Kaviyoor Ponnamma
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- September 10, 1945
- Died
- September 10, 2024
- Birthplace
- Kaviyoor, Thiruvalla, Kerala
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.
Filmography
Aaraattu 2022
as Voice (Uncredited)
Ammachi Koottile Pranayakalam 2021
as Pathumma
Aanum Pennum 2021
as Sumathiyamma
Mamangam 2019
as Puthumana Thampuratti
Achayans 2017
as Roy's Mother
Vedham 2017
as Hariharan's mother
Thoppil Joppan 2016
as Marykutty
Oppam 2016
as Jayaraman's valiyammayi
Pa.Va 2016
as Agnes / Sister amma
Poyi Maranju Parayathe... 2016
Actor
Avatharam 2014
as Madhavan's Mother
Ginger 2013
as Vivekanandan's mother
Kadal Kadannu Oru Maathukutty 2013
as Mariyamma
Mr. Marumakan 2012
as Bhavani Amma
Christian Brothers 2011
as Joseph Vadakkan's mother
Collector 2011
as Avinash's and Mahendran's mother
Ithu Nammude Katha 2011
as Saraswathy
Evidam Swargamanu 2009
as Elssama
Kappalu Muthalali 2009
as Devaki
Meghatheertham 2009
Actor
2 Harihar Nagar 2009
as Andrew's mother
Manjadikuru 2008
as Devayani
Gulmohar 2008
as Devaki
Twenty 20 2008
as Bharathi Amma
- Kavyam
Kavyam 2008
Actor
Anchil Oral Arjunan 2007
as Sudheendran's mother
Baba Kalyani 2006
as Meenakshiyamma
Vadakkumnadhan 2006
as Rugmavathi Amma
Mampazhakkalam 2004
as Lakshmi
Natturajavu 2004
as Charlie's Mother
Njaan Salperu Raman Kutty 2004
as Devaki
Runway 2004
as Bharathi
Vismayathumbathu 2004
as Sreekumar's Mother
Pattanathil Sundaran 2003
as Bhavaniyamma
Ammakilikkoodu 2003
as Marykutty Teacher
Hariharan Pilla Happy Aanu 2003
as Padmavathiyamma
Mr. Brahmachari 2003
as Subhadramma
Nandanam 2002
as Unni Amma
Uthaman 2001
as Jayaraj's Mother
Akashathile Paravakal 2001
as Muthassi
Kakkakuyil 2001
as Sethu Lakshmi Bhai / Thampuratty
Arayannangalude Veedu 2000
as Lakshmi
Njangal Santhushtaranu 1999
as Mother of the orphanage
Ezhupunna Tharakan 1999
as Kunjannamma
The Godman 1999
as Amarnath's Mother
Pallavur Devanarayanan 1999
as Bhageerathi
Kottaram Veettile Apputtan 1998
as Appottan's mother
- Poothiruvathira Raavil
Poothiruvathira Raavil 1998
Actor
Priyuralu 1998
Actor
Amma Ammayiamma 1998
as Sarada
Itha Oru Snehagatha 1997
Actor
Minnaminuginum Minnukettu 1995
Actor
No: 1 Snehatheeram Banglore North 1995
as Vijayabhaskar's mother
- Karma
Karma 1995
Actor
- Saadaram
Saadaram 1995
Actor
Mannar Mathai Speaking 1995
as Meera's Mother
Santhanagopalam 1994
Actor
Sukrutham 1994
Actor
- Chukkan
Chukkan 1994
Actor
Njan Kodiswaran 1994
as Janaki
Kudumba Visesham 1994
as Bharathi
Thenmavin Kombath 1994
as Yeshodhamma
Vendor Daniel State Licency 1994
as Annamma Daniel
Gandharvam 1993
as Graceykutty
Oru Kadankatha Pole 1993
Actor
Maya Mayooram 1993
Actor
Chenkol 1993
as Ammu
Kalippattam 1993
as Sarojam's mother
Vatsalyam 1993
as Janakiyamma
Kavadiyattam 1993
as Sethulakshmi
Sopanam 1993
as Sethulakshmi Varma
Samagamam 1993
as Annakutty
Ithu Manjukaalam 1993
Actor
Vietnam Colony 1992
as Parvathiyammal
- Kudumbasametham
Kudumbasametham 1992
as Kochukutty Amma
Pappayude Swantham Appoos 1992
Actor
Mahanagaram 1992
Actor
Mukhamudra 1992
as Lakshmi
Aayushkalam 1992
as Aby Mathew's Mother
Ponnurukkum Pakshi 1992
Actor
Sandhesam 1991
as Bhanumathi
Kizhakkunarum Pakshi 1991
as Ananthu' Mother
Ulladakkam 1991
as Sunny's Mother
Pookkalam Varavayi 1991
as Nandan's Mother
Ezhunnallathu 1991
Actor
Bharatham 1991
as Devaki
Dhanam 1991
as Sivasankarans mother
- Apoorvam Chilar
Apoorvam Chilar 1991
as Sarojam
- Aparahnam
Aparahnam 1991
as Janakiyamma
Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu 1990
as Nurse Leeladevi
Kuruppinte Kanakku Pustakom 1990
as Vinayachandran's Mother
Kattukuthira 1990
as Manka
In Harihar Nagar 1990
as Andrews's mother
- Rajavazhcha
Rajavazhcha 1990
as Naniyamma
Midhya 1990
as Rajagopal's Mother
His Highness Abdullah 1990
as Bhagirathi Valiya Thampurati
- Purappadu
Purappadu 1990
Actor
Mazhavilkavadi 1989
as Velayudhankutty's Mother
Ulsavapittennu 1989
as Kalyaniyamma
Dasharatham 1989
as Chandradas's mother
Muthukkudayum Choodi 1989
Actor
Kireedam 1989
as Ammu
Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal 1989
as Devaki
Adhipan 1989
as Shyam Prakash's mother
Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam 1989
as Mariamma
Vandanam 1989
as Unnikrishnan's mother
Jaathakam 1989
as Janaki
- Unnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas
Unnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas 1988
Actor
- Mukthi
Mukthi 1988
as Madhaviyamma
1921 1988
Actor
- Vidaparayan Mathram
Vidaparayan Mathram 1988
Actor
Sathya 1988
as Malayali shop-owner
- Oru Maymasa Pulariyil
Oru Maymasa Pulariyil 1987
Actor
Anantaram 1987
as Yoginiyamma
Achuvettante Veedu 1987
Actor
Thaniyavarthanam 1987
Actor
Irupatham Noottandu 1987
as Meenakshiyamma
- Ennu Nathante Nimmi
Ennu Nathante Nimmi 1986
as Nirmala's grandmother
Nakhakshathangal 1986
Actor
Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal 1986
as Reetha
- Iniyum Kurukshetrum
Iniyum Kurukshetrum 1986
as Kartyayani
Manasilloru Manimuthu 1986
Actor
Sukhamo Devi 1986
Actor
Kshamichu Ennoru Vakku 1986
as Shanthamma
Thinkalazhcha Nalla Divasam 1985
as Janakikutty
- Ente Ammu Ninte Thulasi Avarude Chakki
Ente Ammu Ninte Thulasi Avarude Chakki 1985
Actor
Angadikkappurathu 1985
as Rosi
Adhyayam Onnu Muthal 1985
as Maash
Makan Ente Makan 1985
as Paaruvamma
Ee Thanalil Ithiri Neram 1985
Actor
Thirakal 1984
as Madhaviyamma
- Manithali
Manithali 1984
as Zulfikar's mother
Kanamarayathu 1984
as Mother Superior
- Swanthamevide Bandhamevide
Swanthamevide Bandhamevide 1984
as Lakshmi
Ariyaatha Veethikal 1984
as Janakiyamma
- Kodathi
Kodathi 1984
as Venu's mother
Face to Face 1984
Actor
Marakkillorikkalum 1983
as Sharada
- Nathi Muthal Nathi Vare
Nathi Muthal Nathi Vare 1983
as Lakshmi
Sesham Kazhchayil 1983
as Susheela
- Mansoru Maha Samudram
Mansoru Maha Samudram 1983
as Devaki
- Enikku Vishakunnu
Enikku Vishakunnu 1983
as Chinamma
Chiriyo Chiri 1982
Actor
- Beedi Kunjamma
Beedi Kunjamma 1982
as Madhavan's Mother
- Kaaliya Mardhanam
Kaaliya Mardhanam 1982
Actor
- Ilakkangal
Ilakkangal 1982
as Valiyamma
Balloon 1982
Actor
Thrishna 1981
as Chinnammu
- Vayal
Vayal 1981
Actor
Maniyanpilla Adhava Maniyanpilla 1981
Actor
Oppol 1981
Actor
Agni Saram 1980
Actor
- Manushya Mrugam
Manushya Mrugam 1980
as Babu's Mother
- Anthappuram
Anthappuram 1980
Actor
Karimpana 1980
Actor
Chamaram 1980
as Ravi's Mother
Kaantha Valayam 1980
as Mariyamma
Thirayum Theeravum 1980
as Mohan's mother
Moorkhan 1980
Actor
- Love in Singapore
Love in Singapore 1980
Actor
The Evil Deeds of Cheriyachan 1979
Actor
Eeta 1978
Actor
Uthrada Rathri 1978
Actor
- Aniyara
Aniyara 1978
Actor
Kodiyettam 1978
as Kamalamma
- Randilonnu
Randilonnu 1978
Actor
Rathinirvedam 1978
as Saraswathi
Avalude Ravukal 1978
as Lakshmi
Kudumbam Namukku Sreekovil 1978
Actor
Achaaram Ammini Osharam Omana 1977
as Dhakshayani
Oonjaal 1977
Actor
Jagadguru Aadisankaran 1977
as Kaippilly Aryadevi Antarjanam, Mother of Sankaracharyar
Satyavan Savithri 1977
Actor
- Itha Ivide Vare
Itha Ivide Vare 1977
as Kamalakshi
- Sree Murugan
Sree Murugan 1977
as Kamalakshi
Nirakudam 1977
Actor
- Minimol
Minimol 1977
Actor
Siva Thaandavam 1977
Actor
Amrithavaahini 1976
as Lakshmi
Innale Innu 1976
Actor
- Amba Ambika Ambalika
Amba Ambika Ambalika 1976
as Old Sathyavathi
Aruthu 1976
Actor
- Thulaavarsham
Thulaavarsham 1976
Actor
Appooppan 1976
Actor
Utsavam 1975
as Mother of Gopi
Mattoru Seetha 1975
Actor
- Makkal
Makkal 1975
as Leela
Thiruvonam 1975
Actor
Prayanam 1975
as Amminiyamma
- Tourist Bungalow
Tourist Bungalow 1975
Actor
Arakkallan Mukkalkkallan 1974
as Queen Lakshmi
Chakravakam 1974
as Soshamma
- Devi Kanyakumari
Devi Kanyakumari 1974
as Old Lady
Nellu 1974
as Savithri Varassyar
Nirmalyam 1973
as Velichapad's Wife
- Divyadharsanam
Divyadharsanam 1973
Actor
Ponnapuram Kotta 1973
Actor
Theerthayathra 1972
as Kochikkaavu
Puthrakameshti 1972
Actor
Snehadeepame Mizhi Thurakku 1972
Actor
Gandharavakshetram 1972
as Kalamezhuthu Singer
Sree Guruvayoorappan 1972
Actor
- Akkarapacha
Akkarapacha 1972
as Bhageerathi
Aromalunni 1972
as Thumbolarcha
Manthrakodi 1972
as Saraswathi
Karakanakadal 1971
as Tharathi
Aabhijathyam 1971
as Janaki Amma
Vithukal 1971
as Ammini
- Makane Ninakku Vendi
Makane Ninakku Vendi 1971
Actor
Thriveni 1970
as Parvathy
- Cross Belt
Cross Belt 1970
as Bhavani
Othenante makan 1970
as Naani
Nizhalattam 1970
as Ravi's Mother
Vivahitha 1970
Actor
Aalmaram 1969
as Ammini Amma
- Velutha Kathreena
Velutha Kathreena 1968
as Marthappulayi
Anweshichu Kandethiyilla 1967
Actor
Odayil Ninnu 1965
as Kalyani
Daham 1965
Actor
- Sreerama Pattabhishekam
Sreerama Pattabhishekam 1962
as Mandodari
Credits from TMDB.