Kaviyoor Ponnamma

Kaviyoor Ponnamma

Known for
Acting
Born
September 10, 1945
Died
September 10, 2024 (aged 79)
Birthplace
Kaviyoor, Thiruvalla, Kerala

Biography

Kaviyoor Ponnamma (10 September 1945 – 20 September 2024) was an Indian actress who appeared in Malayalam films and television. She began her career performing in theatre dramas before foraying into cinema. She also acted in TV serials and commercials and had playback singing credits in few films Ponnamma was a four-time Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actress winner. Often called as the "mother to all actors", she acted as mother of almost all actors in her career spanning over decades. At the age of 20, she played the mother of older actors Sathyan and Madhu in Thommente Makkal (1965). She particularly gained critical acclaim for acting as the mother of Mohanlal. As a five-year-old, she learned music and sang in stage shows. In 1958, she was spotted by Kerala People's Arts Club (KPAC) who was looking for a girl who can sing in their stage play. They also gave her the role of heroine in Mooladhanam, her debut stage drama at age 13. It was directed by Thoppil Bhasi. After five years came her first movie Kudumbini, in which she did the title role of the mother of two children. Ponnamma died from cancer at Lissie Hospital in Kochi, Kerala, on 20 September 2024, at the age of 79.

Known For

Filmography

2024
Poacher poster

Poacher

TV · as Mother Finn · 1 ep

2022
Aaraattu poster

Aaraattu

Movie · as Voice (Uncredited)

2021
Ammachi Koottile Pranayakalam poster

Ammachi Koottile Pranayakalam

Movie · as Pathumma

2021
Aanum Pennum poster

Aanum Pennum

Movie · as Sumathiyamma

2019
Mamangam poster

Mamangam

Movie · as Puthumana Thampuratti

2017
Vedham poster

Vedham

Movie · as Hariharan's mother

2017
Achayans poster

Achayans

Movie · as Roy's Mother

2017
Lal Salam poster

Lal Salam

TV · as Self · 1 ep

2016
Pa.Va poster

Pa.Va

Movie · as Agnes / Sister amma

2016
Thoppil Joppan poster

Thoppil Joppan

Movie · as Marykutty

2016
Oppam poster

Oppam

Movie · as Jayaraman's valiyammayi

2016
Poyi Maranju Parayathe... poster

Poyi Maranju Parayathe...

Movie

2014
Avatharam poster

Avatharam

Movie · as Madhavan's Mother

2013
Kadal Kadannu Oru Maathukutty poster

Kadal Kadannu Oru Maathukutty

Movie · as Mariyamma

2013
Ginger poster

Ginger

Movie · as Vivekanandan's mother

2012
Mr. Marumakan poster

Mr. Marumakan

Movie · as Bhavani Amma

2011
Christian Brothers poster

Christian Brothers

Movie · as Joseph Vadakkan's mother

2011
Collector poster

Collector

Movie · as Avinash's and Mahendran's mother

2011
Ithu Nammude Katha poster

Ithu Nammude Katha

Movie · as Saraswathy

2009
Evidam Swargamanu poster

Evidam Swargamanu

Movie · as Elssama

2009
2 Harihar Nagar poster

2 Harihar Nagar

Movie · as Andrew's mother

2009
Kappalu Muthalali poster

Kappalu Muthalali

Movie · as Devaki

2009
Meghatheertham poster

Meghatheertham

Movie

2008
Manjadikuru poster

Manjadikuru

Movie · as Devayani

2008
Kavyam

Kavyam

Movie

2008
Twenty 20 poster

Twenty 20

Movie · as Bharathi Amma

2008
Gulmohar poster

Gulmohar

Movie · as Devaki

2007
Anchil Oral Arjunan poster

Anchil Oral Arjunan

Movie · as Sudheendran's mother

2006
Baba Kalyani poster

Baba Kalyani

Movie · as Meenakshiyamma

2006
Vadakkumnadhan poster

Vadakkumnadhan

Movie · as Rugmavathi Amma

2004
Mampazhakkalam poster

Mampazhakkalam

Movie · as Lakshmi

2004
Vismayathumbathu poster

Vismayathumbathu

Movie · as Sreekumar's Mother

2004
Natturajavu poster

Natturajavu

Movie · as Charlie's Mother

2004
Njaan Salperu Raman Kutty poster

Njaan Salperu Raman Kutty

Movie · as Devaki

2004
Runway poster

Runway

Movie · as Bharathi

2003
Mr. Brahmachari poster

Mr. Brahmachari

Movie · as Subhadramma

2003
Hariharan Pilla Happy Aanu poster

Hariharan Pilla Happy Aanu

Movie · as Padmavathiyamma

2003
Pattanathil Sundaran poster

Pattanathil Sundaran

Movie · as Bhavaniyamma

2003
Ammakilikkoodu poster

Ammakilikkoodu

Movie · as Marykutty Teacher

2002
Nandanam poster

Nandanam

Movie · as Unni Amma

2001
Kakkakuyil poster

Kakkakuyil

Movie · as Sethu Lakshmi Bhai / Thampuratty

2001
Uthaman poster

Uthaman

Movie · as Jayaraj's Mother

2001
Akashathile Paravakal poster

Akashathile Paravakal

Movie · as Muthassi

2000
Arayannangalude Veedu poster

Arayannangalude Veedu

Movie · as Lakshmi

1999
Pallavur Devanarayanan poster

Pallavur Devanarayanan

Movie · as Bhageerathi

1999
The Godman poster

The Godman

Movie · as Amarnath's Mother

1999
Ezhupunna Tharakan poster

Ezhupunna Tharakan

Movie · as Kunjannamma

1999
Njangal Santhushtaranu poster

Njangal Santhushtaranu

Movie · as Mother of the orphanage

1998
Kottaram Veettile Apputtan poster

Kottaram Veettile Apputtan

Movie · as Appottan's mother

1998
Amma Ammayiamma poster

Amma Ammayiamma

Movie · as Sarada

1998
Priyuralu poster

Priyuralu

Movie

1998
Poothiruvathira Raavil

Poothiruvathira Raavil

Movie

1997
Itha Oru Snehagatha poster

Itha Oru Snehagatha

Movie

1995
No: 1 Snehatheeram Banglore North poster

No: 1 Snehatheeram Banglore North

Movie · as Vijayabhaskar's mother

1995
Mannar Mathai Speaking poster

Mannar Mathai Speaking

Movie · as Meera's Mother

1995
Karma

Karma

Movie

1995
Minnaminuginum Minnukettu poster

Minnaminuginum Minnukettu

Movie

1995
Saadaram

Saadaram

Movie

1994
Santhanagopalam poster

Santhanagopalam

Movie

1994
Sukrutham poster

Sukrutham

Movie

1994
Thenmavin Kombath poster

Thenmavin Kombath

Movie · as Yeshodhamma

1994
Kudumba Visesham poster

Kudumba Visesham

Movie · as Bharathi

1994
Chukkan

Chukkan

Movie

1994
Njan Kodiswaran poster

Njan Kodiswaran

Movie · as Janaki

1994
Vendor Daniel State Licency poster

Vendor Daniel State Licency

Movie · as Annamma Daniel

1993
Ithu Manjukaalam poster

Ithu Manjukaalam

Movie

1993
Gandharvam poster

Gandharvam

Movie · as Graceykutty

1993
Vatsalyam poster

Vatsalyam

Movie · as Janakiyamma

1993
Kalippattam poster

Kalippattam

Movie · as Sarojam's mother

1993
Chenkol poster

Chenkol

Movie · as Ammu

1993
Maya Mayooram poster

Maya Mayooram

Movie

1993
Kavadiyattam poster

Kavadiyattam

Movie · as Sethulakshmi

1993
Oru Kadankatha Pole poster

Oru Kadankatha Pole

Movie

1993
Samagamam poster

Samagamam

Movie · as Annakutty

1993
Sopanam poster

Sopanam

Movie · as Sethulakshmi Varma

1992
Mukhamudra poster

Mukhamudra

Movie · as Lakshmi

1992
Mahanagaram poster

Mahanagaram

Movie

1992
Ponnurukkum Pakshi poster

Ponnurukkum Pakshi

Movie

1992
Aayushkalam poster

Aayushkalam

Movie · as Aby Mathew's Mother

1992
Pappayude Swantham Appoos poster

Pappayude Swantham Appoos

Movie

1992
Vietnam Colony poster

Vietnam Colony

Movie · as Parvathiyammal

1992
Kudumbasametham

Kudumbasametham

Movie · as Kochukutty Amma

1991
Bharatham poster

Bharatham

Movie · as Devaki

1991
Ulladakkam poster

Ulladakkam

Movie · as Sunny's Mother

1991
Dhanam poster

Dhanam

Movie · as Sivasankarans mother

1991
Kizhakkunarum Pakshi poster

Kizhakkunarum Pakshi

Movie · as Ananthu' Mother

1991
Sandhesam poster

Sandhesam

Movie · as Bhanumathi

1991
Apoorvam Chilar

Apoorvam Chilar

Movie · as Sarojam

1991
Pookkalam Varavayi poster

Pookkalam Varavayi

Movie · as Nandan's Mother

1991
Ezhunnallathu poster

Ezhunnallathu

Movie

1991
Aparahnam

Aparahnam

Movie · as Janakiyamma

1990
Midhya poster

Midhya

Movie · as Rajagopal's Mother

1990
In Harihar Nagar poster

In Harihar Nagar

Movie · as Andrews's mother

1990
Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu poster

Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu

Movie · as Nurse Leeladevi

1990
Rajavazhcha

Rajavazhcha

Movie · as Naniyamma

1990
His Highness Abdullah poster

His Highness Abdullah

Movie · as Bhagirathi Valiya Thampurati

1990
Kuruppinte Kanakku Pustakom poster

Kuruppinte Kanakku Pustakom

Movie · as Vinayachandran's Mother

1990
Purappadu

Purappadu

Movie

1990
Kattukuthira poster

Kattukuthira

Movie · as Manka

1989
Muthukkudayum Choodi poster

Muthukkudayum Choodi

Movie

1989
Vandanam poster

Vandanam

Movie · as Unnikrishnan's mother

1989
Kireedam poster

Kireedam

Movie · as Ammu

1989
Ulsavapittennu poster

Ulsavapittennu

Movie · as Kalyaniyamma

1989
Adhipan poster

Adhipan

Movie · as Shyam Prakash's mother

1989
Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal poster

Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal

Movie · as Devaki

1989
Mazhavilkavadi poster

Mazhavilkavadi

Movie · as Velayudhankutty's Mother

1989
Dasharatham poster

Dasharatham

Movie · as Chandradas's mother

1989
Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam poster

Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam

Movie · as Mariamma

1989
Jaathakam poster

Jaathakam

Movie · as Janaki

1988
1921 poster

1921

Movie

1988
Mukthi

Mukthi

Movie · as Madhaviyamma

1988
Sathya poster

Sathya

Movie · as Malayali shop-owner

1988
Unnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas

Unnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas

Movie

1988
Vidaparayan Mathram

Vidaparayan Mathram

Movie

1987
Anantaram poster

Anantaram

Movie · as Yoginiyamma

1987
Thaniyavarthanam poster

Thaniyavarthanam

Movie

1987
Irupatham Noottandu poster

Irupatham Noottandu

Movie · as Meenakshiyamma

1987
Oru Maymasa Pulariyil

Oru Maymasa Pulariyil

Movie

1987
Achuvettante Veedu poster

Achuvettante Veedu

Movie

1986
Ennu Nathante Nimmi

Ennu Nathante Nimmi

Movie · as Nirmala's grandmother

1986
Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal poster

Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal

Movie · as Reetha

1986
Kshamichu Ennoru Vakku poster

Kshamichu Ennoru Vakku

Movie · as Shanthamma

1986
Sukhamo Devi poster

Sukhamo Devi

Movie

1986
Manasilloru Manimuthu poster

Manasilloru Manimuthu

Movie

1986
Iniyum Kurukshetrum

Iniyum Kurukshetrum

Movie · as Kartyayani

1986
Nakhakshathangal poster

Nakhakshathangal

Movie

1985
Makan Ente Makan poster

Makan Ente Makan

Movie · as Paaruvamma

1985
Thinkalazhcha Nalla Divasam poster

Thinkalazhcha Nalla Divasam

Movie · as Janakikutty

1985
Ee Thanalil Ithiri Neram poster

Ee Thanalil Ithiri Neram

Movie

1985
Adhyayam Onnu Muthal poster

Adhyayam Onnu Muthal

Movie · as Maash

1985
Angadikkappurathu poster

Angadikkappurathu

Movie · as Rosi

1985
Ente Ammu Ninte Thulasi Avarude Chakki

Ente Ammu Ninte Thulasi Avarude Chakki

Movie

1984
Manithali

Manithali

Movie · as Zulfikar's mother

1984
Kodathi

Kodathi

Movie · as Venu's mother

1984
Kanamarayathu poster

Kanamarayathu

Movie · as Mother Superior

1984
Ariyaatha Veethikal poster

Ariyaatha Veethikal

Movie · as Janakiyamma

1984
Swanthamevide Bandhamevide

Swanthamevide Bandhamevide

Movie · as Lakshmi

1984
Face to Face poster

Face to Face

Movie

1984
Thirakal poster

Thirakal

Movie · as Madhaviyamma

1983
Mansoru Maha Samudram

Mansoru Maha Samudram

Movie · as Devaki

1983
Nathi Muthal Nathi Vare

Nathi Muthal Nathi Vare

Movie · as Lakshmi

1983
Sesham Kazhchayil poster

Sesham Kazhchayil

Movie · as Susheela

1983
Marakkillorikkalum poster

Marakkillorikkalum

Movie · as Sharada

1983
Enikku Vishakunnu

Enikku Vishakunnu

Movie · as Chinamma

1982
Chiriyo Chiri poster

Chiriyo Chiri

Movie

1982
Ilakkangal

Ilakkangal

Movie · as Valiyamma

1982
Kaaliya Mardhanam

Kaaliya Mardhanam

Movie

1982
Balloon poster

Balloon

Movie

1982
Beedi Kunjamma

Beedi Kunjamma

Movie · as Madhavan's Mother

1981
Vayal

Vayal

Movie

1981
Thrishna poster

Thrishna

Movie · as Chinnammu

1981
Maniyanpilla Adhava Maniyanpilla poster

Maniyanpilla Adhava Maniyanpilla

Movie

1981
Oppol poster

Oppol

Movie

1980
Manushya Mrugam

Manushya Mrugam

Movie · as Babu's Mother

1980
Thirayum Theeravum poster

Thirayum Theeravum

Movie · as Mohan's mother

1980
Chamaram poster

Chamaram

Movie · as Ravi's Mother

1980
Karimpana poster

Karimpana

Movie

1980
Moorkhan poster

Moorkhan

Movie

1980
Love in Singapore

Love in Singapore

Movie

1980
Agni Saram poster

Agni Saram

Movie

1980
Anthappuram

Anthappuram

Movie

1980
Kaantha Valayam poster

Kaantha Valayam

Movie · as Mariyamma

1979
The Evil Deeds of Cheriyachan poster

The Evil Deeds of Cheriyachan

Movie

1978
Kodiyettam poster

Kodiyettam

Movie · as Kamalamma

1978
Avalude Ravukal poster

Avalude Ravukal

Movie · as Lakshmi

1978
Randilonnu

Randilonnu

Movie

1978
Rathinirvedam poster

Rathinirvedam

Movie · as Saraswathi

1978
Aniyara

Aniyara

Movie

1978
Kudumbam Namukku Sreekovil poster

Kudumbam Namukku Sreekovil

Movie

1978
Eeta poster

Eeta

Movie

1978
Uthrada Rathri poster

Uthrada Rathri

Movie

1977
Itha Ivide Vare

Itha Ivide Vare

Movie · as Kamalakshi

1977
Jagadguru Aadisankaran poster

Jagadguru Aadisankaran

Movie · as Kaippilly Aryadevi Antarjanam, Mother of Sankaracharyar

1977
Achaaram Ammini Osharam Omana poster

Achaaram Ammini Osharam Omana

Movie · as Dhakshayani

1977
Siva Thaandavam poster

Siva Thaandavam

Movie

1977
Nirakudam poster

Nirakudam

Movie

1977
Satyavan Savithri poster

Satyavan Savithri

Movie

1977
Oonjaal poster

Oonjaal

Movie

1977
Minimol

Minimol

Movie

1977
Sree Murugan

Sree Murugan

Movie · as Kamalakshi

1976
Thulaavarsham

Thulaavarsham

Movie

1976
Amrithavaahini poster

Amrithavaahini

Movie · as Lakshmi

1976
Innale Innu poster

Innale Innu

Movie

1976
Aruthu poster

Aruthu

Movie

1976
Appooppan poster

Appooppan

Movie

1976
Amba Ambika Ambalika

Amba Ambika Ambalika

Movie · as Old Sathyavathi

1975
Prayanam poster

Prayanam

Movie · as Amminiyamma

1975
Tourist Bungalow

Tourist Bungalow

Movie

1975
Thiruvonam poster

Thiruvonam

Movie

1975
Mattoru Seetha poster

Mattoru Seetha

Movie

1975
Utsavam poster

Utsavam

Movie · as Mother of Gopi

1975
Makkal

Makkal

Movie · as Leela

1974
Chakravakam poster

Chakravakam

Movie · as Soshamma

1974
Devi Kanyakumari

Devi Kanyakumari

Movie · as Old Lady

1974
Nellu poster

Nellu

Movie · as Savithri Varassyar

1974
Arakkallan Mukkalkkallan poster

Arakkallan Mukkalkkallan

Movie · as Queen Lakshmi

1973
Nirmalyam poster

Nirmalyam

Movie · as Velichapad's Wife

1973
Ponnapuram Kotta poster

Ponnapuram Kotta

Movie

1973
Divyadharsanam

Divyadharsanam

Movie

1972
Sree Guruvayoorappan poster

Sree Guruvayoorappan

Movie

1972
Manthrakodi poster

Manthrakodi

Movie · as Saraswathi

1972
Puthrakameshti poster

Puthrakameshti

Movie

1972
Snehadeepame Mizhi Thurakku poster

Snehadeepame Mizhi Thurakku

Movie

1972
Aromalunni poster

Aromalunni

Movie · as Thumbolarcha

1972
Gandharavakshetram poster

Gandharavakshetram

Movie · as Kalamezhuthu Singer

1972
Theerthayathra poster

Theerthayathra

Movie · as Kochikkaavu

1972
Akkarapacha

Akkarapacha

Movie · as Bhageerathi

1971
Aabhijathyam poster

Aabhijathyam

Movie · as Janaki Amma

1971
Vithukal poster

Vithukal

Movie · as Ammini

1971
Karakanakadal poster

Karakanakadal

Movie · as Tharathi

1971
Makane Ninakku Vendi

Makane Ninakku Vendi

Movie

1970
Thriveni poster

Thriveni

Movie · as Parvathy

1970
Cross Belt

Cross Belt

Movie · as Bhavani

1970
Othenante makan poster

Othenante makan

Movie · as Naani

1970
Nizhalattam poster

Nizhalattam

Movie · as Ravi's Mother

1970
Vivahitha poster

Vivahitha

Movie

1969
Aalmaram poster

Aalmaram

Movie · as Ammini Amma

1968
Velutha Kathreena

Velutha Kathreena

Movie · as Marthappulayi

1967
Anweshichu Kandethiyilla poster

Anweshichu Kandethiyilla

Movie

1965
Odayil Ninnu poster

Odayil Ninnu

Movie · as Kalyani

1965
Daham poster

Daham

Movie

1962
Sreerama Pattabhishekam

Sreerama Pattabhishekam

Movie · as Mandodari