The face that launched films
SARASWATHY NAGARAJAN
|
Srividya's demise has left a void that would be hard to fill.
|
TOUCH OF CLASS: Srividya has that elusive quality that made each of her roles stand out.
Srividya's face had launched many a film in Malayalam. Actors, directors and fans have written paeans to her expressive eyes and classic features. Winner of three State awards for acting (`Edavazhiyeli Poocha Mindapoocha,' `Rachna' and `Daivathinte Vikruthigal'), the actor, who hailed from Tamil Nadu, had made Kerala her home.
Daughter of the eminent Carnatic vocalist M.L. Vasanthakumari and Tamil actor Krishnamurthy, Srividya donned the greasepaint at the age of 13 in the Tamil film `Thiruvarul Selvar.' Although she was a trained dancer, her busy career as an actor never gave her the time to practise. It was K. Balachander's `Apoorva Ragangal' with Kamalahasan that made her a star. She made her debut in Malayalam films with `Chattambikavala' in 1969. And then there was no going back as Malayalis welcomed her into their hearts.
Cult films
For generations of Malayalis, she epitomised the image of the ideal Malayali woman. She and Madhu became a hit pair and their films such as `Theekanal,' `Hridayam Oru Devalayam' and `Edavazhiyeli Poocha Mindapoocha' became cult films. She also acted in Telugu and Tamil films and in two Hindi films as well. What was remarkable was that Srividya almost always spoke her dialogues herself.
However, as with most female stars in Mollywood, when a new bunch of starlets entered the scene, Srividya shifted to character roles. Her roles in `Arantemulla Kochumulla,' `Kattathe Killikoodu,' `Oru Katha, Oru Painkilli Katha,' `Ente Sooryaputhirkku' (rumoured to be have a strong autobiographical streak) and so on only boosted her popularity. With the advent of television channels, Srividya made her mark on the small screen as well.
In the meantime, the actor had discovered the singer in her. Although she had sung a song in Balachandran Menon's `Oru Katha, Oru Painkilli Katha' (`Aaanakoodathalum kiliye... ') she gained the confidence to give a concert only in the nineties.
While Srividya shone on the silver screen, her marriage to director and producer George ended in a bitter divorce. After years of legal wrangling, she had just begun life anew when she was diagnosed with cancer. However, she did not let that put a stop to her work. Her positive attitude inspired her co-stars and earned her the respect of her directors. Until two months ago, 53-year-ol Srividya had been working on Sreekumaran Thampy's `Ammathampuratti.'
With her death, the curtain came down on the life of a feisty woman who never let events or people extinguish her joie de vivre.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
