M. N. Rajam
M. N. Rajam | |
|---|---|
| Born | Madurai Narasimha Achary Rajam |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1949-2007 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Brahmalakshman (b.1963) Nalina Meenakshi (b.1969) |
Madurai Narasimha Achary Rajam[1] is an Indian actress, who works mainly in Tamil cinema.[2] She was known for her roles in Ratha Kanneer, Pennin Perumai, Pudhayal, Thanga Padumai, Nadodi Mannan, Pasamalar, Thaali Bhagyam and Arangetram.
Career
[edit]She made her stage acting debut at the age of seven, and film acting debut as a child artist in 1949. Rajam played the vamp role in the Tamil classic Ratha Kanneer (1954), opposite M. R. Radha. Since then Rajam had acted with several leading actors including MGR,[3] Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, M. R. Radha, S.S. Rajendran, M. N. Nambiar and N. S. Krishnan.[4] She married popular Tamil playback singer A. L. Raghavan on 2 May 1960.[5] She played supporting roles in films since 1970 to 1990. She started working in TV serials from 1995 and continues to work in films till 2014.[6][7] In 1958 Rajam was booked by M. G. Ramachandran for his second directorial venture Ponniyin Selvan.[8] One of the first screen adaptations of Kalki Krishnamurthy's Ponniyin Selvan, the film had a huge ensemble cast consisting of Vyjayanthimala, Savitri, Gemini Ganesan, Padmini, Saroja Devi and Nagesh.[9] In the film, she was given the role of Nandhini, the wife of Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar.[9] However, in mid-1958 the film was shelved for unknown reasons.[10]
Filmography
[edit]1940s
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | Nallathambi | Girl at orphanage | Child Artist |
| Mangayarkarasi | Heavenly Maiden |
1950s
[edit]1960s
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Baghdad Thirudan | ||
| Deivapiravi | Thilagam | ||
| Ellorum Innaattu Mannar | |||
| Irumanam Kalanthal Thirumanam | |||
| Kavalai Illaadha Manithan | Sivakami | ||
| Maa Babu | Maya | Telugu | |
| Paavai Vilakku | Uma | ||
| Petra Manam | |||
| Raja Desingu | Sengkamalam | ||
| Thangam Manasu Thangam | |||
| Thangarathinam | Seethai | ||
| Thilakam | Thilakam | ||
| Uthami Petra Rathinam | |||
| Veerakkanal | Porkodi | ||
| Vidivelli | |||
| 1961 | Anbu Magan | Maya | |
| Anumanam | Telugu | ||
| Kumara Raja | |||
| Mamiyarum Oru Veetu Marumagale | |||
| Pasamalar | Dr. Malathy | ||
| Thirudadhe | |||
| 1962 | Pirandha Naal | ||
| Vadivukku Valaikaappu | |||
| Raani Samyuktha | Bhawani | ||
| 1966 | Thaali Bhagyam | Kamalam | |
| 1968 | Kallum Kaniyagum |
1970s
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Arangetram | Visalam | |
| Vandhale Magarasi | Mangamma | ||
| Ponvandu | Kamala | ||
| Veettukku Vandha Marumagal | |||
| 1974 | Athaiya Mamiya | Sumathi | |
| Avalukku Nigar Avale | |||
| Engamma Sapatham | |||
| Kanmani Raja | |||
| Naan Avanillai | |||
| Ore Saatchi | |||
| Pathu Madha Bandham | |||
| Raja Nagam | |||
| Sivagamiyin Selvan | |||
| 1975 | Aan Pillai Singam | ||
| Karotti Kannan | |||
| Mayangukiral Oru Maadhu | |||
| 1976 | Akka | ||
| Annakili | |||
| Mayor Meenakshi | |||
| Oorukku Uzhaippavan | Maliga's mother | ||
| Nandha En Nila | |||
| Varaprasadham | |||
| 1977 | Gaayathri | Gaayathri's mother | |
| Thaliya Salangaiya | |||
| Ilaya Thalaimurai | Kokila, Sakunthala's mother | ||
| 1978 | Mangudi Minor | ||
| Kaatrile Varum Geetham | |||
| 1979 | Kannil Theriyum Kathaikal | ||
| Mayandi | |||
| Thisai Maariya Paravaigal | |||
| Velum Mayilum Thunai | Prohit's Wife |
1980s
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Naanayam Illatha Naanayam | Kannamma | |
| 1985 | Andha Oru Nimidam | ||
| Urimai | |||
| 1986 | Nilave Malare | Raghu's aunt | |
| 1987 | Thirumathi Oru Vegumathi | Rajeswari, Karpagam's mother | |
| Valayal Satham | |||
| 1988 | Penmani Aval Kanmani | Dilip's mother | |
| Urimai Geetham | Thyagu's mother | ||
| 1989 | Thendral Sudum | Baby sitter |
1990s
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Ethir Kaatru | Jana's mother | |
| 1991 | Aatha Un Koyilile | Kasthuri's mother | |
| Thayamma | |||
| 1993 | Aadhityan | ||
| En Idhaya Rani | Parvathi | ||
| 1997 | Ullaasam | ||
| 1998 | Maru Malarchi | Manimaran's mother |
2000s
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Kutty | Ranganathan's mother | |
| 2002 | Pammal K. Sambandam | Grand-aunt | |
| 2003 | Winner | Sivagami | |
| 2005 | Anbe Vaa | Grandmother | |
| Thirupaachi | Subha's grandmother | ||
| 2006 | Imsai Arasan 23am Pulikesi | Maragathavalli | |
| 2007 | Marudhamalai | Divya's grandmother |
References
[edit]- ^ "All's in a letter". The Hindu. 25 November 2013. Archived from the original on 29 November 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ "Daring to be different". New Straits Times. 24 January 2000. pp. It's Showbiz 2. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ "How a Tiff Prompted MGR to Change Bhanumathi Ramakrishna's Role in Nadodi Mannan". News18. 21 June 2022. Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
- ^ "Contented with her lot". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 26 January 2007. Archived from the original on 4 February 2007. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
- ^ Shivpprasadh, S. (20 June 2013). "The perfect pair". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
- ^ "In rewind mode". The Hindu. 5 May 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
- ^ Kumar, Ashok (1 March 2018). "வின்னர் படத்தில் நடித்த M.N ராஜம் கனவர் யார் தெரியுமா, தற்போதைய நிலை - விவரம் உள்ளே". Tamil Behind Talkies (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
- ^ A. Srivathsan (19 October 2011). "Age hardly withers charm of Ponniyin Selvan". The Hindu. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
- ^ a b "Ponniyin Selvan Movie Attempts – is it a curse or lack of purse : MGR – Gemini Ganeshan – Vyjayanthimala Bali". 600024.com. 31 May 2011. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
- ^ A. Srivathsan (19 October 2011). "Age hardly withers charm of Ponniyin Selvan". The Hindu. Retrieved 21 January 2012.