Cast & creator
Kaviyoor Ponnamma
Best known for Lal Salam, Poacher, Vidaparayan Mathram
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.
Also known as: കവിയൂർ പൊന്നമ്മ
217
film credits
2
television credits
219
1965–2024 · acting roles
7.3
average across scored titles
Signature credits
Known for
Across film & television
Filmography (219)
Showing 219 of 219 credits
Lal Salam
Self
2017
Poacher
Mother Finn
2024Vidaparayan Mathram
1988
Kireedam
Ammu
1989
Priyuralu
1998
Twenty 20
Bharathi Amma
2008Enikku Vishakunnu
Chinamma
1983
Ee Thanalil Ithiri Neram
1985
Vietnam Colony
Parvathiyammal
1992Akkarapacha
Bhageerathi
1972
Bharatham
Devaki
1991
Chenkol
Ammu
1993Minimol
1977
Ulsavapittennu
Kalyaniyamma
1989
Ezhunnallathu
1991
Kadal Kadannu Oru Maathukutty
Mariyamma
2013
Vandanam
Unnikrishnan's mother
1989
His Highness Abdullah
Bhagirathi Valiya Thampurati
1990
In Harihar Nagar
Andrews's mother
1990Swanthamevide Bandhamevide
Lakshmi
1984
Kakkakuyil
Sethu Lakshmi Bhai / Thampuratty
2001
Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal
Devaki
1989
Dasharatham
Chandradas's mother
1989
Thenmavin Kombath
Yeshodhamma
1994
Rathinirvedam
Saraswathi
1978
Sesham Kazhchayil
Susheela
1983
Kalippattam
Sarojam's mother
1993
Ammachi Koottile Pranayakalam
Pathumma
2021
Ulladakkam
Sunny's Mother
1991
Christian Brothers
Joseph Vadakkan's mother
2011
Sukhamo Devi
1986
Sathya
Malayali shop-owner
1988
Samagamam
Annakutty
1993
Satyavan Savithri
1977
Runway
Bharathi
2004Aniyara
1978Purappadu
1990
Ammakilikkoodu
Marykutty Teacher
2003
Mr. Marumakan
Bhavani Amma
2012
Marakkillorikkalum
Sharada
1983
Manjadikuru
Devayani
2008
Aaraattu
Voice (Uncredited)
2022Chukkan
1994
Mr. Brahmachari
Subhadramma
2003
Collector
Avinash's and Mahendran's mother
2011
Kavadiyattam
Sethulakshmi
1993
Avatharam
Madhavan's Mother
2014
Thaniyavarthanam
1987
Adhipan
Shyam Prakash's mother
1989Kudumbasametham
Kochukutty Amma
1992
Vendor Daniel State Licency
Annamma Daniel
1994
Arakkallan Mukkalkkallan
Queen Lakshmi
1974
Adhyayam Onnu Muthal
Maash
1985
Oppam
Jayaraman's valiyammayi
2016
Evidam Swargamanu
Elssama
2009
Angadikkappurathu
Rosi
1985
The Godman
Amarnath's Mother
1999
Thinkalazhcha Nalla Divasam
Janakikutty
1985
Vadakkumnadhan
Rugmavathi Amma
2006
Manasilloru Manimuthu
1986
Sukrutham
1994
Sandhesam
Bhanumathi
1991
Thoppil Joppan
Marykutty
2016
Mazhavilkavadi
Velayudhankutty's Mother
1989
Kattukuthira
Manka
1990
Natturajavu
Charlie's Mother
2004
Vatsalyam
Janakiyamma
1993
No: 1 Snehatheeram Banglore North
Vijayabhaskar's mother
1995
Vedham
Hariharan's mother
2017
Pappayude Swantham Appoos
1992
Mahanagaram
1992
Baba Kalyani
Meenakshiyamma
2006
Vismayathumbathu
Sreekumar's Mother
2004
Gandharvam
Graceykutty
1993
Dhanam
Sivasankarans mother
1991
Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu
Nurse Leeladevi
1990Velutha Kathreena
Marthappulayi
1968
Makan Ente Makan
Paaruvamma
1985
Pallavur Devanarayanan
Bhageerathi
1999
Nandanam
Unni Amma
2002
Arayannangalude Veedu
Lakshmi
2000
Pookkalam Varavayi
Nandan's Mother
1991
Odayil Ninnu
Kalyani
1965
Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal
Reetha
1986Mansoru Maha Samudram
Devaki
1983
Pa.Va
Agnes / Sister amma
2016
Hariharan Pilla Happy Aanu
Padmavathiyamma
2003
Njan Kodiswaran
Janaki
1994Beedi Kunjamma
Madhavan's Mother
1982
Manthrakodi
Saraswathi
1972
Kudumba Visesham
Bharathi
1994
Kshamichu Ennoru Vakku
Shanthamma
1986Tourist Bungalow
1975
Aayushkalam
Aby Mathew's Mother
1992
Thiruvonam
1975
Eeta
1978
Midhya
Rajagopal's Mother
1990
Innale Innu
1976
Snehadeepame Mizhi Thurakku
1972
Kottaram Veettile Apputtan
Appottan's mother
1998
Aanum Pennum
Sumathiyamma
2021
Ponnapuram Kotta
1973
Vivahitha
1970
2 Harihar Nagar
Andrew's mother
2009
Maya Mayooram
1993
Irupatham Noottandu
Meenakshiyamma
1987
Kuruppinte Kanakku Pustakom
Vinayachandran's Mother
1990
Puthrakameshti
1972
Karimpana
1980
Ezhupunna Tharakan
Kunjannamma
1999
Gulmohar
Devaki
2008
Achayans
Roy's Mother
2017Kizhakkunarum Pakshi
Ananthu' Mother
1991
Nellu
Savithri Varassyar
1974Manushya Mrugam
Babu's Mother
1980
Avalude Ravukal
Lakshmi
1978
Sopanam
Sethulakshmi Varma
1993
Mampazhakkalam
Lakshmi
2004
Meghatheertham
2009
Poyi Maranju Parayathe...
2016
Amma Ammayiamma
Sarada
1998Kaaliya Mardhanam
1982
Aalmaram
Ammini Amma
1969Manithali
Zulfikar's mother
1984
Mannar Mathai Speaking
Meera's Mother
1995Itha Oru Snehagatha
1997
Mamangam
Puthumana Thampuratti
2019
Vithukal
Ammini
1971Itha Ivide Vare
Kamalakshi
1977
Pattanathil Sundaran
Bhavaniyamma
2003
Nakhakshathangal
1986
Njangal Santhushtaranu
Mother of the orphanage
1999
Mukhamudra
Lakshmi
1992
Ariyaatha Veethikal
Janakiyamma
1984
Thirayum Theeravum
Mohan's mother
1980
Karakanakadal
Tharathi
1971
Anantaram
Yoginiyamma
1987Iniyum Kurukshetrum
Kartyayani
1986
Oru Kadankatha Pole
1993
1921
1988
Achuvettante Veedu
1987
Ithu Manjukaalam
1993Apoorvam Chilar
Sarojam
1991
Kanamarayathu
Mother Superior
1984
Chiriyo Chiri
1982
Thriveni
Parvathy
1970
Aromalunni
Thumbolarcha
1972
Nirakudam
1977
Siva Thaandavam
1977Saadaram
1995
Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam
Mariamma
1989
Thrishna
Chinnammu
1981Mukthi
Madhaviyamma
1988
Nirmalyam
Velichapad's Wife
1973
Muthukkudayum Choodi
1989Makkal
Leela
1975
Chakravakam
Soshamma
1974
Kappalu Muthalali
Devaki
2009
Uthaman
Jayaraj's Mother
2001
Mattoru Seetha
1975Unnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas
1988
Achaaram Ammini Osharam Omana
Dhakshayani
1977Rajavazhcha
Naniyamma
1990
Njaan Salperu Raman Kutty
Devaki
2004
Oonjaal
1977
Amrithavaahini
Lakshmi
1976
Jaathakam
Janaki
1989Nathi Muthal Nathi Vare
Lakshmi
1983
Minnaminuginum Minnukettu
1995
Ginger
Vivekanandan's mother
2013
Anchil Oral Arjunan
Sudheendran's mother
2007
Moorkhan
1980Anthappuram
1980
Ithu Nammude Katha
Saraswathy
2011Karma
1995Kodathi
Venu's mother
1984
Appooppan
1976Aparahnam
Janakiyamma
1991
Oppol
1981Sree Murugan
Kamalakshi
1977
Balloon
1982Vayal
1981Love in Singapore
1980Ilakkangal
Valiyamma
1982
Utsavam
Mother of Gopi
1975Poothiruvathira Raavil
1998
Jagadguru Aadisankaran
Kaippilly Aryadevi Antarjanam, Mother of Sankaracharyar
1977
Prayanam
Amminiyamma
1975
Maniyanpilla Adhava Maniyanpilla
1981Amba Ambika Ambalika
Old Sathyavathi
1976
Chamaram
Ravi's Mother
1980
Ponnurukkum Pakshi
1992Thulaavarsham
1976
Gandharavakshetram
Kalamezhuthu Singer
1972
Aruthu
1976
Thirakal
Madhaviyamma
1984
Anweshichu Kandethiyilla
1967
Kodiyettam
Kamalamma
1978
Daham
1965Cross Belt
Bhavani
1970
Santhanagopalam
1994Ente Ammu Ninte Thulasi Avarude Chakki
1985Kavyam
2008
Aabhijathyam
Janaki Amma
1971Ennu Nathante Nimmi
Nirmala's grandmother
1986Randilonnu
1978
Othenante makan
Naani
1970
Sree Guruvayoorappan
1972
Agni Saram
1980
Nizhalattam
Ravi's Mother
1970
Uthrada Rathri
1978
Face to Face
1984
Kudumbam Namukku Sreekovil
1978Oru Maymasa Pulariyil
1987
The Evil Deeds of Cheriyachan
1979
Kaantha Valayam
Mariyamma
1980Devi Kanyakumari
Old Lady
1974
Theerthayathra
Kochikkaavu
1972