Kaviyoor Ponnamma: A Legendary Malayalam Actress Passes Away

Kochi: Renowned Malayalam actress Kaviyoor Ponnamma, who left an indelible mark on the Malayalam film industry, has passed away at the age of 79. She breathed her last in a private hospital in Kochi due to old age ailments.

Ponnamma, who proved to be an irreplaceable mother figure in Malayalam cinema, acted in over 700 films throughout her illustrious career. Born on 10 September 1945 in the village of Kaviyoor in Pathanamthitta district, she came to her residence in Karimalur in North Paravur along with her elder brother and family.

Her family includes her only daughter, Bindu, who resides in America, and her late husband, Maniswamy, a film producer. Ponnamma was also the sister of the late stage and film actress Kaviyoor Renuka Ponnamma.

Awards and Accolades

Kaviyoor Ponnamma won the State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress four times (1971, 1972, 1973, 1994), a testament to her exceptional talent and dedication to her craft.

Early Life and Career

Ponnamma’s childhood was a whirlwind of music and art. She later moved to Changanassery to pursue her passion for music. At the age of 14, she entered the art scene as a singer in plays of Pratibha Arts, a leading theatre company.

She made her theatre debut with KPAC’s play Kapital and considered Thopil Bhasi as her acting guru. In 1962, she made her first appearance in front of the camera in the film Sri Rama Pattabhishekam.

Notable Roles

In 1965, she played the role of Sathyan and Madhu’s mother in Thomman’s Children. She also played the role of Savitri in the film Nell (1974) and garnered attention as the husband of Thilakan as the best couple in the film Periyar (1973).

Ponnamma also sang several devotional songs, including “Ambike Jagadambike” during the Tirtha Yatra. Her sweet voice also gave birth to the famous dramatic songs Pookaara Pootharumo and Vellilam Kattilolichi Chulukuvan.

Legacy

While Kaviyoor Ponnamma has played the role of mother to many prominent actors in Malayalam cinema, her role as Mohanlal’s mother is the most well-known. Her legacy will continue to inspire and influence generations of actors and actresses to come.