Subramaniyan Karuppaiya (born 25 May 1939), known by his stage name Goundamani, is an Indian actor and comedian. He is known for his comic duo partnership in Tamil films with fellow actor Senthil. The pair dominated the Tamil industry as comedians in the 1980s and 90s. He was called Goundamani after acting as a Gounder in one of his early day dramas and the pseudonym stuck with him forever. He has the ability to give counter dialogues on the spot and off the script on stage and during shooting but it has nothing to do with his screen name, contrary to popular belief (as counter is a term that was popular only from the late 2000s).
Early life and career
Goundamani was born as Subramaniyan in Vallakundapuram, a village near Udumalaipettai in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. His father is Karuppaiya and mother Annammal. He is married to Shanthi in 1963 and has 2 daughters.
On having interest in acting, he went to Chennai and initially started acting in theatre dramas and then entered into the Tamil film industry (Kollywood) due to his strong theatrical background. Goundamani has played lead roles in a few films during his career, but is predominantly a supporting actor playing comedy roles. While performing roles of a solo comedian in films, he often co-starred with Senthil to form a comedy duo. The pair was described as “Tamil cinema’s Laurel and Hardy” and have performed slapstick humour in several Tamil films from the mid-1980s until the early 2000s. After recuperating from diabetes and respiratory illnesses during the late 2000s, he featured in Vaaimai and also played the lead role in 49-O, which began productions in 2013. It was directed by debutant Arokiadoss, a former assistant of Gautham Vasudev Menon.
Filmography
1960s
| 1964 |
Server Sundaram |
Driver |
|
| 1965 |
Aayirathil Oruvan |
Fisherman |
|
| 1967 |
Selva Magal |
Driver |
|
1970s
| 1970 |
Raman Ethanai Ramanadi |
School Van Driver |
|
| 1971 |
Thenum Paalum |
Driver |
|
| 1976 |
Annakili |
|
|
| Mayor Meenakshi |
|
|
| Uzhaikkum Karangal |
|
Cameo Appearance |
| 1977 |
16 Vayathinile |
Subramani |
Debut film |
| Anandam Paramanandam |
|
|
| 1978 |
Kizhake Pogum Rail |
Ramaiya |
|
| Sigappu Rojakal |
Manager |
|
| 1979 |
Anandam Enndru Arambam |
|
|
| Puthiya Vaarpugal |
Ammavasai |
|
| Suvarilladha Chiththirangal |
Kaliyannan |
|
1980s
| 1980 |
Paruvathin Vasalile |
|
|
| Pennin Vazhkai |
|
|
| Mangala Nayagi |
|
|
| Pudhuyugam Parakkiradhu |
|
|
| Kallukkul Eeram |
|
|
| Enga Oor Rajathi |
|
|
| Sandhana Malargal |
|
|
| Vali Illa Mamaram |
|
|
| Varisu |
|
|
| Devi Dharisanam |
|
|
| 1981 |
Alaigal Oivathillai |
|
|
| Aradhanai |
|
|
| Kudumbam Oru Kadambam |
|
|
| Velichathukku Vanga |
|
|
| Nenjile Thunivirunthal |
|
|
| Netrikan |
Singaram |
|
| 1982 |
Anandha Ragam |
|
|
| Mullillatha Roja |
|
|
| Nenjamellam Neeye |
|
|
| Pakkathu Veetu Roja |
|
|
| Payanangal Mudivathillai |
|
|
| Magane Magane |
|
|
| Ilanjodigal |
|
|
| Uyirullavarai Usha |
|
|
| Valibamey Vaa Vaa |
|
|
| Agaya Gangai |
|
|
| 1983 |
Adutha Varisu |
|
|
| Imaigal |
|
|
| Immai |
|
|
| Jothi |
|
|
| Kaadhal Oviyam |
|
|
| Raagangal Maruvathillai |
|
|
| Malaiyoor Mambattiyan |
‘Silk’ Singaram |
|
| Nenjangal |
|
|
| Naan Sootiya Malar |
|
|
| Vasantha Azhaippugal |
|
|
| Thoongadhe Thambi Thoongadhe |
|
|
| 1984 |
Aanandha Kummi |
|
|
| Komberi Mookan |
|
|
| Naan Paadum Paadal |
|
|
| Neram Nalla Neram |
|
|
| Nilavu Suduvathillai |
|
|
| Naalai Unathu Naal |
Varadhan |
|
| Ponnu Pudichirukku |
|
|
| Priyamudan Prabhu |
|
|
| Pozhudhu Vidinjachu |
|
|
| Unnai Naan Santhithen |
|
|
| Thambathigal |
|
|
| Vaidehi Kathirunthal |
All-in-All Azhaguraja |
|
| 1985 |
Rajathi Rojakili |
|
|
| Aagaya Thamaraigal |
Boopathy |
|
| Amudha Gaanam |
|
|
| Anbin Mugavari |
|
|
| Japanil Kalyanaraman |
Mayilsamy |
|
| Idhaya Kovil |
|
|
| Kanni Rasi |
Gopikrishna |
|
| Chavi |
|
|
| Karaiyai Thodadha Alaigal |
|
|
| Mannukketha Ponnu |
Vishamurukki Veluchamy |
|
| Meendum Parasakthi |
|
|
| Mookkanan Kaiyiru |
|
|
| Pagal Nilavu |
George Kutty |
|
| Annai Bhoomi |
Ragappa |
|
| Panam Pathum Seiyum |
|
|
| Chain Jayapal |
|
|
| Alai Osai |
|
|
| Avan |
|
|
| Karuppu Chattaikaran |
|
|
| Rajagopuram |
|
|
| Vellai Manasu |
|
|
| Udaya Geetham |
|
|
| Bus Conductor |
|
|
| Marudhani |
School Teacher |
|
| Thendral Thodatha Malar |
|
|
| Eetti |
|
|
| Geethanjali |
|
|
| Hello Yaar Pesurathu |
|
|
| Karpooradeepam |
|
|
| Naane Raja Naane Mandhiri |
Kuppusamy |
|
| 1986 |
Annai En Deivam |
|
|
| December Pookal |
|
|
| Maragatha Veenai |
|
|
| Engal Thaikulame Varuga |
|
|
| Aayiram Pookkal Malarattum |
|
|
| Mr. Bharath |
Sanjeevi |
|
| Oru Rasigan Oru Rasigai |
|
|
| Pattu Selai |
|
|
| Piranthaen Valarnthaen |
Raja |
|
| Thalaiyaati Bommai |
|
|
| Mannukkul Vairam |
|
|
| Visham |
|
|
| Dharma Pathini |
|
|
| Isai Paadum Thendral |
|
|
| Paadum Paravaigal |
|
|
| 1987 |
Dhoorathu Pachai |
|
|
| Anjatha Singam |
|
|
| Per Sollum Pillai |
|
|
| Paadu Nilave |
|
|
| Ninaive Oru Sangeetham |
|
|
| Idhu Oru Thodar Kathai |
|
|
| 1988 |
Manamagale Vaa |
|
|
| Poo Pootha Nandhavanam |
|
|
| Sarkarai Pandal |
|
|
| 1989 |
Anbu Kattalai |
|
|
| Ennai Petha Rasa |
Vakkeel |
|
| Karagattakaran |
‘Thavil Vidhwan’ Thangavelu |
|
| Manasukketha Maharasa |
|
|
| Enga Ooru Mappillai |
|
|
| Ninaivu Chinnam |
|
|
| Pennbuthi Pin Buthi |
|
|
| Ponmana Selvan |
|
|
| Raja Rajadhan |
|
|
| Rasathi Kalyanam |
|
|
| Thangamana Rasa |
|
|
| Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai |
|
|
| Vetrimel Vetri |
|
|
1990s
| 1990 |
Vaazhkai Chakkaram |
Constable |
|
| Paattali Magan |
Dharmadi Dharmalingam |
|
| Salem Vishnu |
Kathavarayan |
|
| Paattukku Naan Adimai |
|
|
| Thangathin Thangam |
|
|
| Neengalum Herothan |
Pavadaikanth |
|
| Ulagam Pirandhadhu Enakkaga |
‘Suthi’ Josiyar |
|
| Periya Idathu Pillai |
Guest Appearance |
|
| Madurai Veeran Enga Saami |
‘Balloon’ Kandasamy |
|
| Ooru Vittu Ooru Vanthu |
Captain Tamil arasu |
|
| Velai Kidaichuduchu |
|
|
| Patanathil Petti |
|
|
| My Dear Marthandan |
Idea Mani |
|
| Puthu Paatu |
Palanisamy |
|
| Nadigan |
Kurangu Kannayiram |
|
| Namma Ooru Poovatha |
Everything Ekambaram |
|
| 1991 |
Naadu Adhai Naadu |
|
|
| Naan Pudicha Maapillai |
|
|
| Pudhu Manithan |
Rasappa |
|
| Chinna Thambi |
Kanthasamy |
|
| En Rasavin Manasile |
Pannaiyar |
|
| Adhikari |
|
|
| Marikozhundhu |
|
|
| Idhaya Vaasal |
Balaraman |
|
| Cheran Pandiyan |
Mechanic Manikkam |
|
| Ayul Kaithi |
|
|
| Vaidehi Kalyanam |
Pachamuthu |
|
| Oorellam Un Paattu |
|
|
| Thambi Oorukku Pudhusu |
|
|
| Vasanthakala Paravai |
|
|
| Kizhakku Karai |
Raja (Jacky) |
|
| Bramma |
Valayapalayam Chinnasamy |
|
| Thalattu Ketkuthamma |
Rasaiya’s uncle |
|
| Nenjamundu Nermaiyundu |
|
|
| Pondatti Sonna Kettukanum |
Dharmalingam |
|
| 1992 |
Mannan |
Muthu |
|
| Chinna Gounder |
Vellai |
|
| Pandithurai |
Mayilsamy |
|
| Rickshaw Mama |
Govinthasamy |
|
| Thilagam |
Singamuthu |
|
| Ilavarasan |
Kung Fu Master |
|
| Chinna Thayye |
|
|
| Periya Gounder Ponnu |
Palanisamy |
|
| Sivantha Malar |
Police constable |
|
| Thanga Manasukkaran |
Guitarist |
|
| Singaravelan |
Drums Mani |
|
| Therku Theru Machan |
|
|
| Chinnavar |
|
|
| Chinna Pasanga Naanga |
Govind |
|
| Oor Mariyadhai |
‘Miner’ Mahadevan |
|
| Idhuthanda Sattam |
Karuppan |
|
| Aavarampoo |
Chellappa Aasari |
|
| Thaali Kattiya Raasa |
|
|
| Magudam |
Thanni Samy |
|
| Pattathu Raani |
Jalagandeswaran |
|
| Suriyan |
Pannikutty Ramasamy |
|
| Pangali |
Mani |
|
| Samundi |
Muthu |
|
| David Uncle |
Kavundar |
|
| Senthamizh Paattu |
Murugesan |
|
| Thirumathi Palanisamy |
Dhandapani |
|
| Onna Irukka Kathukanum |
Sudalai |
|
| Villu Pattukaran |
Appakannu |
|
| Natchathira Nayagan |
‘Detective’ Thiruvasagam |
|
| 1993 |
Koyil Kaalai |
Ilaneer Businessman |
|
| Walter Vetrivel |
‘Royal’ Ramasamy |
|
| Rakkayi Koyil |
Singaram |
|
| Manikuyil |
|
|
| Ejamaan |
Vellaiyangiri |
|
| Maharasan |
Govindan |
|
| Amma Ponnu |
|
|
| Uthama Raasa |
Ondippulithevar |
|
| Ponnumani |
Naachi |
|
| Porantha Veeda Puguntha Veeda |
Ravi’s Father |
|
| Uzhaippali |
P. A. of Lawyer |
|
| Band Master |
|
|
| Dharma Seelan |
|
|
| Gentleman |
Mani |
|
| Udan Pirappu |
‘White Rice’ Vellaichamy |
|
| Thalattu |
|
|
| I Love India |
|
|
| Dhuruva Natchathiram |
|
|
| Chinna Jameen |
Thalaiyari Vellasamy |
|
| Kattabomman |
‘Supervisor’ Subramani |
|
| Rojavai Killathe |
Devit Lorry Driver |
|
| 1994 |
Sethupathi IPS |
Muthaiya |
|
| Rajakumaran |
Marusamy, The Milkman |
|
| Aranmanai Kaavalan |
Thangamani |
|
| Varavu Ettana Selavu Pathana |
‘Anjatha Singam’ Marugupandi |
|
| Seeman |
|
|
| Vandicholai Chinraasu |
Kittu |
|
| Jai Hind |
Kottaisamy |
|
| Rasigan |
Ekambaram |
|
| Mettupatti Mirasu |
Kavundar |
|
| Vietnam Colony |
Joseph |
|
| Sadhu |
‘Anjukolai’ Aarumugam |
|
| Sathyavan |
Kiruba |
|
| Thai Maaman |
Rasappan’s uncle |
|
| Jallikattu Kaalai |
Aarusamy |
|
| Nattamai |
Pangali / Pangali’s mom |
|
| Periya Marudhu |
Sudalai |
|
| Nila |
|
|
| Thaai Manasu |
Chokkalingam |
|
| 1995 |
Naan Petha Magane |
K. D. Varadarajan |
|
| Veluchami |
Kathavarayan |
|
| Muthu Kaalai |
|
|
| Muthukulikka Vaariyala |
Kondakara Annachi |
|
| Raja Enga Raja |
Raja |
|
| Coolie |
|
|
| Karnaa |
Nayak |
|
| Lucky Man |
Yamadharmarajan |
|
| Chinna Vathiyar |
Josiyar |
|
| Murai Maman |
Perusu (Sirasu’s elder brother) |
|
| Villadhi Villain |
Mani |
|
| Thamizhachi |
Villangam |
|
| Marumagan |
Govindsamy |
|
| Thedi Vandha Raasa |
Albert Kothandam |
|
| Chakravarthy |
Chinnappa |
|
| Nadodi Mannan |
Ponnusamy |
|
| Periya Kudumbam |
Post Master |
|
| Mr. Madras |
Govindsamy |
|
| Ilavarasi |
Gaja |
|
| Ragasiya Police |
Ponnurangam |
|
| Maamanithan |
Mr.Dinar / Vettiyan |
|
| Ayudha Poojai |
Kanthasamy |
|
| Maaman Magal |
|
|
| Murai Mappillai |
Ramesh |
|
| Mannai Thottu Kumbidanum |
Desingu |
|
| 1996 |
Coimbatore Mappillai |
Gopal |
|
| Parambarai |
Karuppusamy |
|
| Ullathai Allitha |
Great Vasu |
|
| Mahaprabhu |
Sethu |
|
| Nattupura Pattu |
Kattamuthu |
|
| Musthaffaa |
Chellappa |
|
| Indian |
Subbaiah |
|
| Pudhu Nilavu |
Taxi Driver |
|
| Katta Panchayathu |
|
|
| Avathara Purushan |
‘Pickpocket’ Periyasamy |
|
| En Aasai Thangachi |
|
|
| Poovarasan |
Govind |
|
| Mettukudi |
Kalingarayan |
|
| Parivattam |
|
|
| Tata Birla |
Ranjith |
|
| Senathipathi |
Kathavarayan |
|
| Gnanapazham |
|
|
| 1997 |
Periya Thambi |
Azhagu Sundaram |
|
| Nesam |
|
|
| Pudhayal |
|
|
| Mannava |
Raghupathy |
|
| Vallal |
Sithappu |
|
| Sishya |
|
|
| Periya Idathu Mappillai |
Kaali |
|
| Aahaa Enna Porutham |
|
|
| Thedinen Vanthathu |
Tamizhmani / ‘Pollachi’ Ponnusamy |
|
| Janakiraman |
|
|
| Rettai Jadai Vayasu |
|
|
| 1998 |
Aval Varuvala |
Dhandapani |
|
| Thaayin Manikodi |
‘Silverspoon’ Shilpakumar |
|
| En Uyir Nee Thaane |
‘Bullet’ Jackie |
|
| Bhagavath Singh |
|
|
| 1999 |
Suriya Paarvai |
Raj Bharath / Nattamai |
|
| Ponnu Veetukkaran |
Ekambaram |
|
| Ethirum Pudhirum |
Auto Driver |
|
| Kadhalar Dhinam |
Professor Daniel |
|
| Malabar Police |
Govindrajan (Govindo) |
|
| Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga |
Kundalakesi |
|
| Azhagarsamy |
|
|
2000s
| 2000 |
Veeranadai |
Ulagavaayan |
|
| Kannan Varuvaan |
Thannirmalai/Athiyapatham/Ezhumalai |
|
| Kannaal Pesavaa |
Crendan |
|
| 2001 |
Kunguma Pottu Gounder |
Chinnasamy |
|
| Vedham |
Govindsamy |
|
| Samuthiram |
Ramanathan |
|
| Azhagana Naatkal |
Ranjith |
|
| 2002 |
Baba |
Annamalai |
|
| Samasthanam |
|
|
| 2003 |
Chokka Thangam |
Muthu’s uncle |
|
| Yes Madam |
|
|
| Parasuram |
Sub-Inspector Thangaraj |
|
| 2004 |
Manmadhan |
‘Puncture’ Pandi |
|
| 2005 |
London |
Vedimuthu’s adopted father |
|
| 2006 |
Suyetchai MLA |
Visky |
|
| 2008 |
Thangam |
Kalai |
|
2010s
| 2010 |
Jaggubhai |
MIB alias Kalaniyappan |
|
| Pollachi Mappillai |
|
|
| 2015 |
49-O |
Savuri |
|
| 2016 |
Enakku Veru Engum Kilaigal Kidayathu |
Caravan Krishnan |
|
| Vaaimai |
Benny |
