Fri Sep 20 16:15:11 UTC 2024: ## Veteran Actress Kaviyoor Ponnamma Passes Away at 79
**Kochi:** Renowned Malayalam actress Kaviyoor Ponnamma, best known for her portrayal of motherly roles, passed away on [Date] at the age of 79. She had been battling cancer for some time.
Ponnamma, a four-time recipient of the State Award for Best Supporting Actress (1971, 1972, 1973, 1994), began her journey in the arts through music and theatre. She rose to prominence in the film industry for her nuanced portrayal of maternal figures, earning a place in the hearts of Malayalee audiences.
Her prolific career spanned over six decades, with over 400 films to her credit. Some of her notable works include “Nandanam,” “Kireedam,” “Chenkol,” “Vathsalyam,” “Theenmaavin Kombath,” “Sandesham,” “His Highness Abdullah,” “Bharatam,” “Babakalyani,” “Kakkukuyil Vadakkunnathan,” and “Thaniyaavarthanam.”
Ponnamma’s foray into the world of arts began at the tender age of 12 when music director G. Devarajan invited her to sing in a play. Her acting career took off with KPAC plays. Notably, she played the lead role in Thoppil Bhasi’s “Mooladhanam” at the age of 14, after the intended actress couldn’t fulfill the role. She went on to work with prominent Malayalam directors such as M.T. Vasudevan Nair, Ramu Karyat, K.S. Sethumadhavan, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, John Abraham, and Padmarajan.
On screen, she portrayed the mothers of renowned actors including Sathyajit, Madhu, Prem Nazir, Soman, Sukumar, Mammootty, and Mohanlal. Apart from Malayalam films, she also featured in Tamil and Telugu movies.
Ponnamma also ventured into film production, producing “Meghatheertham.” Her first film, “Sree Rama Pattabhishekam,” was released in 1962, but it was her 1964 release, “Kudumbini,” that propelled her to fame. Her final film was “Aanum Pennuma.”
Born in Kaviyoor, Pathanamthitta in 1945, Ponnamma is survived by her daughter Bindu. Her husband, late Mani Swamy, was a producer, director, and screenwriter. She had six siblings, including the late actress Kaviyoor Renuka.
The public viewing will be held at the Municipal Hall in Kalamassery on [Date] morning. The funeral will be conducted at her residence in Aluva on [Date] evening at 4 pm.
First Piper 