# Vennira Aadai Nirmala

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.

## 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. 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. 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.
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.

## Partial filmography

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

### 1960s

| Year | Title | Role | Language | Notes |
| 1965 | Vennira Aadai | Geetha | Tamil | Debut Film |
| 1965 | Ennathan Mudivu | | Tamil | |
| 1965 | Kaattuthulasi | Thulasi | Malayalam | |
| 1965 | Chettathi | Susheela | Malayalam | |
| 1966 | Kallippennu | Kallippennu | Malayalam | |
| 1966 | Station Master | Geetha & Omana | Malayalam | |
| 1966 | Kayamkulam Kochunni | Nabeesha | Malayalam | |
| 1966 | Gudachari 116 | | Telugu | |
| 1967 | Kadhalithal Mattum Podhuma | | Tamil | |
| 1967 | Bhakta Prahlada | | Tamil | |
| 1967 | Jeevikkaan Anuvadikkoo | | Malayalam | |
| 1967 | Ramanan | Karthi | Malayalam | |
| 1967 | Iruttinte Athmavu | Prema | Malayalam | |
| 1967 | Sheelavathi | Saraswati | Malayalam | |
| 1967 | NGO | Shantha | Malayalam | |
| 1967 | Thalirukal | | Malayalam | |
| 1967 | Maadatharuvi | | Malayalam | |
| 1967 | Sahadharmini | | Malayalam | |
| 1967 | Bhakta Prahlada | | Telugu | |
| 1967 | Ave Kallu | | Telugu | |
| 1968 | Lakshmi Kalyanam | | Tamil | |
| 1968 | Chakkaram | | Tamil | |
| 1968 | Ragasiya Police 115 | | Tamil | |
| 1968 | Muthu Chippi | | Tamil | |
| 1968 | Kuzhanthaikkaga | | Tamil | |
| 1968 | Yakshi | Vijayalakshmi | Malayalam | |
| 1968 | Punnapura Vayalar | Chinnama | Malayalam | |
| 1968 | Papa Kosam | | Telugu | |
| 1969 | Poova Thalaiya | | Tamil | |
| 1969 | Mannippu | | Tamil | |
| 1969 | Annaiyum Pithavum | | Tamil | |
| 1969 | Kanni Penn | | Tamil | |
| 1969 | Thanga Surangam | | Tamil | |
| 1969 | Thunaivan | | Tamil | |
| 1969 | Vilakkappetta Bandhangal | | Malayalam | |
| 1969 | Koottukudumbam | Radhika | Malayalam | |
| 1969 | Janmabhoomi | Madhavi | Malayalam | |
| 1969 | Mooga Nomu | | Telugu | |

### 1970s

| Year | Title | Role | Language | Notes |
| 1970 | Enga Mama | Neela | Tamil | |
| 1970 | Veettuku Veedu | | Tamil | |
| 1970 | Kannan Varuvan | | Tamil | |
| 1970 | Noorandu Kalam Vazhga | | Tamil | |
| 1970 | Sangamam | | Tamil | |
| 1970 | Yaen? | | Tamil | |
| 1970 | Vairakiyam | | Tamil | |
| 1970 | Namma Kuzhandaigal | | Tamil | |
| 1970 | Vivaahitha | Leela | Malayalam | |
| 1970 | Cross Belt | Leela/Mrs.Robert | Malayalam | |
| 1970 | Bheekara Nimishangal | Indira | Malayalam | |
| 1970 | Dathuputhran | Omana | Malayalam | |
| 1971 | Babu | | Tamil | |
| 1971 | Thangaikkaaga | | Tamil | |
| 1971 | Deivam Pesuma | | Tamil | |
| 1971 | Aathi Parasakthi | | Tamil | |
| 1971 | Soodhattam | | Tamil | |
| 1971 | Anbukkor Annan | | Tamil | |
| 1971 | Needhi Dhevan | | Tamil | |
| 1971 | Sudarum Sooravaliyum | | Tamil | |
| 1971 | Thanga Gopuram | | Tamil | |
| 1971 | Veguli Penn | | Tamil | |
| 1971 | Panchavankaadu | Devamma | Malayalam | |
| 1971 | Lora Nee Evide | Lora | Malayalam | |
| 1971 | Andariki Monagadu | | Telugu | |
| 1971 | Bangaru Talli | | Telugu | |
| 1971 | Bomma Borusa | | Telugu | |
| 1971 | Sati Anasuya | | Telugu | |
| 1972 | Aval | | Tamil | |
| 1972 | Bathilukku Bathil | | Tamil | |
| 1972 | Thaikku Oru Pillai | | Tamil | |
| 1972 | Maravil Thirivu Sookshikkuka | Maalu | Malayalam | |
| 1972 | Kathula Rathaiah | | Telugu | |
| 1972 | Bhale Mosagadu | | Telugu | |
| 1972 | Datta Putrudu | | Telugu | |
| 1972 | Maa Inti Velugu | | Telugu | |
| 1972 | Somaripothu | | Telugu | |
| 1973 | Anbu Sagodharargal | | Tamil | |
| 1973 | Engal Thaai | | Tamil | |
| 1973 | Pookaari | | Tamil | |
| 1973 | Prarthanai | | Tamil | |
| 1973 | Vakkuruthi | | Tamil | |
| 1973 | Nyayam Ketkirom | | Tamil | |
| 1973 | Veettukku Vandha Marumagal | | Tamil | |
| 1973 | Nalla Mudivu | | Tamil | |
| 1973 | Jesus | Magdalna | Malayalam | |
| 1973 | Thenaruvi | Thulasi | Malayalam | |
| 1973 | Thaniniram | | Malayalam | |
| 1973 | Shaasthram Jayichu Manushyan Thottu | Suvarna | Malayalam | |
| 1973 | Aashaachakram | | Malayalam | |
| 1973 | Paavangal Pennungal | | Malayalam | |
| 1973 | Dhanama? Daivama? | | Telugu | |
| 1973 | Varasuralu | | Telugu | |
| 1974 | Avalukku Nigar Avale | | Tamil | Also Producer |
| 1974 | Pathu Madha Bandham | | Tamil | |
| 1974 | Samayalkaran | | Tamil | |
| 1974 | Sisubalan | | Tamil | |
| 1974 | Durga | | Malayalam | |
| 1974 | Suprabhaatham | | Malayalam | |
| 1974 | Sthree Gowravam | | Telugu | |
| 1974 | Mangalya Bhagyam | | Telugu | |
| 1975 | Ingeyum Manidhargal | | Tamil | |
| 1975 | Naalai Namadhe | | Tamil | |
| 1975 | Eduppar Kai Pillai | | Tamil | |
| 1975 | Idhayakkani | | Tamil | |
| 1975 | Njaan Ninne Premikkunnu | Gracy | Malayalam | |
| 1975 | Thomasleeha | | Malayalam | |
| 1975 | Maanishaada | | Tamil | |
| 1975 | Sri Renukadevi Mahathme | | Kannada | |
| 1976 | Oorukku Uzhaippavan | | Tamil | |
| 1976 | Unakkaga Naan | | Tamil | |
| 1976 | Janaki Sabadham | | Tamil | |
| 1976 | Amba Ambika Ambaalika | Sathyavathi | Malayalam | |
| 1976 | Devude Gelichadu | | Telugu | |
| 1977 | Ellam Avale | | Tamil | |
| 1977 | Indru Pol Endrum Vaazhga | | Tamil | |
| 1977 | Maamiyar Veedu | | Tamil | |
| 1977 | Meenava Nanban | | Tamil | |
| 1977 | Sreemurukan | | Malayalam | |
| 1977 | Guruvayoor Keshavan | | Malayalam | |
| 1977 | Chakradhari | | Telugu | |
| 1978 | Kaviraja Kalamegam | | Tamil | |
| 1978 | Karunamoorthi | | Tamil | |
| 1978 | Thacholi Ambu | | Malayalam | |
| 1978 | Hemantharaathri | | Malayalam | |
| 1978 | Velluvili | Savithri | Malayalam | |
| 1978 | Chakraayudham | | Malayalam | |
| 1978 | Randil Onnu | | Malayalam | |
| 1978 | Karunamayudu | | Telugu | |
| 1979 | Gnana Kuzhandhai | | Tamil | |
| 1979 | Nadagame Ulagam | | Tamil | |
| 1979 | Velli Ratham | | Tamil | |
| 1979 | Veerabhadran | | Malayalam | |
| 1979 | Iniyum Kaanaam | Nirmala | Malayalam | |

### 1980s

| Year | Title | Role | Language |
| 1980 | Kaali | | Tamil |
| 1980 | Kallukkul Eeram | | Tamil |
| 1980 | Guru | | Tamil |
| 1980 | Ashwaradham | Lakshmi | Malayalam |
| 1980 | Bhaktha Hanuman | | Malayalam |
| 1980 | Kaanthavalayam | | Malayalam |
| 1980 | Chukkalo Chandrudu | | Telugu |
| 1980 | Kaali | | Telugu |
| 1980 | Guru | | Telugu |
| 1981 | Deiva Thirumanangal | | Tamil |
| 1981 | Bala Nagamma | | Tamil |
| 1981 | Kilungaatha Changalakal | | Malayalam |
| 1981 | Sri Anjaneya Charitra | | Telugu |
| 1981 | Antham Kaadhidi Aarambham | | Telugu |
| 1982 | Nadodi Raja | | Tamil |
| 1985 | Kari Naga | | Kannada |

### 1990s

| Year | Title | Language |
| 1997 | Arunachalam | Tamil |
| 1997 | Vaimaye Vellum | Tamil |
| 1997 | Poomarathanalil | Malayalam |
| 1998 | Sri Sita Ramula Kalyanam Chootamu Raarandi | Telugu |

### 2000s

| Year | Title | Language |
| 2000 | Kalisundam Raa | Telugu |
| 2000 | Jayam Manadera | Telugu |
| 2000 | Ninne Premistha | Telugu |
| 2001 | Thaalikaatha Kaaliamman | Tamil |
| 2001 | Sharja To Sharja | Malayalam |
| 2001 | Adhipathi | Telugu |
| 2002 | Kamarasu | Tamil |
| 2002 | Seema Simham | Telugu |
| 2003 | Okariki Okaru | Telugu |
| 2004 | Arjun | Telugu |
| 2004 | Shankar Dada M.B.B.S | Telugu |
| 2007 | Periyar | Tamil |
| 2007 | Rameswaram | Tamil |
| 2007 | Shankar Dada Zindabad | Telugu |
| 2010 | Ragada | Telugu |

## 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 | Sun TV | |
| 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: | YouTube | |

## Awards and honours

* 2009; Kaviarasu Kannadasan Tamizh Sangam Award