
M. N. Nambiar
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.
Notable Appearances
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Baba

Manthiri Kumari

Thai Veedu

Tenali Raman

Rajakumari

Sarvadhikari

Naan Sigappu Manithan

Enga Ooru Pattukaran

Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan

Pellinaati Pramanalu

Neeya?

Naan Mahaan Alla

Pasamulla Pandiyare

Savale Samali

Sirithu Vazha Vendum

Neengalum Herothan

Aayirathil Oruvan

Krishnan Vandhaan

En Kelvikku Enna Bathil

Vetri

Pulan Visaranai

Raja Rishi

Vinnukkum Mannukkum

Abhimanyu

Periya Marudhu

Mella Thirandhadhu Kadhavu

Naan Petra Selvam

Eetti

Rambayin Kadhal

Sathyam

Ulagam Sutrum Valiban

Thigambara Samiar

Ram Lakshman

Pasamalar

Gentleman

Urimai Kural

Marmayogi

Maanagara Kaaval

Deiva Magan

Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga

Tharaasu

Velundu Vinaiyillai

Deiva Thirumanangal

Thillana Mohanambal

Velaikari

Aavesham

Rajaraja Cholan

Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala

Yejaman

Nil Gavani Kadhali

Thozhilali

Ratha Paasam

Sethupathi I.P.S

Sakkarai Devan

Varushamellam Vasantham

Kaaval Dheivam

Thotta Chinungi

Sharjah to Sharjah

Rani Samyuktha

Nambinar Keduvadhillai

Guru

Kuttrapathirikai

Thaai Naadu

Karuppu Nila

Nallavan Vazhvan

Paasamalargal

Anbe Anbe

Jagathalaprathapan

Rojavanam

Avasara Police 100

Sandhippu

Vaazhkai

Nadodi Mannan

Kaavalkaaran

Amara Deepam

Winner

Saranam Ayyappa

Jallikkattu

Thangamalai Ragasiyam

The Jungle

Anna Nee En Deivam

Kalyana Parisu

Adimai Changili

Villu Pattukaran

Thanga Manasukkaran

Sivandha Mann

Captain Prabhakaran

Ezhuthatha Sattangal

Rajapart Rangadurai

Kudiyirundha Koyil

Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran

Periya Veettu Panakkaran

Ninaithadhai Mudippavan

Nermai

Iru Medhaigal

Annaiyin Aanai

Paattukku Oru Thalaivan

Endrendrum Kadhal

Harichandra

Enga Veettu Pillai

Then Nilavu

Lakshmi Kalyanam

Sakthi

Kulama Gunama

Poo Parikka Varugirom

Sudesi

Netru Indru Naalai

Kolilakkam

Kadhal Sadugudu

Indru Pol Endrum Vaazhga

Dowry Kalyanam

Padagotti

Bhooloka Rambai

Errakota Veerudu

Thirisoolam

En Annan

Nenjam Marappathillai

Anjal Petti 520

Thambi Thanga Kambi

Adi Parasakthi

Enga Ooru Kaavakkaaran




