dbinia
Kaviyoor Ponnamma

Kaviyoor Ponnamma

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.

See more:
Poacher

Poacher

2024

as Mother Finn

Aaraattu

Aaraattu

2022

as Voice (Uncredited)

Ammachi Koottile Pranayakalam

Ammachi Koottile Pranayakalam

2021

Aanum Pennum

Aanum Pennum

2021

as Sumathiyamma

Mamangam

Mamangam

2019

as Puthumana Thampuratti

Achayans

Achayans

2017

Vedham

Vedham

2017

Thoppil Joppan

Thoppil Joppan

2016

as Marykutty

Oppam

Oppam

2016

as Jayaraman's valiyammayi

Pa.Va

Pa.Va

2016

as Agnes / Sister amma

Poyi Maranju Parayathe...

Poyi Maranju Parayathe...

2016

Avatharam

Avatharam

2014

as Madhavan's Mother

Ginger

Ginger

2013

as Vivekanandan's mother

Kadal Kadannu Oru Maathukutty

Kadal Kadannu Oru Maathukutty

2013

as Mariyamma

Mr. Marumakan

Mr. Marumakan

2012

as Bhavani Amma

Christian Brothers

Christian Brothers

2011

as Joseph Vadakkan's mother

Collector

Collector

2011

Ividam Swargamanu

Ividam Swargamanu

2009

as Elssama

Kappalu Muthalali

Kappalu Muthalali

2009

Meghatheertham

Meghatheertham

2009

2 Harihar Nagar

2 Harihar Nagar

2009

as Andrew's mother

Manjadikuru

Manjadikuru

2008

as Muthassi

Gulmohar

Gulmohar

2008

as Devaki

Twenty 20

Twenty 20

2008

as Bharathi Amma

Kavyam

Kavyam

2008

Baba Kalyani

Baba Kalyani

2006

as Kalyaniyamma

Aanachandam

Aanachandam

2006

Vadakkumnadhan

Vadakkumnadhan

2006

as Rugmavathi Amma

Mampazhakkalam

Mampazhakkalam

2004

as Lakshmi

Natturajavu

Natturajavu

2004

as Charlie's Mother

Njaan Salperu Raman Kutty

Njaan Salperu Raman Kutty

2004

Runway

Runway

2004

as Bharathi

Vismayathumbathu

Vismayathumbathu

2004

as Sreekumar's Mother

Pattanathil Sundaran

Pattanathil Sundaran

2003

as Bhavaniyamma

Ammakilikkoodu

Ammakilikkoodu

2003

as Marykutty Teacher

Hariharan Pilla Happy Aanu

Hariharan Pilla Happy Aanu

2003

as Padmavathiyamma

Mr. Brahmachari

Mr. Brahmachari

2003

as Ananthan Thampi's Mother

Nandanam

Nandanam

2002

as Unni Amma

Uthaman

Uthaman

2001

as Jayaraj's Mother

Kakkakuyil

Kakkakuyil

2001

as Sethu Lakshmi Bhai / Thampuratty

Arayannangalude Veedu

Arayannangalude Veedu

2000

as Lakshmi

Pallavur Devanarayanan

Pallavur Devanarayanan

1999

as Bhageerathi

The Godman

The Godman

1999

as Amarnath's Mother

Ezhupunna Tharakan

Ezhupunna Tharakan

1999

as Kunjannamma

Kottaram Veettile Apputtan

Kottaram Veettile Apputtan

1998

as Appottan's mother

Poothiruvathira Raavil

Poothiruvathira Raavil

1998

Manjeeradhwani

Manjeeradhwani

1998

Amma Ammayiamma

Amma Ammayiamma

1998

as Sarada

Itha Oru Snehagatha

Itha Oru Snehagatha

1997

Minnaminuginum Minnukettu

Minnaminuginum Minnukettu

1995

No: 1 Snehatheeram Banglore North

No: 1 Snehatheeram Banglore North

1995

as Vijayabhaskar's mother

Karma

Karma

1995

Mannar Mathai Speaking

Mannar Mathai Speaking

1995

as Meera's Mother

Santhanagopalam

Santhanagopalam

1994

Sukrutham

Sukrutham

1994

Chukkan

Chukkan

1994

Njan Kodiswaran

Njan Kodiswaran

1994

as Janaki

Kudumba Visesham

Kudumba Visesham

1994

as Bharathi

Thenmavin Kombath

Thenmavin Kombath

1994

as Yeshodhamma

Vendor Daniel State Licency

Vendor Daniel State Licency

1994

as Annamma Daniel

Gandharvam

Gandharvam

1993

as Graceykutty

Oru Kadankatha Pole

Oru Kadankatha Pole

1993

Kalippattam

Kalippattam

1993

as Sarojam's mother

Chenkol

Chenkol

1993

as Ammu

Maya Mayooram

Maya Mayooram

1993

Vatsalyam

Vatsalyam

1993

as Janakiyamma

Kavadiyattam

Kavadiyattam

1993

as Sethulakshmi

Ithu Manjukaalam

Ithu Manjukaalam

1993

Samagamam

Samagamam

1993

as Annakutty

Sopanam

Sopanam

1993

as Sethulakshmi Varma

Pappayude Swantham Appoos

Pappayude Swantham Appoos

1992

Mahanagaram

Mahanagaram

1992

Mughamudra

Mughamudra

1992

as Lakshmi

Aayushkalam

Aayushkalam

1992

as Aby Mathew's Mother

Ponnurukkum Pakshi

Ponnurukkum Pakshi

1992

Ulladakkam

Ulladakkam

1991

as Sunny's Mother

Kizhakkunarum Pakshi

Kizhakkunarum Pakshi

1991

as Ananthu' Mother

Pookkalam Varavayi

Pookkalam Varavayi

1991

as Nandan's Mother

Ezhunnallathu

Ezhunnallathu

1991

Bharatham

Bharatham

1991

as Devaki

Dhanam

Dhanam

1991

as Sivasankarans mother

Sandhesam

Sandhesam

1991

as Bhanumathi

Apoorvam Chilar

Apoorvam Chilar

1991

as Sarojam

Aparahnam

Aparahnam

1991

as Janakiyamma

Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu

Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu

1990

as Nurse Leeladevi

Kuruppinte Kanakku Pustakom

Kuruppinte Kanakku Pustakom

1990

as Vinayachandran's Mother

Kattukuthira

Kattukuthira

1990

as Manka

In Harihar Nagar

In Harihar Nagar

1990

as Andrews's mother

Rajavazhcha

Rajavazhcha

1990

Midhya

Midhya

1990

as Rajagopal's Mother

His Highness Abdullah

His Highness Abdullah

1990

as Bhagirathi Valiya Thampurati

Purappadu

Purappadu

1990

Mazhavilkavadi

Mazhavilkavadi

1989

as Velayudhankutty's Mother

Dasharatham

Dasharatham

1989

as Chandradas's mother

Muthukkudayum Choodi

Muthukkudayum Choodi

1989

Kireedam

Kireedam

1989

as Ammu

Adhipan

Adhipan

1989

as Shyam Prakash's mother

Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal

Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal

1989

as Devaki

Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam

Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam

1989

as Mariamma

Vandanam

Vandanam

1989

as Unnikrishnan's mother

Ulsavapittennu

Ulsavapittennu

1989

as Kalyaniyamma

Unnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas

Unnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas

1988

Mukthi

Mukthi

1988

as Madhaviyamma

1921

1921

1988

Sathya

Sathya

1988

as Malayali shop-owner

Oru Maymasa Pulariyil

Oru Maymasa Pulariyil

1987

Anantaram

Anantaram

1987

as Yoginiyamma

Achuvettante Veedu

Achuvettante Veedu

1987

Thaniyavarthanam

Thaniyavarthanam

1987

Irupatham Noottandu

Irupatham Noottandu

1987

as Meenakshiyamma

Ennu Nathante Nimmi

Ennu Nathante Nimmi

1986

as Nirmala's grandmother

Nakhakshathangal

Nakhakshathangal

1986

Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal

Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal

1986

as Reetha

Sukhamo Devi

Sukhamo Devi

1986

Manasilloru Manimuthu

Manasilloru Manimuthu

1986

Iniyum Kurukshetrum

Iniyum Kurukshetrum

1986

as Kartyayani

Kshamichu Ennoru Vakku

Kshamichu Ennoru Vakku

1986

as Shanthamma

Thinkalazhcha Nalla Divasam

Thinkalazhcha Nalla Divasam

1985

as Janakikutty

Angadikkappurathu

Angadikkappurathu

1985

as Rosi

Adhyayam Onnu Muthal

Adhyayam Onnu Muthal

1985

as Maash

Makan Ente Makan

Makan Ente Makan

1985

as Paaruvamma

Ee Thanalil Ithiri Neram

Ee Thanalil Ithiri Neram

1985

Thirakal

Thirakal

1984

as Madhaviyamma

Manithali

Manithali

1984

as Zulfikar's mother

Kanamarayathu

Kanamarayathu

1984

as Mother Superior

Swanthamevide Bandhamevide

Swanthamevide Bandhamevide

1984

as Lakshmi

Ariyaatha Veethikal

Ariyaatha Veethikal

1984

as Janakiyamma

Kodathi

Kodathi

1984

as Venu's mother

Face to Face

Face to Face

1984

Marakkillorikkalum

Marakkillorikkalum

1983

as Sharada

Nathi Muthal Nathi Vare

Nathi Muthal Nathi Vare

1983

as Lakshmi

Sesham Kazhchayil

Sesham Kazhchayil

1983

as Susheela

Mansoru Maha Samudram

Mansoru Maha Samudram

1983

as Devaki

Chiriyo Chiri

Chiriyo Chiri

1982

Kaaliya Mardhanam

Kaaliya Mardhanam

1982

Ilakkangal

Ilakkangal

1982

as Valiyamma

Balloon

Balloon

1982

Thrishna

Thrishna

1981

as Chinnammu

Vayal

Vayal

1981

Maniyanpilla Adhava Maniyanpilla

Maniyanpilla Adhava Maniyanpilla

1981

Oppol

Oppol

1981

Agni Saram

Agni Saram

1980

Manushya Mrugam

Manushya Mrugam

1980

as Babu's Mother

Anthappuram

Anthappuram

1980

Karimpana

Karimpana

1980

Chamaram

Chamaram

1980

as Ravi's Mother

Thirayum Theeravum

Thirayum Theeravum

1980

as Mohan's mother

Moorkhan

Moorkhan

1980

Love in Singapore

Love in Singapore

1980

The Evil Deeds of Cheriyachan

The Evil Deeds of Cheriyachan

1979

Eeta

Eeta

1978

Kodiyettam

Kodiyettam

1978

as Kamalamma

Aniyara

Aniyara

1978

Randilonnu

Randilonnu

1978

Rathinirvedam

Rathinirvedam

1978

as Saraswathi

Avalude Ravukal

Avalude Ravukal

1978

as Lakshmi

Kudumbam Namukku Sreekovil

Kudumbam Namukku Sreekovil

1978

Acharam Ammini osaram Omana

Acharam Ammini osaram Omana

1977

as Dhakshayani

Oonjaal

Oonjaal

1977

Jagadguru Aadisankaran

Jagadguru Aadisankaran

1977

as Kaippilly Aryadevi Antarjanam, Mother of Sankaracharyar

Satyavan Savithri

Satyavan Savithri

1977

Itha Ivide Vare

Itha Ivide Vare

1977

as Kamalakshi

Nirakudam

Nirakudam

1977

Siva Thaandavam

Siva Thaandavam

1977

Amrithavaahini

Amrithavaahini

1976

as Lakshmi

Innale Innu

Innale Innu

1976

Aruthu

Aruthu

1976

Thulaavarsham

Thulaavarsham

1976

Appooppan

Appooppan

1976

Mattoru Seetha

Mattoru Seetha

1975

Thiruvonam

Thiruvonam

1975

Prayanam

Prayanam

1975

as Amminiyamma

Tourist Bungalow

Tourist Bungalow

1975

Arakkallan Mukkalkkallan

Arakkallan Mukkalkkallan

1974

as Queen Lakshmi

Chakravakam

Chakravakam

1974

as Soshamma

Devi Kanyakumari

Devi Kanyakumari

1974

as Old Lady

Ponnapuram Kotta

Ponnapuram Kotta

1974

Nellu

Nellu

1974

as Savithri Varassyar

Nirmalyam

Nirmalyam

1973

as Velichapad's Wife

Theerthayathra

Theerthayathra

1972

as Kochikkaavu

Puthrakameshti

Puthrakameshti

1972

Snehadeepame Mizhi Thurakku

Snehadeepame Mizhi Thurakku

1972

Sree Guruvayoorappan

Sree Guruvayoorappan

1972

Gandharavakshetram

Gandharavakshetram

1972

as Kalamezhuthu Singer

Akkarapacha

Akkarapacha

1972

as Bhageerathi

Aromalunni

Aromalunni

1972

as Thumbolarcha

Manthrakodi

Manthrakodi

1972

as Saraswathi

Karakanakadal

Karakanakadal

1971

as Tharathi

Aabhijathyam

Aabhijathyam

1971

as Janaki Amma

Vithukal

Vithukal

1971

as Ammini

Thriveni

Thriveni

1970

as Parvathy

Cross Belt

Cross Belt

1970

as Bhavani

Othenante makan

Othenante makan

1970

as Naani

Nizhalattam

Nizhalattam

1970

as Ravi's Mother

Vivahitha

Vivahitha

1970

Aalmaram

Aalmaram

1969

as Ammini Amma

Anweshichu Kandethiyilla

Anweshichu Kandethiyilla

1967

Odayil Ninnu

Odayil Ninnu

1965

as Kalyani

Daham

Daham

1965