M. N. Rajam

M. N. Rajam
Born
Madurai Narasimha Achary Rajam
OccupationActress
Years active1949-2007
Spouse
​
(m. 1960⁠–⁠2020)​
ChildrenBrahmalakshman (b.1963)
Nalina Meenakshi (b.1969)

Madurai Narasimha Achary Rajam[1] is an Indian actress, who works mainly in Tamil cinema.[2] She 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,[3] Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, M. R. Radha, S.S. Rajendran, M. N. Nambiar and N. S. Krishnan.[4] She married popular Tamil playback singer A. L. Raghavan on 2 May 1960.[5] Her performances in films like, Rathak Kaneer, Pennin Perumai, Pudhayal, Thanga Padumai, "Nadodi Mannan", "Pasa Malar", Thaali Bhagyam and "Arangetram" were critically acclaimed. She played supporting roles in films since 1970 to 1990. She started working in TV serials from 1995 and continues to work in films till 2014.[6][7] In 1958 Rajam was booked by M. G. Ramachandran for his second directorial venture Ponniyin Selvan.[8] 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. .[9] In the film, she was given the role of Nandhini, the wife of Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar.[9] However, in mid-1958 the film was shelved for unknown reasons.[10]

  1. ^ "All's in a letter". The Hindu. 25 November 2013. Archived from the original on 29 November 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Daring to be different". New Straits Times. 24 January 2000. pp. It's Showbiz 2. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  3. ^ "How a Tiff Prompted MGR to Change Bhanumathi Ramakrishna's Role in Nadodi Mannan". News18. 21 June 2022. Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Contented with her lot". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 26 January 2007. Archived from the original on 4 February 2007. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  5. ^ Shivpprasadh, S. (20 June 2013). "The perfect pair". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  6. ^ "In rewind mode". The Hindu. 5 May 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  7. ^ Kumar, Ashok (1 March 2018). "வின்னர் படத்தில் நடித்த M.N ராஜம் கனவர் யார் தெரியுமா, தற்போதைய நிலை - விவரம் உள்ளே". Tamil Behind Talkies (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  8. ^ A. Srivathsan (19 October 2011). "Age hardly withers charm of Ponniyin Selvan". The Hindu. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  9. ^ a b "Ponniyin Selvan Movie Attempts – is it a curse or lack of purse : MGR – Gemini Ganeshan – Vyjayanthimala Bali". 600024.com. 31 May 2011. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  10. ^ A. Srivathsan (19 October 2011). "Age hardly withers charm of Ponniyin Selvan". The Hindu. Retrieved 21 January 2012.