Kanthimathi

Gandhimathi (30 August 1940 – 9 September 2011) was an Indian stage and film actress. She acted in over 500 films.

Early life Kanthimathi was born in Manamadurai in what was then the Ramanathapuram district of India. She started acting in dramas and entered films at the age of eleven.

Career The role which got her noticed was the portrayal of Mayil's mother in 16 Vayathinile. Other important Tamil films in which she acted include Mann Vasanai, Muthu and Karagattakaran. She was awarded the Kalaimamani Award by the Government of Tamil Nadu for her contribution to Tamil cinema.

She acted as mother and grandmother almost to all actors and actresses like M.G.R, Rajinikanth, Kamalhassan, Vijaykanth, Sathyaraj, Prabhu, Vijay, Revathi, Radha, Ambika, Radhika, etc. Other actors or actresses cannot utter the non-lexical filler proverbs like "Chithada kalli viragu odaika ponalam kathala mullu kothoda kuthidichan" (When a lazy girl is forced to go for the work of cutting the firewood she may complain that aloe vera thorns poked her in a bunch) like she could.

Partial filmography

1940s + List of 1940s film credits Year Title Role Notes 1948 Vedhala Ulagam

1960s + List of 1960s film credits Year Title Role Notes 1965 Iravum Pagalum 1966 Kumari Penn Thenmazhai 1969 Adimai Penn Thirudan Guest role

1970s

+ List of 1970s film credits Year Title Role Notes 1970 Thedi Vandha Mappillai Chellam Kalam Vellum Thirumalai Thenkumari 1971 Savaale Samali Thangaikkaaga Akilandam 1972 Nawab Naarkali Raja Radha's Mother Pattikada Pattanama Thavaputhalvan Needhi 1973 Engal Thanga Raja Suryakanthi Rajaraja Cholan Ponnunjal 1974 En Magan Thangam Vani Rani Netru Indru Naalai Doctor Naan Avanillai Athaiya Mamiya 1975 Ninaithadhai Mudippavan Dr. Siva Melnaattu Marumagal Mayangukiral Oru Maadhu Anbe Aaruyire 1977 16 Vayathinile Kuruvammal 1978 Vanakkatukuriya Kathaliye Kizhakke Pogum Rail Karuthamma 1979 Inikkum Ilamai Lakshmi Manthoppu Kiliye Suvarilladha Chiththirangal

1980s

+ List of 1980s film credits Year Title Role Notes 1980 Enga Ooru Rasathi Rusi Kanda Poonai Moodu Pani Bhama Rukmani 1981 Indru Poi Naalai Vaa Oruthi Mattum Karaiyinile Bala Nagamma Andhi Mayakkam 1982 Erattai Manithan Moondram Pirai Raagam Thedum Pallavi Neram Vandhachu 1983 Mann Vasanai Ochaayi Uyirullavarai Usha 1984 Tharaasu Uravai Kaatha Kili Vai Pandal 1985 Mannukketha Ponnu Thendrale Ennai Thodu Sundari Engal Kural Puthiya Theerpu Saavi Pachaiyamma Chidambara Rahasiyam Ponnazhagi 1986 Natpu Aayiram Kannudayaal Mannukkul Vairam 1987 Chinna Thambi Periya Thambi Ninaive Oru Sangeetham Ini Oru Sudhanthiram 1988 Therkathi Kallan 1989 Panthaya Kuthiraigal Karagattakaran Solaikuyil Padicha Pulla Thangamana Raasa Annanukku Jai En Arumai Manaivi Manidhan Marivittan

1990s

+ List of 1990s film credits Year Title Role Notes 1990 Mallu Vetti Minor Sandhana Kaatru Periya Veetu Pannakkaran En Kadhal Kanmani Roadside shop owner 1991 Gnana Paravai Kumbakarai Thangaiah Namma Ooru Mariamma 1992 Senbaga Thottam Unna Nenachen Pattu Padichen Oor Mariyadhai Idhu Namma Bhoomi Thirumathi Palanisamy Nadodi Pattukkaran Solaiyamma 1993 Walter Vetrivel Thalattu Sakkarai Devan Chinna Jameen 1994 Oru Vasantha Geetham Namma Annachi Atha Maga Rathiname Ilaignar Ani 1995 Aanazhagan Mr. Madras Muthu Poongavanam Varraar Sandiyar 1996 Amman Kovil Vaasalile Namma Ooru Raasa 1997 Nalla Manusukkaran Vivasaayi Magan Namma Ooru Raasa 1999 Nesam Pudhusu

2000s

+ List of 2000s film credits Year Title Role Notes 2001 Ponnana Neram Thavasi Priyadarshini's grandmother 2003 Anbu Thollai 2004 Virumaandi Settai Pankajam Oru Murai Sollividu 2005 Ayya 2006 Iyappa Saamy

TV Series 2004-2007 My Dear Bhootham as Moosa's Grandmother (Sun TV) 2004-2007 Kalki (Jaya TV) 2005 Kolangal as Narayanan's sister (Sun TV) 2010-2011 Pondatti Thevai (Sun TV)