Vennira Aadai Nirmala Explained

Vennira Aadai Nirmala
Birth Name:	Shanthi
Birth Place:	Kumbakonam, Thanjor District, Madras presidency,
Othername:	Nirmala (Nimmi), Usha kumari
Yearsactive:	1965–present
Parents:	Father : Aranmanai L Balakrishnan - Mother : Rukmani
Occupation:	Actress

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.

Personal life

She was born as Shanthi to Aranmanai L Balakrishnan and Rukmani at Kumbakonam in a Saurashtra 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]

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.^[6]

Partial filmography

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Tamil

• Vennira Aadai (1965)
• Ennathan Mudivu (1965)
• Kadhalithal mattum Podhuma (1967)
• Bhakta Prahlada (1967)
• Lakshmi Kalyanam (1968)
• Chakkaram (1968)
• Ragasiya Police 115 (1968)
• Muthu Chippi (1968)
• Kuzhanthaikkaga (1968)
• Poova Thalaiya (1969)
• Mannippu (1969)
• Annaiyum Pithavum (1969)
• Kanni Penn (1969)
• Thanga Surangam (1969)
• Thunaivan (1969)
• Enga Mama (1970)
• Veettuku Veedu (1970)
• Kannan Varuvan (1970)
• Noorandu Kalam Vazhga (1970)
• Sangamam (1970)
• Yaen? (1970)
• Vairakiyam (1970)
• Namma Kuzhandaigal (1970)
• Babu (1971)
• Thangaikkaaga (1971)
• Deivam Pesuma (1971)
• Aathi Parasakthi (1971)
• Soodhattam (1971)
• Anbukkor Annan (1971)
• Needhi Dhevan (1971)
• Sudarum Sooravaliyum (1971)
• Thanga Gopuram (1971)
• Veguli Penn (1971)
• Aval (1972)
• Bathilukku Bathil (1972)
• Thaikku Oru Pillai (1972)
• Anbu Sagodharargal (1973)
• Engal Thaai (1973)
• Pookaari (1973)
• Prarthanai (1973)
• Vakkuruthi (1973)
• Nyayam Ketkirom (1973)
• Veettukku Vandha Marumagal (1973)
• Nalla Mudivu (1973)
• Avalukku Nigar Avale (1974)
• Pathu Madha Bandham (1974)
• Samayalkaran (1974)
• Sisubalan (1974)
• Ingeyum Manidhargal (1975)
• Naalai Namadhe (1975)
• Eduppar Kai Pillai (1975)
• Idhayakkani (1975)
• Oorukku Uzhaippavan (1976)
• Unakkaga Naan (1976)
• Janaki Sabadham (1976)
• Ellam Avale (1977)
• Indru Pol Endrum Vaazhga (1977)
• Maamiyar Veedu (1977)
• Meenava Nanban (1977)
• Kaviraja Kalamegam (1978)
• Karunamoorthi (1978)
• Gnana Kuzhandhai (1979)
• Nadagame Ulagam (1979)
• Velli Ratham (1979)
• Kaali (1980)
• Guru (1980)
• Kallukkul Eeram (1980)
• Deiva Thirumanangal-Meenakshi Kalyanam (1981)
• Deiva Thirumanangal-Srinivasa Kalyanam (1981)
• Bala Nagamma (1981)
• Nadodi Raja (1982)
• Arunachalam (1997)
• Vaimaye Vellum (1997)
• Thaalikaatha Kaaliamman (2001)
• Kamarasu (2002)
• Periyar (2007)
• Rameswaram (2007)

Malayalam: Credited as Ushakumari

1. Sharjah To Sharjah (2001)
2. Poomarathanalil (1997)
3. Kilungaatha Changalakal (1981)
4. Kaanthavalayam (1980)
5. Bhakthahanuman (1980)
6. Ashwaradham (1980) as Lakshmi
7. Iniyum Kaanaam (1979) as Nirmala
8. Veerabhadran (1979)
9. Randil Onnu (1978)
10. Chakraayudham (1978)
11. Velluvili (1978) as Savithri
12. Hemantharaathri (1978)
13. Thacholi Ambu (1978)
14. Guruvayoor Keshavan (1977)
15. Sreemurukan (1977)
16. Amba Ambika Ambaalika (1976) as Sathyavathi
17. Maanishaada (1975)
18. Thomasleeha (1975)
19. Njaan Ninne Premikkunnu (1975) as Gracy
20. Suprabhaatham (1974)
21. Durga (1974)
22. Paavangal Pennungal (1973)
23. Aashaachakram (1973)
24. Shaasthram Jayichu Manushyan Thottu (1973) as Suvarna
25. Thaniniram (1973)
26. Thenaruvi (1973) as Thulasi
27. Jesus (1973) as Mary Magdalna
28. Maravil Thirivu Sookshikkuka (1972) as Maalu
29. Lora Nee Evide (1971) as Lora
30. Panchavankaadu (1971) as Devamma
31. Dathuputhran (1970) as Omana
32. Bheekara Nimishangal (1970) as Indira
33. Cross Belt (1970) as Leela/Mrs.Robert
34. Vivaahitha (1970) as Leela
35. Janmabhoomi(1969) as Madhavi
36. Koottukudumbam (1969) as Radhika
37. Vilakkappetta Bandhangal (1969)
38. Punnapura Vayalar (1968) as Chinnamma
39. Yakshi (1968) as Vijayalakshmi
40. Sahadharmini (1967)
41. Maadatharuvi (1967)
42. Thalirukal (1967)
43. NGO (1967) as Shantha
44. Sheelavathi (1967) as Saraswathi
45. Iruttinte Athmavu (1967) as Prema
46. Ramanan (1967) as Karthi
47. Jeevikkaan Anuvadikkoo (1967)
48. Kayamkulam Kochunni (1966) as Nabeesa
49. Station Master (1966) as Geetha & Omana
50. Kallippennu (1966) as Kallippennu
51. Chettathi (1965) as Susheela
52. Kaattuthulasi (1965) as Thulasi

Telugu

•Gudachari 116 (1966)

•Bhakta Prahlada (1967)

•Ave Kallu (1967)

•Mooga Nomu (1969)

•Andariki Monagadu (1971)

•Bangaru Talli (1971)

•Bomma Borusa (1971)

•Sati Anasuya (1971)

•Kathula Rathaiah (1972)

•Bhale Mosagadu (1972)

•Datta Putrudu (1972)

•Maa Inti Velugu (1972)

•Somaripothu (1972)

•Dhanama? Daivama? (1973)

•Varasuralu (1973)

•Sthree Gowravam (1974)

•Mangalya Bhagyam (1974)

•Devude Gelichadu (1976)

•Chakradhari(1977)

•Karunamayudu (1978)

•Chukkalo Chandrudu (1980)

•Kaali(1980)

•Guru (1980)

•Sri Anjaneya Charitra (1981)

•Andham kadhidi Aarambham (1981)

•Bala Nagamma(1981)

•Sri Sita Ramula Kalyanam Chootamu Raarandi (1998)

•Adhipathi (2001)

•Kalisundam Raa (2000)

•Jayam Manadera (2000)

•Ninne Premistha (2000)

•Seema Simham (2002)

•Okariki Okaru (2003)

•Arjun(2004 film)

•Shankar Dada M.B.B.S (2004)

•Shankar Dada Zindabad (2007)

•Ragada (2010)

Kannada

• Sri Renukadevi Mahathme (1975)
• Kari Naga (1985)

Television serials

Year	Title	Role	Channel	Notes
2000	Micro Thodargal- Mounam Oru Bashai		Raj TV
2001	Meendum Meendum Sirippu		Sun TV
2004–2006	Kalki		Jaya TV
2006-2007	Raja Rajeswari		Sun TV
2008	Manikoondu	Parvathi Devi	Sun TV
2013–2018	Deivamagal	Janaki Chidambaram
2004	Aaradhana	A series on Indian Music Composers	Doordarshan	Producer,Screenplay writer and Actor
2007	Be'zubaan	A Tele series in Hindi	Doordarshan
2009	Sri Aandal	Dance Drama	Doordarshan
2009-2010	Pushpanjali	A Tele series	Doordarshan
2012-2017	Konjum Salangai & Dheem Tharikita	Tele series based on Classical dance competition among children successfully telecasted for over five years.	DD Podhigai
2021	Saadhana Bharatam	Exclusive YouTube Channel which explores Bharatanatyam and also incites motivation for youth to excel in their careers and much more. Channel Link:^[7]	YouTube

Awards and honours

• 2009; Kaviarasu Kannadasan Tamizh Sangam Award^[8]

Notes and References

1. Web site: ഞാന്‍ വിവാഹം കഴിക്കില്ല, നൃത്തം ചെയ്ത് അച്ഛനെ സമ്പന്നനാക്കും; ഇപ്പോഴും അവിവാഹിതയായി ജീവിക്കുന്ന മലയാളത്തിന്റെ താരറാണി.
2. News: Randor Guy . Trend-setter . https://web.archive.org/web/20081103091107/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/10/31/stories/2008103150520300.htm . dead . 3 November 2008 . . 31 October 2008 . 20 February 2013.
3. News: M. Balaganessin . She wants novel role . https://web.archive.org/web/20070410215836/http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/03/stories/2007040308220200.htm . dead . 10 April 2007 . 3 April 2007 . . 20 February 2013.
4. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/The-two-women-who-took-on-Jayalalithaa/article16792741.ece The two women who took on Jayalalithaa
5. https://web.archive.org/web/20070608000850/http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/06/stories/2007060604680400.htm Court imposes Rs. 4.65-lakh fine on Vennira Adai Nirmala
6. http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/may/24ptn.htm TN to get back Upper House
7. Web site: Sadhana Bharatam - YouTube . YouTube.
8. News: Malathi Rangarajan . A gathering of greats . https://archive.today/20130411021844/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/07/03/stories/2009070351470500.htm . dead . 11 April 2013 . 3 July 2009 . . 20 February 2013.