Kaviyoor Ponnamma (10 September 1945 – 20 September 2024) was an Indian actress who appeared in Malayalam films and television. Ponnamma had acted in around 700 movies in her career spanning more than six decades. She began her career performing in theatre dramas before foraying into cinema. She also acted in TV serials and commercials and had playback singing credits in few films.
Ponnamma was a four-time Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actress winner. Her sister Kaviyoor Renuka was also an actress. Often called as the "mother to all actors", she acted as mother of almost all actors in her career spanning over decades. At the age of 20, she played the mother of older actors Sathyan and Madhu in Thommente Makkal (1965). She particularly gained critical acclaim for acting as the mother of Mohanlal.
Early life Ponnamma was born to T. P. Damodharan and Gauri, as the eldest of seven children, on 10 September 1945 in Kaviyoor, Thiruvalla. She had six siblings among whom Kaviyoor Renuka (d. 2004), her younger sister, was also an actress. Even though she was born in Kaviyoor, her childhood was spent in Ponkunnam where her father was doing business. She began taking singing lessons from age five. Ever since she saw a live concert of M. S. Subbulakshmi, she wanted to be a singer and even "look like her". Her arengettam (singing debut) was held in Kaviyoor when she was 11 years old, where she was first introduced by her stage name "Kaviyoor Ponnamma".
Career
As a five-year-old, she learned music and sang in stage shows. Ponnamma started her career as a singer with 'Pratibha Arts' theatre group at the age of 14. She was a disciple of popular musicians RLP Varma and Vechoor S Harihara Subramanya Aiyer. At around that time (In 1958), she was spotted by Kerala People's Arts Club (KPAC) who was looking for a girl who can sing in their stage play. They also gave her the role of heroine in Mooladhanam, her debut stage drama at age 13. It was directed by Thoppil Bhasi. After five years came her first movie Kudumbini, in which she did the title role of the mother of two children.
Personal life and death Ponnamma was married to film producer Maniswami in 1969. The couple has a daughter Bindhu who is married and settled in the United States. Maniswami died in 2011 after a long illness.
Ponnamma died from cancer at Lissie Hospital in Kochi, Kerala, on 20 September 2024, at the age of 79.
Awards
Kerala State Film Awards
Second Best Actress in 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1994
Other awards Film City Magazine- Chalachitra Ratnam' Title – 2006 Pappanamkode Lakshmanan Award – 2006 O Madhavan Award – 2009 Bharath Murali Award – 2012 Kala Ratna award – EV Kala Mandalam – 2013 PK Rosy Award – 2015 Good Knight Film and Business Awards – 2017 Gurupranam – Honour by Malayalam Cine Technicians’ Association (MACTA) – 2013 Honour by KSFDC – 2015 Honour by Kerala State Film Awards – 2016 Felicitation by Kerala State Film Awards – 2017 Kausalya Vandanam programme Honour – 2017 Kalaiselvam Award – Government of Tamil Nadu Honour by Kaviyoor Panchayat DLSA Honour
Filmography
As an actress
1950s Year Title Role Notes 1958 Mariakutty
1960s Year Title Role Notes 1962 Sreerama Pattabhishekam Mandodari 1963 Kalayum Kaminiyum 1964 Bharthavu Santha Atom Bomb Dolly Lakshmi Kudumbini Lakshmi 1965 Daaham Lakshmi Teacher Thommante Makkal Achaamma Odayil Ninnu Kalyani Rosie Rosi 1966 Kanmanikal Kayamkulam Kochunni Jail Karthyayaniyamma Pinchu Hridayam Saraswathi 1967 Swapnabhoomi Saraswathy Pooja Eeswariyamma Postman Sahadharmini Anweshichu Kandethiyilla Annie's mother 1968 Asuravithu Kunjootty Vazhi Pizhacha Santhathi Velutha Kathreena Martha Pulayi 1969 Vilakuranja Manushyan Kattukurangu Thulasi Aalmaram Ammini Amma Nadhi Thresia
1970s Year Title Role Notes 1970 Palunku Pathram Ammayenna Sthree Jaanu Aa Chithrashalabham Parannotte Lakshmi Kalpana Dakshayaniyamma Othenente Makan Naani Cross Belt Bhavani Vivahitha Kamala Thriveni Parvathi Nizhalattam Ravi's Mother Anadha Sarojam 1971 C.I.D. In Jungle Jalakanyaka Bobanum Moliyum Santhamma Kalithozhi Parvathy Amma Sarasayya Thomaskutty's mother Karinizhal Vishva Lakshmi Vivahasammanam Parukuttyamma Oru Penninte Katha Subhadra Karakanakadal Tharuthi Shiksha Meenakshi Vithukal Ammini Makane Ninakku Vendi Thomachan's mother Aabhijathyam Janaki 1972 Kalippava Anweshanam Ponnamma Puthrakameshti Malati Snehadeepame Mizhi Thurakku Seetha Sathi Pick-pocket's mother Sree Guruvayoorappan Kururamma Theerthayathra Kochikkavu Akkarapacha Bhageerathi Manthrakodi Saraswathi Aromalunni Thumbolarcha Gaandharvakshethram Kalamezuthu Pattukari Aadhyathe Katha Ammukuttiyamma Pushpanjali Bhagi 1973 Kavitha Chenda Enippadikal Periyar Thresiakutty Thiruvabharanam Antharjanam Ponnapuram Kotta Uppaathi Nakhangal Kakkachi Divyadharsanam Poojarini Amma Angathattu Kunjukutti Dharmayudham Bhadra Thampuratti Interview Saraswathi Thaniniram Subhadra Nirmalyam Narayani 1974 Chanchala Neelakannukal Chellamma Suprabhatham Baadal's mother Arakkallan Mukkalkkallan Lakshmi Thampuratti Nellu Savithri Varassyar Manyasree Viswamithran Bhageeradhiyamma Thacholi Marumakan Chandu Unnichirutha Night Duty Savithriyamma Chakravakam Shosamma Devi Kanyakumari Old lady 1975 Malsaram Sammanam Tourist Bungalow Mattoru Seetha Padmaragam Abhimaanam Kamalamma Raagam Blind school principal Sindhu Parvathy Amma Chumaduthangi Lakshmi Amma Thiruvonam Jaanamma Makkal Leela Prayanam Ammini amma Utsavam Gopi's mother Pravaham Lakshmi 1976 Aruthu Paarijatham Priyamvada Kanyaadaanam Seemantha Puthran Romeo Kaayamkulam Kochunniyude Makan Suhara Vazhivilakku Janakiyamma Ajayanum Vijayanum Susheela Appooppan Saraswathy Chottanikkara Amma Indu's grandmother Amba Ambika Ambalika Old age Satyavati Amrithavaahini Lakshmi Thulavarsham Balan's mother 1977 Rowdy Rajamma Sreemad Bhagavad Geetha Akshayapaathram Vezhambal Siva Thandavum Varadakshina Aa Nimisham Dheerasameere Yamuna Theere Rajaparambara Mini Mol Lakshmiyamma Innale Innu Radha's mother Jagadguru Aadisankaran Kaippilly Aryadevi Antarjanam Sreemurukan Kamalakshi Nirakudam Sathi Oonjaal Bharathi Muttathe Mulla Maheshwari Satyavan Savithri Arundathi Devi Itha Ivide Vare Kamalakshi Kodiyettam Kamalamma Randu Lokam Madhavi Achaaram Ammini Osharam Omana Dakshayani Vidarunna Mottukal Lakshmi Paadasaram Kamalakshi 1978 Aazhi Alayaazhi Aniyara Naalumanippookkal Seemanthini Tiger Salim Udayam Kizhakku Thanne Sathrathil Oru Raathri Pichipoo Anubhoothikalude Nimisham Society Lady Rajan Paranja Kadha Prarthana Sthree Oru Dukham Samayamaayilla Polum Savithri Uthrada Rathri Gopan's mother Kalpavriksham Nun Eeta Philomina Avalude Ravukal Lakshmi Kudumbam Namukku Sreekovil Yashodha Devi Rathinirvedam Saraswathi Randilonnu Maheshwari 1979 Manushyan Driver Madyapichirunnu Pambaram Pushyaraagam Amma Aayiram Vasanthangal Cheriyachante Kroorakrithyangal Eliyamma Aarattu Annamma Sarpam Bhavani Prabhu Devaki Yakshi Paaru Thampi's wife Itha Oru Theeram Madhavi Prabhaathasandhya Usha's Mother Mamangam Chathunni's Mother
1980s Year Title Role Notes 1980 Karnan Moorkhan Oru Varsham Oru Maasam Chamaram Karthyayani Manushya Mrugam Babu's Mother Thirayum Theeravum Mohan's mother Anthappuram Bhavani Pappu Actress Guest appearance Karimpana Muthan's mother Love in Singapore Premachandran's Mother 1981 Aarathi Swapnaragam Anandharam Chamayam Saahasam Nizhal Yudham Devaki Oppol Narayani amma Orikkal Koodi Chandran's Mother Maniyan Pilla Adhava Maniyan Pilla Devaki Sphodanam Gopi's Mother Vayal Saraswathi Agnisaram Bhavani Avatharam Lakshmikuttyamma Thrishna Chinammu Amma 1982 Kallimullu Bheeman Balloon Lakshmiyamma Kaaliya Mardhanam Geetha's mother Beedi Kunjamma Madhavan's Mother Kaattile Paattu Raji Ilakkangal Unnis' mother Maattuvin Chattangale Jayan's mother Paanjajanyam Lakshmidevi Marupacha Ponnamma 1983 Pourasham Saraswathi Nathi Muthal Nathi Vare Adv. Lakshmi Oomana Thinkal Gopi's mother Bandham Sreedeviyamma Sesham Kazhchayil Shankar's mother Enikku Vishakunnu Chinnamma Hello Madras Girl Sreedevi Amma Nizhal Moodiya Nirangal Thambi's & Unni's mother Enne Njan Thedunnu Lakshmiyamma Mansoru Maha Samudram Devaki Marakkillorikkalum Sharada 1984 Mukhamukham Somayagam Ente Nandhinikutty Ente Gramam Ningalil Oru Sthree Latha's mother Oru Painkilikatha Kamaalakshi Swanthamevide Bandhamevide Lakshmi Kodathy Meenakshiyamma Thirakal Madhaviyamma Manithali Zulfikar's mother Lakshmana Rekha Radha's mother Kanamarayathu Mother Superior Ariyaatha Veethikal Janakiyamma Adiyozhukkukal Mariyamma 1985 Guerrilla Mounam Nombaram Indu's mother Ee Thanalil Ithiri Nerum Savithri Angadikkappurathu Rosi Thinkalaazhcha Nalla Divasam Janakikutty Ente Ammu Ninte Thulasi Avarude Chakki Sathyabhama Adhyayam Onnu Muthal Lakshmi Makan Ente Makan Paruvamma Karimpinpoovinakkare Bhadran's Mother 1986 Ariyatha Bandhukkal Vishwasichallum Illenkilum Kaveri Ente Sonia Shanti Akalangalil Sethu's mother Koodanayum Kattu Annie's Mother Sukhamo Devi Nandan's Mother Namukku Parkkan Munthirithoppukal Rita Ennu Nathante Nimmi Chithambaram's mother Iniyum Kurukshetrum Gomathi Surabhi Yaamangal Meenakshi Malarum Kiliyum Padmavathiyamma Manasiloru Manimuthu Mohan's mother Nakhakshathangal Valiyamma Kshamichu Ennoru Vakku Dr. Shanthamma 1987 Oru Maymasa Pulariyil Irupatham Noottandu Meenakshmiyamma Achuvettante Veedu Vipin's Mother Kaiyethum Doorathu Janaki Thaniyavarthanam Balan's mother Anantaram Yogini Amma 1988 Onnum Onnum Pathinonnu Marikkunilla Njaan Narayaniyamma 1921 Keshavankutty's mother Vidaparayamanthram Karthi Ente Amma Sathyabhama Sathyaa Malayali shop owner Tamil film Mukthi Madhaviyamma 1989 Swantham Ennu Karuthi Unnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas Aliyamma Ulsavapittennu Kalyaniyamma Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal Devaki Amma Cameo Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam Mariyamma Mazhavilkavadi Velayudhankutty's mother Muthukkudayum Choodi Madhavi Vandanam Unnikrishnan's mother Adhipan Shyam Prakash's mother Aksharathettu Sumati's mother Kireedam Sethu's mother Jaathakam Janaki Devadas Devadas' Mother Dasharatham Chandradas' Mother
1990s