Kaviyoor Ponnamma

Kaviyoor Ponnamma (10 September 1945 – 20 September 2024) was an Indian actress who appeared in Malayalam films and television. Ponnamma had acted in around 700 movies in her career spanning more than six decades. She began her career performing in theatre dramas before foraying into cinema. She also acted in TV serials and commercials and had playback singing credits in few films.

Ponnamma was a four-time Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actress winner. Her sister Kaviyoor Renuka was also an actress. Often called as the "mother to all actors", she acted as mother of almost all actors in her career spanning over decades. At the age of 20, she played the mother of older actors Sathyan and Madhu in Thommente Makkal (1965). She particularly gained critical acclaim for acting as the mother of Mohanlal.

Early life Ponnamma was born to T. P. Damodharan and Gauri, as the eldest of seven children, on 10 September 1945 in Kaviyoor, Thiruvalla. She had six siblings among whom Kaviyoor Renuka (d. 2004), her younger sister, was also an actress. Even though she was born in Kaviyoor, her childhood was spent in Ponkunnam where her father was doing business. She began taking singing lessons from age five. Ever since she saw a live concert of M. S. Subbulakshmi, she wanted to be a singer and even "look like her". Her arengettam (singing debut) was held in Kaviyoor when she was 11 years old, where she was first introduced by her stage name "Kaviyoor Ponnamma".

Career

As a five-year-old, she learned music and sang in stage shows. Ponnamma started her career as a singer with 'Pratibha Arts' theatre group at the age of 14. She was a disciple of popular musicians RLP Varma and Vechoor S Harihara Subramanya Aiyer. Maniswami died in 2011 after a long illness.

Ponnamma died from cancer at Lissie Hospital in Kochi, Kerala, on 20 September 2024, at the age of 79.

Awards

Kerala State Film Awards

Second Best Actress in 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1994

Other awards Film City Magazine- Chalachitra Ratnam' Title – 2006 Pappanamkode Lakshmanan Award – 2006 O Madhavan Award – 2009 Bharath Murali Award – 2012 Kala Ratna award – EV Kala Mandalam – 2013 PK Rosy Award – 2015 Good Knight Film and Business Awards – 2017 Gurupranam – Honour by Malayalam Cine Technicians’ Association (MACTA) – 2013 Honour by KSFDC – 2015 Honour by Kerala State Film Awards – 2016 Felicitation by Kerala State Film Awards – 2017 Kausalya Vandanam programme Honour – 2017 Kalaiselvam Award – Government of Tamil Nadu Honour by Kaviyoor Panchayat DLSA Honour

Filmography

As an actress

1950s Year Title Role Notes 1958 Mariakutty

1960s Year Title Role Notes 1962 Sreerama Pattabhishekam Mandodari 1963 Kalayum Kaminiyum 1964 Bharthavu Santha Atom Bomb Dolly Lakshmi Kudumbini Lakshmi 1965 Daaham Lakshmi Teacher Thommante Makkal Achaamma Odayil Ninnu Kalyani Rosie Rosi 1966 Kanmanikal Kayamkulam Kochunni Jail Karthyayaniyamma Pinchu Hridayam Saraswathi 1967 Swapnabhoomi Saraswathy Pooja Eeswariyamma Postman Sahadharmini Anweshichu Kandethiyilla Annie's mother 1968 Asuravithu Kunjootty Vazhi Pizhacha Santhathi Velutha Kathreena Martha Pulayi 1969 Vilakuranja Manushyan Kattukurangu Thulasi Aalmaram Ammini Amma Nadhi Thresia

1970s Year Title Role Notes 1970 Palunku Pathram Ammayenna Sthree Jaanu Aa Chithrashalabham Parannotte Lakshmi Kalpana Dakshayaniyamma Othenente Makan Naani Cross Belt Bhavani Vivahitha Kamala Thriveni Parvathi Nizhalattam Ravi's Mother Anadha Sarojam 1971 C.I.D. In Jungle Jalakanyaka Bobanum Moliyum Santhamma Kalithozhi Parvathy Amma Sarasayya Thomaskutty's mother Karinizhal Vishva Lakshmi Vivahasammanam Parukuttyamma Oru Penninte Katha Subhadra Karakanakadal Tharuthi Shiksha Meenakshi Vithukal Ammini Makane Ninakku Vendi Thomachan's mother Aabhijathyam Janaki 1972 Kalippava Anweshanam Ponnamma Puthrakameshti Malati Snehadeepame Mizhi Thurakku Seetha Sathi Pick-pocket's mother Sree Guruvayoorappan Kururamma Theerthayathra Kochikkavu Akkarapacha Bhageerathi Manthrakodi Saraswathi Aromalunni Thumbolarcha Gaandharvakshethram Kalamezuthu Pattukari Aadhyathe Katha Ammukuttiyamma Pushpanjali Bhagi 1973 Kavitha Chenda Enippadikal Periyar Thresiakutty Thiruvabharanam Antharjanam Ponnapuram Kotta Uppaathi Nakhangal Kakkachi Divyadharsanam Poojarini Amma Angathattu Kunjukutti Dharmayudham Bhadra Thampuratti Interview Saraswathi Thaniniram Subhadra Nirmalyam Narayani 1974 Chanchala Neelakannukal Chellamma Suprabhatham Baadal's mother Arakkallan Mukkalkkallan Lakshmi Thampuratti Nellu Savithri Varassyar Manyasree Viswamithran Bhageeradhiyamma Thacholi Marumakan Chandu Unnichirutha Night Duty Savithriyamma Chakravakam Shosamma Devi Kanyakumari Old lady 1975 Malsaram Sammanam Tourist Bungalow Mattoru Seetha Padmaragam Abhimaanam Kamalamma Raagam Blind school principal Sindhu Parvathy Amma Chumaduthangi Lakshmi Amma Thiruvonam Jaanamma Makkal Leela Prayanam Ammini amma Utsavam Gopi's mother Pravaham Lakshmi 1976 Aruthu Paarijatham Priyamvada Kanyaadaanam Seemantha Puthran Romeo Kaayamkulam Kochunniyude Makan Suhara Vazhivilakku Janakiyamma Ajayanum Vijayanum Susheela Appooppan Saraswathy Chottanikkara Amma Indu's grandmother Amba Ambika Ambalika Old age Satyavati Amrithavaahini Lakshmi Thulavarsham Balan's mother 1977 Rowdy Rajamma Sreemad Bhagavad Geetha Akshayapaathram Vezhambal Siva Thandavum Varadakshina Aa Nimisham Dheerasameere Yamuna Theere Rajaparambara Mini Mol Lakshmiyamma Innale Innu Radha's mother Jagadguru Aadisankaran Kaippilly Aryadevi Antarjanam Sreemurukan Kamalakshi Nirakudam Sathi Oonjaal Bharathi Muttathe Mulla Maheshwari Satyavan Savithri Arundathi Devi Itha Ivide Vare Kamalakshi Kodiyettam Kamalamma Randu Lokam Madhavi Achaaram Ammini Osharam Omana Dakshayani Vidarunna Mottukal Lakshmi Paadasaram Kamalakshi 1978 Aazhi Alayaazhi Aniyara Naalumanippookkal Seemanthini Tiger Salim Udayam Kizhakku Thanne Sathrathil Oru Raathri Pichipoo Anubhoothikalude Nimisham Society Lady Rajan Paranja Kadha Prarthana Sthree Oru Dukham Samayamaayilla Polum Savithri Uthrada Rathri Gopan's mother Kalpavriksham Nun Eeta Philomina Avalude Ravukal Lakshmi Kudumbam Namukku Sreekovil Yashodha Devi Rathinirvedam Saraswathi Randilonnu Maheshwari 1979 Manushyan Driver Madyapichirunnu Pambaram Pushyaraagam Amma Aayiram Vasanthangal Cheriyachante Kroorakrithyangal Eliyamma Aarattu Annamma Sarpam Bhavani Prabhu Devaki Yakshi Paaru Thampi's wife Itha Oru Theeram Madhavi Prabhaathasandhya Usha's Mother Mamangam Chathunni's Mother

1980s Year Title Role Notes 1980 Karnan Moorkhan Oru Varsham Oru Maasam Chamaram Karthyayani Manushya Mrugam Babu's Mother Thirayum Theeravum Mohan's mother Anthappuram Bhavani Pappu Actress Guest appearance Karimpana Muthan's mother Love in Singapore Premachandran's Mother 1981 Aarathi Swapnaragam Anandharam Chamayam Saahasam Nizhal Yudham Devaki Oppol Narayani amma Orikkal Koodi Chandran's Mother Maniyan Pilla Adhava Maniyan Pilla Devaki Sphodanam Gopi's Mother Vayal Saraswathi Agnisaram Bhavani Avatharam Lakshmikuttyamma Thrishna Chinammu Amma 1982 Kallimullu Bheeman Balloon Lakshmiyamma Kaaliya Mardhanam Geetha's mother Beedi Kunjamma Madhavan's Mother Kaattile Paattu Raji Ilakkangal Unnis' mother Maattuvin Chattangale Jayan's mother Paanjajanyam Lakshmidevi Marupacha Ponnamma 1983 Pourasham Saraswathi Nathi Muthal Nathi Vare Adv. Lakshmi Oomana Thinkal Gopi's mother Bandham Sreedeviyamma Sesham Kazhchayil Shankar's mother Enikku Vishakunnu Chinnamma Hello Madras Girl Sreedevi Amma Nizhal Moodiya Nirangal Thambi's & Unni's mother Enne Njan Thedunnu Lakshmiyamma Mansoru Maha Samudram Devaki Marakkillorikkalum Sharada 1984 Mukhamukham Somayagam Ente Nandhinikutty Ente Gramam Ningalil Oru Sthree Latha's mother Oru Painkilikatha Kamaalakshi Swanthamevide Bandhamevide Lakshmi Kodathy Meenakshiyamma Thirakal Madhaviyamma Manithali Zulfikar's mother Lakshmana Rekha Radha's mother Kanamarayathu Mother Superior Ariyaatha Veethikal Janakiyamma Adiyozhukkukal Mariyamma 1985 Guerrilla Mounam Nombaram Indu's mother Ee Thanalil Ithiri Nerum Savithri Angadikkappurathu Rosi Thinkalaazhcha Nalla Divasam Janakikutty Ente Ammu Ninte Thulasi Avarude Chakki Sathyabhama Adhyayam Onnu Muthal Lakshmi Makan Ente Makan Paruvamma Karimpinpoovinakkare Bhadran's Mother 1986 Ariyatha Bandhukkal Vishwasichallum Illenkilum Kaveri Ente Sonia Shanti Akalangalil Sethu's mother Koodanayum Kattu Annie's Mother Sukhamo Devi Nandan's Mother Namukku Parkkan Munthirithoppukal Rita Ennu Nathante Nimmi Chithambaram's mother Iniyum Kurukshetrum Gomathi Surabhi Yaamangal Meenakshi Malarum Kiliyum Padmavathiyamma Manasiloru Manimuthu Mohan's mother Nakhakshathangal Valiyamma Kshamichu Ennoru Vakku Dr. Shanthamma 1987 Oru Maymasa Pulariyil Irupatham Noottandu Meenakshmiyamma Achuvettante Veedu Vipin's Mother Kaiyethum Doorathu Janaki Thaniyavarthanam Balan's mother Anantaram Yogini Amma 1988 Onnum Onnum Pathinonnu Marikkunilla Njaan Narayaniyamma 1921 Keshavankutty's mother Vidaparayamanthram Karthi Ente Amma Sathyabhama Sathyaa Malayali shop owner Tamil film Mukthi Madhaviyamma 1989 Swantham Ennu Karuthi Unnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas Aliyamma Ulsavapittennu Kalyaniyamma Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal Devaki Amma Cameo Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam Mariyamma Mazhavilkavadi Velayudhankutty's mother Muthukkudayum Choodi Madhavi Vandanam Unnikrishnan's mother Adhipan Shyam Prakash's mother Aksharathettu Sumati's mother Kireedam Sethu's mother Jaathakam Janaki Devadas Devadas' Mother Dasharatham Chandradas' Mother

1990s Year Title Role Notes 1990 Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu Nurse Leelavathi Purappadu Kunjimaluvamma Kadathanadan Ambadi Kunki Kshanakkathu Vivekanandan's mother Nanma Niranjavan Sreenivasan Sreenivasan's mother Kattukuthira Manka Rajavazhcha Naniyamma Kuruppinte Kanakku Pustakom Vinayachandran's Mother In Harihar Nagar Andrew's mother His Highness Abdullah Bhagirathi Valiya Thampurati Midhya Rajagopal's Mother Oliyampukal Annamma 1991 Nithyavasanthan Nithyavismayam Herself Documentary Ulladakkam Sunny's Mother Sandesam Bhanumathi Pookkalam Varavayi Nandan's Mother Dhanam Sivasankaran's mother Bharatham Devaki Apoorvam Chilar Sarojam Arangu Madhavi Ezhunnallathu Mrs. James Kizhakkunarum Pakshi Ananthan's mother Aparaahnam Janakiyamma 1992 Kudumbasametham Kochukutty Aayushkalam Aby's mother Mugha Mudra Lakshmi Sabarimalayil Thanka Sooryodayam Chandran Pillai's wife Ponnurukkum Pakshi Lakshmi Amma Mahanagaram Viswanathan's Mother Pappayude Swantham Appoos Meenakshi's mother Kingini 1993 Vietnam Colony Parvathiyammal Samagamam Annakutty Oru Kadankatha Pole Sekaharan's mother Sopanam Sethulakshmi Varma Ottayadipathakal Anoop's mother Gandharvam Gracy Kutty Kalippattam Sarojam's mother Chenkol Sethumadhavan's mother Kavadiyattam Sethulakshmi Maya Mayooram Janakiyamma Vatsalyam Janaki Amma Ithu Manjukalam Aswathy's and Revathy's mother 1994 Paamaram Vendor Daniel State Licency Annamma Daniel Kudumba Vishesham Bharathi Njan Kodiswaran Janaki Santhanagopalam Kurup's wife Sukrutham Ravishankar's mother Thenmavin Kombath Yeshodhamma Bheesmacharya Ponnutty Chukkan Lakshmi 1995 Mumpe Parakkunna Pakshi Puzhayorathoru Poojari Sreedevi No. 1 Snehatheeram Bangalore North Vijayabhaskar's mother Saadaram Bhanumathi Minnaminuginum Minnukettu Hari's mother Mannar Mathai Speaking Meera's Mother Karma Rukmini 1997 Swantham Makalkku Snehapoorvam Itha Oru Snehagatha Daniel's mother Snehasindhooram Uma's mother Amme Prabhathamayi Short film 1998 Aram Jaalakam Priyuralu Subhadra's mother Telugu film Manjeeradwani Subhadra's mother Kottaram Veettile Apputtan Appoottan's mother Poothiruvathira Raavil Raghu's mema Amma Ammaayiyamma Sarada teacher 1999 Pallavur Devanarayanan Bhageerathi Njangal Santhushtaranu Mother of the Orphanage The Godman Amarnath's Mother Ezhupunna Tharakan Kunjannamma

2000s Year Title Role Notes 2000 Arayannangalude Veedu Lakshmi Ramayanakkili 2001 Kakkakuyil Sethu Lakshmi Bhai 'Thampuratty' Akashathile Paravakal Sridevi's grandmother Uthaman Jayaraj's mother 2002 Nandanam Unni Amma 2003 Mr. Brahmachari Ananthan Thampi's Mother Hariharan Pilla Happy Aanu Padmavathiyamma Sahodaran Sahadevan Mother of Aravindan & Mukundan Swantham Malavika Vysakhan's mother Ammakilikkoodu Marykutty Teacher Pattanathil Sundaran Bhavaniyamma Parinamam Malathi 2004 Nothing but Life Cameo Parijatham Njan Salperu Ramankutty Ramankutty's mother Vismayathumbathu Sreekumar's mother Runway Bharathiyamma Natturajavu Charlie's Mother Mampazhakkalam Lakshmi 2006 Vadakkumnadhan Rugmavathi Amma Aanachandam Baba Kalyani Meenakshiamma 2007 Anamika Komban Kichan's mother Anchil Oral Arjunan Easweriyamma 2008 Twenty:20 Bharathi Amma Sultan Patient De Ingottu Nokkiye Vettikadu Sadasivan's mother Gulmohar Devaki Kavyam 2009 Women in Malayalam Cinema Herself Ividam Swargamanu Elssama Meghatheertham Gayathri Devi 2 Harihar Nagar Andrew's mother Kappal Muthalaali Bhoominathan's mother

2010s Year Title Role Notes 2011 Christian Brothers Joseph Vadakkan's mother Marananantharam 101 Ruppika Collector Avinash Varma's mother Swapnamalika Ithu Nammude Katha Vinod's grandmother 2012 Best Wishes Lumiere Brothers Herself Archive footage Orkut Oru Ormakoot Amminiyamma Mazhavillinattam Vare Namukku Parkkan Rajeev's mother Manjadikuru Devayani Theruvu Nakshatrangal Mukundan's mother Mr. Marumakan Bhavani Amma 2013 Ginger Vivekanandan's mother Kadal Kadannu Oru Maathukutty Mariyamma 2014 Tharangal Herself Photo only Avatharam Madhavan's mother 100 Degree Celsius Lovely's mother-in-law 2015 Njan Samvidhanam Cheyyum Swamini Amma 2016 Kammal Dhanayathra Vijila's mother Poy Maranju Paranju Vinu's grandmother Pa Va Agnes/Sister amma Oppam Jayaraman's valiyammayi Thoppil Joppan Joppan's mother Oru Muthassi Gadha 2017 Manchatti Mariyamma Short film Achayans Valyammichi Vedam Sabarinath's grandmother 2019 Mr. Pavanayi 99.99 Soni's grandmother Muthassikkoru Muthu Naani Muthassi Mamangam Puthumana Thampuratti

2020s Year Title Role Notes 2021 Aanum Pennum Kuttan's mother Segment : Rani Ammachikoottile Pranayakalam Ummachi 2022 Aaraattu Uncredited voice only Kannadi

As a film playback singer 1963 – "Kaavilamme Karinkali" – Kaattumaina 1968 – "Methikkalathile" – Velutha Kathreena 1972 – "Ambike Jagadambike" – Theerthayaathra 1973 – "Mangalaam Kaavile" – Dharmayudham 1982 – "Thushaaramanikal" – Illakkangal 1982 – "Palathum Paranju" – Chiriyo Chiri 1999 – "Unknown" – Pallavur Devanarayanan

Television

Serials

1997 – Mandan Kunju (Doordarshan) 1999 – Kalanum Kandakashani (Doordarshan) 2000 – Manasi 2001 – Akshayapaathram 2001 – Swantham Malootty 2002 – Akkarappacha (Asianet) Nagamma 2004 – Dambathya geethangal (Asianet) 2004 – Black and White (Asianet) 2005 – Krishnakripaasaagaram (Amrita TV) 2005 – Amma (Amrita TV)- Telefilm 2006 – Manthrakodi (Asianet) 2006 – Sthree 2 (Asianet) 2006 – Ponnunjal (Asianet) 2007 – Sree Ayappanum Vavarum (Surya TV) 2007 – Alilathali (Asianet) 2007 – Manassariyathe (Surya TV) 2007 – Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Darsanam - Devotional show 2008 – Meera (Asianet) 2008 – Vishudha Thomasleeha (Asianet) 2008 – Gajarajan Guruvayoor Kesavan (Surya TV) 2008 – Ammathottil (Asianet) 2009 – Chandrettanum Shobedathiyum 2009 – Pakal Mazha (Amrita TV) 2012 – Ramayanam (Mazhavil Manorama) 2012 – Kathayile Rajakumari (Mazhavil Manorama) 2016 – Amme Mahamayee (Surya TV) 2017 – Thatteem Mutteem (Mazhavil Manorama) – Cameo appearance 2018 – Gauri (Surya TV)

Other programmes

Home Sweet Home JB Junction News Hour Movies Arabian Dreams Cinema Diary Ponnamma Manassu Comedy Super Nite Comedy Super Nite 2 Kathayillithu Jeevitham Kayyoppu Ponnamma Manssu Thurakkunnu Malayalee House On Record Mukhamukham Samagamam FM Rainbow Badayi Bungalow Female Film Festival Women in Action programme Onam Cooking Show (Kairali We) Thiranottam Top Talk CN Vlogs Onam 2019 Kayyur Film Nithyaharitham Book release Ee Vazhitharayil Charithram Enniloode International Children’s Film Festival of Kerala (ICFFK) Mathrusparsham KSFDC Valthsallyam Mothers’ Day programme K.G. Jayan Felicitation Aanachamayam Thombil Palace Samrakshana Samiti Programme Lohithadas Award Function 65th Hindu Religious Meet Interview (Kairali TV) Onam Thoughts (Jaihind TV) Ammakkorumma Amma Ponnamma Cinemayile Amma Ponnamma Mohanam 2016 Limelight Anjaloonjal Attukal festival Oru Vattam Koodi Stall at Desam Children's day Magic Show Prem Nazir film festival Media Award Presentation Swantham Gramam Sundara Gramam Amruthageethangal Film Supporting Artistes’ Welfare Association Good Knight Film and Business Awards 2017 Annorikkal Nere Chovve Lal Salam Madhuram Madhuram Onam Comedy Stars Onathammamar Star Singer Red FM Malayalam Music Awards Thanima Cultural Festival Ormayile Ponnonam JC Daniel Award - Jury Katha Ithuvare Amma Nakshathram Chapter Day Mathrumadhuram Onam Prem Nazir Foundation Award 50 years of Vellithirayile Perunthachan Janaseva Sisu Bhavan Snehaveedu Honour to IV Sasi Minnalai Television Award Night Velicham Intensive Educational Development Project Vishu Interview (Jaihind TV) Run Kerala, Run Golden Jubilee celebrations of the formation of the State Krishna Jayanthi Hiroshima Day Programme Jubilee Fete of the Neeravil Prakash Kala Kendram Bharathan's 10th death anniversary

Drama As drama actress Mooladhanam Puthiya Akasham Puthiya Bhoomi Janani Janmbhoomi Doctor

As a drama singer "Vellilam Kaattilolichu Kalikkuvan" "Pookkaara Pootharumo" (Doctor) "Onappooviliyil" (Mooladhanam) "Kaalchilambil" (Mooladhanam) "Oru vazhithaarayil" (Althara) "Pottichirichu" "Mannil Piranna"(Althara) "Mulchedikkaattil"(Althara) "Vala Vala"(Althara) (Yagashala) (Maya)

Albums Karyasiddhi Pooja Ente Malayalam Sreeramajapam Makam - (Singer) Ellam Ente Chottanikkara Amma - (Singer) Krishna Krishna Hare Hare - (Singer)

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