In a career spanning six decades, Kaviyoor Ponnamma acted with all the legendary actors. She acted in over 700 movies, largely donning the role of a mother and has won several accolades.
Published Sep 20, 2024 | 8:52 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 26, 2024 | 2:39 PM
Actor Kaviyoor Ponnamma acted in over 700 films in six decades.
Veteran Malayalam actor Kaviyoor Ponnamma died on Friday, 20 September aged 79. She had been battling cancer and other age-related illnesses for a while now. She was well known for donning several memorable roles, and for most of her career, she played the role of a mother.
Kaviyoor Ponnamma was hospitalised in Kochi and was battling health issues for several weeks. Her mortal remains will be at the Kalamassery Municipal Hall in the district on 21 September from 9 am to 11 am, for people who want to pay respects to her. She will then be cremated at her hometown in Aluva in Ernakulam at around 4 pm.
Producer Badusha, who was at the hospital with the actor, told the media that she died at 5.30 pm on Friday. Her last performance was in the film Aanum Pennum, released in 2021.
Kaviyoor Ponnamma, who started learning to sing at a tender age, started as a singer in the Kerala People’s Arts Club (KPAC) drama troupe. She eventually began acting in dramas and then ventured into films in 1962.
Born in Pathanamthitta in Kerala on 10 September 1945, her debut role in a movie was in 1962, in a film titled Sreerama Pattabhishekam. Her first role as a mother was when she was barely 20 in 1964, in Kudumbini.
She majorly played the roles of either a mother or grandmother and has acted in over 700 movies. In her rich career, she played the role of mother to some of the most legendary actors in Malayalam cinema industry including Sathyan, Prem Nazir, Mammootty, Mohanlal, and Dileep.
Her portrayal of Mohanlal’s on-screen mother is particularly popular, receiving critical acclaim and resonating well with the audience. Her noteworthy films with Mohanlal as his mother includes Kireedam, Vadakkumnathan and His Highness Abdulla.
The news of her passing has sent shockwaves across Mollywood. Expressing his condolences while speaking to media, veteran Malayalam actor Madhu said, “I have worked with Ponnamma for a long time. Even though she is no more, she will surely stay in the hearts of people. She was lucky to do the roles of mother of all actors. I pray for her soul.”
“I spoke to her just recently, I don’t know what to say. She did mother roles of yesteryear actors Nazir, Sathyan and she has also acted as my mother. It’s a huge loss to Mollywood,” shared veteran actress Sheela.
Director Sibi Malayil recalled working with Ponnamma in several movies and said, “I worked with her in Thaniyavarthanam, Kireedam, Chenkol and many other movies. Her demise is definitely a loss to Malayalam cinema.”
Fondly remembering her, Malayalam actor Fazil said, “Kaviyoor Ponnamma excelled in mother roles and I had a good relationship with her. I even wrote a character for her in my movie Pappayude Swantham Appoos.
In 2023, there were reports that her family had allegedly abandoned her. She dismissed them as rumours and clarified that she was living with her younger brother’s family in Karumalloor, Kochi.
Ponnamma was married to film producer Maniswami and her husband passed away in 2011. She is survived by a daughter, who lives in the United States.
Some of her unforgettable performances were in films like Asuravithu, Oppol, His Highness Abdullah, Chenkol, Thaniyavarthanam, Bharatham, Sukrutham and Thinkalazhcha Nalla Divasam.
In her career, Ponnamma won several accolades including winning the Kerala State Film Award for four times. She also produced a movie titled Meghatheertham (2009).
(Edited by Neena)
