Shoes

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Gender

Male

Birthday

1919-03-05

Place of Birth

Kannur, Kerala, India

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

Pasamulla Pandiyare

Pasamulla Pandiyare

Pandi is raised with a lot of care by Nesamani. He treats Nesamani's daughter like his own sister, but when he finds out that someone is planning to kill her, he goes out of the way to save her.

See more
Paalam

Paalam

See more
Baba

Baba

Baba is an atheist who always questions the existence of a higher power. But when a turn of events bestows him with divine powers, he uses the opportunity to help other people.

See more
Neengalum Herothan

Neengalum Herothan

In a village where all the villagers who would be doing their day to daily activities would get excited when a film crew comes to shoot in their village.

See more
Sarvadhikari

Sarvadhikari

1951 Indian Tamil-language historical adventure film

See more
Parakkum Paavai

Parakkum Paavai

Jeeva decides to protect Kala Devi who joins a circus company after her father's death as she inherits enormous wealth and has a threat to her life.

See more
Rajaraja Cholan

Rajaraja Cholan

Rajaraja Cholan is a 1973 Tamil film about the life of the Chola king Rajaraja Chola.

See more
Harichandra

Harichandra

Harichandra (Tamil: ஹரிச்சந்திரா) is a 1968 Indian Tamil film, directed by K. S. Prakash Rao and produced by G. Varalakshmi. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, G. Varalakshmi, T. S. Balaiah and K. A. Thangavelu in lead roles. The film had musical score by K. V. Mahadevan

See more
Sakkarai Panthal

Sakkarai Panthal

A rich man, gets fed up of his gambling brother and his spoilt son, Vijay. Upon his death, his son and brother learn that the property will be inherited by Rakayi, a poor girl, if she marries Vijay.

See more
Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan

Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan

Set during the time of the Chola invasion, the film tells the story of a courageous Pandiyan king. The king filled the hearts of his people with courage, patriotism and faith to help fight the Cholas.

See more
Jagathalaprathapan

Jagathalaprathapan

See more
Kurathi Magan

Kurathi Magan

Malaikottai ostracises his wife and blames her for not being chaste. After she gets thrown out of the village, she takes her son and decides to give him a good education.

See more
Dhikku Theriyadha Kaattil

Dhikku Theriyadha Kaattil

A child becomes lost in a forest where different types of people enter, with each group having its own unique purpose for being there.

See more
Ninaikkatha Naalillai

Ninaikkatha Naalillai

Anbu and Arun are best friends. They fall in love with Kausalya and Kavita, but have never seen each other and communicate only through letters. A freak accident changes all their lives forever.

See more
Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala

Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala

Roja, a part-time singer, works at a finance company where her colleague, Murali, is madly in love with her. However, Roja rejects his proposal as she is the sole breadwinner of her large family.

See more