Vennira Aadai Nirmala
Indian actress
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Vennira Aadai Nirmala (born as A. B. Shanthi in Kumbakonam) is an Indian actress who has appeared in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films. She was a prominent lead actress from 1960s and 70s. She is credited as Ushakumari in Malayalam film industry.
27 June 1948
Vennira Aadai Nirmala | |
|---|---|
| Born | Shanthi 27 June 1948 |
| Other names | Nirmala (Nimmi), Usha kumari |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1965–present |
| Parent(s) | Father : Aranmanai L. Balakrishnan Mother : Radharukmani |
Personal life
She was born as Shanthi to Aranmanai L. Balakrishnan and Radharukmani at Kumbakonam in a Sowrashtra family. She had four siblings. She remains unmarried.[1]
Acting career
Debuting through C. V. Sridhar's Vennira Aadai in 1965, she has acted as lead roles in over 400+ films encompassing four languages - Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu & Kannada. Her screen name in Malayalam films was 'Usha Kumari' In addition to her acting career, Nirmala is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer.[2][3] She acted in the TV series - Deivamagal.
Political career
M. G. Ramachandran had adopted her as his sister and wanted to be his heir in politics. However, she refused.[4] MGR had nominated her to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Council. Her swearing in ceremony was scheduled for 23 April 1986. Nirmala had earlier declared insolvency and according to Article 102-(1)(c) of the Indian Constitution, an insolvent person cannot serve as a member of parliament or state legislature.[5][6]
This annulment made Nirmala's nomination valid and the writ petition against it was dismissed. However, Nirmala withdrew her nomination to the council. Miffed with this incident, MGR decided to abolish the council.[7]
In 1989 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections, She unsuccessfully contested on behalf of Janaki Faction of AIADMK against then rival faction Leader Jayalalithaa in Bodinayakkanur Assembly constituency.
Partial filmography
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Tamil
Malayalam
Telugu
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Gudachari 116 | ||
| 1967 | Bhakta Prahlada | ||
| Ave Kallu | |||
| 1968 | Papa Kosam | ||
| 1969 | Mooga Nomu | ||
| 1971 | Andariki Monagadu | ||
| Bangaru Talli | |||
| Bomma Borusa | |||
| Sati Anasuya | |||
| 1972 | Kathula Rathaiah | ||
| Bhale Mosagadu | |||
| Datta Putrudu | |||
| Maa Inti Velugu | |||
| Somaripothu | |||
| 1973 | Dhanama? Daivama? | ||
| Varasuralu | |||
| 1974 | Sthree Gowravam | ||
| Mangalya Bhagyam | |||
| 1976 | Devude Gelichadu | ||
| Lawyer Indira Devi | |||
| 1977 | Chakradhari | ||
| 1978 | Karunamayudu | ||
| 1980 | Chukkalo Chandrudu | ||
| Kaali | |||
| Guru | |||
| Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Mahatmyam | |||
| 1981 | Sri Anjaneya Charitra | ||
| Antham Kaadhidi Aarambham | |||
| 1998 | Sri Sita Ramula Kalyanam Chootamu Raarandi | ||
| 2000 | Kalisundam Raa | ||
| Jayam Manadera | |||
| Ninne Premistha | |||
| 2001 | Chinna | Chinna's mother | |
| Adhipathi | |||
| 2002 | Seema Simham | ||
| 2003 | Okariki Okaru | ||
| 2004 | Arjun | ||
| Shankar Dada M.B.B.S | |||
| 2007 | Shankar Dada Zindabad | ||
| 2010 | Ragada | ||
Kannada
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Sri Renukadevi Mahathme | ||
| 1985 | Kari Naga | ||
Television serials
| Year | Title | Role | Channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Micro Thodargal- Mounam Oru Bashai | Raj TV | ||
| 2001 | Meendum Meendum Sirippu | Sun TV | [citation needed] | |
| 2004–2006 | Kalki | Jaya TV | ||
| 2006-2007 | Raja Rajeswari | Sun TV | ||
| 2008 | Manikoondu | Parvathi Devi | ||
| 2013–2018 | Deivamagal | Janaki Chidambaram | ||
| 2004 | Aaradhana | Doordarshan | Producer, Screenplay writer and Actor; A series on Indian Music Composers | |
| 2007 | Be'zubaan | A Tele series in Hindi | ||
| 2009 | Sri Aandal | Dance Drama | ||
| 2009-2010 | Pushpanjali | A Tele series | ||
| 2012-2017 | Konjum Salangai & Dheem Tharikita | DD Podhigai | Tele series based on Classical dance competition among children telecasted for over five years. | |
| 2021 | Saadhana Bharatam | YouTube | YouTube Channel which explores Bharatanatyam[8] |
Awards and honours
- 2009; Kaviarasu Kannadasan Tamizh Sangam Award[9]