Trendy yet traditional
SHOBA NAIR
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Valsala Menon has made her presence felt on the small screen and in films.
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MEMORABLE ROLES: Valsala Menon. Photo: S. Mahinsha
With her welcoming smile and trendy dressing, Valsala Menon looks different from her reel roles as `Muthashi' (grandmother) in umpteen serials and movies, including the latest film, `Chanthupottu.'
"I derive a great deal of pleasure by doing such roles, as each one is different from the other, in looks, moods, dress and character."
Dwelling on her role in `Chanthupottu,' she says, "Although some of my roles in films such as `Olympian Anthony' had a touch of humour, I was a little diffident about doing a comic role. However, Dileep, with whom I had worked with in `Sallapam,' and director Lal Jose constantly encouraged me and motivated me. If I felt embarrassed doing a particular scene, Dileep would always be there with a kind word. He would say `Chechi be confident, you don't have to feel silly.' That helped."
Grandmother image
In fact, Valsala's `grandmother' image began with the role of `Akkara Muthashhi' in `Enna Swantham Janakikutty.' However, that did not curb her versatility and she went on to enact a wide range of roles that brought to the fore her histrionic abilities especially in serials like `Thaali,' ' `Mangalyam,' and `Chitta.' . Rahelamma in `Jalom,' Nangiamma Antharjanam in `Sahadharmini' and Paattiamma in K.K. Rajeev's `Swapnam' are some of her memorable roles on the small screen. "I was thrilled to get an offer in Rajeev's serial as the characters have great depth. Paattiamma is one of the strongest characters I have enacted and that was the one that fetched me the Grihalakshmi Award 2003."
Debut in films
Valsala Menon, who hails from Ollurkkara in Thrissur, made her debut in films as a dancer in the early Fifties in P.R.S. Pillai's `Thiramaala.' She was cast as Muthaiah's daughter and the little girl danced into the hearts of the viewers. After her marriage, she moved to Mumbai. Offers to act in films started pouring in but "being the mother of three young sons I had my reservations," Valsala explains. Behind Valsala's entry into the film world, in the mid eighties, lies many incidents of deprivation, misgivings and disappointments.
Yet, after she got a break in `Kolambadigal' (Crossbelt Mani) in 1985, she established herself as a talented actress. She enacted many memorable roles in films like `Uppe,' , `Dheem Tharikida Thom,' and `Chekeran Oru Chila' .
After her husband's demise in 1990, Valsala took a break. She resumed acting with `Parinayam,' and went on to do a number of films like `Oridathu,' `Mazhayethum Mumbe,' `Kauravar,' and so on. She bagged the Lux Asianet Award for her role in `Olmpyian Antony Adam,' and `Gharshome.' Her role in `Gharshome,' where she played the hero's mother to perfection, won her rave reviews.
In fact, Valasala rates it as one of her best performances to date and she includes it in her list of favourite characters. "Although each of my roles is done with complete commitment, some of then stick in your mind. For instance, the characters in `Ennu Swatham Janakikutty,' `Parinayam,' `Kazhakam' and so on."
Was she disappointed that she did not get an award for her role in `Garshome?'
"A lot of people praised my role and many of them were confident that I would get an award. So, I did hope for some kind of appreciation. However, when nothing materialised, I was disappointed. But now, I have no such expectations. The words of praise that I earn from my co-stars, directors and fans are my awards now."
Her dream is to play the role of a strong Adivasi.
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