M. N. Nambiar
Acting
Born March 5, 1919 · Kannur, Kerala, India
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.
Films (199)
Kuttrapathirikai
2007
Sudesi
2006
Winner
2003
Anbe Anbe
2003
Kadhal Sadugudu
2003
Baba
2002
Varushamellam Vasantham
2002
Sharjah to Sharjah
2001
Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala
2001
Vinnukkum Mannukkum
2001
Poo Parikka Varugirom
1999
Rojavanam
1999
Endrendrum Kadhal
1999
Poonthottam
1998
Moovendhar
1998
Adimai Changili
1997
Pasamulla Pandiyare
1997
Vallal
1997
Poove Unakkaga
1996
Thotta Chinungi
1995
Raasaiyya
1995
Kattumarakaran
1995
Karuppu Nila
1995
Periya Marudhu
1994
Sethupathi I.P.S
1994
Paasamalargal
1994
Gentleman
1993
Sakkarai Devan
1993
Thanga Pappa
1993
Yejaman
1993
Ezhai Jaathi
1993
Villu Pattukaran
1992
Kaaviya Thalaivan
1992
Nadodi Paattukkaran
1992
Thanga Manasukkaran
1992
Maanagara Kaaval
1991
Kaaval Nilayam
1991
Enga Ooru Sippai
1991
Captain Prabhakaran
1991
Kumbakarai Thangaiah
1991
Avasara Police 100
1990
Periya Veettu Panakkaran
1990
Neengalum Herothan
1990
Jagathalaprathapan
1990
Pulan Visaranai
1990
Meenatchi Thiruvilaiyadal
1989
Paandi Naattu Thangam
1989
Paattukku Oru Thalaivan
1989
Thaai Naadu
1989
Manaivi Oru Mandhiri
1988
Enga Ooru Kaavakkaaran
1988
Nallavan
1988
Thambi Thanga Kambi
1988
Poonthotta Kavalkaran
1988
Uzhavan Magan
1987
Jallikkattu
1987
Krishnan Vandhaan
1987
Enga Ooru Pattukaran
1987
Velundu Vinaiyillai
1987
Dharma Devathai
1986
Mella Thirandhadhu Kadhavu
1986
Nambinar Keduvadhillai
1986
Puthiya Theerpu
1985
Puthiya Theerppu
1985
Raja Rishi
1985
Eetti
1985
Nermai
1985
Needhiyin Nizhal
1985
Naan Sigappu Manithan
1985
Vamsa Vilakku
1984
Iru Medhaigal
1984
Ezhuthata Sattaangal
1984
Simma Soppanam
1984
Sarithira Nayagan
1984
Vaazhkai
1984
Tharaasu
1984
Vetri
1984
Naan Mahaan Alla
1984
Miruthanga Chakravarthi
1983
Saatchi
1983
Sandhippu
1983
Dowry Kalyanam
1983
Thai Veedu
1983
Thai Mookambhikai
1982
Sangili
1982
Thooral Ninnu Pochu
1982
Parvaiyin Marupakkam
1982
Oorukku Oru Pillai
1982
Thadavara
1981
Garjanai
1981
Lorry Driver Rajakannu
1981
Ram Lakshman
1981
Kolilakkam
1981
Deiva Thirumanangal
1981
Saranam Ayyappa
1980
Sakthi
1980
Guru
1980
Ratha Paasam
1980
Vetrikku Oruvan
1979
Aavesham
1979
Thirisoolam
1979
Neeya?
1979
En Kelvikku Enna Bathil
1978
Punniya Boomi
1978
Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan
1978
Meenava Nanban
1977
Indru Pol Endrum Vaazhga
1977
Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga
1977
Navarathinam
1977
Sathyam
1976
Naalai Namadhe
1975
Ninaithadhai Mudippavan
1975
Sirithu Vazha Vendum
1974
Urimai Kural
1974
Netru Indru Naalai
1974
Rajapart Rangadurai
1973
Errakota Veerudu
1973
Ulagam Sutrum Valiban
1973
Rajaraja Cholan
1973
Idhaya Veenai
1972
Raman Thediya Seethai
1972
Adi Parasakthi
1971
Savale Samali
1971
En Annan
1970
Sivandha Mann
1969
Deiva Magan
1969
Anjal Petti 520
1969
Kanne Pappa
1969
Kaaval Dheivam
1969
Nil Gavani Kadhali
1969
Lakshmi Kalyanam
1968
Harichandra
1968
Enga Oor Raja
1968
Thillana Mohanambal
1968
Pudhiya Boomi
1968
Kudiyirundha Koyil
1968
Ragasiya Police 115
1968
Kaavalkaaran
1967
Arasa Kattalai
1967
Thanippiravi
1966
Thaali Bhagyam
1966
Mugaraasi
1966
Chandhrodhayam
1966
Nadodi
1966
Naan Aanaiyittal
1966
Aasai Mugam
1965
Aayirathil Oruvan
1965
Enga Veettu Pillai
1965
Thaayin Madiyil
1964
Padagotti
1964
Thozhilali
1964
Dheiva Thaai
1964
En Kadamai
1964
Vettaikaaran
1964
Annai Illam
1963
Nenjam Marappathillai
1963
Kalai Arasi
1963
Chitor Rani Padmini
1963
Kudumba Thalaivan
1962
Rani Samyuktha
1962
Then Nilavu
1961
Nallavan Vazhvan
1961
Pasamalar
1961
Thirudadhe
1961
Arasilangumari
1960
Ellorum Innattu Mannar
1960
Bhaaga Pirivinai
1959
Pelli Naati Pramanalu
1959
Kalyana Parisu
1959
Thangapadumai
1959
Nadodi Mannan
1958
Sarangadhara
1958
Illarame Nallaram
1958
Annaiyin Aanai
1958
Uthama Puthiran
1958
Bhooloka Rambai
1958
Ambikapathy
1957
Thangamalai Ragasiyam
1957
Karpukarasi
1957
Rajarajan
1957
Vanangaamudi
1957
Makkalai Petra Magarasi
1957
Rambayin Kadhal
1956
Amara Deepam
1956
Naan Petra Selvam
1956
Doctor Savithri
1955
Kanavane Kan Kanda Deivam
1955
Naam
1953
The Jungle
1952
Andhaman Kaidhi
1952
Sarvadhikari
1951
Devaki
1951
Marmayogi
1951
Thigambara Samiar
1950
Manthiri Kumari
1950
Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi
1950
Velaikari
1949
Mohini
1948
Rajakumari
1947