M. N. Nambiar

M. N. Nambiar

Acting
Born 1919-03-05 - Died 2008-11-19Kannur, Kerala, India

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.

Movies (223)

Ragasiya Police 115
7.0

Ragasiya Police 115

1968Movie7.0
Enga Oor Raja

Enga Oor Raja

1968Movie
Neeya?
7.0

Neeya?

1979Movie7.0
Baba
6.3

Baba

2002Movie6.3
Urimai Kural
6.7

Urimai Kural

1974Movie6.7
Thangamalai Ragasiyam
7.0

Thangamalai Ragasiyam

1957Movie7.0
Manthiri Kumari
10.0

Manthiri Kumari

1950Movie10.0
Thigambara Samiar

Thigambara Samiar

1950Movie
Sarvadhikari
10.0

Sarvadhikari

1951Movie10.0
Naan Sigappu Manithan
6.4

Naan Sigappu Manithan

1985Movie6.4
Thai Mozhi

Thai Mozhi

1992Movie
Puthiya Theerpu
5.2

Puthiya Theerpu

1985Movie5.2
Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan
9.0

Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan

1978Movie9.0
Mella Thirandhadhu Kadhavu
6.4

Mella Thirandhadhu Kadhavu

1986Movie6.4
Vanangaamudi
7.0

Vanangaamudi

1957Movie7.0
Paandi Naattu Thangam
10.0

Paandi Naattu Thangam

1989Movie10.0
Needhiyin Nizhal

Needhiyin Nizhal

1985Movie
Kumbakarai Thangaiah
7.0

Kumbakarai Thangaiah

1991Movie7.0
Annai Illam
5.0

Annai Illam

1963Movie5.0
Aasai Mugam

Aasai Mugam

1965Movie
Naan Aanaiyittal
6.8

Naan Aanaiyittal

1966Movie6.8
Vamsa Vilakku

Vamsa Vilakku

1984Movie
Nadodi
8.0

Nadodi

1966Movie8.0
Nadodi Mannan
6.3

Nadodi Mannan

1958Movie6.3
Avasara Police 100
8.0

Avasara Police 100

1990Movie8.0
Karimedu Karuvayan
6.5

Karimedu Karuvayan

1986Movie6.5
Ulagam Sutrum Valiban
4.8

Ulagam Sutrum Valiban

1973Movie4.8
Ambikapathy
8.0

Ambikapathy

1957Movie8.0
Uthama Puthiran
7.3

Uthama Puthiran

1958Movie7.3
Endrendrum Kadhal
6.5

Endrendrum Kadhal

1999Movie6.5
Parakkum Paavai
5.3

Parakkum Paavai

1966Movie5.3
Thirudadhe
2.0

Thirudadhe

1961Movie2.0
Sakkarai Panthal
8.0

Sakkarai Panthal

1988Movie8.0
Mugaraasi

Mugaraasi

1966Movie
Kudumba Thalaivan

Kudumba Thalaivan

1962Movie
Andhaman Kaidhi
10.0

Andhaman Kaidhi

1952Movie10.0
En Kadamai
6.0

En Kadamai

1964Movie6.0
Vettaikaaran
5.0

Vettaikaaran

1964Movie5.0
Eetti

Eetti

1985Movie
Bhaaga Pirivinai
8.0

Bhaaga Pirivinai

1959Movie8.0
Rajakumari
8.0

Rajakumari

1947Movie8.0
Manaivi Oru Mandhiri

Manaivi Oru Mandhiri

1988Movie
Deiva Thirumanangal
9.0

Deiva Thirumanangal

1981Movie9.0
Raja Rishi
9.0

Raja Rishi

1985Movie9.0
Thaayin Madiyil
5.2

Thaayin Madiyil

1964Movie5.2
Enga Ooru Pattukaran
10.0

Enga Ooru Pattukaran

1987Movie10.0
Poove Unakkaga
7.6

Poove Unakkaga

1996Movie7.6
Nallavan

Nallavan

1988Movie
Raja Muthirai

Raja Muthirai

1995Movie
Aayiram Kannudayaal

Aayiram Kannudayaal

1986Movie
Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala

Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala

2001Movie
Thanga Pappa

Thanga Pappa

1993Movie
Savale Samali
5.5

Savale Samali

1971Movie5.5
Mohini

Mohini

1948Movie
Raasaiyya
8.0

Raasaiyya

1995Movie8.0
Kaavalkaaran
7.0

Kaavalkaaran

1967Movie7.0
Kurathi Magan
7.0

Kurathi Magan

1972Movie7.0
Rajarajan
4.0

Rajarajan

1957Movie4.0
Naan Mahaan Alla
5.5

Naan Mahaan Alla

1984Movie5.5
Thanga Manasukkaran
9.0

Thanga Manasukkaran

1992Movie9.0
Arasilangumari

Arasilangumari

1960Movie
Naam

Naam

1953Movie
Elan Kandru

Elan Kandru

1985Movie
Dharma Devathai

Dharma Devathai

1986Movie
Sakkarai Devan
9.0

Sakkarai Devan

1993Movie9.0
Dhikku Theriyadha Kaattil

Dhikku Theriyadha Kaattil

1972Movie
Pulan Visaranai
6.0

Pulan Visaranai

1990Movie6.0
Nambinar Keduvadhillai

Nambinar Keduvadhillai

1986Movie
Vetri
8.0

Vetri

1984Movie8.0
Pozhuthu Vidinchachu

Pozhuthu Vidinchachu

1984Movie
Moovendhar
5.8

Moovendhar

1998Movie5.8
Maanagara Kaaval

Maanagara Kaaval

1991Movie
Thangapadumai
10.0

Thangapadumai

1959Movie10.0
Krishnan Vandhaan
9.0

Krishnan Vandhaan

1987Movie9.0
Varushamellam Vasantham

Varushamellam Vasantham

2002Movie
Periya Marudhu
3.0

Periya Marudhu

1994Movie3.0
Marmayogi
7.0

Marmayogi

1951Movie7.0
Thanga Mama

Thanga Mama

1985Movie
Naalai Namadhe

Naalai Namadhe

1975Movie
Pasamulla Pandiyare

Pasamulla Pandiyare

1997Movie
Ezhai Jaathi
5.0

Ezhai Jaathi

1993Movie5.0
Paavathin Sambalam
6.0

Paavathin Sambalam

1978Movie6.0
Thanippiravi
3.5

Thanippiravi

1966Movie3.5
Manasukkeththa Mappillai

Manasukkeththa Mappillai

1990Movie
Thooral Ninnu Pochu
9.0

Thooral Ninnu Pochu

1982Movie9.0
Aayirathil Oruvan
5.3

Aayirathil Oruvan

1965Movie5.3
Raman Thediya Seethai
10.0

Raman Thediya Seethai

1972Movie10.0
Guru
6.2

Guru

1980Movie6.2
Velundu Vinaiyillai
5.0

Velundu Vinaiyillai

1987Movie5.0
Tharaasu

Tharaasu

1984Movie
Thaai Mookaambikai
8.0

Thaai Mookaambikai

1982Movie8.0
Gentleman
7.3

Gentleman

1993Movie7.3
Pasamalar
6.7

Pasamalar

1961Movie6.7
Pudhiya Boomi
5.0

Pudhiya Boomi

1968Movie5.0
Pellinaati Pramanalu
7.0

Pellinaati Pramanalu

1958Movie7.0
Thambi Durai
6.0

Thambi Durai

1997Movie6.0
Neengalum Herothan

Neengalum Herothan

1990Movie
Devaki

Devaki

1951Movie
Yejaman
7.2

Yejaman

1993Movie7.2
Kalyana Parisu
5.7

Kalyana Parisu

1959Movie5.7
Nil Gavani Kadhali

Nil Gavani Kadhali

1969Movie
Naan Petra Selvam

Naan Petra Selvam

1956Movie
Jagathalaprathapan
5.0

Jagathalaprathapan

1990Movie5.0
Vetrikku Oruvan
8.0

Vetrikku Oruvan

1979Movie8.0
Sakthi
8.0

Sakthi

1980Movie8.0
Kannamma

Kannamma

1972Movie
Kadhal Sadugudu
5.9

Kadhal Sadugudu

2003Movie5.9
Naan Yen Pirandhen

Naan Yen Pirandhen

1972Movie
Velaikari
8.0

Velaikari

1949Movie8.0
Ratha Paasam

Ratha Paasam

1980Movie
Vinnukkum Mannukkum
2.6

Vinnukkum Mannukkum

2001Movie2.6
Ninaikkatha Naalillai

Ninaikkatha Naalillai

2001Movie
Thai Veedu
4.0

Thai Veedu

1983Movie4.0
Nallavan Vazhvan
7.0

Nallavan Vazhvan

1961Movie7.0
Karuppu Nila

Karuppu Nila

1995Movie
Paasamalargal

Paasamalargal

1994Movie
Anbalippu

Anbalippu

1969Movie
Rani Samyuktha

Rani Samyuktha

1962Movie
Sarangadhara

Sarangadhara

1958Movie
En Kelvikku Enna Bathil
5.0

En Kelvikku Enna Bathil

1978Movie5.0
Chitor Rani Padmini
9.0

Chitor Rani Padmini

1963Movie9.0
Oorukku Oru Pillai

Oorukku Oru Pillai

1982Movie
Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi

Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi

1950Movie
Chandhrodhayam

Chandhrodhayam

1966Movie
Ezhai Pangalan

Ezhai Pangalan

1963Movie
Thotta Chinungi

Thotta Chinungi

1995Movie
Anjal Petti 520
6.0

Anjal Petti 520

1969Movie6.0
Poo Parikka Varugirom

Poo Parikka Varugirom

1999Movie
Enga Veettu Pillai
7.2

Enga Veettu Pillai

1965Movie7.2
Navarathinam
8.0

Navarathinam

1977Movie8.0
Thillana Mohanambal
7.3

Thillana Mohanambal

1968Movie7.3
Tenali Raman
8.0

Tenali Raman

1956Movie8.0
Saranam Ayyappa

Saranam Ayyappa

1980Movie
Punniya Boomi

Punniya Boomi

1978Movie
Vallal

Vallal

1997Movie
Periya Veettu Panakkaran

Periya Veettu Panakkaran

1990Movie
Harichandra
8.0

Harichandra

1968Movie8.0
Ezhuthatha Sattangal

Ezhuthatha Sattangal

1984Movie
Winner
4.6

Winner

2003Movie4.6
Kaaviya Thalaivan
9.0

Kaaviya Thalaivan

1992Movie9.0
En Annan
6.8

En Annan

1970Movie6.8
Doctor Savithri

Doctor Savithri

1955Movie
Puthiya Theerpu

Puthiya Theerpu

1985Movie
Garjanai
6.5

Garjanai

1981Movie6.5
Rajaraja Cholan
8.5

Rajaraja Cholan

1973Movie8.5
Ram Lakshman
7.5

Ram Lakshman

1981Movie7.5
Sirithu Vazha Vendum
6.0

Sirithu Vazha Vendum

1974Movie6.0
Abhimanyu

Abhimanyu

1948Movie
Enga Ooru Sippai

Enga Ooru Sippai

1991Movie
Kaaval Dheivam
10.0

Kaaval Dheivam

1969Movie10.0
The Jungle
4.5

The Jungle

1952Movie4.5
Simma Soppanam

Simma Soppanam

1984Movie
Nyayam

Nyayam

1984Movie
Deiva Magan
7.0

Deiva Magan

1969Movie7.0
Iravu Pookkal

Iravu Pookkal

1986Movie
Thirisoolam
7.0

Thirisoolam

1979Movie7.0
Then Nilavu
6.5

Then Nilavu

1961Movie6.5
Aavesham

Aavesham

1979Movie
Indru Pol Endrum Vaazhga
6.5

Indru Pol Endrum Vaazhga

1977Movie6.5
Amara Deepam
9.0

Amara Deepam

1956Movie9.0
Jallikkattu
7.5

Jallikkattu

1987Movie7.5
Uzhavan Magan
4.0

Uzhavan Magan

1987Movie4.0
Villu Pattukaran
6.0

Villu Pattukaran

1992Movie6.0
Sethupathi I.P.S
8.2

Sethupathi I.P.S

1994Movie8.2
Rambayin Kadhal

Rambayin Kadhal

1956Movie
Poonthottam
8.0

Poonthottam

1998Movie8.0
Thozhilali

Thozhilali

1964Movie
Ninaithadhai Mudippavan
7.0

Ninaithadhai Mudippavan

1975Movie7.0
Sangili
7.0

Sangili

1982Movie7.0
Anbe Anbe
6.5

Anbe Anbe

2003Movie6.5
Sivandha Mann
6.0

Sivandha Mann

1969Movie6.0
Thambi Thanga Kambi
10.0

Thambi Thanga Kambi

1988Movie10.0
Dowry Kalyanam

Dowry Kalyanam

1983Movie
Adimai Changili
5.0

Adimai Changili

1997Movie5.0
Idhaya Veenai
7.0

Idhaya Veenai

1972Movie7.0
Kuttrapathirikai

Kuttrapathirikai

2007Movie
Meenatchi Thiruvilaiyadal
5.0

Meenatchi Thiruvilaiyadal

1989Movie5.0
Adi Parasakthi
7.0

Adi Parasakthi

1971Movie7.0
Miruthanga Chakravarthi

Miruthanga Chakravarthi

1983Movie
Vaazhkai
6.5

Vaazhkai

1984Movie6.5
Sharjah to Sharjah
5.4

Sharjah to Sharjah

2001Movie5.4
Captain Prabhakaran
6.6

Captain Prabhakaran

1991Movie6.6
Kanne Pappa

Kanne Pappa

1969Movie
Kattumarakaran

Kattumarakaran

1995Movie
Sathyam

Sathyam

1976Movie
Enga Ooru Kaavakkaaran
7.0

Enga Ooru Kaavakkaaran

1988Movie7.0
Sandhippu
7.0

Sandhippu

1983Movie7.0
Lakshmi Kalyanam

Lakshmi Kalyanam

1968Movie
Meenava Nanban

Meenava Nanban

1977Movie
Anna Nee En Deivam

Anna Nee En Deivam

1976Movie
Lorry Driver Rajakannu

Lorry Driver Rajakannu

1981Movie
Annaiyin Aanai
8.0

Annaiyin Aanai

1958Movie8.0
Thaali Bhagyam

Thaali Bhagyam

1966Movie
Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga
8.0

Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga

1977Movie8.0
Thaai Naadu

Thaai Naadu

1989Movie
Rojavanam
4.0

Rojavanam

1999Movie4.0
Padagotti
7.5

Padagotti

1964Movie7.5
Arasa Kattalai
7.0

Arasa Kattalai

1967Movie7.0
Rajapart Rangadurai
6.5

Rajapart Rangadurai

1973Movie6.5
Thadavara
8.0

Thadavara

1981Movie8.0
Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran

Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran

1988Movie
Sudesi
5.0

Sudesi

2006Movie5.0
Kudiyirundha Koyil
6.5

Kudiyirundha Koyil

1968Movie6.5
Dheiva Thaai

Dheiva Thaai

1964Movie
Nadodi Paattukkaran

Nadodi Paattukkaran

1992Movie
Nermai

Nermai

1985Movie
Kaaval Nilayam
3.0

Kaaval Nilayam

1991Movie3.0
Makkalai Petra Magarasi
7.0

Makkalai Petra Magarasi

1957Movie7.0
Iru Medhaigal

Iru Medhaigal

1984Movie
Kolilakkam
8.0

Kolilakkam

1981Movie8.0
Parvaiyin Marupakkam
4.0

Parvaiyin Marupakkam

1982Movie4.0
Saatchi
3.0

Saatchi

1983Movie3.0
Nenjam Marappathillai
7.5

Nenjam Marappathillai

1963Movie7.5
Paattukku Oru Thalaivan
8.0

Paattukku Oru Thalaivan

1989Movie8.0
Errakota Veerudu
4.0

Errakota Veerudu

1973Movie4.0
Ellorum Innattu Mannar
7.0

Ellorum Innattu Mannar

1960Movie7.0
Bhooloka Rambai
10.0

Bhooloka Rambai

1958Movie10.0
Sarithira Nayagan
9.0

Sarithira Nayagan

1984Movie9.0
Kanavane Kan Kanda Deivam
9.0

Kanavane Kan Kanda Deivam

1955Movie9.0
Illarame Nallaram
8.0

Illarame Nallaram

1958Movie8.0
Netru Indru Naalai
10.0

Netru Indru Naalai

1974Movie10.0
Karpukarasi
9.0

Karpukarasi

1957Movie9.0
Kalai Arasi

Kalai Arasi

1963Movie