Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
There's magic in her method
|
Meet evergreen comedienne Manorama, who has set a record by acting in over 1,200 films
|
ENDURING APPEAL Actress Manorama has shared screen credits with four Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu
She saunters out to meet a 10-member family of grinning faces. "We live in France," says an elderly woman. "Meeting you is the highlight of our Chennai trip."
Two young men, one a father, rattle off, "We loved you in Annamalai, Mannan, Chinna Thambi, Apoorva Sahodarargal, Samsaram Athu Minsaram, Chinna Kaundar ... We regularly watch "Alli Rajyam"."
Their favourite is Thillana Mohanambal, a movie made before they were born.
"Photo please!" asks a young mom. `Jil Jil Ramamani' aka Manorama agrees after the mildest of protests, "I'm not properly dressed, ma." After all, these are three generations of addicted fans.
Manorama's resume might read like this:
Name(s): Pappaa, Manorama, Female Sivaji, Aachi
Born: Mannargudi, brought up in Pallathur near Karaikudi
Age: 60 +, moving in the descending order.
Education: Std. IV. No formal training in acting, music or dance.
Experience: Almost 50 years of unforgettable performances.
Acting records: 1,200 movies (Guinness World Record), 100 stage performances (has her own troupe), heroine of a popular radio play, TV serials and ad films.
First appeared on stage: At 12 for `Neethipathi' (1955).
First movie as comedienne: Maalayitta Mangai (1958).
Movies as heroine: Konjum Kumari, Alangari, Periya Manithan
Languages acted in: Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi (Kunwara Baap)
Playback sang for: Muthu Kaalai, Nattupura Pattu, May Madham, Magudam, Maragadha Veenai, Sree Ragavendrar, Bommalattam
Awards won: Padma Shri (2002), National Award for best supporting actress for Puthiya Pathai (1988), Tamil Nadu Government's Kalaimamani Award and others in her crowded cupboards.
Unique distinction: The above aren't?
The only actor to have shared screen credits with four Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu. She has seen actors come and go.
Strengths: As her character appears, Manorama vanishes. You come out remembering the role she has played with a rare mix of depth, showiness and a touch of the comical.
Count on her to prop up guaranteed flops.
Who is Manorama, the person away from the arc lights? She tells.
"I was 10 months old, when my mother moved to Chettinad. I lost her 10 years ago, but I still feel her presence. She was everything to me. We suffered, quite badly.
I used to sing when I visited people. During an Ekadasi night's show, I was asked to sing for a man doing a woman's part. I also did a dance.
Electrician Balraj recommended me for a second lead's role. S. Balachander publicly praised my performance.
"I became a regular on amateur stage. S.S. Rajendran invited me to Chennai and I got a break in movies. Movie acting was tough those days. You spoke your dialogue directly into the mike; there was no dubbing.
Mine is method acting drawn on my own emotions and experiences.
"Generally directors accept what I do. But with K. Balachandar, I ask for a demo. I had super roles in Unnaal Mudiyum Thambi, Velli Vizha and Nadigan. I didn't move to the small screen because movie offers dipped.
I was doing serials on DD as a parallel career. Did you watch "Kappu Katti Chattiram" and "Anbulla Amma"? I just stayed away from vamp roles after doing a couple of them.
"The transition wasn't difficult. I understood the reality. I clicked as a comedienne, fine.
I was offered character roles, fine. I never soared high nor did I tumble down. Work has been consistent in coming.
"Actors now? Wow! They have tremendous energy! Look how they dance! See, I belong to a different school, a different culture.
When Sivaji sir was around, we had to be punctual, wait and watch the scenes being shot. I was scared I should do a good job.
We would stay in ordinary places in villages and share whatever food was served. It never occurred to me to fuss. You could call it devotion.
"Youngsters today are a jolly lot. And pretty informal. I move away when they chat or smoke. Equanimity? That comes with experience. I've learned the art of getting along.
Once an assistant brought a sari meant for a scene in which I had to look young.
"When I reported for the shot, all dressed and made-up, the director was aghast. I wasn't supposed to look young! I quickly apologised and went in to change. I thought it would be wise if I took the rap. Actor Sivakumar came up and asked, `Don't you ever get angry'?"
"Aachi? As Pannyur Bhagyam, I spoke Chettinad lingo. And the name stuck.
"I've had health problems. But I've always watched my diet. No, no! Don't mention retirement. Note this down. I want to go with make-up on, when I'm on the sets or on stage. To me acting and breathing are synonymous."
GEETA PADMANABHAN
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
|
