Poornam Viswanathan (14 November 1921 – 1 October 2008) was an Indian 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 was the first person in India to announce India was independent on August 15 in All India Radio. He went on to act in films such as Chithram, Varusham 16, Thillu Mullu, Keladi Kanmani, Moondram Pirai, Aasai, Mahanadhi and Varumaiyin Niram Sivappu. He had a son and two daughters. Viswanathan died on 1 October 2008.Poornam Viswanathan dead. Hindu.com. Retrieved on 2011-08-09.Chennai: 'Poornam' Viswanathan passes away. Ia.rediff.com (2004-12-31). Retrieved on 2011-08-09.Rediff Interview. Rediff.com (1947-08-15). Retrieved on 2011-08-09.
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 was 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 was 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 +YearTitleRoleNotes1968Uyarndha ManithanRanganathan1970Vilaiyaattu PillaiPalace SecretaryThirumalai Thenkumari1972Idhaya VeenaiKumarasamyMr. Sampath1973Sollathaan Ninaikkiren ViswanathGowravamClimax JudgeRajapart RangaduraiJilla CollectorGanga GowriGuest Appearance1974Thanga PathakkamGuest AppearanceNaan AvanillaiDikkatra Parvathi1975Ninaithadhai MudippavanMelnaattu MarumagalPalanivel1979Ninaithale Inikkum Sona's father Uncredited roleNaan VazhavaippenPattakkathi Bhairavan1980Mazhalai Pattalam Sivaraman's boss Bilingual filmGuruRaghu's fatherIdhayam PesugirathuVarumayin Niram SivappuSundaram Pillai1981Thillu MulluDoctorGarjanaiAani VerOruthi Mattum KaraiyinileRanuva Veeran1982Moondram PiraiSrinivas's BossVadamalaiPudukavithaiArchanai PookalPayanangal MudivathillaiAgni Sakshi1983Urangatha NinaivugalUma's fatherOru Indhiya KanavuSamayapurathale SatchiPuthisali Paithiyangal1984VidhiTharaasuOsaiKai Kodukkum KaiUnnai Naan Santhithen Doctor1985PadikkadavanVedhachalamAan PaavamKalyana AgathigalGeethanjali1986Dharma PathiniKamalanathan1987Kadhal ParisuSolvathellam UnmaiDr. SundaramoorthyMangai Oru GangaiParuva Ragam1988Khooni InsaanKan Simittum NeramTherkathi KallanUzhaithu Vaazha Vendum1989Varusham PadhinaaruFamily HeadSivaVarusham 16Ore Oru Gramathiley Sankara SastriPudhu Pudhu ArthangalGoa Resident1990Keladi KanmaniSaradha's fatherVedikkai En VadikkaiAalolasingamAnjaliRaja Kaiya VachaVelai Kidaichuduchu1991Gopura VasalilePudhu ManithanNee Pathi Naan PathiAdhikariAbhimanyu1992MeeraSugamana SumaigalGuest Appearance1993Thalattu1994MahanadhiPanjapakesan Iyer (Krishna's Cellmate)Manasu Rendum PudhusuNarayanan Iyer1995AasaiYamuna's fatherChinna Chinna Aasai- PoojaTV Serial 1996ThuraimugamSiraichalaiMukundh's dadGuest Appearance1999Akshaya TV Serial2002Thamizhan Passenger in a bus(final film role)
Malayalam +YearTitleRoleNotes1988ChithramRamendra MenonAryan 1991Abhimanyu 1994Pingami Guest Appearance
Telugu +YearTitleRole1979Andamaina Anubhavam1980GuruRaghu's father1989Mouna Poratam
Other languages +YearTitleRoleLanguageNotes 1980 Makkala Sainya Kannada Bilingual film1981Ek Duuje Ke LiyeV. Sivaramakrishan Hindi
References
External links