Vennira Aadai Nirmala

Vennira Aadai Nirmala (born as A. B. Shanthi in Kumbakonam) is an Indian actress who has appeared in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films. She was a prominent lead actress from 1960s and 70s. She is credited as Ushakumari in Malayalam film industry.

Personal life
She was born as Shanthi to Aranmanai L Balakrishnan and Rukmani at Kumbakonam in a Saurashtra family. She had four siblings. She remains unmarried.

Acting career
Debuting through C. V. Sridhar's Vennira Aadai in 1965, she has acted as lead roles in over 400+ films encompassing four languages - Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu & Kannada. Her screen name in Malayalam films was 'Usha Kumari' In addition to her acting career, Nirmala is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer. She acted in the TV series - Deivamagal.

Political career
M. G. Ramachandran had adopted her as his sister and wanted to be his heir in politics. However, she refused. MGR had nominated her to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Council. Her swearing in ceremony was scheduled for 23 April 1986. Nirmala had earlier declared insolvency and according to Article 102-(1)(c) of the Indian Constitution, an insolvent person cannot serve as a member of parliament or state legislature.

This annulment made Nirmala's nomination valid and the writ petition against it was dismissed. However, Nirmala withdrew her nomination to the council. Miffed with this incident, MGR decided to abolish the council.

Partial filmography
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Tamil

 * Vennira Aadai (1965)
 * Ennathan Mudivu (1965)
 *  Kadhalithal mattum Podhuma (1967)
 * Bhakta Prahlada (1967)
 * Lakshmi Kalyanam (1968)
 * Chakkaram (1968)
 * Ragasiya Police 115 (1968)
 * Muthu Chippi (1968)
 * Kuzhanthaikkaga (1968)
 * Poova Thalaiya (1969)
 * Mannippu (1969)
 * Annaiyum Pithavum (1969)
 * Kanni Penn (1969)
 * Thanga Surangam (1969)
 * Thunaivan (1969)
 * Enga Mama (1970)
 * Veettuku Veedu (1970)
 * Kannan Varuvan (1970)
 * Noorandu Kalam Vazhga (1970)
 * Sangamam (1970)
 * Yaen? (1970)
 * Vairakiyam (1970)
 * Namma Kuzhandaigal (1970)
 * Babu (1971)
 * Thangaikkaaga (1971)
 * Deivam Pesuma (1971)
 * Aathi Parasakthi (1971)
 * Anbukkor Annan (1971)
 * Needhi Dhevan (1971)
 * Sudarum Sooravaliyum (1971)
 * Thanga Gopuram (1971)
 * Veguli Penn (1971)
 * Aval (1972)
 * Bathilukku Bathil (1972)
 * Thaikku Oru Pillai (1972)
 * Anbu Sagodharargal (1973)
 * Engal Thaai (1973)
 * Pookaari (1973)
 * Prarthanai (1973)
 * Vakkuruthi (1973)
 * Nyayam Ketkirom (1973)
 * Veettukku Vandha Marumagal (1973)
 * Nalla Mudivu (1973)
 * Avalukku Nigar Avale (1974)
 * Pathu Madha Bandham (1974)
 * Samayalkaran (1974)
 * Sisubalan (1974)
 * Ingeyum Manidhargal (1975)
 * Naalai Namadhe (1975)
 * Eduppar Kai Pillai (1975)
 * Idhayakkani (1975)
 * Oorukku Uzhaippavan (1976)
 * Unakkaga Naan (1976)
 * Janaki Sabadham (1976)
 * Ellam Avale (1977)
 * Indru Pol Endrum Vaazhga (1977)
 * Maamiyar Veedu (1977)
 * Meenava Nanban (1977)
 * Kaviraja Kalamegam (1978)
 * Karunamoorthi (1978)
 * Gnana Kuzhandhai (1979)
 * Nadagame Ulagam (1979)
 * Velli Ratham (1979)
 * Kaali (1980)
 * Guru (1980)
 * Kallukkul Eeram (1980)
 * Deiva Thirumanangal-Meenakshi Kalyanam (1981)
 * Deiva Thirumanangal-Srinivasa Kalyanam (1981)
 * Bala Nagamma (1981)
 * Nadodi Raja (1982)
 * Arunachalam (1997)
 * Vaimaye Vellum (1997)
 * Thaalikaatha Kaaliamman (2001)
 *  Kamarasu  (2002)
 * Periyar (2007)
 * Rameswaram (2007)

Malayalam: Credited as Ushakumari

 * 1) Sharjah To Sharjah (2001)
 * 2) Poomarathanalil (1997)
 * 3) Kilungaatha Changalakal (1981)
 * 4) Kaanthavalayam  (1980)
 * 5) Bhakthahanuman (1980)
 * 6) Ashwaradham (1980) as Lakshmi
 * 7) Iniyum Kaanaam (1979) as Nirmala
 * 8) Veerabhadran (1979)
 * 9) Randil Onnu (1978)
 * 10) Chakraayudham  (1978)
 * 11) Velluvili  (1978) as Savithri
 * 12) Hemantharaathri (1978)
 * 13) Thacholi Ambu (1978)
 * 14) Guruvayoor Keshavan (1977)
 * 15) Sreemurukan (1977)
 * 16) Amba Ambika Ambaalika (1976) as Sathyavathi
 * 17) Maanishaada (1975)
 * 18) Thomasleeha (1975)
 * 19) Njaan Ninne Premikkunnu  (1975) as Gracy
 * 20) Suprabhaatham (1974)
 * 21) Durga (1974)
 * 22) Paavangal Pennungal (1973)
 * 23) Aashaachakram  (1973)
 * 24) Shaasthram Jayichu Manushyan Thottu (1973) as Suvarna
 * 25) Thaniniram  (1973)
 * 26)  Thenaruvi  (1973) as Thulasi
 * 27) Jesus (1973) as Mary Magdalna
 * 28) Maravil Thirivu Sookshikkuka (1972) as Maalu
 * 29) Lora Nee Evide (1971) as Lora
 * 30) Panchavankaadu (1971) as Devamma
 * 31)  Dathuputhran  (1970) as Omana
 * 32) Bheekara Nimishangal (1970) as Indira
 * 33) Cross Belt (1970) as Leela/Mrs.Robert
 * 34) Vivaahitha  (1970) as Leela
 * 35) Janmabhoomi (1969) as Madhavi
 * 36) Koottukudumbam (1969) as Radhika
 * 37) Vilakkappetta Bandhangal (1969)
 * 38)  Punnapura Vayalar (1968) as Chinnamma
 * 39) Yakshi (1968) as Vijayalakshmi
 * 40) Sahadharmini  (1967)
 * 41) Maadatharuvi (1967)
 * 42) Thalirukal  (1967)
 * 43) NGO (1967) as Shantha
 * 44) Sheelavathi  (1967) as Saraswathi
 * 45) Iruttinte Athmavu (1967) as Prema
 * 46) Ramanan (1967) as Karthi
 * 47) Jeevikkaan Anuvadikkoo  (1967)
 * 48) Kayamkulam Kochunni (1966) as Nabeesa
 * 49) Station Master  (1966) as Geetha & Omana
 * 50) Kallippennu (1966) as Kallippennu
 * 51) Chettathi (1965) as Susheela
 * 52) Kaattuthulasi (1965) as Thulasi

Telugu
• Gudachari 116 (1966)

• Bhakta Prahlada (1967)

• Ave Kallu (1967)

• Mooga Nomu (1969)

• Andariki Monagadu (1971)

• Bangaru Talli (1971)

• Bomma Borusa (1971)

• Sati Anasuya (1971)

• Kathula Rathaiah (1972)

• Bhale Mosagadu (1972)

• Datta Putrudu (1972)

• Maa Inti Velugu (1972)

• Somaripothu (1972)

• Dhanama? Daivama? (1973)

• Varasuralu (1973)

• Sthree Gowravam (1974)

• Mangalya Bhagyam (1974)

• Devude Gelichadu (1976)

• Chakradhari (1977)

• Karunamayudu (1978)

• Chukkalo Chandrudu (1980)

• Kaali (1980)

• Guru (1980)

• Sri Anjaneya Charitra (1981)

• Andham kadhidi Aarambham (1981)

• Bala Nagamma (1981)

• Sri Sita Ramula Kalyanam Chootamu Raarandi (1998)

• Adhipathi (2001)

• Kalisundam Raa (2000)

• Jayam Manadera (2000)

• Ninne Premistha (2000)

• Seema Simham (2002)

• Okariki Okaru (2003)

• Arjun (2004 film)

• Shankar Dada M.B.B.S (2004)

• Shankar Dada Zindabad (2007)

• Ragada (2010)

Kannada

 *  Sri Renukadevi Mahathme (1975)
 *  Kari Naga  (1985)

Awards and honours

 * 2009; Kaviarasu Kannadasan Tamizh Sangam Award