- Manorama (actress)
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Manorama [மனோரமா] Born Gopishantha Kasi Clockudaiyar
May 26, 1943
Mannargudi, Tamil Nadu, India[1]Other names Aachi Occupation Actress Years active 1958 – present Children Bhupathi Manorama (born Gopishantha[citation needed] Tamil: கோபிசாந்தா) is a veteran Tamil actress who has acted in more than 1500 films, 1000 stage performances and a few television serials.[2] She is affectionately called Aachi by the South Indian people.[3][4] She holds a Guinness World Record for acting in the most number of films.
Contents
Birth and early life
Manorama, a legend, was born Gopi Shantha to Kasi Clockudaiyar and Ramamitham on 26 May 1943 at Mannargudi, Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu. Later her family moved to Pallathur near Karaikudi owing to poverty.[1] She started her acting career at 12 years as a drama artist.[5] When she started her stage performances she was rechristened as Manorama by the drama director, Thiruvengadam, and the harmonist, Thiayagarajan. She continued to act in plays and also performed on stage as a playback singer.
Entry into cinema
Manorama slowly migrated from dramas to the silver screen with the role of a comedienne in the Tamil film Malayitta Mangai. During her initial days in the cine field, she concentrated more on comedy. She was given equally challenging roles alongside the well known comedian Nagesh. They made an excellent pair and acted in many praiseworthy comedies.
The first song that Manorama sang in cinema was in a film called Magale Un Samathu. The producer of this film, P. A. Kumar had seen Manorama perform in dramas and gave her the opportunity to sing.[6] The song was composed by G. K. Venkatesh, famous yesteryear music director, with whom Ilaiyaraja had worked as an assistant. Manorama sang this song along with L. R. Eswari, another famous yesteryear Tamil singer. "Thaatha thaatha pidi kudu... Indha thalladha vayasila sadugudu..." were the beginning lines of this song. However, "Vaa vaathiyaare uttaande..." composed by music director V. Kumar for the film Bommalattam, was the first song that became a hit for her. She performed along with Cho Ramaswamy in this song.
Critical acclamation
Manorama's role in the film Thillana Mohanambal was much appreciated and noticed even with the presence of great stalwarts like Sivaji Ganesan and Natiya Peroli (Danseuse) Padmini in the movie. Manorama personally shared in an interview that initially she was extremely nervous of acting in front of veterans like T. S. Balaiah. But, the director A. P. Nagarajan made her understand that the scenes in which Jil Jil Ramamani appears, she would be the centre of attention and not anyone else. This gave her the confidence to portray the wildly expressive, loud-talking but tender-hearted character on screen in an admirable fashion.[7] Ever since, she was provided with more scope in varied roles in addition to comedy. She took each responsibility with such an ease, which made the Tamil industry recognize her immense talent.
Cho Ramaswamy claimed on the Tamil TV show Koffee with Anu that he was the first one to call Manorama as the female Sivaji Ganesan. He admired her for her versatility in acting and the ability to surprise with her performance.[8]
Trivia
- Manorama shared the screen space in the Hindi Movie Kunwara Baap with the legendry comedian Mehmood.
- Manorama stated in an interview with a Toronto TV channel that one of the most challenging characters she played was the role of the 50-year-old unmarried woman she played in the film Nadigan with Sathyaraj.[9] Playing that character was a tight-rope walk, since one wrong step could have made the character seem vulgar.
- In the same interview, Manorama also mentions that she is highly indebted to her mother for her upbringing and success. It seems many of the mother roles that she has played so far in films, resemble the character of her own mother a lot.[10]
- When asked about the secret of her youthful charm and beauty, Manorama quipped in Tamil "Agathin azhagu mugathil theriyum", meaning "The beauty of the mind is reflected on the face."[11] She went on to say that her heart and mind are still youthful, which is the secret of her youth.
- The last time that Manorama met Sivaji Ganesan, before his death was on May 26, 2001, when she had gone to his home to receive his blessings on her birthday.[12] At that time, she was extremely pleased to hear him telling his wife that no one can do better than Manorama when it comes to speaking different dialects of Tamil.
- When asked which character of hers she found extremely hilarious to play, she specified the role of a talkative female, who is forced to act dumb in a film called Unakkum Vazhvu Varum. She did this role along with Thengai Srinivasan and was delighted to note that one of the light operators on the set, came over to her personally and mentioned that he found her scene quite funny.[13]
- Manorama personally believes that although people acclaim her performance in Thillana Mohanambal as a cornerstone in her career, she values the character she was given by K. Balachander in the film Unnal Mudiyum Thambi since it displayed a new acting facet of her.[14]
- Manorama was bitten by a Kattuviriyan snake (Bungarus fasciatus) during the shooting of a film called Manjal Kungumam and was admitted to hospital. Coincidentally, after recovery, the next scene she acted in was in a film called Aadi Viradham, in which she had to bathe a snake statue and sing a lullaby for it.[15]
- The first time Manorama stood before the camera was for a Sinhalese film, in which she played the heroine's friend. Her dance master Suryakala was the one who took her to director Masthaan to play the character. Manorama, however, could not recollect the name of this film when asked in an interview.[16]
- The first film in which Manorama acted as the heroine was Konjum Kumari in 1963[17]
Distinction and awards
She has the distinction of having acted with five chief ministers of South India. She was the female lead in the stage plays written, directed and acted by Mr C. N. Annadurai, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. She has also acted in stage plays with another Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr. M. Karunanidhi. She has acted in films with Dr. M. G. Ramachandran and Dr. Jayalalitha Jayaram who both became Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu later. She has also acted in Telugu films with Dr. N T Rama Rao, who became the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh[18] She was awarded the Padma Shri in 2002. She won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for the movie Pudhiya Pathai in 1989.[19] She holds a Guinness World Record for acting in most number of films. She was the recipient of the Kalaimamani award by the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Filmography
Year Film Language Notes 1958 Maalaiyitta Mangai Tamil 1959 Kalathur Kannamma Tamil 1960 Konjum Kumari Tamil 1963 Paar Magale Paar Tamil 1965 Thiruvilayadal Tamil 1966 Anbe Vaa Tamil 1966 Saraswathi Sabatham Tamil 1966 Kandan Karunai Tamil 1968 Ethir Neechal Tamil 1968 Galatta Kalyanam Tamil 1969 Ayiram Poi Tamil 1972 Pattikada Pattanama Tamil 1972 Kasethan Kadavulada Tamil 1973 Rajaraja Cholan Tamil 1974 Kunwara Baap Hindi 1976 Akka Tamil 1976 Unakkaga Naan Tamil 1976 Unmaye Un Vilai Enna Tamil 1976 Rojavin Raja Tamil 1976 Nee Oru Maharani Tamil 1976 Moham Muppadhu Varusham Tamil 1976 Grahapravesam Tamil 1976 Bhadrakali Tamil 1976 Vazhvu En Pakkam Tamil 1976 Ungalil Oruthi Tamil 1976 Perum Pugazhum Tamil 1976 Paaloothi Valartha Kili Tamil 1976 Oru Kodiyil Iru Malargal Tamil 1976 Nalla Penmani Tamil 1976 Muthaana Muthullavaa Tamil 1976 Mayor Meenakshi Tamil 1976 Kula Gowravam Tamil 1976 Janaki Sabatham Tamil 1977 Aalukkoru Aasai Tamil 1977 Aaru Pushpangal Tamil 1977 Aasai Manaivi Tamil 1977 Durga Devi Tamil 1978 Kuppathu Raja Tamil 1978 Annalakshmi Tamil 1978 Maariyamman Thiruvizha 1978 Kamakshiyin Karunai 1978 Chittukuruvi 1978 En Kelvikkenna Bathil 1978 General Chakravarthy 1978 Pilot Premnath 1978 Punniya Bhoomi 1978 Vandikkaaran Magal 1978 Varuvaan Vadivelan 1978 Vaazha Ninaithal Vazhaalam 1978 Rudra Thaandavam 1978 Seervarisai 1978 Aayiram Jenmangal Malayalam 1978 Bhairavi 1978 Andaman Kaadhali 1979 Thyagam Tamil 1979 Alankari Tamil 1979 Imayam 1979 Kalyanaraman 1980 Billa Tamil 1980 Enippadigal 1980 Ennadi Meenakshi 1980 Nadagame Ulagam 1980 Neechalkulam 1980 Panchabhootham 1980 Poonthalir 1980 Sri Ramajayam 1980 Subhodayam Telugu 1980 Rishi Moolam 1981 Kodeeswaran Magal 1981 Keezhvaanam Sivakkum 1981 Thee 1981 Savaal 1981 Mangamma Sabatham 1982 Vazhvey Maayam Tamil 1982 Simla Special Tamil 1982 Thaai Moogambigai 1982 Sangili 1982 Theerppu 1982 Manal Kayiru 1982 Marumagale Vaazhga 1982 Kannodu Kan 1982 Kaivarisai 1982 Jodippura 1982 Pokkiri Raja Tamil 1983 Sattam Tamil 1983 Sivappu Suriyan 1983 Mridhanga Chakravarthy 1983 Neethibathi 1983 Nirabarathi 1983 Thanga Magan Tamil 1983 Adutha Varisu Tamil 1983 Paayum Puli Tamil 1984 Enakkul Oruvan Tamil 1984 Kairaasikkaaran 1984 Mansoru 1984 Oh Maane Maane 1984 Anbeodivaa 1985 Andha sila naatkal 1985 Iru Methaigal 1985 Madras Vaathiyaar 1985 Vazhkai 1985 Vidhi 1985 Simmasoppanam 1985 Nyaayam 1985 Ninaivugal 1985 Chidambara Ragasiyam 1985 Jhansi 1985 Anni 1985 Kadivalam 1985 Bandham 1986 Vikram Tamil 1986 Samsaram Adhu Minsaram Tamil 1986 Ilamai 1986 Kaaval 1986 Nermai 1986 Perumai 1986 Porutham 1986 Chandamama 1986 Odangal 1986 Kaithiyin Theerppu 1986 Veeran 1987 Per Sollum Pillai Tamil 1987 Paruva Ragam Tamil 1987 Naan Adimai Illai Tamil 1988 Guru Sishyan Tamil 1988 Paatti Sollai Thattaadhe 1988 En Jeevan Paduthu Tamil 1988 Unnal Mudiyum Thambi Tamil 1988 Idhu Namma Aalu 1988 Thambi Thangakambi 1989 Kutravaali 1989 Vasanthi 1989 Ulagam Piranthathu Enakkaga 1989 Aararo Aariraro 1989 Apoorva Sagodharargal Tamil 1989 Puthiya Padhai Tamil 1990 Michael Madana Kama Rajan Tamil 1990 Engal Saamy Ayyappan 1990 Edhirkaatru 1990 Nadigan 1990 Engitta Modaathe 1990 Vedikkai En Vadikkai Tamil 1991 Chinna Gounder Tamil 1991 Chinna Thambi Tamil 1991 Raakkaayi Kovil Tamil 1991 Nanbargal 1991 Pudhumanithan 1991 Idhayam Tamil 1992 Mannan Tamil 1992 Nee Pathi Naan Pathi Tamil 1992 Singaravelan Tamil 1992 Annamalai Tamil 1992 Rasukkutty 1993 Yejaman Tamil 1993 Gentleman Tamil 1993 Ponnumani 1993 Uthamaraasa 1993 Dharmaseelan 1993 Sendhoorapandi Tamil 1993 Pangali 1993 Neelakuyil 1994 Kadhalan Tamil 1994 Deva Tamil 1994 Jaihind 1994 Sa Ri Ga Ma Pa Dha Nee 1994 Seeman 1994 Anbumagan 1994 Rasigan Tamil 1994 Nattamai Tamil 1995 Murai Maaman Tamil 1995 Marumagan 1995 Kooli 1995 Parambharai 1995 Nandavana Theru 1995 Naan Petra magane 1995 Mahaprabhu 1995 Velusaamy 1995 Mr. Madras 1995 Muthukaalai 1995 Maaman Magal 1996 Indian Tamil 1996 Naatupura Paattu 1996 Love Birds Tamil 1996 Sakthi 1997 Arunachalam Tamil 1997 Vallal Tamil 1998 Pooveli Tamil 1998 Natpukkaga Tamil 1998 Veera Thalattu 1998 Marumalarchi 1999 Rojavanam Tamil 1999 Unnai Thedi Tamil 1999 Periyanna 1999 Kummipaattu 1999 Simmarasi 2000 Kannal Pesava 2000 Vetri Kodi Kattu Tamil 2000 Millenium Stars Malayalam 2000 Thirunelveli Tamil 2000 Kannan Varuvaan Tamil 2000 Snegithiye Tamil 2000 Unnaruge Naan Irundhal Tamil 2000 Maayi Tamil 2001 Krishna Krishna Tamil 2002 Thamizh Tamil 2002 Gemini Tamil 2003 Saamy Tamil 2003 Diwaan 2003 Whistle Tamil 2004 Perazhagan Tamil 2004 7G Rainbow Colony Tamil 2005 Karka Kasadara 2006 Imsai Arasan 23m Pulikesi Tamil 2006 Pasa Kiligal Tamil 2007 Seetha Kalyanam Malayalam 2007 Aalwar Tamil 2007 Thaamirabharani Tamil 2008 Krishnarjuna Telugu 2009 Arundhati Telugu 2009 Laadam Tamil 2009 A Aa E Ee Tamil 2010 Irumbu Kottai Murattu Singam Tamil 2010 Singam Tamil 2011 Ponnar Sankar Tamil References
- ^ a b There’s no stopping her. Hinduonnet. 2009/02/02
- ^ "The endearing `aachi'". The Hindu. 2003-07-07. http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/07/07/stories/2003070701340300.htm. Retrieved 2010-05-26.
- ^ "The Hindu : The endearing `aachi'". Hinduonnet.com. 2003-07-07. http://www.hinduonnet.com/mp/2003/07/07/stories/2003070701340300.htm. Retrieved 2010-05-26.
- ^ ‘Comedy is big responsibility’. Hinduonnet. 10/08/2007
- ^ A Tamil entertainment ezine presenting interesting contents and useful services. Nilacharal. Retrieved on 2011-07-27.
- ^ "Manorama's first opportunity to sing". Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ISRIZz1dvs#t=3m20s.
- ^ "Manorama on her character of Jil Jil Ramamani". Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ISRIZz1dvs#t=6m02s.
- ^ Cho Ramaswamy's comments on Manorama. Youtube.com. Retrieved on 2011-07-27.
- ^ "Manorama interview in Toronto". Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHDD0Iw_49I#t=4m12s.
- ^ "Manorama talks about her mother and childhood". Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHDD0Iw_49I#t=55s.
- ^ "The secret of Manorama's youth". Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ISRIZz1dvs#t=4m46s.
- ^ "Manorama talks about her last meeting with Sivaji Ganesan". Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qaO6G9z9Bs#t=2m15s.
- ^ "Manorama's interview in Toronto". Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qaO6G9z9Bs#t=5m40s.
- ^ "Manorama on K. Balachander". Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POIAEAg5Bh0#t=01m36s.
- ^ "Manorama snake-bite incident". Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxkU-_ZXK60#t=4m35s.
- ^ "Manorama's first film was in Sinhalese". Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxkU-_ZXK60#t=9m15s.
- ^ "Manorama's first film as heroine". Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxkU-_ZXK60#t=10m21s.
- ^ Manorama was interviewed by Anu Hassan in the Vijay TV show "Kofee with Anu", Aug 15 2007.
- ^ "The Hindu : Evening of stardust memories". Hinduonnet.com. 2002-02-27. http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/lf/2002/02/27/stories/2002022700840200.htm. Retrieved 2010-05-26.
External links
Categories:- Indian actors
- Tamil actors
- Recipients of the Padma Shri
- Tamil comedians
- Indian Tamil people
- Living people
- 1943 births
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