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Goundamani

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Goundamani
Born
Subramaniyan Karuppaiya

(1939-05-25) 25 May 1939 (age 85)
Vallakundapuram, Udumalaipettai, Coimbatore, Madras Presidency, British India
NationalityIndian
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
Years active1977–2016
Spouse
Shanthi
(m. 1963)
Children2

Subramaniyan Karuppaiya (born 25 May 1939[1]), known by his stage name Goundamani,[2] is an Indian actor and comedian who works in Tamil cinema.[3] He is known for his comic duo partnership in Tamil films with fellow actor Senthil. The pair dominated the Tamil industry as comedians in the 1980s and 90s.[4]

He was called Goundamani as a misconception by actor/director K. Bhagyaraj which he himself stated in an interview and the pseudonym stuck with him forever.[5][2] He has the ability to give counter dialogues on the spot and off the script on stage and during shooting.[6] He was at his peak of his career as a comedian in Tamil cinema for nearly 40 years.[7] Despite his popularity, Goundamani is known for being a social recluse.[8] Goundamani is also popularly known as the king of comedy in Tamil cinema.

Early life

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Goundamani was born as Subramaniyan on 25 May 1939 in Vallakundapuram, a village near Udumalaipettai in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.[2] His father is Karuppaiya and his mother is Annammal. He married Shanthi in 1963 and has 2 daughters.[9][10]

Career

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On having interest in acting, he went to Chennai and initially started acting in theatre dramas and then entered into the Tamil film industry (Kollywood) due to his strong theatrical background.[2]

He made his film acting debut in Server Sundaram where he featured in a minor and uncredited role as a driver. He made his full-fledged debut in 1977 film 16 Vayathinile where he played the role of Rajinikanth's sidekick. His role in the 1977 P. Bharathiraja directorial was also Goundamani's first credited role in his film career.

Goundamani has played lead roles in a few films during his career, but is predominantly a supporting actor playing comedy roles. While performing roles of a solo comedian in films, he often co-starred with Senthil to form a comedy duo.[11] The pair was described as "Tamil cinema's Laurel and Hardy" and have performed slapstick humour in many Tamil films from the mid-1980s until the early 2000s.[12][13] Both of them are also remembered as partners-in-crime and also known for their chemistry.[14]

Both Goundamani and Senthil were critically acclaimed for their career defining performance in Gangai Amaren's directorial Karakattakkaran (1989). Karakattakaran also coincidentally marked Goundamani and Senthil's 100th film as comedians together.[15] Senthil and Goundamani both reportedly spent full 28 days on set during the shooting of the film.[16] Goundamani's phrases in one of the comedy scenes featured in Karakattakaran, "Adhu enda enna pathu andha kelvi ketta?" when Senthil asked him "Intha cara vachiruntha Sopanasundhariya yaaru vaichiruka" became the highlight of the film and later became viral internet memes.[17]

Goundamani's comedy scene from Thangamana Raasa (1989) is also best remembered by critics for dreaming of singing under the music of Ilaiyaraja when he was spending a jail term for petty crime. His one line phrases "Start the music", "Arasiyal la ithellam saatharnamappa" and "Kosu thollai thaanga mudiyala pa" which featured in the 1992 film Suriyan also later became a viral meme and trendsetter in Internet.[17]

After recuperating from diabetes and respiratory illnesses during the late 2000s, he featured in Vaaimai and also played the lead role in 49-O, which began productions in 2013. It was directed by debutant Arokiadoss, a former assistant of Gautham Vasudev Menon.[18][19][9][10] In 2019, he was approached by film director R. Kannan and actor Santhanam to cast him in a supporting role for their film project but Goundamani reportedly turned down the offer as he was sceptical about the role.[20][21]

Filmography

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1960s

[edit]
List of Goundamani 1960s film credits
Year Title Role Notes
1964 Server Sundaram Driver

1970s

[edit]
List of Goundamani 1970s film credits
Year Title Role Notes
1970 Raman Ethanai Ramanadi School Van Driver
1971 Thenum Paalum Driver
1977 16 Vayathinile Subramani Debut film
1978 Kizhake Pogum Rail Ramaiya
Sigappu Rojakal Manager
1979 Anandam Enndru Arambam
Puthiya Vaarpugal Ammavasai
Suvarilladha Chiththirangal Kaliyannan

1980s

[edit]
List of Goundamani 1980s film credits
Year Title Role Notes
1980 Paruvathin Vasalile
Saranam Ayyappa
Mangala Nayagi
Kallukkul Eeram
Enga Ooru Rasathi
Vasantha Azhaippugal
1981 Devi Dharisanam
Kudumbam Oru Kadambam House Owner
Velichathukku Vanga
Nenjile Thunivirunthal
Netrikan Singaram
1982 Anandha Ragam
Mullillatha Roja
Pakkathu Veetu Roja
Antha Rathirikku Satchi Illai
Ilanjodigal
Valibamey Vaa Vaa
Agaya Gangai
1983 Uyirullavarai Usha
Inimai Idho Idho
Kaadhal Oviyam
Malaiyoor Mambattiyan 'Silk' Singaram
Thoongadhe Thambi Thoongadhe
Aanandha Kummi
1984 Komberi Mookan
Naan Paadum Paadal
Neram Nalla Neram
Nilavu Suduvathillai
Naalai Unathu Naal Varadhan
Priyamudan Prabhu
Unnai Naan Santhithen
Thambathigal
Vaidehi Kathirunthal

All-in-All Azhaguraja

1985 Rajathi Rojakili
Aagaya Thamaraigal Boopathy
Amudha Gaanam
Anbin Mugavari
Japanil Kalyanaraman Mayilsamy
Idhaya Kovil Logidhasan Bhagavathar
Kanni Rasi Gopikrishna
Aasha
Karaiyai Thodadha Alaigal
Mannukketha Ponnu Vishamurukki Veluchamy
Meendum Parasakthi
Mookkanan Kaiyiru
Pagal Nilavu George Kutty
Annai Bhoomi Ragappa
Panam Pathum Seiyum
Chain Jayapal
Alai Osai
Avan
Karuppu Chattaikaran
Rajagopuram
Vellai Manasu
Udaya Geetham
Bus Conductor
Marudhani

School Teacher

Thendral Thodatha Malar
Eetti
Geethanjali
Hello Yaar Pesurathu
Karpooradeepam
Naane Raja Naane Mandhiri Kuppusamy
1986 Karimedu Karuvayan
Annai En Deivam
December Pookal
Maragatha Veenai
Engal Thaikulame Varuga
Aayiram Pookkal Malarattum
Mr. Bharath Sanjeevi
Rasigan Oru Rasigai
Pattu Selai
Piranthaen Valarnthaen Raja
Thalaiyaati Bommai
Mannukkul Vairam
Visham
Dharma Pathini
Isai Paadum Thendral
Paadum Paravaigal
1987 Dhoorathu Pachai
Gramatthu Minnal
Jaathi Pookkal
Per Sollum Pillai
Ninaive Oru Sangeetham
Idhu Oru Thodar Kathai
1988 Manamagale Vaa
Poo Pootha Nandhavanam
Sarkarai Pandal
1989 Anbu Kattalai
Enne Petha Raasa
Karagattakaran[15] 'Thavil Vidhwan' Thangavelu
Manasukketha Maharasa
Enga Ooru Mappillai
Ninaivu Chinnam
Pennbuthi Pin Buthi
Ponmana Selvan
Raja Rajadhan
Rasathi Kalyanam
Thangamana Raasa
Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai
Mundhanai Sabatham

1990s

[edit]
List of Goundamani 1990s film credits
Year Title Role Notes
1990 Vaazhkai Chakkaram Constable
Paattali Magan Dharmadi Dharmalingam
Salem Vishnu Kathavarayan
Paattukku Naan Adimai
Thangathin Thangam
Neengalum Herothan Pavadaikanth
Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga 'Suthi' Josiyar
Periya Idathu Pillai Guest Appearance
Madurai Veeran Enga Saami 'Balloon' Kandasamy
Ooru Vittu Ooru Vanthu Captain Tamil arasu
Velai Kidaichuduchu
Patanathil Petti
My Dear Marthandan Idea Mani
Puthu Paatu Palanisamy
Nadigan Kurangu Kannayiram
Namma Ooru Poovatha Everything Ekambaram
1991 Naadu Adhai Naadu
Naan Pudicha Maapillai
Pudhu Manithan Rasappa
Chinna Thambi Kanthasamy
En Rasavin Manasile Pannaiyar
Adhikari
Marikozhundhu
Idhaya Vaasal Balaraman
Cheran Pandiyan Mechanic Manikkam
Ayul Kaithi
Vaidehi Kalyanam Pachamuthu
Oorellam Un Paattu
Thambi Oorukku Pudhusu
Vasanthakala Paravai
Kizhakku Karai Raja (Jacky)
Bramma Valayapalayam Chinnasamy
Nallathai Naadu Kekum A police officer who disguises himself as a ghost [22]
Thalattu Ketkuthamma

Rasaiya's uncle

Nenjamundu Nermaiyundu
Pondatti Sonna Kettukanum Dharmalingam
1992 Mannan Muthu
Chinna Gounder Vellai
Pandithurai Mayilsamy
Rickshaw Mama Govinthasamy
Thilagam Singamuthu
Ilavarasan

Kung Fu Master

Chinna Thayye
Periya Gounder Ponnu Palanisamy
Sivantha Malar Police constable
Thanga Manasukkaran Guitarist
Singaravelan Drums Mani
Therku Theru Machan
Chinnavar
Chinna Pasanga Naanga Govinthan
Oor Mariyadhai 'Miner' Mahadevan
Idhuthanda Sattam Karuppan
Aavarampoo Chellappa Aasari
Thaali Kattiya Raasa
Magudam

Thanni Samy

Pattathu Raani Jalagandeswaran
Suriyan Pannikutty Ramasamy
Pangali Mani
Samundi Muthu
David Uncle Kavundar
Senthamizh Paattu

Murugesan

Thirumathi Palanisamy Dhandapani
Onna Irukka Kathukanum Sudalai
Villu Pattukaran Appakannu
Natchathira Nayagan 'Detective' Thiruvasagam
1993 Koyil Kaalai Ilaneer Businessman
Walter Vetrivel 'Royal' Ramasamy
Rakkayi Koyil

Singaram

Manikuyil
Ejamaan Vellaiyangiri
Maharasan Govindan
Amma Ponnu
Uthama Raasa Ondippulithevar
Ponnumani

Naachi

Porantha Veeda Puguntha Veeda Ravi's Father
Uzhaippali P. A. of Lawyer
Band Master
Dharma Seelan
Gentleman Mani
Udan Pirappu 'White Rice' Vellasamy
Thalattu
I Love India
Dhuruva Natchathiram
Chinna Jameen

Thalaiyari Mama

Kattabomman 'Supervisor' Subramani
Rojavai Killathe Devit Lorry Driver
1994 Sethupathi IPS Muthaiya
Rajakumaran Marusamy, The Milkman
Aranmanai Kaavalan Thangamani
Varavu Ettana Selavu Pathana 'Anjatha Singam' Marugupandi
Seeman
Vandicholai Chinraasu Kittu
Jai Hind Kottaisamy
Rasigan Ekambaram
Mettupatti Mirasu Kavundar
Vietnam Colony Joseph
Sadhu 'Anjukolai' Aarumugam
Sathyavan Kiruba
Thai Maaman Rasappan's uncle
Jallikattu Kaalai Aarusamy
Nattamai Pangali / Pangali's mom
Periya Marudhu

Sudalai

Nila
Thaai Manasu Chokkalingam
1995 Naan Petha Magane K. D. Varadarajan
Veluchami Kathavarayan
Muthu Kaalai
Muthukulikka Vaariyala Kondakara Annachi
Raja Enga Raja Raja
Coolie
Karnaa Nayak
Lucky Man Yamadharmarajan
Chinna Vathiyar Josiyar
Murai Maman Perusu (Sirasu's elder brother)
Villadhi Villain Mani
Thamizhachi Villangam
Marumagan Govindsamy
Thedi Vandha Raasa Albert Kothandam
Chakravarthy Chinnappa
Nadodi Mannan Ponnusamy
Periya Kudumbam

Post Master

Mr. Madras Govindsamy
Ilavarasi Gaja
Ragasiya Police Ponnurangam
Maa Manithan Mr. Dinar / Vettiyan
Ayudha Poojai Kanthasamy
Maaman Magal
Murai Mappillai Ramesh
Mannai Thottu Kumbidanum Desingu
1996 Coimbatore Mappillai Gopal
Parambarai Karuppusamy
Ullathai Allitha Great Vasu
Mahaprabhu Sethu
Nattupura Pattu Kattamuthu
Musthaffaa Chellappa
Indian Subbaiah
Pudhu Nilavu Taxi Driver
Katta Panchayathu
Avathara Purushan 'Pickpocket' Periyasamy
En Aasai Thangachi
Poovarasan Govind
Mettukudi Kalingarayan
Parivattam
Tata Birla Ranjith
Senathipathi Kathavarayan
Gnanapazham
1997 Periya Thambi Azhagu Sundaram
Nesam
Pudhayal
Mannava Raghupathy
Vallal

Sithappu

Sishya
Periya Idathu Mappillai Kaali
Aahaa Enna Porutham
Thedinen Vanthathu Tamizhmani / 'Pollachi' Ponnusamy
Janakiraman
Rettai Jadai Vayasu
1998 Aval Varuvala Dhandapani
Thaayin Manikodi 'Silverspoon' Shilpakumar
En Uyir Nee Thaane 'Bullet' Jackie
Bhagavath Singh
1999 Suriya Paarvai Raj Bharath / Nattamai
Ponnu Veetukkaran Ekambaram
Ethirum Pudhirum

Auto Driver

Kadhalar Dhinam Professor Jack
Malabar Police Govindrajan (Govindo)
Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga Kundalakesi
Azhagarsamy

2000s

[edit]
List of Goundamani 2000s film credits
Year Title Role Notes
2000 Veeranadai Ulagavaayan
Kannan Varuvaan[23] Thannirmalai/Athiyapatham/Ezhumalai
Kannaal Pesavaa Crendan
2001 Kunguma Pottu Gounder Chinnasamy
Vedham Govindsamy
Samuthiram Ramanathan
Azhagana Naatkal Ranjith
2002 Baba Annamalai
Samasthanam
2003 Chokka Thangam Muthu's uncle
Yes Madam
Parasuram Sub-Inspector Thangaraj
2004 Manmadhan 'Puncture' Pandi
2006 Suyetchai MLA Visky
2008 Thangam Kalai

2010s

[edit]
List of Goundamani 2010s film credits
Year Title Role Notes
2010 Jaggubhai MIB alias Kalaniyappan
Pollachi Mappillai
2015 49-O Savuri [24]
2016 Enakku Veru Engum Kilaigal Kidayathu Caravan Krishnan [25]
Vaaimai Benny

References

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  1. ^ "Birthday special: 12 rare photos of Tamil comedian Goundamani". Indian Express. 26 May 2019. Archived from the original on 9 June 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d "How Subramani became Goundamani – Birthday special". Dinamalar. 25 May 2019. Archived from the original on 2 June 2019.
  3. ^ Kesavan, N. (7 June 2016). "Into the world of Tamil film comedians". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 18 May 2017.
  4. ^ "Who's still watching Senthil, Goundamani comedy?". The News Minute. 19 October 2016. Archived from the original on 21 September 2019.
  5. ^ "King of comedy turns 75!". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020.
  6. ^ "A tribute to veteran comedian Goundamani". Vikatan. 25 May 2017. Archived from the original on 28 September 2019.
  7. ^ "Where is today's great comedian? | Cinemaexpress". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  8. ^ The Hindu Net Desk (4 June 2020). "Cricket meets comedy: When Subramaniam Badrinath ran into Goundamani". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  9. ^ a b Palaniappan, P (24 February 2012). "Comedian Kavundamani's wedding photo – A Rare Picture!". SouthDreamz. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  10. ^ a b "Comedian Kavundamani's Daughter Wedding". Indiaglitz.com. Archived from the original on 17 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  11. ^ "Tamil comedian Goundamani turns 76, fans storm Twitter". India Today. 25 May 2015. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  12. ^ "'With the legend': Sivakarthikeyan on meeting veteran comedian Goundamani". The News Minute. 24 August 2021. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  13. ^ The Hindu Net Desk (13 December 2018). "Cinema quiz: Senthil and Goundamani". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  14. ^ "Goundamani will always be my favourite comedian: Senthil". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  15. ^ a b "30 years of Karakattakaran – Gangai Amaren: The Vazhapazham comedy track was based on a similar sequence in an Adoor Bhasi film". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 20 August 2019.
  16. ^ "The Word View: That Vazhappazham scene". The Times of India. April 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  17. ^ a b "Happy Birthday Goundamani: 25 iconic Counters that defined the legend". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  18. ^ "Kavundamani is back as Hero with 49 O". Indiaglitz.com. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  19. ^ Lakshmi, Venketeswaran (16 December 2013). "Goundamani starts shooting for 49-O". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 17 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  20. ^ "Goundamani in talks for Santhanam-R Kannan project". The New Indian Express. 20 June 2019. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  21. ^ "Will Santhanam and Goundamani team up for an action entertainer?". The Times of India. 16 June 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  22. ^ Nallathai Naadu Kekum (1991) Archived 14 May 2023 at the Wayback Machine Classic Movies (Motion picture) (in Tamil). India: Jeppiar Pictures. 1991. Character's name mentioned from 01:31:10 to 01:39:27
  23. ^ "Soori's Goundamani connection revealed". Times of India. 27 September 2019. Archived from the original on 29 September 2019.
  24. ^ Kumar, S. R. Ashok (13 January 2015). "Goundamani's next as hero". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020.
  25. ^ Raghavan, Nikhil (21 May 2016). "Return of the counter". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016.
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