Philomina

Philomina
Born1926 (1926)
Died2 January 2006(2006-01-02) (aged 79–80)
OccupationActor
Years active1964–2003
Spouse
Antony
(m. 1956; died 1959)
Children1
AwardsKerala State Film Awards
1970, 1987 – Best Supporting Artiste (Thurakkathavaathil , Olavum Theeravum), (Thaniyavarthanam)

Philomina (1926 – 2 January 2006) was an Indian actress, who worked in the Malayalam film industry. She acted in more than 750 films in her career. She played mostly character and comedy roles, besides that of mother and grandmother.[1] She started acting on the stage. This experience stood her in good stead when she was offered her first film role.[2] The character of Anappara Achamma in the 1991 film Godfather, portrayed by her is acknowledged to be one of the most powerful roles ever in Malayalam cinema.[3]

Early life

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Philomina entered the film industry with eight years of experience in professional drama, she worked with the drama troupe of P. J. Antony. She used to say it was her initial experience with an actor like Antony that helped shape her film career.

Her parents were perturbed when she had to travel to Chennai for the first shoot. It was Moidu Padiyathu who convinced her parents. Her first movie, Kuttikkuppayam (1964), produced by T. E. Vasudevan and directed by M. Krishnan Nair was a big hit. Philomina played the role of Prem Nazir's mother, a Muslim character.

Personal life

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She was born to Devassia and Mariam in 1926 at Mullurkara in Thrissur. She had her primary education from Valapad GVHS School.

Her father died when she was 12. She used to sing at church choir. When her father died she started singing for dramas to make a living. Later she started acting in dramas and then moved to movies.[4]

She married Antony, a theater artist, in 1956, but lost her husband when her only son Joseph was three years old.

Film career

[edit]

Philomina won her first State award, for the best supporting actress, in 1970 for her roles in films Thurakkathavaathil and Olavum Theeravum. In 1987, she received the award for the second time for Thaniyavarthanam.[5]

Somewhere during this time, there was a short break in her career. She came back in the films of Bharathan and Padmarajan. Her roles in films like Chatta, Innale, Njan Gandharvan, Venkalam, Churam, Vietnam Colony, Kudumbapuranam, Godfather, Uppukandam Brothers, Thalayana Manthram and Kakkothikkavile Appooppan Thaadikal would also be remembered for long time.[6]

It was Sathyan Anthikkad who first cast Philomina in a comic role. The film Madanmaar Londonil, gave this talented actress a new image. Her roles in films like Malayogam, Kireedam, Uncle Bun, Manathe Kottaram, Vrudhanmare Sookshikkuka and In Harihar Nagar.

In a career spanning over four decades Philomina starred in 750 films and numerous television serials. She was last seen in Meerayude Dukhavum Muthuvinte Swapnavum.

Later life

[edit]

Philomina was living in a small, well done-up apartment in Kochi till she moved to her son's place in Chennai a couple of years before her death. She was a chronic diabetic and suffered stroke in 2005. She was getting insulin shots for her diabetic condition. She was bed-ridden for over a month before she died at her son- Joseph's residence in Chennai due to diabetes related problems on 2 January 2006, aged 79.

Awards

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Kerala State Film Awards:

Kerala Film Critics Award:

Filmography

[edit]

1960s

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1964 Kuttikkuppayam Kunjipathumma
Kalyana Photo Chechamma
Ore Bhoomi Ore Raktham
Aadyakiranangal Annamma
1965 Thankakudam Kunjaathumma
Chemmeen
Subaidha Raziya
Kattupookkal Thaiyamma
1966 Kalithozhan Venu's mother
Pattuthoovaala Maali
Anarkali Anarkali's mother
Kalyanarathriyil Madhaviyamma
Thilothama Vasundhara
Manikyakottaram
1967 Iruttinte Athmavu Meenakshiyamma

1970s

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Year Title Role Notes
1970 Ambalapravu Kamalam
Sthree Dakshayani
Priya
Palunku Pathram
Olavum Theeravum Nabisa's mother
Aranazhika Neram Saramma
Abhayam Sr. Briggitte
Vazhve Mayam Parukutty
Thurakkatha Vathil Beevathumma
1971 Thapaswini
Ummachu
Navavadhu Bharathi
Thettu Eali
Aabhijathyam Kunjannamma
Anubhavangal Paalichakal Parvathi's Mother
Sindooracheppu Pithachu
Inqulab Zindabbad Narayani
Kuttyedathi Narayani
Muthassi Madhavikutty
Makane Ninakku Vendi Achamma
Marunnattil Oru Malayali Kariachan's wife
1972 Devi
Pulliman
Oru Kanyasthriyude Katha
Sathi
Sakthi
Preethi
Postmane Kananilla
Manthrakodi Grandmother
Omana Eliyamma Koshi
Snehadeepame Mizhi Thurakku Savithri Antharjanam
Theerthayathra Neighbour's mother
Aaradimanninte Janmi Vishalakshi Amma
Iniyoru Janmam Tharu Kunjithalla
Lakshyam Umma
Achanum Bappayum Fathima
1973 Police Ariyaruthe Witness
Dharmayudham Narayani
Raakuyil Kunjamma
Achani Mariamma
Panitheeratha Veedu Jose's mother
Kaliyugam Janu's mother
Udayam Ikkavamma
Maram Ayisha
Aaradhika Paaruammayi
Bhadradeepam Rajani's Mother
Ladies Hostel Annamma
Kaapalika Eali
Padmavyooham Raheal
1974 Mister Sundari
Nagaram Sagaram
Rahasyarathri Gouri
Thacholi Marumakan Chandu Nanga
Arakkallan Mukkalkkallan Valli
College Girl Prof. Parukuttiyamma
Chattakkari Aunty
Poonthenaruvi Achaamma
1975 Sathyathinte Nizhalil
Palazhi Madanam
Pulivalu
Aranya Kandam
Thaamarathoni
Ayodhya
Chattambikkalyaani Pathumma Beegam
Thiruvonam Servant
1976 Themmadi Velappan Aliyar's umma
1977 Sneha Yamuna
Mohavum Mukthiyum
Varadakshina
Sneham
Chathurvedam Madhavi
Nirakudam Naniyamma
Yatheem Amina
Sankhupushpam Naaniyamma
Hridayame Sakshi Narayanan's mother
1978 Seemanthini
Lisa Deviyamma
Jayikkaanaay Janichavan Kalyani's aunt
Ithaanente Vazhi Beevi Umma
Ee Manohara Theeram Amminiyamma
Kudumbam Namukku Sreekovil Lakshmiyamma
Padmatheertham Amina
Vayanadan Thamban Annamma's mother
1979 Kallu Karthyayani
Aval Niraparadhi
Mani Koya Kurup
Sugathinu Pinnale Parvathi
Pambaram Thankamma
Kazhukan Pimp Vasu's wife
Puthiya Velicham Althara Amma

1980s

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1980 Oormakale Vida Tharu
Naayattu Pathumma
Pavizha Mutthu Kaaliyamma
1981 Anyar
Chaatta Velu's mother
Abhinayam Bharghavi
1983 Sandhya Mayangum Neram Achankunju's mother
Aa Raathri Abdu's mother
Mandanmar Londonil Narayani
Sandhya Vandanam Paru Amma
Naseema Naseema's mother
Pallamkuzhi Saradha
Mansoru Maha Samudram Renuka's mother
1984 Pyasa Shaitan
Manasariyathe Sankaran's mother
Ivide Ingane Raju's mother
Mangalam Nerunnu Meenakshiyamma
Unaroo Mamma
Ethirppukal Bharathiyamma
NH 47 Sudhakaran's mother
1985 Manya Mahajanangale Ayisha
Njan Piranna Nattil Naaniyamma
Janakeeya Kodathi Gopi's mother
Ambada Njaane! Devayani's grandmother
Ee Lokam Evide Kure Manushyar Rosi
Vellarikka Pattanam Sofiya's aunt
Kathodu Kathoram Old woman
1986 Chekkeranoru Chilla Paru
Ice Cream Mother
Rareeram Sister
Arappatta Kettiya Gramathil Gourikutti's mother
1987 Yagagni
Thaniyavarthanam Balan's grandmother
1988 Sangham Rappayi's wife
Dhinarathrangal Aravindan's mother
Kakkothikkavile Appooppan Thaadikal Old beggar lady
Kudumbapuranam Kunjamma
Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu Bhaskaran's mother
Oru Muthassi Katha Unnili Muthassi
Pattanapravesham Prabhakaran Thampi's mother
1989 Jaithra Yathra Sister
Mahayanam Janamma
Artham House Owner
Innale Rahelamma
Mazhavilkavadi Velayudhankutty's grandmother
Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam Inmate of the old age home
Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal Matriarch of Kavumpattu
Pradeshika Varthakal Naniyammma
Kireedam Muthassi
Ulsavapittennu Muthassi

1990s

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1990 Thalayana Manthram Paruammayi
Sankarankuttikku Pennu Venam
Chodyam
Champion Thomas
Purappadu
Innale Rahelamma
Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu Swamini
Kalikkalam Janakiyamma
Dr. Pasupathy Kunjulakshmi
Gajakesariyogam Philipose's mother
In Harihar Nagar Maya's grandmother
Kouthuka Varthakal Rosemary's grandmother
Malayogom Mary
Orukkam Paramu's mother
Sasneham Eenashu's mother
Kshanakkathu Maid
Pavakkoothu Nurse
Vidhyarambam Madhavi
1991 Aakasha Kottayile Sultan Pappy's Sister
Innathe Program Bhargavikutty Amma
Mimics Parade Thandamma
Ezhunnallathu House owner
Kankettu Sridevi's grandmother
Kalari Janaki Valiyamma
Amina Tailors Khadeeja
God Father Anappara Achamma
Mookilla Rajyathu Insane Lady
Sundhari Kakka Mariya
Njan Gandharvan Bhama's grandmother
Parallel College Rahelamma
Pookkalam Varavayi Akkamma
Souhrudam Kathrina
Ulladakkam Hospital Attendant
Uncle Bun Gloria Therathi
Ennum Nanmakal Dr. Aniruddan's mother
1992 Vaalkkandi
Vietnam Colony Suhra Bai
Kasargod Khader Bhai Thandamma
Ente Ponnu Thampuran Meerabhai
Kunukkitta Kozhi Indu's grandmother
My Dear Muthachan Kunjamma
Oru Kochu Bhoomikulukkam Ravi's grandmother
Ponnaram Thottathe Rajavu Nani Thalla
Snehasagaram Josekutty's mother
Neelakurukkan Kunjanamma
Congratulations Miss Anitha Menon Kalyaniyamma
1993 Sthreedhanam Vanaja's grandmother
Vardhakya Puranam Odanavattom Omana
Kulapathy Vellachi
Koushalam Mariya
Bhaagyavaan Janu
Pravachakan Baalu's grandmother
Venkalam Grandmother
O' Faby Mary
Uppukandam Brothers Kunjanamma
Chenkol Muthassi Archive footage from Kireedam
1994 Kadalkkaakka
Vrudhanmare Sookshikkuka Margerett
Bharya Hari's grandmother
Kadal Martha
Manathe Kottaram Dilip's mother
Vardhakya Puranam Othanaavattam Omana
Chakoram Amminiyamma
Kambolam Alphonsa
Nandini Oppol Amminikutty Amma
Moonnam Loka Pattalam Muthassi
Pidakkozhi Koovunna Noottandu Mariamma
1995 Avittam Thirunaal Aarogya Sriman Kousalya's mother
Keerthanam Ammachi
Thumboli Kadappuram Chanchamma
Kalyanji Anandji Chettathi
Samudhayam Annamma
Kusruthikaatu Treesa's mother in law
1996 Aramana Veedum Anjoorekkarum Rajappan's mother
Kavadam
April 19 Jayaprakash's relative
Aayiram Naavulla Ananthan
Excuse Me Ehtu Collegilla Mariamma
Kireedamillatha Rajakkanmaar Saramma
Malayaalamaasam Chingam Onninu Aunty
Vanarasena Narayani
1997 Manthra Mothiram Jose's mother
Churam Thalla
Vamsam Rahel
Adukkala Rahasyam Angaadi Paattu Jose's grandmother
1998 Achaammakkuttiyude Achaayan Anthony's mother
Kusruthi Kuruppu Noorjahan's umma
Amma Ammaayiyamma Narayani Amma
1999 Mimics Ghost
James Bond Aliammachedathi
American Ammayi Nani Amma
Charlie Chaplin House owner aunty
Bharya Veettil Paramasukham Bhargavi

2000s

[edit]
Year Film Role Notes
2000 Mister Butler Radhika's grandmother
The Warrant
Ee Mazha Then Mazha Rekha's grandmother
Rapid Action Force
Anamuttathe Aangalamar Dakshayiniyamma
2001 The Gift of God
Onnam Ragam Jackson's mother
Ladies and Gentlemen Bar owner
Korappan The Great American Achayathi
2002 Grandmother
2003 Meerayude Dukhavum Muthuvinte Swapnavum Muthu's Grandmother
2004 The Journey
2007 Raakilipattu Cameo
2008 Twenty:20 Cameo (Archive footage)
2009 2 Harihar Nagar Maya's grandmother Archive footage
2010 Again Kasargod Khader Bhai Thandamma Archive footage
2011 Uppukandam Brothers: Back in Action Kunjannamma Archive footage
2014 Tharangal Herself Photo only

TV Serial

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  • Sthree
  • Janakaeeyam Janaki
  • Shankupushpam
  • Thamarakkuzhali
  • Punnakka Vikasana Corporation
  • Kudumba Visheyshangal

Drama

[edit]
  • Pooja
  • Sagara Rajakumari - radio drama

As a singer

[edit]
  • Achamakuttiyude Achayan 1998
  • "Kunjiyammakku Anchu Makkalane" (Adukkala Rahasyam Angadi Paattu) 1997
  • "Muthani Munthiri" (Pookkalam Varavayi) 1991

References

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  1. ^ "ഫിലോമിന: കൃത്രിമത്വമില്ലാത്ത അഭിനയം | Webdunia Malayalam". Malayalam.webdunia.com. 3 January 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  2. ^ "Archive News". The Hindu. 6 January 2006. Archived from the original on 25 June 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  3. ^ "Breaking News, Kerala news, latest news, India, Kerala politics, sports, movies, celebrities, lifestyle, E-paper, Photos & Videos". Manorama Online. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  4. ^ "A Complete Online Malayalam Cinema News Portal". Cinidiary. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  5. ^ "Kerala News – Veteran malayalam actress Philomina passes away". Kerals.com. 3 January 2006. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  6. ^ "RIP Philomina | Vellithira". Vellithira.wordpress.com. 3 January 2006. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  7. ^ "Film Critics Award 1991". Archived from the original on 11 October 2020 – via YouTube.
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