Goundamani
Subramaniyan Karuppaiya (born 25 May 1939),[1] known by his stage name Goundamani,[2] is an Indian actor and comedian.[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 after acting as a Gounder in one of his early day dramas 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 but it has nothing to do with his screen name, contrary to popular belief (as counter is a term that was popular only from the late 2000s).[6]
Goundamani | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Subramaniyan Karuppaiya 25 May 1939 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Comedian, actor |
| Years active | 1964- Present |
| Spouse(s) | Shanthi (m.1963-present) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent(s) | Karuppaiya, Annammal |
Early life and career
Goundamani was born as Subramaniyan in Vallakundapuram, a village near Udumalaipettai in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.[2] His father is Karuppaiya and mother Annammal. He is married to Shanthi in 1963 and has 2 daughters.[7][8]
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] 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. The pair was described as "Tamil cinema's Laurel and Hardy" and have performed slapstick humour in several Tamil films from the mid-1980s until the early 2000s. 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.[9][10] [7][8]
Filmography
1960s
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Server Sundaram | Driver | |
| 1965 | Aayirathil Oruvan | Fisherman | |
| 1967 | Selva Magal | Driver | |
1970s
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Raman Ethanai Ramanadi | School Van Driver | |
| 1971 | Thenum Paalum | Driver | |
| 1976 | Annakili | ||
| Mayor Meenakshi | |||
| Uzhaikkum Karangal | Cameo Appearance | ||
| 1977 | 16 Vayathinile | Subramani | Debut film |
| Anandam Paramanandam | |||
| 1978 | Kizhake Pogum Rail | Ramaiya | |
| Sigappu Rojakal | Manager | ||
| 1979 | Anandam Enndru Arambam | ||
| Puthiya Vaarpugal | Ammavasai | ||
| Suvarilladha Chiththirangal | Kaliyannan |
1980s
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Paruvathin Vasalile | ||
| Pennin Vazhkai | |||
| Mangala Nayagi | |||
| Pudhuyugam Parakkiradhu | |||
| Kallukkul Eeram | |||
| Enga Oor Rajathi | |||
| Sandhana Malargal | |||
| Vali Illa Mamaram | |||
| Varisu | |||
| Devi Dharisanam | |||
| 1981 | Alaigal Oivathillai | ||
| Aradhanai | |||
| Kudumbam Oru Kadambam | |||
| Velichathukku Vanga | |||
| Nenjile Thunivirunthal | |||
| Netrikan | Singaram | ||
| 1982 | Anandha Ragam | ||
| Mullillatha Roja | |||
| Nenjamellam Neeye | |||
| Pakkathu Veetu Roja | |||
| Payanangal Mudivathillai | |||
| Magane Magane | |||
| Ilanjodigal | |||
| Uyirullavarai Usha | |||
| Valibamey Vaa Vaa | |||
| Agaya Gangai | |||
| 1983 | Adutha Varisu | ||
| Imaigal | |||
| Immai | |||
| Jothi | |||
| Kaadhal Oviyam | |||
| Raagangal Maruvathillai | |||
| Malaiyoor Mambattiyan | 'Silk' Singaram | ||
| Nenjangal | |||
| Naan Sootiya Malar | |||
| Vasantha Azhaippugal | |||
| Thoongadhe Thambi Thoongadhe | |||
| 1984 | Aanandha Kummi | ||
| Komberi Mookan | |||
| Naan Paadum Paadal | |||
| Neram Nalla Neram | |||
| Nilavu Suduvathillai | |||
| Naalai Unathu Naal | Varadhan | ||
| Ponnu Pudichirukku | |||
| Priyamudan Prabhu | |||
| Pozhudhu Vidinjachu | |||
| 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 | |||
| Kanni Rasi | Gopikrishna | ||
| Chavi | |||
| 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 | Annai En Deivam | ||
| December Pookal | |||
| Maragatha Veenai | |||
| Engal Thaikulame Varuga | |||
| Aayiram Pookkal Malarattum | |||
| Mr. Bharath | Sanjeevi | ||
| Oru Rasigan Oru Rasigai | |||
| Pattu Selai | |||
| Piranthaen Valarnthaen | Raja | ||
| Thalaiyaati Bommai | |||
| Mannukkul Vairam | |||
| Visham | |||
| Dharma Pathini | |||
| Isai Paadum Thendral | |||
| Paadum Paravaigal | |||
| 1987 | Dhoorathu Pachai | ||
| Anjatha Singam | |||
| Per Sollum Pillai | |||
| Paadu Nilave | |||
| Ninaive Oru Sangeetham | |||
| Idhu Oru Thodar Kathai | |||
| 1988 | Manamagale Vaa | ||
| Poo Pootha Nandhavanam | |||
| Sarkarai Pandal | |||
| 1989 | Anbu Kattalai | ||
| Ennai Petha Rasa | Vakkeel | ||
| Karagattakaran[11] | 'Thavil Vidhwan' Thangavelu | ||
| Manasukketha Maharasa | |||
| Enga Ooru Mappillai | |||
| Ninaivu Chinnam | |||
| Pennbuthi Pin Buthi | |||
| Ponmana Selvan | |||
| Raja Rajadhan | |||
| Rasathi Kalyanam | |||
| Thangamana Rasa | |||
| Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai | |||
| Vetrimel Vetri | |||
1990s
2000s
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Veeranadai | Ulagavaayan | |
| Kannan Varuvaan[12] | Thannirmalai/Athiyapatham/Ezhumalai | ||
| Kannaal Pesavaa | |||
| 2001 | Kunguma Pottu Gounder | ||
| Vedham | Govindsamy | ||
| Samuthiram | Ramanathan | ||
| Azhagana Naatkal | Ranjith | ||
| 2002 | Baba | Annamalai | |
| Samasthanam | |||
| 2003 | Chokka Thangam | ||
| Yes Madam | |||
| Parasuram | Sub-Inspector Thangaraj | ||
| 2004 | Manmadhan | 'Puncture' Pandi | |
| 2006 | Suyetchai MLA | Visky | |
| 2008 | Thangam | Kalai | |
2010s
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Jaggubhai | MIB alias Kalaniyappan | |
| Pollachi Mappillai | |||
| 2015 | 49-O | Savuri | [13] |
| 2016 | Enakku Veru Engum Kilaigal Kidayathu | Caravan Krishnan | [14] |
| Vaaimai | Benny | ||
References
- "Birthday special: 12 rare photos of Tamil comedian Goundamani". Indian Express. Archived from the original on 9 June 2019.
- "How Subramani became Goundamani - Birthday special". Dinamalar. Archived from the original on 2 June 2019.
- "Into the world of Tamil film comedians". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 18 May 2017.
- "Who's still watching Senthil, Goundamani comedy?". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 21 September 2019.
- "King of comedy turns 75!". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020.
- "A tribute to veteran comedian Goundamani". Vikatan. Archived from the original on 28 September 2019.
- Palaniappan, P. "Comedian Kavundamani's wedding photo – A Rare Picture!". SouthDreamz. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- "Comedian Kavundamani's Daughter Wedding". Indiaglitz.com. Archived from the original on 17 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- "Kavundamani is back as Hero with 49 O". Indiaglitz.com. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- 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.
- "30 years of Karakattakaran - Gangai Amaren: The Vazhapazham comedy track was based on a similar sequence in an Adoor Bhasi film". Archived from the original on 20 August 2019.
- "Soori's Goundamani connection revealed". Times of India. Archived from the original on 29 September 2019.
- "Goundamani's next as hero". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020.
- "Return of the counter". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016.
External links
- Goundamani at IMDb