Mannjheri Narayanan Nambiar (7 March 1919 – 19 November 2008) was an Indian actor who predominantly worked in Tamil cinema, renowned for his portrayals of villainous characters. He also appeared in a few Malayalam, Telugu, Hindi and English films during his career.
Contents
Early life
Manjeri Narayan Nambiar was born on 7 March 1919 in a Ambalavasi Nambiar family at Kandakkai near Mayyil in Cannanore (Kannur) in North Malabar region of Kerala. He was the son of Kelu Nambiar and Kalyani Amma. While he was still a child, his father died. He later moved to live and study in Ooty with his elder sister and brother-in-law.
Film career
Nambiar’s debut in cinema was at the age of 16, with Bhakta Ramadas (1935) in a comic role.
In 1944, he essayed the role of Rajaguru in the play Kaviyin Kanavu, written by S. D. Sundaram to such perfection that his reputation as villain came to be well established. Nambiar soon signed up with Jupiter Films as a studio artiste and played a comedian in the film Vidyapathi (1946). He married Rukmani the same year.
This was followed by A. S. A. Sami's Rajakumari (1947), which featured his friend M. G. Ramachandran as hero. Nambiar then played the lead role along with S. V. Subbaiah in Kanjan (1947). Then, followed Abhimanyu (1948), Mohini (1948) and Velaikari (1949).
Soon, Nambiar developed a reputation as a dependable actor and major banners like Jupiter and progressive theatre companies enlisted his services. He is also known to have played multiple roles in one film, as the central character in Digambara Samiyar (1950). He played the antagonist to perfection in many a mythological or period drama which was the norm of storytelling in the 50s and early 60s.
Though he acted mostly in Tamil films, he had starred in Hindi, Malayalam and Telugu movies. A lone English film, The Jungle (1952), and a handful of Malayalam films including Thadavara (1981) and Kolilakkam (1981) also formed part of the actor’s filmography. Nambiar also worked on the small screen in serials like Oviyam, Velan and Alaigal.
Nambiar steadily rose and became the industry's “bad” man — his performance in Annaiyin Aanai (1958), Thennilavu (1961), Padagotti (1964), Enga Veettu Pillai (1965), Aayirathil Oruvan (1965), Ragasiya Police 115 (1968) and Raman Ethanai Ramanadi (1970) is unforgettable. During this time, he also essayed character roles in films such as Pasamalar (1961). Despite stiff competition from the likes of P. S. Veerappa, S. A. Ashokan, R. S. Manohar and a host of others, Nambiar managed to retain his place in the industry. His portrayal of an old man in C. V. Sridhar's Nenjam Marappathillai (1963) was classic. Manjeri Narayanan Nambiar slipped so effectively into the skin of the characters he played that fans of the heroes he opposed on screen continued to nurture their hatred for him long after they walked out the theatres.
But then, the 70’s was a period when Nambiar’s popularity began to wane. Once MGR made a complete transition to politics, Nambiar was bereft of his plum villainous roles. To top it off, onscreen baddies were turning suave and younger and Nambiar gradually found himself being sidelined.
After becoming popular in Tamil films, he started his own drama troupe Nambiar Nataka Mandram, which staged many plays.
As long as MGR and Sivaji played the hero, Nambiar was a favourite choice to play the villain. However, in his later years, he began taking up character roles that once again proved his acting talents. K. Bhagyaraj’s Thooral Ninnu Pochchu (1982) and S. Shankar’s Gentleman (1993) are among his best. His other projects include Thai Veedu (1983), Paalam (1990), Yajaman (1993), Poove Unakkaga (1996), Moovendhar (1998), Sharja To Sharja (2001), Baba (2002), Winner (2003), Arasatchi (2004), Anbe Aaruyire (2002) and Sudesi (2006).
Personal life
Friends and associates of M.N.Nambiar described him as kind, witty, and disciplined. He was a vegetarian, teetotaler, and fitness enthusiast. He was also an ardent devotee of Sabarimala Sri Ayyappan. He has had a long association with Sabarimala Temple, where he made trips to for almost 60 years and brought many colleagues; 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.
Partial filmography
Television
Oviyam
Velan
Alaigal
The TV serial Avalukkendru Oru Idam in Doordharshan Madras is his first Television debut. The television serial produced by Lakshmi and Lakshmi Creations fetched him the Mylapore Academy Award 1991 for Best Actor in Character Role.
Death
Nambiar suffered from bacterial infection and died at his residence in Chennai on 19 November 2008. He was survived by his wife Rukmani, 2 sons — one, a senior BJP leader Sukumar Nambiar, and the other, Mohan Nambiar, a prominent businessman based in Coimbatore and a daughter, Sneha Nambiar who was married to actor Sarath Babu. His eldest son Sukumar Nambiar died on 8 January 2012 aged 63 and later, his wife Rukmani also died on 11 April 2012 aged 82.
Tributes
P. Vasu (Director) :
"If there was anyone who could act with both the top heroes (Sivaji Ganesan and M. G. R.) of Tamil cinema then, it was Nambiar. At one point, directors could not think of anyone else but him to play villain."
Srikanth (Actor) :
"This is a very big loss...you cannot find a human being like him easily."
Manorama (Actress) :
"He was a villain only when the camera got rolling...otherwise, he'd always keep us laughing with his ready wit,"
K. Raman (Make-up man) :
"In ‘Nenjam Marappadillai,’ he plays a really old man...the makeup would take hours together, but he would be extremely patient. His skin was flawless and almost pink...he took great care of his health."
Sundaram (Dance master) :
"Nambiar swami was responsible for taking most of us in the industry to Sabarimalai"
J. Jayalalithaa (Former Tamil Nadu CM) :
"I have acted with him in several films. He would be very jovial and enthusiastic on the sets. When one worked with him, one forget the burden of work. He was very fond of me and I always had great regard and respect for him. His passing away is a great loss indeed."