M. N. Rajam

Madurai Narasimha Achary Rajam is an Indian actress, who works mainly in Tamil cinema. She was known for her roles in Ratha Kanneer, Pennin Perumai, Pudhayal, Thanga Padumai, Nadodi Mannan, Pasamalar, Thaali Bhagyam and Arangetram.

Career Rajam 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 in Nadodi Mannan, Sivaji Ganesan in Rangoon Radha, Gemini Ganesan, M. R. Radha, S. S. Rajendran, M. N. Nambiar and N. S. Krishnan. She married popular Tamil playback singer A. L. Raghavan on 2 May 1960.

She played supporting roles in films from 1970 to 1990. She started working in TV serials from 1995 and continued to work in films till 2014. In 1958 Rajam was booked by MGR for his second directorial venture Ponniyin Selvan. 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. In the film, she was given the role of Nandhini, the wife of Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar. However, in mid-1958 the film was shelved for unknown reasons. During 1950s, Rajam was recognized for her negative shade roles in a few movies. Subsequently, she expanded her character roles to encompas positive roles as well, especially in movies like Arangetram.

Filmography 1940s Year Title Role Notes 1949 Nallathambi Girl at orphanage Child Artist Mangayarkarasi Heavenly Maiden

1950s Year Title Role Notes 1952 En Thangai Servant Girl Mappillai Nurse Penn Manam 1953 Manidhanum Mirugamum 1954 Ratha Kanneer Kantha 1955 Doctor Savithri Vanaja Kanavaney Kankanda Deivam Mallika Maheswari Mangaiyar Thilakam Prabha Methavigal Needhipathi Town Bus Pankajam Ulagam Palavidham Kathanayaki 1956 Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum Bulbul Kula Dheivam Marma Veeran Mohini Mathar Kula Manickam Moondru Pengal Naane Raja Naan Petra Selvam Dr. Sumathi Nalla Veedu Paasavalai Pennin Perumai Neela Rambaiyin Kaadhal Princess Suguna Rangoon Radha Thangam Sadhaaram 1957 Baagyavathi Bama Mahadhevi Princess Mangamma Makkalai Petra Magarasi Thangam Mallika Mudhalali Kokilam Pudhaiyal Menaka Samaya Sanjeevi 1958 Annaiyin Aanai Sundari Kanniyin Sabatham Kaathavaraayan Aravalli Mangalya Bhagyam Guest role Nadodi Mannan Queen Manohari Nalla Idathu Sambandham Maragatham Neelavukku Niranja Manasu Padhi Bhakti Marikozhundhu Periya Kovil Pillai Kaniyamudhu Piya Milan Mohini Samopoorna Ramayanam Shurpanakha Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum Saradha Thedi Vandha Selvam Thirumanam Mullai 1959 Abalai Anjugam Alli Petra Pillai Kalyanikku Kalyanam Suseela Amudhavalli Mamiyar Mechina Marumagal Naan Sollum Ragasiyam Kala Nalla Theerpu Veena Orey Vazhi Pennkulathin Ponvilakku Pudhumai Penn Sabhash Ramudu Jayasri Telugu film Sivagangai Seemai Thanga Padhumai Princess Thaiyaipola Pillai Noolaipola Selai Uzhavukkum Thozhilukkum Vandhanai Seivom

1960s Year Title Role Notes 1960 Baghdad Thirudan Deivapiravi Thilagam Ellorum Innaattu Mannar Irumanam Kalanthal Thirumanam Kavalai Illaadha Manithan Sivakami Maa Babu Maya Telugu film 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 film 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 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 1976Ore Thanthai 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 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 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 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