Nirmalamma (18 July 1920 – 19 February 2009) was an Indian actress in the Telugu cinema. She has acted in more than 800 films. She was well known for her grandmother roles in several films.She won two Nandi Awards.
Early life
She was born in Machilipatnam, Madras Presidency, British India.
Film career
Her debut film was Garuda Garvabhangam in 1943. Nirmalamma has worked along with almost all famous artists in Telugu Cinema like NTR, ANR, Krishna, S. V. Ranga Rao, Rajendra Prasad, P. B. Srinivas, Chiranjeevi, Nandamuri Balakrishna, Venkatesh [Nagarjuna akkineni] and many more. She is one of the artists who appears in almost all of the movies of S. V. Krishna Reddy and E. V. V. Satyanarayana. In a career spanning over five decades, she worked in over 700 films and bagged Nandi award for best supporting actress for her role in ‘Mayuri’. Her roles in films like ‘Sankarabharanam’, ‘Yamagola’, ‘Padaharella Vayasu’, ‘Swathi Muthyam’, ‘Maavi Chiguru’ and ‘Subha Sankalpam’ remain unforgettable. She has had memorable roles in the films Chinnodu Peddodu, Padaharella Vayasu, Kanakamahalakshmi Recording Dance Troupe, Gang Leader, Mayalodu, Egirey Paavurama, Rendilla Poojari, Devatha (Shoban babu's movie), Chinnarayudu, Dalapathi, Alibaba Aradajanu Dongalu, Sitharatnam Gaari Abbayi, Mamagaaru, Aa Okkati Adakku, Karthavyam, Chalaki Mogudu and Chadastapu Pellam.
She has established Nirmala Arts and produced Chalaki Mogudu Chadasthapu Pellam, starring Rajendra Prasad, directed by Relangi Narasimha Rao.
Her last movie was Premaku Swagatham, directed by famous director S. V. Krishna Reddy. Her last public appearance was at the Vajrothsava celebrations of Telugu cinema where many celebrities remembered her for the fact that she has played as mother/grandmother for many generations of Telugu Cinema.
Personal life
She had no children of her own, but adopted a daughter, Kavitha.
Awards
Nandi Awards
1984 Best Supporting Actress - Mayuri
1999 Best Character Actress - Seetharama Raju
Selected filmography
This is partial list of her films.
1950s
Garuda Garvabhangam (1956) Paduka Pattabhishekam (1957) BhagyaDevatha (1959)
1960s
Krishna Prema (1960) - Rukmini
Bharya Bharthalu (1961) Kula Gothralu (1962) Devatha (1964) Potti Pleader (1966) Sri Krishna Tulabharam (1966) Devaki Deva kanya (1968) Ekaveera (1969)
1970s
Thirumalai Thenkumari (1970) Naa Tammudu (1971) Atthalu Kodallu (1971) as Bangaramma Manchi Vallaki Manchivadu (1973) Devudu Chesina Manushulu (1973) Devudamma (1973) Nindu Kutumbam (1973) Samsara Saagaram (1973) Siri Siri Muvva (1976) Yamagola (1977) Chillarakottu Chittamma (1977) Padaharella Vayasu (1978) as Gangamma Sivaranjani (1978) Kothala Raayudu (1979) Sankarabharanam (1979)
1980s
Mosagadu (1980) Agni Poolu (1981) Amavasya Chandrudu/Raja Paarvai (1981) Telugu/Tamil Illantaa Sandadi (1982) Patnam Vachina Pativrathalu (1982) Kalavari Samsaram (1982) Kayyala Ammayi Kalavari Abbayi (1982) as Hari's mother Subhalekha (1982) Kaliyuga Ramudu (1982) Sangharshana (1983) Manthri Gari Viyyankudu (1983) as Annapoornamma Maga Maharaju (1983) Mugguru Monagallu (1983) Rustum (1984) Mayuri (1984) Mahanagaramlo Mayagadu (1984) Jagan (1984) Kanchu Kagada (1984) as Janakamma Danavudu (1984) Hero (1984) Babai Abbai (1985) as Godaramma Ooriki Soggadu (1985) as Rajamma Samsaram O Sangeetam (1985) Sravanthi (1985) Muchchataga Mugguru (1985) Swathi Muthyam (1985) Nireekshana (1986) Jailu Pakshi (1986) Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu (1986) Kondaveeti Raja (1986) Aakrandana (1986) Naa Pilupe Prabhanjanam (1986) as Manikyamma Naaku Pellam Kavali (1987) Sri Kanaka Mahalaxmi Recording Dance Troupe (1987) as Padi Sundaramma Vishwanatha Nayakudu (1987) Gundammagari Krishnulu (1987) Khaidi No.786 (1988) Aakhari Poratam (1988) Chinnodu Peddodu (1988) Varasudochhadu (1988) Siva (1989) Vijay (1989) Ajatha Satruvu (1989) as Kasulamma* Chalaki Mogudu Chadastapu Pellam (1989)