Karamana Janardanan Nair

Karamana Janardanan Nair Biography

Karamana Janardanan Nair was a noted film actor of Malayalam known for character roles. He has been one of the most sought character artists of 1990’s, known for serious roles. He has also played negative roles in a few movies. His memorable roles include Title role of Elippathayam, Thinkalazcha Nalla Divasam, Aadharam, Vasudeva Warrier of Agnidevan and Father Ottaplakkan of Spadikam and both these are Mohanlal thrillers. Mathilukal (1990), Pattana Pravesham (1988) and Dasharatham (1989) are other praiseworthy characters. He passed away in 2000 at the age of 63. Suresh Gopi’s detective thriller, F.I.R released in 1999 was Karamana’s last movie. Noted character artist of Malayalam movies, Sudheer Karamana is his son. Karamana had been an integral part of films of all kinds – both mainstream commercial and offbeat.

He was born in 25 July 1936 in Karamana, extreme end of Thiruvananthapuram city. Karamana Kunjuveettil Ramaswami Iyyer and Bhargaviyamma are his parents. He entered movies in the mid 1970’s and was most active in 1980’s. He played protagonist in Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s masterpiece Elippathayam (1981) which earned him recognition worldwide. Yet later on, he moved to supporting and villain roles. Yet he has been associated with both art and commercial films. He appeared in Adoor’s Mathilukal in 1990 too. As a comic actor, his role in Sathyan Anthikkad's Patatnapravesham is most popular. Mazhavil Kavady, Sasneham, Kalikkalam, Ardham and Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu other noted movies of this association.

He had a long term association with legendary actor of Malayalam cinema, Bharath Gopi since 1956. They shared screen space in many movies and were active in the same period as well. The theatre journey of both these actors started together at a college summer camp at Dhanuvachapuram in 1956. Both were studying at Thiruvananthapuram University College when both performed together in the play, “Njaan Oradhikapattaanu.” Film debut of both these actors happened through Swayamvaram and they remained close friends after that. Both actors played bit roles in the National award winning movie.

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Updated: July 31, 2014