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.
Movie | Kuttrapathirikai | 2007-03-23 | |
Movie | Sudesi | 2006-05-08 | |
Movie | Ah Aah: Anbe Aaruyire | 2005-08-15 | |
Movie | Kadhal Sadugudu | Kausalya`s Grandfather | 2003-04-13 |
Movie | Anbe Anbe | 2003-05-01 | |
Movie | Winner | Velayutham | 2003-09-27 |
Movie | Varushamellam Vasantham | 2002-05-03 | |
Movie | Baba | Baba's Maternal Uncle | 2002-08-15 |
Movie | Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala | Mumtaj's father | 2001-05-25 |
Movie | Vinnukkum Mannukkum | Cameo | 2001-03-30 |
Movie | Sharjah to Sharjah | Kappithan | 2001-12-25 |
Movie | Endrendrum Kadhal | Sethupathi, Vijay's father | 1999-03-05 |
Movie | Poo Parikka Varugirom | 1999-09-17 | |
Movie | Rojavanam | 1999-07-30 | |
Movie | Moovendhar | 1998-01-01 | |
Movie | Poonthottam | 1998-07-10 | |
Movie | Vallal | 1997-04-18 | |
Movie | Pasamulla Pandiyare | Nesamani | 1997-06-06 |
Movie | Adimai Changili | 1997-09-05 | |
Movie | Poove Unakkaga | Sadhasivam | 1996-02-15 |
Movie | Kattumarakaran | Vaidehi's grandfather | 1995-01-15 |
Movie | Karuppu Nila | Nandhini's father | 1995-01-06 |
Movie | Raasaiyya | 1995-08-24 | |
Movie | Thotta Chinungi | 1995-12-15 | |
Movie | Paasamalargal | 1994-02-05 | |
Movie | Sethupathi I.P.S | 1994-10-24 | |
Movie | Periya Marudhu | 1994-11-02 | |
Movie | Ezhai Jaathi | 1993-02-13 | |
Movie | Yejaman | Vaanavarayan's grandfather | 1993-02-18 |
Movie | Gentleman | Ramesh's Father | 1993-07-30 |
Movie | Thanga Pappa | Adaikkalam | 1993-06-13 |
Movie | Sakkarai Devan | 1993-07-10 | |
Movie | Thanga Manasukkaran | Sadha Swamy | 1992-03-19 |
Movie | Nadodi Paattukkaran | 1992-05-16 | |
Movie | Kaaviya Thalaivan | Damodaran | 1992-10-25 |
Movie | Villu Pattukaran | 1992-11-27 | |
Movie | Captain Prabhakaran | Special Task Force Officer | 1991-04-14 |
Movie | Maanagara Kaaval | IG Jayaprakash | 1991-06-28 |
Movie | Kaaval Nilayam | Andhavar | 1991-05-11 |
Movie | Pulan Visaranai | 1990-01-14 | |
Movie | Periya Veettu Panakkaran | 1990-06-11 | |
Movie | Avasara Police 100 | 1990-10-17 | |
Movie | Thaai Naadu | Saleem Bhai | 1989-02-16 |
Movie | Paattukku Oru Thalaivan | 1989-03-17 | |
Movie | Paandi Naattu Thangam | Thangapandian's father | 1989-06-19 |
Movie | Poonthotta Kavalkaran | 1988-06-10 | |
Movie | Thambi Thanga Kambi | 1988-07-15 | |
Movie | Manaivi Oru Mandhiri | 1988-09-02 | |
Movie | Nallavan | 1988-08-15 | |
Movie | Enga Ooru Kaavakkaaran | 1988-08-27 | |
Movie | Enga Ooru Pattukaran | Kallampattiyan | 1987-04-14 |
Movie | Krishnan Vandhaan | 1987-08-28 | |
Movie | Velundu Vinaiyillai | 1987-03-13 | |
Movie | Jallikkattu | 1987-08-28 | |
Movie | Uzhavan Magan | 1987-10-21 | |
Movie | Nambinar Keduvadhillai | 1986-05-23 | |
Movie | Mella Thirandhadhu Kadhavu | Hindi Teacher and Noorjahan's Father | 1986-09-12 |
Movie | Dharma Devathai | 1986-11-01 | |
Movie | Naan Sigappu Manithan | Senior Police Officer | 1985-04-12 |
Movie | Nermai | 1985-05-03 | |
Movie | Needhiyin Nizhal | 1985-04-12 | |
Movie | Padikkadavan | 1985-11-11 | |
Movie | Eetti | 1985-08-30 | |
Movie | Puthiya Theerppu | 1985-10-04 | |
Movie | Raja Rishi | Sage Vashishta | 1985-09-20 |
Movie | Vaazhkai | 1984-04-13 | |
Movie | Tharaasu | 1984-03-15 | |
Movie | Naan Mahaan Alla | GMK | 1984-01-14 |
Movie | Vetri | 1984-02-17 | |
Movie | Sarithira Nayagan | 1984-05-26 | |
Movie | Simma Soppanam | 1984-06-30 | |
Movie | Vamsa Vilakku | 1984-10-23 | |
Movie | Iru Medhaigal | 1984-09-14 | |
Movie | Ezhudhaadha Sattangal | 1984-08-15 | |
Movie | Thai Veedu | 1983-04-14 | |
Movie | Dowry Kalyanam | Rowther | 1983-05-31 |
Movie | Saatchi | 1983-09-16 | |
Movie | Sandhippu | 1983-06-16 | |
Movie | Miruthanga Chakravarthi | 1983-09-24 | |
Movie | Parvaiyin Marupakkam | 1982-02-19 | |
Movie | Oorukku Oru Pillai | 1982-02-04 | |
Movie | Sangili | 1982-04-13 | |
Movie | Thooral Ninnu Pochu | Vathiyaar | 1982-04-12 |
Movie | Thai Mookambhikai | 1982-06-26 | |
Movie | Kolilakkam | 1981-02-13 | |
Movie | Deiva Thirumanangal | 1981-01-01 | |
Movie | Ram Lakshman | 1981-02-28 | |
Movie | Lorry Driver Rajakannu | 1981-07-03 | |
Movie | Garjanai | 1981-08-06 | |
Movie | Thadavara | Madhavan | 1981-08-14 |
Movie | Ratha Paasam | 1980-06-14 | |
Movie | Sakthi | Vikraman | 1980-08-22 |
Movie | Guru | Head of anti-social group | 1980-07-18 |
Movie | Thirisoolam | 1979-01-23 | |
Movie | Neeya? | Appu Kuttan | 1979-01-13 |
Movie | Aavesham | Shekaran | 1979-11-19 |
Movie | Vetrikku Oruvan | 1979-12-08 | |
Movie | Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan | The Prince Raja Rajan | 1978-01-14 |
Movie | En Kelvikku Enna Bathil | 1978-12-09 | |
Movie | Punniya Boomi | 1978-05-15 | |
Movie | Indru Pol Endrum Vaazhga | Guruviah | 1977-05-05 |
Movie | Navarathinam | Dharmaseelan | 1977-03-05 |
Movie | Meenava Nanban | Arun | 1977-08-14 |
Movie | Sathyam | 1976-05-06 | |
Movie | Ninaithadhai Mudippavan | Mohan | 1975-05-09 |
Movie | Naalai Namadhe | 1975-07-04 | |
Movie | Urimai Kural | Doreswamy | 1974-11-07 |
Movie | Rajaraja Cholan | Bala Thevar | 1973-05-01 |
Movie | Ulagam Sutrum Valiban | 1973-05-11 | |
Movie | Rajapart Rangadurai | Somasundaram | 1973-12-21 |
Movie | Errakota Veerudu | 1973-12-16 | |
Movie | Raman Thediya Seethai | 1972-04-12 | |
Movie | Idhaya Veenai | 1972-10-20 | |
Movie | Savale Samali | Rajavelu | 1971-07-03 |
Movie | Adi Parasakthi | 1971-10-17 | |
Movie | En Annan | Nayagam | 1970-05-22 |
Movie | Kaaval Dheivam | 1969-05-01 | |
Movie | Nil Gavani Kadhali | Gang Leader | 1969-01-01 |
Movie | Kanne Pappa | Inspector James | 1969-06-06 |
Movie | Deiva Magan | Ananth | 1969-09-05 |
Movie | Sivandha Mann | Diwan, the main antagonist | 1969-11-09 |
Movie | Kudiyirundha Koyil | 1968-03-14 | |
Movie | Ragasiya Police 115 | 1968-01-10 | |
Movie | Pudhiya Boomi | 1968-06-27 | |
Movie | Thillana Mohanambal | Maharaja of Madhanpur | 1968-07-27 |
Movie | Harichandra | 1968-11-02 | |
Movie | Enga Oor Raja | 1968-10-21 | |
Movie | Arasa Kattalai | 1967-05-19 | |
Movie | Kaavalkaaran | Marudachalam | 1967-09-07 |
Movie | Naan Aanaiyittal | 1966-02-03 | |
Movie | Nadodi | 1966-04-13 | |
Movie | Thanippiravi | Sub-inspector Soundharam | 1966-09-16 |
Movie | Mugaraasi | 1966-08-18 | |
Movie | Thaali Bhagyam | Namchivayam | 1966-08-27 |
Movie | Aayirathil Oruvan | Pirate Leader | 1965-07-09 |
Movie | Enga Veettu Pillai | Gajendran | 1965-01-14 |
Movie | Aasai Mugam | 1965-12-09 | |
Movie | En Kadamai | 1964-03-12 | |
Movie | Vettaikaaran | 1964-01-13 | |
Movie | Dheiva Thaai | Madhan | 1964-07-18 |
Movie | Thozhilali | Velu | 1964-09-25 |
Movie | Thaayin Madiyil | 1964-12-07 | |
Movie | Padagotti | 1964-11-03 | |
Movie | Kalai Arasi | 1963-04-19 | |
Movie | Annai Illam | 1963-11-14 | |
Movie | Nenjam Marappathillai | Zamindar | 1963-08-02 |
Movie | Rani Samyuktha | Mohammad Ghori | 1962-01-14 |
Movie | Kudumba Thalaivan | 1962-08-15 | |
Movie | Thirudadhe | 1961-03-22 | |
Movie | Then Nilavu | Raj | 1961-09-30 |
Movie | Pasamalar | Rathnam | 1961-05-27 |
Movie | Ellorum Innattu Mannar | 1960-07-01 | |
Movie | Arasilangumari | 1960-12-31 | |
Movie | Thangapadumai | 1959-01-10 | |
Movie | Kalyana Parisu | 1959-04-09 | |
Movie | Bhaaga Pirivinai | 1959-10-31 | |
Movie | Pelli Naati Pramanalu | 1959-09-04 | |
Movie | Uthama Puthiran | Naganathan | 1958-02-07 |
Movie | Bhuloka Rambhai | 1958-01-13 | |
Movie | Illarame Nallaram | 1958-08-01 | |
Movie | Annaiyin Aanai | 1958-07-04 | |
Movie | Nadodi Mannan | 1958-08-22 | |
Movie | Mayabazar | Shakuni (Tamil) | 1957-03-27 |
Movie | Daughters-in-law | Vaikuntam | 1957-01-11 |
Movie | Vanangaamudi | 1957-04-11 | |
Movie | Makkalai Petra Magarasi | Kannan | 1957-02-22 |
Movie | Karpukarasi | 1957-06-14 | |
Movie | Ambikapathy | 1957-12-31 | |
Movie | Thangamalai Ragasiyam | 1957-06-29 | |
Movie | Rajarajan | 1957-04-25 | |
Movie | Amara Deepam | 1956-06-20 | |
Movie | Kanavane Kan Kanda Deivam | 1955-05-06 | |
Movie | Naam | 1953-03-02 | |
Movie | Andhaman Kaidhi | 1952-03-13 | |
Movie | The Jungle | Mahaji | 1952-08-01 |
Movie | Marmayogi | 1951-02-01 | |
Movie | Sarvadhikari | 1951-09-14 | |
Movie | Manthiri Kumari | Royal Priest | 1950-06-24 |
Movie | Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi | 1950-04-02 | |
Movie | Mohini | 1948-10-30 | |
Movie | Raja Kumari | 1947-04-11 |