Meenava Nanban as Arun
- 1977 · Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga as
- 1977 · Indru Pol Endrum Vaazhga as Guruviah
- 1977 · Navarathinam as Dharmaseelan
- 1976 · Sathyam as
- 1975 · Ninaithadhai Mudippavan as Mohan
- 1974 · Sirithu Vazha Vendum as
- 1974 · Netru Indru Naalai as Rathnam (the false)
- 1973 · Rajapart Rangadurai as Somasundaram
- 1973 · Errakota Veerudu as
- 1972 · Idhaya Veenai as
- 1972 · Raman Thediya Seethai as
- 1971 · Adi Parasakthi as
- 1971 · Kulama Gunama as Nallakannu
- 1970 · En Annan as Nayagam
- 1969 · Sivandha Mann as Diwan
- 1969 · Deiva Magan as Ananth
- 1969 · Anjal Petti 520 as Nagarajan
- 1969 · Kanne Pappa as Inspector James
- 1969 · Kaaval Dheivam as
- 1968 · Lakshmi Kalyanam as
- 1968 · Thillana Mohanambal as Maharaja of Madhanpur
- 1968 · Kudiyirundha Koyil as
- 1967 · Arasa Kattalai as
- 1966 · Thanippiravi as Sub-inspector Soundharam
- 1966 · Thaali Bhagyam as Namchivayam
- 1965 · Enga Veettu Pillai as Gajendran
- 1964 · Thaayin Madiyil as
- 1964 · Padagotti as
- 1964 · Thozhilali as Velu
- 1964 · Dheiva Thaai as Madhan
- 1963 · Ezhai Pangalan as
- 1963 · Nenjam Marappathillai as Zamindar
- 1963 · Kalai Arasi as
- 1963 · Chitor Rani Padmini as Malik Kafur
- 1961 · Then Nilavu as Raj
- 1961 · Pasamalar as Rathnam
- 1960 · Arasilangumari as
- 1960 · Ellorum Innattu Mannar as
- 1959 · Kalyana Parisu as
- 1959 · Thangapadumai as
- 1958 · Illarame Nallaram as
- 1958 · Annaiyin Aanai as
- 1958 · Bhooloka Rambai as
- 1957 · Karpukarasi as
- 1957 · Rajarajan as
- 1957 · Makkalai Petra Magarasi as Kannan
- 1956 · Rambayin Kadhal as Narada
- 1956 · Amara Deepam as
- 1955 · Doctor Savithri as Krishnamoorthi
- 1955 · Kanavane Kan Kanda Deivam as
- 1954 · En Magal as Balu
- 1953 · Naam as
- 1952 · The Jungle as Mahaji
- 1952 · Andhaman Kaidhi as
- 1951 · Marmayogi as
- 1949 · Velaikari as Moorthi / Yogi Hariharadas
- 1948 · Mohini as
- 1948 · Abhimanyu as Lakkanan
- 1947 · Rajakumari as