Poornam Vishwanathan
Encyclopedia
Poornam Viswanathan (1921 - 2008) was a theater artist and film actor in the Tamil film industry. He started performing on stage at age 18. He worked as a reader for All India Radio
. He acted in movies such as Chithram
, Varusham 16, Thillu Mullu
, Keladi Kanmani
, Moondram Pirai
, Aasai
, Mahanadi
' and Varumaiyin Niram Sivappu. He has a son and two daughters. Viswanathan died on 1 October 2008.
Mr. 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 renowned critic Subbudu. Viswanathan, who worked as news reader at All India Radio
, 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 powerful portrayal of characters in plays such as Kadavul Vandirundar, Adimaigal and Oonja 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 assistant information officer and later served as editor of Thittam and senior correspondent of 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.
All India Radio
All India Radio , officially known since 1956 as Akashvani , is the radio broadcaster of India and a division of Prasar Bharati. Established in 1936, it is the sister service of Prasar Bharati's Doordarshan, the national television broadcaster. All India Radio is one of the largest radio networks...
. He acted in movies such as Chithram
Chithram
Chithram is a 1988 Malayalam screwball comedy film written and directed by Priyadarshan, based on a story by Sreenivasan. The film stars Mohanlal, Ranjini, Nedumudi Venu, Poornam Vishwanathan, Sreenivasan, Soman, Sukumari, Innocent, and Maniyanpilla Raju in the main roles. The film was a...
, Varusham 16, Thillu Mullu
Thillu Mullu
Thillu Mullu is a 1981 Tamil movie starring Rajinikanth, Madhavi, 'Thengai' Srinivasan, Nagesh, Sowkar Janaki and music composed by M. S. Viswanathan. The film is directed by noted filmmaker, K. Balachander.The film is actually a remake of the Hindi Blockbuster comedy film Gol Maal released in 1979...
, Keladi Kanmani
Keladi Kanmani
Keladi Kanmani is a 1990 Tamil film directed by Vasanth, starring noted playback singer SP Balasubrahmanyam and Radhika Sarathkumar.-Plot:...
, Moondram Pirai
Moondram Pirai
Moondram Pirai is a 1982 Indian Tamil film written and directed by Balu Mahendra, starring Sridevi, Kamal Haasan, Poornam Vishwanathan and Silk Smitha. Ilaiyaraaja composed the music. Kamal Haasan won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his role as Srinivas...
, Aasai
Aasai
Aasai is a 1995 Tamil film directed by Vasanth and produced by Mani Ratnam The film featured Ajith Kumar and Suvalakshmi, making her debut, in the leading roles with Prakash Raj in a pivotal role. The film has camera work by Jeeva and a popular soundtrack by Deva...
, Mahanadi
Mahanadi (film)
Mahanadi is a 1994 Tamil Indian film featuring Kamal Hassan, Sukanya, and Cochin Haneefa. It portrays the grief of a humble village man, who sees his family, property being ruined.It also depicts the growing problem of "Child Sex workers", where young girls are targeted and turned into...
' and Varumaiyin Niram Sivappu. He has a son and two daughters. Viswanathan died on 1 October 2008.
Mr. 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 renowned critic Subbudu. Viswanathan, who worked as news reader at All India Radio
All India Radio
All India Radio , officially known since 1956 as Akashvani , is the radio broadcaster of India and a division of Prasar Bharati. Established in 1936, it is the sister service of Prasar Bharati's Doordarshan, the national television broadcaster. All India Radio is one of the largest radio networks...
, 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 powerful portrayal of characters in plays such as Kadavul Vandirundar, Adimaigal and Oonja 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 assistant information officer and later served as editor of Thittam and senior correspondent of 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.
Tamil movies
- Ninaithale InikkumNinaithale InikkumNinaithale Inikkum is a 1979 Indian Tamil language Drama film directed by K. Balachander starring Kamal Hassan, Rajnikanth, Jayaprada, Geetha and Nakul. The film was also simultaneously shot in Telugu as Andamaina Anubhavam...
- Varumayin Niram SivappuVarumayin Niram SivappuVarumayin Niram Sivappu is a 1980 Tamil-language Indian feature film directed by K. Balachander, starring Kamal Haasan and Sridevi in the lead roles. The film was also remade in Hindi as Zara Si Zindagi with Kamal Haasan and Anita Raj in 1983, directed by K...
- Thillu MulluThillu MulluThillu Mullu is a 1981 Tamil movie starring Rajinikanth, Madhavi, 'Thengai' Srinivasan, Nagesh, Sowkar Janaki and music composed by M. S. Viswanathan. The film is directed by noted filmmaker, K. Balachander.The film is actually a remake of the Hindi Blockbuster comedy film Gol Maal released in 1979...
- Moondram PiraiMoondram PiraiMoondram Pirai is a 1982 Indian Tamil film written and directed by Balu Mahendra, starring Sridevi, Kamal Haasan, Poornam Vishwanathan and Silk Smitha. Ilaiyaraaja composed the music. Kamal Haasan won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his role as Srinivas...
- Aan PaavamAan PaavamAan Paavam is a 1985 Tamil comedy film directed by Pandiarajan. It was the second movie directed by Pandiarajan. This blockbuster movie of 1985 turned as the best comedy movie in the career of actor-director Pandiarajan.-Plot:...
- Varusham 16
- Pudhu Pudhu ArthangalPudhu Pudhu ArthangalPudhu Pudhu Arthangal is a 1989 Indian Tamil language Drama film directed by K. Balachander starring Rahman, Sithara, Geetha, Janagaraj, Jayachitra, Poornam Vishwanathan, Sowcar Janaki, Vivek and Ilaiyaraaja.- Plot :...
- Kan Simittum NeramKan Simittum NeramKan Simittum Neram is a 1988 Tamil language thriller film directed by Kalaivanan Kannadasan. The film features Karthik, Ambika and R. Sarathkumar in lead roles and was released on 13 April 1988. The film marks R...
- MahanadhiMahanadi (film)Mahanadi is a 1994 Tamil Indian film featuring Kamal Hassan, Sukanya, and Cochin Haneefa. It portrays the grief of a humble village man, who sees his family, property being ruined.It also depicts the growing problem of "Child Sex workers", where young girls are targeted and turned into...
- MeeraMeeraMeerabai was an aristocratic Hindu mystical singer and devotee of Lord Krishna from Rajasthan and one of the most significant figures of the Sant tradition of the Vaishnava bhakti movement...
- AasaiAasaiAasai is a 1995 Tamil film directed by Vasanth and produced by Mani Ratnam The film featured Ajith Kumar and Suvalakshmi, making her debut, in the leading roles with Prakash Raj in a pivotal role. The film has camera work by Jeeva and a popular soundtrack by Deva...
- Vithi
- Keladi KanmaniKeladi KanmaniKeladi Kanmani is a 1990 Tamil film directed by Vasanth, starring noted playback singer SP Balasubrahmanyam and Radhika Sarathkumar.-Plot:...