Poornam Vishwanathan

Poornam Viswanathan (15 November 1921 – 1 October 2008) was an Indian theatre and film actor, who predominantly appeared in Tamil films. He started performing on stage at age 18. He worked as a reader for All India Radio and went on to act in films such as Chithram, Varusham 16, Thillu Mullu, Keladi Kanmani, Moondram Pirai, Aasai, Mahanadi and Varumaiyin Niram Sivappu. He had a son and two daughters. Viswanathan died on 1 October 2008.[2][3][4]

Poornam Vishwanathan
Born(1921-11-15)15 November 1921
Died1 October 2008(2008-10-01) (aged 87)[1]
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
NationalityIndian
OccupationActor, radio news reader

Career

Viswanathan was known for his remarkable performances in Tamil theatre and films. In every role he played, he paid great attention to dialogue delivery and body language.

He started performing on stage when he was 18. He later moved to New Delhi for a few years, where he was part of the South Indian Troupe with dance and music critic Subbudu. Viswanathan worked as a news reader at All India Radio, and deemed it a matter of great pride to have announced the news of India obtaining independence in the first news bulletin broadcast on 15 August 1947.

He was transferred to Chennai in 1964. His portrayal of roles in plays scripted by Marina, such as Thanikuduthanam, Oor Vambu and Kaal Kattu, won him great acclaim. His performances in plays such as Kadavul Vandirundar, Adimaigal and Oonjal were similarly hailed by audiences. His passion for theatre inspired him to start a troupe of his own, called Poornam New Theatres.

He served the Press Information Bureau in Chennai as an assistant information officer and later served as editor of Thittam and senior correspondent for Yojana, magazines brought out by the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry. He penned several plays and short stories. He was very interested in the fine arts and was often spotted at Sabhas during the December music festival.

He is known in Kollywood for his peculiar voice modulation.

He also starred in the Bollywood blockbuster Ek Duje Ke Liye (1981), in which he played the role of Kamal Hassan's strict father.

He is also known to Malayalam audiences for his role in the blockbuster Chithram with Mohanlal.

Filmography

This is a partial filmography. You can expand it.

Tamil

Year Title Role Notes
1968 Uyarndha Manithan Ranganathan
1970 Vilaiyaattu Pillai
Tirumalai Tenkumari
1972 Idhaya Veenai
Mr. Sampath
1973 Sollathan Ninaikkiren Viswanath
Gowravam Claimax Judge
Rajapart Rangadurai Jilla Collector
Ganga Gowri Guest Appearance
1974 Thanga Pathakkam Guest Appearance
Naan Avanillai
Dikkatra Parvathi
1975 Ninaithadhai Mudippavan
Melnattu Marumagal Pazhani vel
1979 Ninaithale Inikkum
Naan Vazhavaippen
Pattakkathi Bhairavan
1980 Mazhalai Pattalam
Guru Raghu's father
Idhayam Pesugirathu
Varumayin Niram Sivappu Sundaram Pillai
1981 Thillu Mullu
Garjanai
Aani Ver
Oruthi Mattum Karaiyinile
Ranuva Veeran
1982 Moondram Pirai Srinivas's Boss
Vadamalai
Puthukavithai
Archanai Pookal
Payanangal Mudivathillai
Agni Sakshi
1983 Oru Indhiya Kanavu
Samayapurathale Satchi
Puthisali Paithiyangal
1984 Vidhi
Tharaasu
Osai
Kai Kodukkum Kai
Unnai Naan Santhithen Doctor
1985 Padikkadavan Vedhachalam
Aan Paavam
Kalyana Agathigal
Geethanjali
1986 Dharma Pathni
1987 Kadhal Parisu
Mangai Oru Gangai
Paruva Ragam
1988 Khooni Insaan
Kan Simittum Neram
Therkathi Kallan
Uzhaithu Vaazha Vendum
1989 Varusham Padhinaaru Family Head
Shiva
Varusham 16
Ore Oru Gramathiley
Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal Goa Resident
1990 Keladi Kanmani Sharada's father
Vedikkai En Vadikkai
Anjali
Raja Kaiya Vacha
Velai Kidaichuduchu
1991 Gopura Vasalile
Pudhu Manithan
Nee Pathi Naan Pathi
Adhikari
Abhimanyu
1992 Meera
Sugamana Sumaigal Guest Appearance
1993 Thalattu
1994 Mahanadhi Panjapakesan Iyer (Krishna's Cellmate)
Manasu Rendum Pudhusu Narayanan Iyer
1995 Aasai Yamuna's father
1996 Thuraimugam
1996 Siraichalai Prabhu Father's Guest Appearance
2002 Thamizhan (final film role)

Malayalam

Year Title Role Notes
1988 Chithram Ramendra Menon
Aryan
1991 Abhimanyu
1994 Pingami

Hindi

Year Title Role Notes
1981 Ek Duuje Ke Liye V. Sivaramakrishan
gollark: (or some other thing)
gollark: I assume it'd just be backed by some balance stored in a server somewhere and allow input/output of diamonds?
gollark: 🌵
gollark: Oh well.
gollark: It's possibly more useful than spending ages figuring out new type systems.

References

  1. "Actor-producer K Balaji passes away". rediff.com. 2 October 2008. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  2. Poornam Viswanathan dead. Hindu.com. Retrieved on 2011-08-09.
  3. Chennai: 'Poornam' Viswanathan passes away. Ia.rediff.com (2004-12-31). Retrieved on 2011-08-09.
  4. Rediff Interview. Rediff.com (1947-08-15). Retrieved on 2011-08-09.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.