Born in 1927 in a small village near Aruppukottai in Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar district, she was the youngest of 13 children. Her father, Narayana Thevar, worked in the administrative department of the Raja Kambalathu Nayakkar Palace, but when he lost his job, the family was thrust into poverty. After his passing, Lakshmi’s mother struggled alone to raise her children, taking on whatever work she could find.
At just six years old, Lakshmi’s destiny began to unfold when she joined a travelling theatre troupe, reportedly running away from home to follow her passion. The stage became her school, where she polished her craft through thousands of performances. Her first break in cinema came in 1948 when she appeared as part of the dance troupe in the landmark film Chandralekha. From there, she never looked back.
Over the years, she appeared in more than 1,500 films and performed in over 6,000 stage plays achievements few could ever match. Interestingly, she became famous for playing grandmother roles even when she was still young. Audiences adored her ability to embody characters so naturally that she often felt like part of their own families.
Lakshmi’s career spanned generations of Tamil cinema. She acted alongside greats like M.G. Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, S.S. Rajendran, and Muthuraman. She was unforgettable as Nagesh’s mother in Server Sundaram and continued to shine in films such as Rajinikanth’s Yajaman, Kamal Haasan’s Thevar Magan, Mahanadhi, Virumaandi, Michael Madana Kama Rajan, and Vijayakanth’s Vaanathaippola. She came heartbreakingly close to winning the National Award for Mahanadhi, missing it by just one vote.
Choosing not to marry, Lakshmi devoted herself to her craft and to her family. She lived with her brother, nieces, nephews, and their children in Saligramam, Chennai, and was independent even driving herself well into her later years. Despite her struggles, she lifted her family out of poverty through her hard work. Generosity defined her; she donated more than ten acres of land and several houses in her village to those she helped raise. It is also said she supported over 20 destitute homes, a reflection of her boundless compassion.
Lakshmi passed away in 2012 at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire. She was laid to rest in her native village of Chennelgudi, where a memorial stands in her honour. Every Maha Shivaratri, her family still worships her as a family deity.
Kamal Haasan once remarked that if not for casting her repeatedly in his films, newer generations might never have discovered her remarkable talent. S.N. Lakshmi had the rare gift of disappearing into every role she played, embodying the very essence of a true character actress. Though often underrated, she remains one of Tamil cinema’s most extraordinary women, indeed, quiet greatness.
Source / Image Credit : News 18, The Hindu