M. N. Nambiar
Acting • Born 1919-03-05 – Died 2008-11-19
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.
Filmography
199 credits
Jagathalaprathapan
Movie • 1990
John Frederick
Ninaithadhai Mudippavan
Movie • 1975
Mohan
Idhaya Veenai
Movie • 1972
Savale Samali
Movie • 1971
Rajavelu
Thanippiravi
Movie • 1966
Sub-inspector Soundharam
Ram Lakshman
Movie • 1981
Gentleman
Movie • 1993
Ramesh's Father
Kanne Pappa
Movie • 1969
Inspector James
The Jungle
Movie • 1952
Mahaji
Kattumarakaran
Movie • 1995
Vaidehi's grandfather
Enga Ooru Kaavakkaaran
Movie • 1988
Puthiya Theerpu
Movie • 1985
Aavesham
Movie • 1979
Shekaran
Adi Parasakthi
Movie • 1971
Deiva Thirumanangal
Movie • 1981
Urimai Kural
Movie • 1974
Doreswamy
Needhiyin Nizhal
Movie • 1985
Punniya Boomi
Movie • 1978
Rajapart Rangadurai
Movie • 1973
Somasundaram
Enga Oor Raja
Movie • 1968
Annai Illam
Movie • 1963
Uthama Puthiran
Movie • 1958
Naganathan
Thangamalai Ragasiyam
Movie • 1957
Ambikapathy
Movie • 1957
Ottakoothar
Makkalai Petra Magarasi
Movie • 1957
Kannan
Vanangaamudi
Movie • 1957
Thirisoolam
Movie • 1979
Vetrikku Oruvan
Movie • 1979
Jallikkattu
Movie • 1987
Krishnan Vandhaan
Movie • 1987
Pasamalar
Movie • 1961
Rathnam
Kanavane Kan Kanda Deivam
Movie • 1955
Karpukarasi
Movie • 1957
Illarame Nallaram
Movie • 1958
Then Nilavu
Movie • 1961
Raj
Ellorum Innattu Mannar
Movie • 1960
Kalyana Parisu
Movie • 1959
Bhooloka Rambai
Movie • 1958
Naan Mahaan Alla
Movie • 1984
GMK
Enga Ooru Sippai
Movie • 1991
Pasamulla Pandiyare
Movie • 1997
Nesamani
Aayirathil Oruvan
Movie • 1965
Pirate Captain
En Annan
Movie • 1970
Nayagam
Sathyam
Movie • 1976
En Kelvikku Enna Bathil
Movie • 1978
Neeya?
Movie • 1979
Appu Kuttan
Garjanai
Movie • 1981
Parvaiyin Marupakkam
Movie • 1982
Thai Mookambhikai
Movie • 1982
Thai Veedu
Movie • 1983
Saatchi
Movie • 1983
Vetri
Movie • 1984
Naan Sigappu Manithan
Movie • 1985
Senior Police Officer
Nambinar Keduvadhillai
Movie • 1986
Dharma Devathai
Movie • 1986
Velundu Vinaiyillai
Movie • 1987
Uzhavan Magan
Movie • 1987
Poonthotta Kavalkaran
Movie • 1988
Thambi Thanga Kambi
Movie • 1988
Nallavan
Movie • 1988
Paattukku Oru Thalaivan
Movie • 1989
Paandi Naattu Thangam
Movie • 1989
Thangapandian's father
Periya Veettu Panakkaran
Movie • 1990
Nadodi Paattukkaran
Movie • 1992
Yejaman
Movie • 1993
Vaanavarayan's grandfather
Sethupathi I.P.S
Movie • 1994
Karuppu Nila
Movie • 1995
Nandhini's father
Thotta Chinungi
Movie • 1995
Poo Parikka Varugirom
Movie • 1999
Narayanan
Rojavanam
Movie • 1999
Endrendrum Kadhal
Movie • 1999
Sethupathi, Vijay's father
Moovendhar
Movie • 1998
Raja Rishi
Movie • 1985
Sage Vashishta
Ratha Paasam
Movie • 1980
Lorry Driver Rajakannu
Movie • 1981
Nermai
Movie • 1985
Seetharam
Sarithira Nayagan
Movie • 1984
Vaazhkai
Movie • 1984
Iru Medhaigal
Movie • 1984
Vamsa Vilakku
Movie • 1984
Ezhuthata Sattaangal
Movie • 1984
Farooq
Simma Soppanam
Movie • 1984
Tharaasu
Movie • 1984
Miruthanga Chakravarthi
Movie • 1983
Sandhippu
Movie • 1983
Vedagiri
Oorukku Oru Pillai
Movie • 1982
Sangili
Movie • 1982
Deiva Magan
Movie • 1969
Ananth
Sivandha Mann
Movie • 1969
Diwan, the main antagonist
Kaaval Dheivam
Movie • 1969
Meenava Nanban
Movie • 1977
Arun
Sirithu Vazha Vendum
Movie • 1974
Ulagam Sutrum Valiban
Movie • 1973
Raman Thediya Seethai
Movie • 1972
Pudhiya Boomi
Movie • 1968
Kudiyirundha Koyil
Movie • 1968
Ragasiya Police 115
Movie • 1968
Arasa Kattalai
Movie • 1967
Kaavalkaaran
Movie • 1967
Marudachalam
Mugaraasi
Movie • 1966
Thaali Bhagyam
Movie • 1966
Namchivayam
Nadodi
Movie • 1966
Naan Aanaiyittal
Movie • 1966
En Kadamai
Movie • 1964
Enga Veettu Pillai
Movie • 1965
Gajendran
Aasai Mugam
Movie • 1965
Vettaikaaran
Movie • 1964
Thaayin Madiyil
Movie • 1964
Padagotti
Movie • 1964
Kalai Arasi
Movie • 1963
Kudumba Thalaivan
Movie • 1962
Thirudadhe
Movie • 1961
Arasilangumari
Movie • 1960
Nadodi Mannan
Movie • 1958
Rajarajan
Movie • 1957
Naam
Movie • 1953
Andhaman Kaidhi
Movie • 1952
Marmayogi
Movie • 1951
Sarvadhikari
Movie • 1951
Mahavarman
Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi
Movie • 1950
Manthiri Kumari
Movie • 1950
Royal Priest
Mohini
Movie • 1948
Poove Unakkaga
Movie • 1996
Sadhasivam
Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala
Movie • 2001
Mumtaj's father
Errakota Veerudu
Movie • 1973
Mella Thirandhadhu Kadhavu
Movie • 1986
Hindi Teacher and Noorjahan's Father
Winner
Movie • 2003
Velayutham
Rani Samyuktha
Movie • 1962
Mohammad Ghori
Kaaval Nilayam
Movie • 1991
Andhavar
Enga Ooru Pattukaran
Movie • 1987
Kallampattiyan
Villu Pattukaran
Movie • 1992
Thaai Naadu
Movie • 1989
Saleem Bhai
Paasamalargal
Movie • 1994
Kadhal Sadugudu
Movie • 2003
Kausalya`s Grandfather
Vinnukkum Mannukkum
Movie • 2001
Cameo
Thanga Manasukkaran
Movie • 1992
Sadha Swamy
Poonthottam
Movie • 1998
Raasaiyya
Movie • 1995
Navarathinam
Movie • 1977
Dharmaseelan
Thooral Ninnu Pochu
Movie • 1982
Vathiyaar
Anbe Anbe
Movie • 2003
Indru Pol Endrum Vaazhga
Movie • 1977
Guruviah
Pulan Visaranai
Movie • 1990
Dheiva Thaai
Movie • 1964
Madhan
Sakthi
Movie • 1980
Vikraman
Adimai Changili
Movie • 1997
Periya Marudhu
Movie • 1994
Kaaviya Thalaivan
Movie • 1992
Damodaran
Maanagara Kaaval
Movie • 1991
IG Jayaprakash
Sakkarai Devan
Movie • 1993
Ezhai Jaathi
Movie • 1993
Guru
Movie • 1980
Head of anti-social group
Vallal
Movie • 1997
Dharmarasu
Sharjah to Sharjah
Movie • 2001
Valiya Kappithan
Kolilakkam
Movie • 1981
Avasara Police 100
Movie • 1990
Bhaaga Pirivinai
Movie • 1959
Thangapadumai
Movie • 1959
Neengalum Herothan
Movie • 1990
M. N. Nambiar
Sudesi
Movie • 2006
Harichandra
Movie • 1968
Rajaraja Cholan
Movie • 1973
Bala Thevar
Thanga Pappa
Movie • 1993
Adaikkalam
Kuttrapathirikai
Movie • 2007
Manaivi Oru Mandhiri
Movie • 1988
Varushamellam Vasantham
Movie • 2002
Nenjam Marappathillai
Movie • 1963
Zamindar
Amara Deepam
Movie • 1956
Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan
Movie • 1978
The Prince Raja Rajan
Nil Gavani Kadhali
Movie • 1969
Gang Leader
Baba
Movie • 2002
Baba's Maternal Uncle
Dowry Kalyanam
Movie • 1983
Rowther
Thigambara Samiar
Movie • 1950
Chokkalingam Pillai
Meenatchi Thiruvilaiyadal
Movie • 1989
Thirumalai Naicker
Thadavara
Movie • 1981
Madhavan
Netru Indru Naalai
Movie • 1974
Rathnam (the false)
Kumbakarai Thangaiah
Movie • 1991
Rajakumari
Movie • 1947
Thozhilali
Movie • 1964
Velu
Captain Prabhakaran
Movie • 1991
Special Task Force Officer
Saranam Ayyappa
Movie • 1980
Annaiyin Aanai
Movie • 1958
Lakshmi Kalyanam
Movie • 1968
Pelli Naati Pramanalu
Movie • 1959
Puthiya Theerppu
Movie • 1985
Anjal Petti 520
Movie • 1969
Nagarajan
Eetti
Movie • 1985
Thillana Mohanambal
Movie • 1968
Maharaja of Madhanpur
Naalai Namadhe
Movie • 1975
Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga
Movie • 1977
Chitor Rani Padmini
Movie • 1963
Malik Kafur
Naan Petra Selvam
Movie • 1956
Sundar
Rambayin Kadhal
Movie • 1956
Narada
Chandhrodhayam
Movie • 1966
Paranthaman
Velaikari
Movie • 1949
Moorthi / Yogi Hariharadas
Nallavan Vazhvan
Movie • 1961
Inspector Madhavan
Sarangadhara
Movie • 1958
Mahadevan
Devaki
Movie • 1951
Gopu
Doctor Savithri
Movie • 1955
Krishnamoorthi