The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Kamalammal passes away

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Saturday, Nov 03, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Kamalammal passes away

Meera Srinivasan

Film fraternity pays homage to Sivaji Ganesan’s wife

Photo: DIPR

LAST RESPECTS: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi paying homage to Kamala Sivaji Ganesan on Friday. —

CHENNAI: Kamalammal, wife of legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan, passed away here on Friday after a brief illness. She was 68.

Kamalammal was admitted to a private hospital after she complained of difficulty in breathing recently. She passed away there after a cardiac arrest, caused by pulmonary embolism (blood clot) Friday morning.

Friends and associates who gathered at her T.Nagar residence Friday afternoon recalled her as innocent, affectionate and caring. Her body was placed near a big portrait of her husband, around whom her life revolved.

“She had some difficulty in breathing due to chest congestion. We were shocked when we heard she succumbed to a cardiac arrest,” said her son actor Prabhu. “She was such a loving mother. To her, appa meant the world,” an emotional Prabhu said.

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa paid homage.

Actor Kamal Haasan, a close associate of the family, paid homage at the hospital, before the body was brought to the actors’ residence. He later told The Hindu over phone that her passing away was a personal loss. “I am grateful that she passed away after her husband expired, or the man could not have coped with her loss. They were such an intimate couple. I saw their love for each other grow beautifully over the years,” he said.

“She made sure that actors like us, who would not speak a word in front of Sivaji Ganesan, felt at ease. I played some of my films such as ‘Virumandi’ in her house and she gave me very honest, valuable feedback,” he said, adding, “She is the first lady in the history of Tamil culture.”

Director Santhana Bharatahy said: “She had no airs about being a world-renowned actor’s wife. To all of us, she was like an affectionate mother who showed genuine interest in our well-being and progress.” She had time for everyone and was easily accessible to all.

Associates recalled her personal touch in everything she did for her relatives and friends. “Even if I told her I had to leave in a hurry, she would make sure I quickly ate something before I left,” said Sudha. S. Ramachandran, a doctor practising at Apollo, and a family friend of the Ganesans. In her was an enthusiastic child-like woman, who loved admiring saris and accessories her friends wore, Dr. Ramachandran said.

Her eye for detail and ability to plan for the family was amazing, her relatives said. She ran the joint family so well that everyone knew their part and did it with pleasure, they added.

Several artistes and technicians of the Tamil film industry, including actors Rajinikanth, Sathyaraj, Pandiarajan, Srikanth, director Bharathiraja, music director Illayaraja and politicians such as Minister Partihi Ilamvazhuthi came to pay homage. Mr. Rajinikanth spent over half-an-hour with Ramkumar, another son of Sivaji Ganesan.

The funeral would be held on Sunday, Mr. Prabhu said.

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