# Gandhimathi

Gandhimathi (30 August 1940 – 9 September 2011) was an Indian stage and film actress. She acted in over 500 films.

## Early life

Kanthimathi was born in Manamadurai in what was then the Ramanathapuram district of India. She started acting in dramas and entered films at the age of eleven.

## Career

The role which got her noticed was the portrayal of Mayil's mother in 16 Vayathinile. Other important Tamil films in which she acted include Mann Vasanai, Muthu and Karagattakaran. She was awarded the Kalaimamani Award by the Government of Tamil Nadu for her contribution to Tamil cinema.
She acted as mother and grandmother almost to all actors and actresses like M.G.R, Rajinikanth, Kamalhassan, Vijaykanth, Sathyaraj, Prabhu, Vijay, Revathi, Radha, Ambika, Radhika, etc. Other actors or actresses cannot utter the non-lexical filler proverbs like "Chithada kalli viragu odaika ponalam kathala mullu kothoda kuthidichan" (When a lazy girl is forced to go for the work of cutting the firewood she may complain that aloe vera thorns poked her in a bunch) like she could.

## Partial filmography
### 1940s

List of 1940s film credits :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1948 | Vedhala Ulagam | | |

### 1960s

List of 1960s film credits :
| Year | Title | Role |
| 1965 | Iravum Pagalum | |
| 1966 | Kumari Penn | |
| 1966 | Thenmazhai | |
| 1969 | Adimai Penn | |
| 1969 | Thirudan | Guest role |

### 1970s

List of 1970s film credits :
| Year | Title | Role |
| 1970 | Thedi Vandha Mappillai | |
| 1970 | Kalam Vellum | |
| 1970 | Thirumalai Thenkumari | |
| 1971 | Savaale Samali | |
| 1971 | Thangaikkaaga | Akilandam |
| 1972 | Nawab Naarkali | |
| 1972 | Raja | Radha's Mother |
| 1972 | Pattikada Pattanama | |
| 1972 | Thavaputhalvan | |
| 1972 | Needhi | |
| 1973 | Engal Thanga Raja | |
| 1973 | Suryakanthi | |
| 1973 | Rajaraja Cholan | |
| 1973 | Ponnunjal | |
| 1974 | En Magan | Thangam |
| 1974 | Vani Rani | |
| 1974 | Netru Indru Naalai | Doctor |
| 1974 | Naan Avanillai | |
| 1974 | Athaiya Mamiya | |
| 1975 | Ninaithadhai Mudippavan | |
| 1975 | Dr. Siva | |
| 1975 | Melnaattu Marumagal | |
| 1975 | Mayangukiral Oru Maadhu | |
| 1975 | Anbe Aaruyire | |
| 1977 | 16 Vayathinile | Kuruvamma |
| 1978 | Vanakkatukuriya Kathaliye | |
| 1978 | Kizhakke Pogum Rail | Karuthamma |
| 1979 | Inikkum Ilamai | |
| 1979 | Manthoppu Kiliye | |
| 1979 | Suvarilladha Chiththirangal | |

### 1980s

List of 1980s film credits :
| Year | Title | Role |
| 1980 | Enga Ooru Rasathi | |
| 1980 | Rusi Kanda Poonai | |
| 1980 | Moodu Pani | |
| 1980 | Bhama Rukmani | |
| 1981 | Indru Poi Naalai Vaa | |
| 1981 | Oruthi Mattum Karaiyinile | |
| 1981 | Bala Nagamma | |
| 1981 | Andhi Mayakkam | |
| 1982 | Erattai Manithan | |
| 1982 | Moondram Pirai | |
| 1982 | Neram Vandhachu | |
| 1983 | Mann Vasanai | Ochaayi |
| 1983 | Uyirullavarai Usha | |
| 1984 | Tharaasu | |
| 1984 | Uravai Kaatha Kili | |
| 1984 | Vai Pandal | |
| 1985 | Mannukketha Ponnu | |
| 1985 | Thendrale Ennai Thodu | Sundari |
| 1985 | Engal Kural | |
| 1985 | Puthiya Theerpu | |
| 1985 | Saavi | Pachaiyamma |
| 1985 | Chidambara Rahasiyam | Ponnazhagi |
| 1986 | Natpu | |
| 1986 | Aayiram Kannudayaal | |
| 1986 | Mannukkul Vairam | |
| 1987 | Chinna Thambi Periya Thambi | |
| 1987 | Ninaive Oru Sangeetham | |
| 1988 | Therkathi Kallan | |
| 1989 | Panthaya Kuthiraigal | |
| 1989 | Karagattakaran | |
| 1989 | Solaikuyil | |
| 1989 | Padicha Pulla | |
| 1989 | Thangamana Raasa | |
| 1989 | Annanukku Jai | |
| 1989 | En Arumai Manaivi | |
| 1989 | Manidhan Marivittan | |

### 1990s

List of 1990s film credits :
| Year | Title | Role |
| 1990 | Mallu Vetti Minor | |
| 1990 | Sandhana Kaatru | |
| 1990 | Periya Veetu Pannakkaran | |
| 1990 | En Kadhal Kanmani | |
| 1991 | Gnana Paravai | |
| 1991 | Kumbakarai Thangaiah | |
| 1991 | Namma Ooru Mariamma | |
| 1992 | Senbaga Thottam | |
| 1992 | Unna Nenachen Pattu Padichen | |
| 1992 | Oor Mariyadhai | |
| 1992 | Idhu Namma Bhoomi | |
| 1992 | Thirumathi Palanisamy | |
| 1992 | Nadodi Pattukkaran | |
| 1992 | Solaiyamma | |
| 1993 | Walter Vetrivel | |
| 1993 | Thalattu | |
| 1993 | Sakkarai Devan | |
| 1993 | Chinna Jameen | |
| 1994 | Namma Annachi | |
| 1994 | Atha Maga Rathiname | |
| 1994 | Ilaignar Ani | |
| 1995 | Aanazhagan | |
| 1995 | Mr. Madras | |
| 1995 | Muthu | Poongavanam |
| 1995 | Varraar Sandiyar | |
| 1996 | Amman Kovil Vaasalile | |
| 1996 | Namma Ooru Raasa | |
| 1997 | Nalla Manusukkaran | |
| 1997 | Vivasaayi Magan | |
| 1997 | Namma Ooru Raasa | |
| 1999 | Nesam Pudhusu | |

### 2000s

List of 2000s film credits :
| Year | Title | Role |
| 2001 | Ponnana Neram | |
| 2001 | Thavasi | Priyadarshini's grandmother |
| 2003 | Anbu Thollai | |
| 2004 | Virumaandi | |
| 2004 | Settai | Pankajam |
| 2004 | Oru Murai Sollividu | |
| 2005 | Ayya | |
| 2006 | Iyappa Saamy | |

## TV Series

* 2004-2007 My Dear Bhootham as Moosa's Grandmother (Sun TV)
* 2004-2007 Kalki (Jaya TV)
* 2005 Kolangal as Narayanan's sister (Sun TV)
* 2010-2011 Pondatti Thevai (Sun TV)