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Golden phase

Going strong Manorama

June 27, 1958: The Tamil film ‘Maalayitta Mangai’ was released. Produced by the famous poet Kannadasan, it was in this film that supreme comedienne Manorama made her debut.

It was not an easy climb to the top for Gopishantha (Manorama’s original name). Quitting school after Class VI, she joined the therukoothu, a traditional folk art group, as singer. The name Manorama was given by the harmonist of the group. R 16;Pallathur Paapa,’ as she was fondly called, was a favourite of everyone in the small village of Pallathur in Chettinad district. She was soon into amateur drama before she got the film call.

“Those were days when even a fleeting presence on the screen was considered a huge achievement. It was Kannadasan Sir who offered me the role. Actually I owe it all to S. S. Rajendran. It was he who invited me to Madras to act in Kalaignar’s (M. Karunanidhi) play “Manimakudam.” That play was a resounding success and I was recognised as an actress. Later, I faced the camera for the first time in an unfinished film that had Rajendran and Devika in the lead roles. Then came ‘Maalayitta Mangai.’” recounts the actor.

Initailly, Manorama was reluctant when asked to do a comedy role. “I had never done comedy before and was scared. But Kannadasan convinced me into doing the role. I think he was right because if I had started off as a heroine I would not have lasted this long.”

Making her debut as a comedienne at a time when comedy was the domain of male actors it was not easy to be accepted. But she evolved a style and carved a space for herself. Her versatility, sense of timing, dialogue delivery, use of slang, dialects, and sprightly movements created a kind of magic that remains alive even today. Her dream to act as a heroine came true in “Konjum Kumari.”

Ironically, acting was not what Manorama really wanted to do. She always wished to be a singer. “Acting happened by accident when I had to put on the greasepaint after a lead actress refused to take the stage. But I never missed a chance to sing, in plays or films.”

Manorama’s first song in films was a comedy number “Thatha thatha kodu kodu” in “Magale un samathu” (1963). But “Rathathilakam” released first and her song, a typical folk number, “Pokathe pokathe en kanava...” was a hit. She then went on to sing in many films. “Vaa vaathiyare vaa...” from “Bommalaattam” (1967) becoming so popular that HMV went on to release an album of her songs titled “Vaa Vaathiyare...” in 1991. It sold like hot cakes. Manorama has sung in around 60 films. Singing apart, her love for bright Kanchipuram saris and jewellery is well-known. “Oh, I simply love heavily brocaded Kanchi pattu saris. Shopping for them is a sort of hobby. And this jewellery…” she pauses to put in place the diamond-studded pendant she is wearing and then continues “perhaps it is not fashionable but I like such traditional pieces.” Despite hopping from one set to another for the past five decades, Manorama loves to be at home and cook some of her favourite dishes. “Anything tasty will do, though she prefers to cook and eat vegetarian food. But these days I’m not allowed inside the kitchen. There are others who have occupied it,” she laughs aloud.

K. PRADEEP

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