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M. N. Nambiar

M. N. Nambiar

Known for ActingBorn 1919-03-05Died 2008-11-19Kannur, 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.Read more

Movies & web series

Paandi Naattu Thangam
10.0
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Paandi Naattu Thangam

1989 · Movie

Thambi Thanga Kambi10.0
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Thambi Thanga Kambi

1988 · Movie

Enga Ooru Pattukaran10.0
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Enga Ooru Pattukaran

1987 · Movie

Netru Indru Naalai10.0
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Netru Indru Naalai

1974 · Movie

Raman Thediya Seethai
10.0
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Raman Thediya Seethai

1972 · Movie

Kaaval Dheivam10.0
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Kaaval Dheivam

1969 · Movie

Thangapadumai
10.0
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Thangapadumai

1959 · Movie

Bhooloka Rambai10.0
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Bhooloka Rambai

1958 · Movie

Andhaman Kaidhi
10.0
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Andhaman Kaidhi

1952 · Movie

Sarvadhikari
10.0
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Sarvadhikari

1951 · Movie

Manthiri Kumari10.0
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Manthiri Kumari

1950 · Movie

Sakkarai Devan9.0
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Sakkarai Devan

1993 · Movie

Thanga Manasukkaran9.0
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Thanga Manasukkaran

1992 · Movie

Kaaviya Thalaivan
9.0
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Kaaviya Thalaivan

1992 · Movie

Krishnan Vandhaan9.0
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Krishnan Vandhaan

1987 · Movie

Raja Rishi9.0
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Raja Rishi

1985 · Movie

Sarithira Nayagan
9.0
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Sarithira Nayagan

1984 · Movie

Thooral Ninnu Pochu
9.0
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Thooral Ninnu Pochu

1982 · Movie

Deiva Thirumanangal9.0
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Deiva Thirumanangal

1981 · Movie

Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan9.0
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Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan

1978 · Movie

Chitor Rani Padmini
9.0
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Chitor Rani Padmini

1963 · Movie

Karpukarasi
9.0
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Karpukarasi

1957 · Movie

Amara Deepam9.0
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Amara Deepam

1956 · Movie

Kanavane Kan Kanda Deivam
9.0
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Kanavane Kan Kanda Deivam

1955 · Movie

Rajaraja Cholan8.5
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Rajaraja Cholan

1973 · Movie

Sethupathi I.P.S8.2
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Sethupathi I.P.S

1994 · Movie

Poonthottam
8.0
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Poonthottam

1998 · Movie

Raasaiyya
8.0
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Raasaiyya

1995 · Movie

Avasara Police 1008.0
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Avasara Police 100

1990 · Movie

Paattukku Oru Thalaivan8.0
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Paattukku Oru Thalaivan

1989 · Movie

Vetri8.0
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Vetri

1984 · Movie

Thaai Mookaambikai
8.0
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Thaai Mookaambikai

1982 · Movie

Kolilakkam
8.0
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Kolilakkam

1981 · Movie

Thadavara
8.0
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Thadavara

1981 · Movie

Sakthi8.0
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Sakthi

1980 · Movie

Vetrikku Oruvan
8.0
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Vetrikku Oruvan

1979 · Movie

Navarathinam
8.0
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Navarathinam

1977 · Movie

Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga8.0
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Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga

1977 · Movie

Harichandra8.0
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Harichandra

1968 · Movie

Nadodi
8.0
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Nadodi

1966 · Movie

Bhaaga Pirivinai
8.0
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Bhaaga Pirivinai

1959 · Movie

Illarame Nallaram
8.0
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Illarame Nallaram

1958 · Movie

Annaiyin Aanai8.0
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Annaiyin Aanai

1958 · Movie

Ambikapathy
8.0
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Ambikapathy

1957 · Movie

Tenali Raman8.0
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Tenali Raman

1956 · Movie

Velaikari8.0
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Velaikari

1949 · Movie

Rajakumari8.0
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Rajakumari

1947 · Movie

Jallikkattu7.5
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Jallikkattu

1987 · Movie