Published Sep 21, 2024 | 5:12 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 21, 2024 | 5:50 PM
Kaviyoor Ponnamma laid to rest, Malayalam cinema mourns its most cherished 'mom'. (X)
Kaviyoor Ponnamma has cemented her place in the history of Malayalam cinema. The veteran actor, known for her iconic portrayal of motherly roles, passed away on 20 September at Lissie Hospital in Kochi, after battling health issues, including cancer. She was 79.
Kaviyoor Ponnamma was laid to rest at her residence in Aluva-Karumaloor on Saturday evening, 21 September, with state honours. Sadly, her daughter Bindu, who returned to the US two days ago, could not attend the final rites.
Before the cremation, her body was kept at Kalamassery Municipal Town Hall for the public to pay their respects. People from the Malayalam film industry, political figures, and fans gathered to bid farewell to the beloved actor.
Many prominent figures from Malayalam cinema visited the Town Hall to pay their last respects to ‘Mollywood’s most cherished maternal figure’.
Mammootty and Mohanlal were among the first to arrive. Other notable figures included Suresh Gopi, Dileep, Siddique, Babu Antony, Ramesh Pisharody, Kunchako Boban, Manoj K Jayan, Sarayu, Sathyan Adthikad, Joshi, and Joemol.
Kaviyoor Ponnamma, who portrayed the mother of many Malayalam actors, had a deep connection with stars like Prem Nazir, Sathyan, Mohanlal, Mammootty, and Dileep.
Her on-screen chemistry with Mohanlal, in particular, was widely celebrated, with both actors frequently playing mother and son in various films.
മമ്മൂട്ടി ബാലചന്ദ്രമേനോൻ തുടങ്ങിയവർ കളമശ്ശേരി ടൗൺ ഹാളിൽ #kaviyoorponnamma #mammootty #zeemalayalamnews pic.twitter.com/N6hG4QxaMw
— Zee Malayalam News (@ZeeMalayalam) September 21, 2024
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Mohanlal expressed his grief, referring to Kaviyoor Ponnamma as his mother figure in both reel and real life. He wrote:
“These words are written in the pain of losing my mother. My beloved Ponnamma Chechi always showered me with as much love as a birth mother, both for my character and for me as an individual. To our beloved Malayali audience, we were a mother and son. I never had to act as her son with Ponnamma Chechi; it was simply living that role,” his post read.
Mohanlal also reflected on the numerous films they worked on together—Kireedam (1989), Bharatham (1991), Vietnam Colony (1992), Dasharatham (1989), Natturajavu (2004), and Oppam (2016).
He recalled that even in His Highness Abdullah (1990), she treated him like her son though they were not related.
Mammootty also paid tribute to Kaviyoor Ponnamma through a Facebook post by recalling their collaborations in films like Thaniyavarthanam (1987), Anantaram (1987), and Valsalyam (1993).
Actor Manju Warrier expressed regret over never having the opportunity to play Ponnamma’s daughter on screen.
In her tribute, she wrote, “In Malayalam cinema, Ponnamma Chechi is like a mother. Very few actors have not portrayed her children on screen, and I am one of them.”
Manju Warrier also recalled acting with Kaviyoor Ponnamma’s sister Kaviyoor Renuka in Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu (1999), noting the resemblance between the two sisters.
Kaviyoor Ponnamma entered the world of cinema through theatre. She began as a singer with the KPAC (Kerala People’s Art Club) drama troupe at 15 before transitioning to acting.
She made her film debut at 19. Her first major role came in Kudumbini (1964), where she played a mother at the age of 21.
Throughout her six-decade career, Ponnamma appeared in over 700 films, primarily portraying mother and grandmother roles.
Some of her most memorable films include Asuravith (1968), Oppol (1981), Thinkalazhcha Nalla Divasam (1985), Thaniyavarthanam, Kireedam, and His Highness Abdullah.
Her late husband Mani Swamy was a director and screenwriter.
(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)
