Kerala - Kozhikode   

State bids adieu to Santha Devi

Farewell: Industries Minister Elamaram Karim paying homage to artiste Santha Devi at Town Hall in Kozhikode on Sunday.

Kozhikode: The State bid a tearful adieu to veteran film and theatre artiste Santha Devi who was cremated at the Mavoor Road crematorium with State honours on Sunday.

People from all walks of life, including ministers, film and theatre artistes and cultural leaders, paid their last respect to the actor whose body was kept at Town Hall here from 12 noon to 1.30 p.m.

Minister of State for Railways E. Ahamed and State Ministers Elamaram Karim and Benoy Viswom were among those who paid tributes to the actor who died here following age-related ailments at 7 p.m. on Saturday. District Collector P.B. Salim placed a wreath on behalf of Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan.

A number of artistes reached Town Hall. Film directors V.M. Vinu and Ali Akbar; script writer T.A. Razak, lyricist Kaithapram Damodaran Namboodiri, playwright Ibrahim Vengara and actor Mamukkoya paid their respects to the actor.

A large number of women also flocked to the hall to see their beloved actor who immortalised a number of roles in many of her 400-odd films. ‘Kerala Café,' produced by director Ranjith, was her last movie where she enacted the role of a forlorn grandmother with no one to look after her.

Vasu Pradeep, who initiated Santha Devi into acting with the play ‘Smarakam,' also arrived to express his condolences to the family members, including her elder son Suresh Kumar.

A winner of several awards, including the national accolade for the best supporting actress in the film ‘Yamanam' and the lifetime achievement award of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, Santha Devi had established herself as an actress in the role of a mother.

The actor, who played key characters in movies scripted by writer M.T Vasudevan Nair, was also associated with noted playwrights of yesteryear such as K.T. Mohammed and Thikkodiyan.

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