Mannjheri Narayanan Nambiar (7 March 1919 – 19 November 2008) was an Indian actor who predominantly worked in Tamil cinema, renowned for his portrayals of villainous characters. He also appeared in a few Malayalam, Telugu, Hindi and English films during his career.
Early life Manjeri Narayan Nambiar was born on 7 March 1919 in a Ambalavasi Nambiar family at Kandakkai near Mayyil in Cannanore (Kannur) in the North Malabar region of Kerala. He was the son of Kelu Nambiar and Kalyani Amma. His father died while Nambiar was still a child. He later moved to live and study in Ooty with his elder sister and brother-in-law. Film career
Nambiar made his cinematic debut in a comic role in Bhakta Ramadas (1935), at the age of 16.
In 1944, he performed the role of Rajaguru in the play Kaviyin Kanavu, written by S. D. Sundaram to such perfection that his reputation as villain came to be well established. Nambiar soon signed up with Jupiter Films as a studio artiste and played a comedian in the film Vidyapathi (1946). He married Rukmani the same year.
His next film was A. S. A. Sami's Rajakumari (1947), which featured his friend M. G. Ramachandran as hero. Nambiar then played the lead role along with S. V. Subbaiah in Kanjan (1947). Then followed Abhimanyu (1948), Mohini (1948) and Velaikari (1949).
Soon, Nambiar developed a reputation as a dependable actor and major banners like Jupiter and progressive theatre companies enlisted his services. He is also known to have played multiple roles in one film, as the central character in Digambara Samiyar (1950). He played the much acclaim in many a mythological or period drama which was the norm of storytelling in the 50s and early 60s.
Though he acted mostly in Tamil films, he had starred in Hindi, Malayalam and Telugu movies. A lone English film, The Jungle (1952), and a handful of Malayalam films including Thadavara (1981) and Kolilakkam (1981) also formed part of the actor’s filmography. Nambiar also worked on the small screen in serials like Oviyam, Velan and Alaigal.
Nambiar steadily rose and became the industry's “bad” man — his performance in Annaiyin Aanai (1958), Thennilavu (1961), Padagotti (1964), Enga Veettu Pillai (1965), Aayirathil Oruvan (1965), Ragasiya Police 115 (1968) and Raman Ethanai Ramanadi (1970) is unforgettable. During this time, he also essayed character roles in films such as Pasamalar (1961). Despite stiff competition from the likes of P. S. Veerappa, S. A. Ashokan, R. S. Manohar and a host of others, Nambiar managed to retain his place in the industry. His portrayal of an old man in C. V. Sridhar's Nenjam Marappathillai (1963) was classic. Manjeri Narayanan Nambiar slipped so effectively into the skin of the characters he played that fans of the heroes he opposed on screen continued to nurture their hatred for him long after they walked out the theatres.
But then, the 70’s was a period when Nambiar’s popularity began to wane. Once MGR made a complete transition to politics, Nambiar was bereft of his plum villainous roles. To top it off, onscreen baddies were turning suave and younger and Nambiar gradually found himself being sidelined.
After becoming popular in Tamil films, he started his own drama troupe Nambiar Nataka Mandram, which staged many plays.
As long as MGR and Sivaji played the hero, Nambiar was a favourite choice to play the villain. However, in his later years, he began taking up character roles that once again proved his acting talents. K. Bhagyaraj’s Thooral Ninnu Pochchu (1982) and S. Shankar’s Gentleman (1993) are among his best. His other projects include Thai Veedu (1983), Paalam (1990), Yajaman (1993), Poove Unakkaga (1996), Moovendhar (1998), Sharja To Sharja (2001), Baba (2002), Winner (2003), Arasatchi (2004), Anbe Aaruyire (2002) and Sudesi (2006).
Personal life Friends and associates of M.N.Nambiar described him as kind, witty, and disciplined. He was a vegetarian, teetotaler, and fitness enthusiast. He was also an ardent devotee of Sabarimala Sri Ayyappan. He has had a long association with Sabarimala Temple, where he made trips to for almost 60 years and brought many colleagues; 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.
Partial filmography Tamil films +YearFilmRoleNotes 1935 Bhaktha Ramadas 1946VidyapathiNarayana Bhagavathar1947RajakumaariBahuKanjanVelappan 1948 AbhimanyuLakkanan Mohini 1949 VelaikaariMoorthi and Yogi Hariharadas 1950 Manthiri KumariRajaguruThigambara SamiarChokkalingam PillaiLead role 1951 Marmayogi NallathambiDevaki GopuSarvadhikari Mahavarman1952Kanchana ManoharKalyani Moorthi 1953 Naam Petra ThaiShankar Devadas BhagavanAzhagi 1954 MangalyamGopi 1955 KaveriGnananandar MissiammaDavid Nalla ThangaiLead rolePennarasi Minister Vijayasimman Kanavane Kankanda Deivam VeerasenanDoctor SavithriKrishnamoorthi Guna SundariSecond son-in-law1956Naan Petra Selvam SundarTenali Raman Kannan Amara DeepamSukumar Rambaiyin KaadhalNarada1957Pathini DeivamMakkalai Petra MagarasiKannanMayabazarShakuniVanangamudi NarendranRajarajanUdhayachandhranKarpukkarasiJagaveeranThangamalai Ragasiyam King AdithanIru Sagodharigal VasudevanAmbikapathyOttakoothar 1958 Kanniyin Sabatham Bhooloka RambaiPuththi Sigamani Uthama PuthiranNaganathanAnnaiyin AanaiBaluIllarame NallaramGopuSarangadharaMahadevanNadodi MannanPingalan 1959 Thanga Padhumai Baladevar Kalyana ParisuRaghu's father Penn Kulathin Pon VilakkuBhaaga Pirivinai Mani 1960 Baghdad Thirudan Hyder / Chinna Sarkar Raja Bakthi General Ellarum Innattu MannarThirumeni Veerakkanal Raghu Devan 1961ArasilangkumariVetrivelan[Naaga NandhiniThirudathePonnambalam / DuraisingamPasamalar Bhaskar Nallavan Vazhvan Inspector Madhavan Then NilavuRaj-2 1962 Raani SamyukthaMuhammad Ghori Guest appearanceNichaya Thamboolam PattusamyMadappura KannanKavitha 1963 PanathottamChidambaram Chitor Rani PadminiMalik Kafur Kalai ArasiDheenan Nenjam Marappathillai Zamindar Needhikkuppin Paasam Muthaiya ParisuViswam Annai Illam Rathnam Ezhai Pangalan 1964 Vettaikkaran Mayavan En KadamaiShankar Thozhilali Velu Padagotti Neelamagam Thaayin Madiyil 1965 Enga Veetu PillaiGajendran Aayirathil OruvanPirate captain Kalangarai VilakkamNagarajan Kanni Thai Estate manager's son ThazhampooMohan Aasai MugamVaratha, alias Varathan1966 Naan AanaiyittalVelaiya Muharasi Duraisamy NadodiJambu Chandrodayam ParanthamanThali BhagyamNamchivayam ThanippiraviSub-inspector Sundaram Parakkum PavaiRangasamy Petralthan PillaiyaMani Mani MagudamRaja Guru / Veera Mahendran1967 Arasa Kattalai Amudha's guardian Raja Veetu Pillai AnandKaavalkaaranMaruthachalam Vivasayee Pannaiyar Velupandiyan 1968 Ragasiya Police 115Inspector Kumar and Krishnan Thirumal PerumaiChola King Cameo appearance Kudiyirundha KoyilBoopathy / Nagappan HarichandraVishvamitraPudhiya Bhoomi KangeyanThillana MohanambalMaharaja of MadhanpurEnga Oor RajaRajangam Lakshmi Kalyanam Suruttu Sundaram Pillai 1969 Anbalippu Vasudevan Subha Dinam Narayana Iyer Nil Gavani Kadhali Gang leader Kaaval Dheivam Ananth Kanne Pappa Inspector James GurudhatchanaiSingapur Singaram Anjal Petti 520Nagarajan Deiva MaganAnanth Sivandha MannDiwan1970En AnnanNayagamThalaivanSangili Raman Ethanai Ramanadi Minor Rajarathnam PaadhukaappuVinayagam1971 Thangaikkaaga Moorthy / Prakash Kulama GunamaNallakannu PrapthamRaju Savaale SamaliRajavel Aathi Parasakthi Ashtavadhana Kaala Kandathana Munivar Oru Thaai MakkalRathnam1972 Kurathi MaganJambilingam Naan Yen Pirandhen Rajan Dharmam EngeyMarthandan Kannamma Idhaya VeenaiAnnamalai Raman Thediya SeethaiBabu BhairavanAnnamitta Kai Selvaraj1973Rajaraja CholanBala Devar Ulagam Sutrum Valibanone of Bairavan's henchmen PonnunjalPonnan Pattikaattu PonnaiyaPannaiyar Paramasivam Rajapart RangaduraiSomasundaram1974 Thaai Kumar Netru Indru Naalai Rathnam (the false) Urimaikural DuraisamySirithu Vazha Vendum Cheater in gambling1975Ninaithadhai MudippavanMohanNaalai Namadhe RanjithMannavan VanthaanadiPunyakodiPallandu VazhgaBhairavan1976 Needhikku ThalaivananguSathiyamoorthy SatyamSokkanathan1977 Indru Pol Endrum VaazhgaGuruviah Meenava NanbanArun1978 Punniya BoomiNagalingam Varuvan VadivelanVelagiri Vayasu PonnuMudi Sooda MannanRajaguruEn Kelvikku Enna BathilSivaraman1979Neeya?Appu KuttanThirisoolamChakravarthiNadagame UlagamVetrikku Oruvanthirajulu1980Ratha PaasamArjun DasGuruHead of the anti-social group 1981 Ram Lakshman Chandrasekar Lorry Driver Rajakannu Jaganath GarjanaiMr. Mithra1982Oorukku Oru PillaiParvaiyin Marupakkam ViswanathThooral Ninnu PochuKusthi VaathiyaarSangiliTiger Dayanidhi / Lion, leader of a smuggling ringThaai MookaambikaiDurga's father 1983 Thai Veedu RajasingamSandhippuVedagiriDowry KalyanamRowtharSaatchiMiruthanga Chakravarthi Neelakandan Pillai1984Naan Mahaan Alla G.M.KVetri Commissioner ChandrasekharanPozhuthu Vidinchachu Tharaasu Vaazhkai RajalingamSimma Soppanam NagarajanEzhuthatha Sattangal FarooqNyayamIru MedhaigalRajalingam 1985 Naan Sigappu Manithan Commissioner AmarnathNeedhiyin Nizhal Krishna Prasad NermaiSeetharam Eetti Thanga Mama 3D Raja Rishi Sage Vashista Puthiya TheerpuNamachivayam1986Karimedu KaruvayanNambinar KeduvathillaiMella Thirandhathu KadhavuNoorjahan's fatherAayiram Kannudayaal 1987 Valayal Satham Vilangu International smuggler Velundu VinaiyillaiRaghunatha Bhoopathy Enga Ooru PattukaranKallampattiyanGuest appearanceAnjatha SingamMaxKrishnan Vandhaan RangarajanJallikattu DheenadalayanUzhavan MaganMarudhamalai Gounder 1988 Sakkarai Panthal Thambi Thanga Kambi Thyagu Manaivi Oru Mandhiri NallavanGuru and Raja's father Enga Ooru Kavakkaran Pandimuni Devar Thappu Kanakku 1989 Thaai NaaduSaleem Bhai Paattukku Oru ThalaivanVeluchami Paandi Nattu ThangamCaptain RaghuSpecial appearanceMeenakshi Thiruvilayadal 1990Pulan VisaranaiDGPPaattali MaganPaalamSP IzhavenilJagathalaprathapanJohn FrederickKalyana RasiMurali's fatherPeriya Veetu PannakkaranSathyam Sivam SundaramAvasara Police 100Prakash 1991Sami Potta MudichuKumbakarai ThangaiahEnga Ooru SippaiCaptain PrabhakaranPolice Commissioner S. RamanathanKaaval NilayamAndhavarMaanagara KaavalIG Jayaprakash 1992Thanga Manasukkaran Sadha SwamyChembaruthiRaja RathnamNadodi PattukkaranThevar AyyaAnnai VayalThai Mozhi Church FatherKaviya Thalaivan DamodaranVillu Pattukaran Nambiyappan 1993YejamanKathavarayanEzhai JaathiIyerThanga PappaAdaikalamSakkarai DevanSarasu's grandfatherGentlemanRamesh's fatherNallathe NadakkumVikraman 1994Sethupathi IPS RamarathnamPaasamalargalSwamy UncleThai MaamanArivudai Nambi, Chief Minister of Tamil NaduPeriya MarudhuBhai 1995Karuppu NilaNandhini's fatherKattumarakaranVaidehi's grandfatherRaasaiyyaSwamy 1996Poove UnakkagaSadhasivamAavathum Pennale Azhivathum PennaleDeena Dayalan 1997Kathirunda KadhalVallalDharmarasuGuest AppearancePasamulla PandiyareNesamaniNattupura NayaganKuppusamyThambi Durai 1998MoovendharNagappanPoonthottamSundari's grandfather1999Endrendrum KadhalSethupathiRojavanamPooparika Varugirom Narayanan2001Vinnukkum MannukkumCameo Appearance 2002Varushamellam VasanthamParamasivamBabaBaba's maternal uncle 2003 Anbe Anbe Mahendra Bhoopathy WinnerVelayutham 2004Arasatchi Iyer 2005Anbe AaruyireFather of Memories 2006SudesiSudesi's grandfather
Malayalam films Year FilmRole Notes1973JesusJudas 1978 Thacholi AmbuIttiri 1979PancharatnamMaamaankam Thanayanjeri Pandhya Perumal AveshamShekhar 1980 Chandra BimbamShakthiVikraman1981ThadavaraMadhavanKolilakkam 1982 ChilanthivalaShekhar 2001Sharja To Sharja Valiya Kappithan
Other language films
Year FilmRole LanguageNotes 1935 Bhaktha Ramadas Hindi 1951 Ek Tha Raja Hindi1952Kanchana TeluguMalayalamJungleMahaji English 1953Kanna TalliShankar Telugu1955Vijaya GowriTelugu1956 DevtaVeersen Hindi1973Errakota Veerudu Telugu1976Maa DaivamBhairavuduTelugu1985AatmabalamPuligolla VarahavataramTelugu1993Manikantana MahimeKannada1996Ramudochadu Bhusayya Telugu
Television Oviyam Velan Alaigal