M. N. Nambiar
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.
Known For
0
Filmography
Rajaraja Cholan
as Bala Thevar · 1973
Kannamma
as Gnanaprakasam · 1972
Mannavan Vanthaanadi
as Punyakodi · 1975
Thaai
as Kumar · 1974
Kalyana Rasi
· 1990
Parakkum Paavai
as Rangasamy · 1966
Kaveri
as Gnananandar · 1955
Harichandra
· 1968
Kumbakarai Thangaiah
· 1991
Enga Oor Raja
as Rajankam · 1968
Ezhai Pangalan
· 1963
Kurathi Magan
as Jambilingam · 1972
Sakkarai Panthal
· 1988
Dhikku Theriyadha Kaattil
as Kali Muthu · 1972
Puthiya Theerpu
· 1985
Karimedu Karuvayan
· 1986
Aayiram Kannudayaal
· 1986
Pozhuthu Vidinchachu
· 1984
Thai Mozhi
as Church Father · 1992
Manasukkeththa Mappillai
· 1990
Thanga Mama
· 1985
Naan Yen Pirandhen
as Rajan · 1972
Raja Muthirai
· 1995
Baba
as Baba's Maternal Uncle · 2002
Thai Veedu
· 1983
Paavathin Sambalam
· 1978
Elan Kandru
· 1985
Pasamulla Pandiyare
as Nesamani · 1997
Neengalum Herothan
as M. N. Nambiar · 1990
Nyayam
· 1984
Thambi Durai
· 1997
Vettaikaaran
· 1964
Poove Unakkaga
as Sadhasivam · 1996
Rajakumari
· 1947
Gentleman
as Ramesh's Father · 1993
Naan Sigappu Manithan
as Senior Police Officer · 1985
Naalai Namadhe
· 1975
Sarvadhikari
as Mahavarman · 1951
Thigambara Samiar
as Chokkalingam Pillai · 1950
Ragasiya Police 115
as Inspector Kumar / Krishnan · 1968
Thanga Pappa
as Adaikkalam · 1993
Velaikari
as Moorthi / Yogi Hariharadas · 1949
Maanagara Kaaval
as IG Jayaprakash · 1991
Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala
as Mumtaj's father · 2001
Nadodi Mannan
· 1958
Raja Rishi
as Sage Vashishta · 1985
Pulan Visaranai
as DGP · 1990
Manthiri Kumari
as Royal Priest · 1950
Manaivi Oru Mandhiri
· 1988
Aayirathil Oruvan
as Pirate Captain · 1965
Uthama Puthiran
as Naganathan · 1958
En Kelvikku Enna Bathil
· 1978
Moovendhar
· 1998
Sarangadhara
as Mahadevan · 1958
Thaai Mookaambikai
· 1982
Pellinaati Pramanalu
· 1958
Nallavan
· 1988
Raasaiyya
· 1995
Naan Petra Selvam
as Sundar · 1956
Naan Mahaan Alla
as GMK · 1984
Mella Thirandhadhu Kadhavu
as Hindi Teacher and Noorjahan's Father · 1986
Jagathalaprathapan
as John Frederick · 1990
Tenali Raman
as Rajaguru · 1956
Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga
· 1977
Enga Ooru Pattukaran
as Kallampattiyan · 1987
Mohini
· 1948
Chitor Rani Padmini
as Malik Kafur · 1963
Needhiyin Nizhal
as Krishna Prasad · 1985
Naan Aanaiyittal
· 1966
Ninaikkatha Naalillai
· 2001
Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan
as The Prince Raja Rajan · 1978
Chandhrodhayam
as Paranthaman · 1966
Savale Samali
as Rajavelu · 1971
Abhimanyu
as Lakkanan · 1948
Sharjah to Sharjah
as Valiya Kappithan · 2001
Pudhiya Boomi
· 1968
Vetri
· 1984
Ambikapathy
as Ottakoothar · 1957
Devaki
as Gopu · 1951
Thangamalai Ragasiyam
· 1957
Sakkarai Devan
as Sarasu Grandfather · 1993
Nallavan Vazhvan
as Inspector Madhavan · 1961
Deiva Thirumanangal
· 1981
Thanga Manasukkaran
as Sadha Swamy · 1992
Annai Illam
· 1963
Periya Marudhu
· 1994
Kudumba Thalaivan
· 1962
Avasara Police 100
· 1990
Anbalippu
as Vasudevan · 1969
Thooral Ninnu Pochu
as Kusthi Vaathiyaar · 1982
Vamsa Vilakku
· 1984
Andhaman Kaidhi
· 1952
Aavesham
as Shekaran · 1979
Thaayin Madiyil
· 1964
Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi
· 1950
Vanangaamudi
· 1957
Rambayin Kadhal
as Narada · 1956
Rani Samyuktha
as Mohammad Ghori · 1962
Neeya?
as Appu Kuttan · 1979
Paandi Naattu Thangam
as Thangapandian's father · 1989
Rajarajan
· 1957
Urimai Kural
as Doreswamy · 1974
Enga Ooru Sippai
· 1991
Poonthottam
· 1998
Sathyam
· 1976
Aasai Mugam
· 1965
Pasamalar
as Rathnam · 1961
En Kadamai
· 1964
Anbe Anbe
· 2003
Bhaaga Pirivinai
as Mani · 1959
Sirithu Vazha Vendum
· 1974
Yejaman
as Vaanavarayan's grandfather · 1993
Nambinar Keduvadhillai
· 1986
Thirudadhe
· 1961
Eetti
· 1985
Dharma Devathai
· 1986
Kadhal Sadugudu
as Kausalya`s Grandfather · 2003
Winner
as Velayutham · 2003
Velundu Vinaiyillai
· 1987
Krishnan Vandhaan
· 1987
Ram Lakshman
as Chandrasekar · 1981
Paasamalargal
· 1994
Iravu Pookkal
· 1986
Doctor Savithri
as Krishnamoorthi · 1955
Tharaasu
· 1984
Naam
· 1953
Mugaraasi
· 1966
Sethupathi I.P.S
as Ramarathnam · 1994
Kudiyirundha Koyil
· 1968
Anna Nee En Deivam
· 1976
Kaavalkaaran
as Marudachalam · 1967
Idhaya Veenai
· 1972
Ninaithadhai Mudippavan
as Mohan · 1975
Rajapart Rangadurai
as Somasundaram · 1973
Varushamellam Vasantham
· 2002
Saranam Ayyappa
· 1980
Thaai Naadu
as Saleem Bhai · 1989
Enga Veettu Pillai
as Gajendran · 1965
Then Nilavu
as Raj · 1961
Kulama Gunama
as Nallakannu · 1971
Villu Pattukaran
· 1992
Endrendrum Kadhal
as Sethupathi, Vijay's father · 1999
Enga Ooru Kaavakkaaran
· 1988
Thillana Mohanambal
as Maharaja of Madhanpur · 1968
Captain Prabhakaran
as Special Task Force Officer · 1991
Nadodi
· 1966
Nermai
as Seetharam · 1985
Nenjam Marappathillai
as Zamindar · 1963
Ponnunjal
as Ponnan · 1973
Simma Soppanam
· 1984
Thozhilali
as Velu · 1964
Garjanai
· 1981
Nil Gavani Kadhali
as Gang Leader · 1969
Iru Medhaigal
· 1984
Uzhavan Magan
· 1987
The Jungle
as Mahaji · 1952
Padagotti
· 1964
Kalyana Parisu
· 1959
Dowry Kalyanam
as Rowther · 1983
Sakthi
as Vikraman · 1980
Rojavanam
· 1999
Arasilangumari
· 1960
Marmayogi
· 1951
Karuppu Nila
as Nandhini's father · 1995
Vinnukkum Mannukkum
as Cameo · 2001
Vetrikku Oruvan
· 1979
Kuttrapathirikai
· 2007
Thotta Chinungi
· 1995
Sandhippu
as Vedagiri · 1983
Jallikkattu
· 1987
Ulagam Sutrum Valiban
· 1973
Thirisoolam
· 1979
Kattumarakaran
as Vaidehi's grandfather · 1995
Adimai Changili
· 1997
Lorry Driver Rajakannu
· 1981
Kaaval Dheivam
· 1969
Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran
· 1988
Kolilakkam
· 1981
Indru Pol Endrum Vaazhga
as Guruviah · 1977
Lakshmi Kalyanam
· 1968
Sivandha Mann
as Diwan · 1969
Netru Indru Naalai
as Rathnam (the false) · 1974
Vallal
as Dharmarasu · 1997
Ezhai Jaathi
as Iyer · 1993
Deiva Magan
as Ananth · 1969
Kaaviya Thalaivan
as Damodaran · 1992
Poo Parikka Varugirom
as Narayanan · 1999
Meenava Nanban
as Arun · 1977
Periya Veettu Panakkaran
· 1990
Guru
as Head of anti-social group · 1980
Annaiyin Aanai
· 1958
Sangili
· 1982
Anjal Petti 520
as Nagarajan · 1969
Amara Deepam
· 1956
Thangapadumai
· 1959
Miruthanga Chakravarthi
· 1983
Nadodi Paattukkaran
· 1992
Vaazhkai
· 1984
Ratha Paasam
· 1980
Meenatchi Thiruvilaiyadal
as Thirumalai Naicker · 1989
Arasa Kattalai
· 1967
Sudesi
· 2006
Thambi Thanga Kambi
· 1988
Adi Parasakthi
· 1971
Thanippiravi
as Sub-inspector Soundharam · 1966
Kaaval Nilayam
as Andhavar · 1991
Oorukku Oru Pillai
· 1982
Navarathinam
as Dharmaseelan · 1977
Sarithira Nayagan
· 1984
Illarame Nallaram
· 1958
En Annan
as Nayagam · 1970
Kanavane Kan Kanda Deivam
· 1955
Bhooloka Rambai
· 1958
Paattukku Oru Thalaivan
· 1989
Kanne Pappa
as Inspector James · 1969
Kalai Arasi
· 1963
Raman Thediya Seethai
· 1972
Ezhuthatha Sattangal
as Farooq · 1984
Makkalai Petra Magarasi
as Kannan · 1957
Thadavara
as Madhavan · 1981
Punniya Boomi
· 1978
Saatchi
· 1983
Thaali Bhagyam
as Namchivayam · 1966
Karpukarasi
· 1957
Errakota Veerudu
· 1973
Ellorum Innattu Mannar
· 1960
Dheiva Thaai
as Madhan · 1964
Parvaiyin Marupakkam
· 1982