M. N. Rajam
Born
Madurai Narasimha Achary Rajam

(1940-05-25) 25 May 1940 (age 83)
OccupationActress
Years active1949-2007
Spouse
​
(m. 1960⁠–⁠2020)​
ChildrenBrahmalakshman (b.1963)
Nalina Meenakshi (b.1969)

Madurai Narasimha Achary Rajam[1] is an Indian actress, who works mainly in Tamil cinema.[2] She made her stage acting debut at the age of seven, and film acting debut as a child artist in 1949. At the age of 14, 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] Her performances in films like, Rathak Kaneer, Pennin Perumai, Pudhayal, Thanga Padumai, "Nadodi Mannan", "Pasa Malar", Thaali Bhagyam and "Arangetram" were critically acclaimed. 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]

Filmography

1940s

Year Title Role Co-Star Notes
1949 Nallathambi Girl at orphanage N. S. Krishnan, P. Bhanumathi Child Artist
1949 Mangayarkarasi Heavenly Maiden P. U. Chinnappa

1950s

Year Title Role Co-Star Notes
1952 En Thangai Servant Girl C. S. Pandian, M. G. Ramachandran
1952 Mappillai Nurse T. R. Ramachandran, P. V. Narasimha Bharathi
1952 Penn Manam T. K. Shanmugam
1953 Manidhanum Mirugamum Sivaji Ganesan, Madhuri Devi
1954 Ratha Kanneer Kantha M. R. Radha
1955 Doctor Savithri Vanaja Veenai S. Balachander
1955 Kanavaney Kankanda Deivam Mallika Gemini Ganesan, Anjali Devi
1955 Maheswari Gemini Ganesan, K. Savithri
1955 Mangaiyar Thilakam Prabha Sivaji Ganesan
1955 Methavigal K. A. Thangavelu
1955 Needhipathi S. V. Sahasranamam, Gemini Ganesan, K. R. Ramasamy, Rajasulochana
1955 Town Bus Pankajam N. N. Kannappa, Anjali Devi
1955 Ulagam Palavidham T. K. Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan, Lalitha
1955 Kathanayaki K. A. Thangavelu, Padmini
1956 Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum Bulbul K. Sarangapani, M. G. Ramachandran, P. Bhanumathi
1956 Kula Dheivam M. K. Mustafa
1956 Marma Veeran Mohini J. P. Chandrababu, Sriram, Vyjayanthimala, Rajasulochana
1956 Mathar Kula Manickam K. A. Thangavelu, A. Nageswara Rao, Anjali Devi, Gemini Ganesan, Savithri
1956 Moondru Pengal
1956 Naane Raja Sivaji Ganesan, M. K. Mustafa
1956 Naan Petra Selvam Dr. Sumathi M. N. Nambiar, Sivaji Ganesan, G. Varalakshmi
1956 Nalla Veedu Sivaji Ganesan
1956 Paasavalai M. K. Radha, G. Varalakshmi
1956 Pennin Perumai Neela Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, Savithri
1956 Rambaiyin Kaadhal Princess Suguna K. A. Thangavelu, P. Bhanumathi
1956 Rangoon Radha Thangam Sivaji Ganesan, P. Bhanumathi, S. S. Rajendran, Rajasulochana
1956 Sadhaaram Gemini Ganesan, P. Bhanumathi
1957 Baagyavathi Bama Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini
1957 Mahadhevi Princess Mangamma P. S. Veerappa, M. G. Ramachandran, Savithri
1957 Makkalai Petra Magarasi Thangam M. N. Nambiar, Sivaji Ganesan, P. Bhanumathi
1957 Mallika Gemini Ganesan, Padmini
1957 Mudhalali Kokilam S. S. Rajendran, T. K. Ramachandran, Devika
1957 Pudhaiyal Menaka Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini
1957 Samaya Sanjeevi T. R. Ramachandran
1958 Annaiyin Aanai Sundari M. N. Nambiar, Sivaji Ganesan, Savithri
1958 Kanniyin Sabatham M. N. Nambiar, K. R. Ramasamy, Anjali Devi, Rajsulochana
1958 Kaathavaraayan Aravathi J. P. Chandrababu, Sivaji Ganesan, Savithri
1958 Mangalya Bhagyam Guest Role
1958 Nadodi Mannan Queen Manohari M. G. Ramachandran, P. Bhanumathi, B, Saroja Devi
1958 Nalla Idathu Sambandham Maragatham Prem Nazir, M. R. Radha, Sowcar Janaki
1958 Neelavukku Niranja Manasu T. K. Ramachandran
1958 Padhi Bhakti Marikozhundhu Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, Savithri
1958 Pathi Bakthi Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, Savithri Telugu
1958 Periya Kovil Prem Nazir
1958 Pillai Kaniyamudhu S. S. Rajendran, E. V. Saroja
1958 Piya Milan Mohini J. P. Chandrababu, Sriram, Vyjayanthimala, Rajasulochana
1958 Samopoorna Ramayanam Shurpanakha N. T. Rama Rao, P. V. Narasimha Bharathi, Sivaji Ganesan
1958 Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum Saradha S. S. Rajendran, Prem Nazir, Rajasulochana
1958 Thedi Vandha Selvam S. S. Rajendran, Rajasulochana
1958 Thirumanam Mullai Gemini Ganesan, Savithri
1959 Abalai Anjugam T. R. Mahalingam, Sowcar Janaki
1959 Alli Petra Pillai
1959 Kalyanikku Kalyanam Suseela S. S. Rajendran, Prem Nazir
1959 Amudhavalli T. R. Mahalingam
1959 Mamiyar Mechina Marumagal S. S. Rajendran
1959 Naan Sollum Ragasiyam Kala Sivaji Ganesan, Anjali Devi
1959 Nalla Theerpu Veena Gemini Ganesan, Jamuna
1959 Orey Vazhi Prem Nazir
1959 Pennkulathin Ponvilakku Gemini Ganesan
1959 Pudhumai Penn S. S. Rajendran
1959 Sabhash Ramudu Jayasri N. T. Rama Rao, Kanta Rao Telugu
1959 Sabhash Ramu Jayasri N. T. Rama Rao, Kanta Rao
1959 Sivagangai Seemai P. S. Veerappa, S. S. Rajendran, Kumari Kamala
1959 Thanga Padhumai Princess M. N. Nambiar, Sivaji Ganesan
1959 Thaiyaipola Pillai Noolaipola Selai Prem Nazir
1959 Uzhavukkum Thozhilukkum Vandhanai Seivom Prem Nazir

1960s

Year Title Role Co-Star Notes
1960 Baghdad Thirudan M. G. Ramachandran, Vyjayanthimala
1960 Deivapiravi Thilagam S. S. Rajendran, Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini
1960 Ellorum Innaattu Mannar M. N. Nambiar, Gemini Ganesan, B. Sarojadevi
1960 Irumanam Kalanthal Thirumanam Prem Nazir, Ragini
1960 Kavalai Illaadha Manithan Sivakami T. R. Mahalingam
1960 Maa Babu Maya A. Nageswara Rao, Savithri Telugu
1960 Paavai Vilakku Uma Sivaji Ganesan, Sowcar Janaki, Pandari Bai, Kumari Kamala
1960 Petra Manam Sivaji Ganesan, S. S. Rajendran
1960 Raja Desingu Sengkamalam K. A. Thangavelu, M. G. Ramachandran, S. S. Rajendran
1960 Thangam Manasu Thangam S. S. Rajendran, Prem Nazir
1960 Thangarathinam Seethai Prem Nazir, S. S. Rajendran, C. R. Vijayakumari
1960 Thilakam Thilakam Prem Nazir
1960 Uthami Petra Rathinam T. K. Ramachandran, K. Balaji, Malini
1960 Veerakkanal Porkodi Gemini Ganesan, Anjali Devi
1960 Vidivelli K. Balaji, Sivaji Ganesan, B. Saroja Devi
1961 Anbu Magan Maya A. Nageswara Rao, Savithri
1961 Anumanam S. S. Rajendran, Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini Telugu
1961 Kumara Raja J. P. Chandrababu
1961 Mamiyarum Oru Veetu Marumagale S. S. Rajendran
1961 Pasamalar Dr. Malathy Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, Savithri
1961 Thirudadhe M. G. Ramachandran, B. Sarojadevi
1962 Pirandha Naal Prem Nazir
1962 Vadivukku Valaikaappu Sivaji Ganesan, K. Savithri
1962 Raani Samyuktha Bhawani M. G. Ramachandran, Padmini
1966 Thaali Bhagyam Kamalam S. V. Subbaiah, M. G. Ramachandran, B. Saroja Devi
1968 Kallum Kaniyagum T. M. Soundararajan, A. L. Raghavan

1970s

Year Title Role Co-Star Notes
1973 Arangetram Visalam S. V. Subbaiah
1973 Vandhale Magarasi Mangamma V. S. Raghavan
1973 Ponvandu Kamala Jaishankar
1973 Veettukku Vandha Marumagal A. V. M. Rajan
1974 Athaiya Mamiya Sumathi Jaishankar
1974 Avalukku Nigar Avale Ravichandran
1974 Engamma Sapatham R. Muthuraman, Sivakumar
1974 Kanmani Raja Sivakumar
1974 Naan Avanillai Gemini Ganesan, Kamal Haasan
1974 Ore Saatchi A. V. M. Rajan, P. R. Varalakshmi
1974 Pathu Madha Bandham
1974 Raja Nagam
1974 Sivagamiyin Selvan Sivaji Ganesan
1975 Aan Pillai Singam
1975 Karotti Kannan Sreekanth
1975 Mayangukiral Oru Maadhu R. Muthuraman, Vijayakumar
1976 Akka K. R. Vijaya
1976 Annakili Sivakumar
1976 Mayor Meenakshi
1976 Oorukku Uzhaippavan Vanisri's mother
1978 Mangudi Minor Vijayakumar, Rajinikanth
1976 Nandha En Nila Vijayakumar, Sumithra
1976 Varaprasadham Ravichandran, Jayachitra, Vijayakumar
1977 Gaayathri Gaayathri's Mother Rajinikanth, Sridevi, Jaishankar
1977 Thaliya Salangaiya R. Muthuraman, Vanisri
1977 Ilaya Thalaimurai Vanisri's Mother Sivaji Ganesan
1978 Kaatrile Varum Geetham R. Muthuraman
1979 Kannil Theriyum Kathaikal Sarathbabu
1979 Mayandi Jaishankar
1979 Thisai Maariya Paravaigal Sarath Babu
1979 Velum Mayilum Thunai Prohit's Wife M. R. Radha, Baby Sudha

1980s

Year Title Role Co-Star Notes
1984 Nanayamillatha Nanayam Visu
1985 Andha Oru Nimidam Kamal Haasan
1985 Urimai Suresh, Nalini
1986 Nilave Malare Rajesh's aunt Rajesh, Rahman, Nadhiya
1987 Thirumathi Oru Vegumathi Kokila's mother Visu, S. V. Shekhar
1987 Valayal Satham Murali
1988 Penmani Aval Kanmani R. Dilip's mother Visu, R. Dilip
1988 Urimai Geetham Prabhu's mother Prabhu, Karthik
1989 Thendral Sudum Baby sitter Radhika, Nizhalgal Ravi

1990s

Year Title Role Co-Star Notes
1990 Ethir Kaatru Anand Babu's mother Ra. Sankaran
1991 Aatha Un Koyilile Kasthuri's mother T. K. S. Chandran
1991 Thayamma Pandiyan
1993 Aadhityan R. Sarathkumar
1993 En Idhaya Rani Parvathi Anand Babu
1997 Ullaasam Ajit Kumar
1998 Maru Malarchi Ranjit's mother Mammootty

2000s

Year Title Role Co-Star Notes
2001 Kutty Ramesh Aravind's mother Ramesh Aravind, Kausalya
2002 Pammal K. Sambandam Grand-aunt Kamal Haasan, Simran, Abbas, Sneha
2003 Winner Sivagami M. N. Nambiar, Prashanth
2003 Winner Sivagami M. N. Nambiar, Prashanth Telugu
2005 Anbe Vaa Grandmother M. S. Viswanathan
2005 Thirupaachi Trisha's grandmother Vijay, Trisha
2006 Imsai Arasan 23am Pulikesi Vadivelu's mother Vennira Aadai Moorthy, Vadivelu
2007 Marudhamalai Nila's grandmother Arjun, Nila

References

  1. ^ "All's in a letter". The Hindu. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Daring to be different". New Straits Times. 24 January 2000. pp. It's Showbiz 2. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  3. ^ "How a Tiff Prompted MGR to Change Bhanumathi Ramakrishna's Role in Nadodi Mannan". News18. 21 June 2022. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Contented with her lot". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 26 January 2007. Archived from the original on 4 February 2007. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  5. ^ Shivpprasadh, S. (20 June 2013). "The perfect pair". The Hindu. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  6. ^ "In rewind mode". The Hindu. 5 May 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  7. ^ Kumar, Ashok (1 March 2018). "வின்னர் படத்தில் நடித்த M.N ராஜம் கனவர் யார் தெரியுமா, தற்போதைய நிலை - விவரம் உள்ளே". Tamil Behind Talkies (in Tamil). Retrieved 4 March 2023.
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