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

Gandhimathi
Born30 August 1940
Died9 September 2011
(age 71)
NationalityIndian
OccupationActress
Years active1957–2011

Early life

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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

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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

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1940s

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

1960s

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

1970s

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

1980s

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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
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
1988 Therkathi Kallan
1989 Panthaya Kuthiraigal
Karagattakaran
Solaikuyil
Padicha Pulla
Thangamana Raasa
Annanukku Jai
En Arumai Manaivi
Manidhan Marivittan

1990s

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List of 1990s film credits
Year Title Role Notes
1990 Mallu Vetti Minor
Sandhana Kaatru
Periya Veetu Pannakkaran
En Kadhal Kanmani
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 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

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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

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References

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  • "Actor Kanthimathi dead". The Hindu. 9 September 2011.
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