Reflecting upon the life of Neyyattinkara Komalam, I find myself deeply moved by her inspiring journey. Born into a conservative family, she defied societal norms and made a name for herself as one of the first heroines of Malayalam cinema. Despite the strong opposition from her relatives, she persevered and left an indelible mark on the industry.
96-year-old actress Neyyattinkara Komalam (also known as Komala Menon), one of the pioneering heroines in Malayalam cinema, tragically passed away on Thursday, October 17th. She had been hospitalized in Parassala, Kerala since October 15th due to heart problems, and unfortunately succumbed to her health complications yesterday.
As reported by Mathrubhumi, the funeral ceremony for Neyyattinkara Komalam is scheduled for today, October 18, at approximately 12:30 PM in Vazhuthur.
In recent years, following the passing of her husband M Chandrasekhara Menon, Komala Menon has resided with some of her family members due to health issues related to her advanced age.
Komala Menon, daughter of Pankajaksha and Kunjiyamma, first appeared on the screen in 1951 with the movie “Vanamala,” directed by G. Viswanath. However, it was the following year that she truly made her mark when she starred as the lead in Prem Nazir’s debut film, “Marumakal.” This role, her third film, significantly boosted her career and established her as a prominent figure in Malayalam cinema.
Vanamala made history as the first actress to star in a jungle film in Malayalam cinema. Following this, she graced the screen in Aathmasanthi in 1952. In 1954, she took on a role in F. Nagoor’s Sandehi and subsequently became part of P. Ramdas’ Newspaper Boy cast.
Born into a traditional household, Komalam encountered significant resistance from her family members due to her choice of acting as a profession. This resistance presented obstacles for her, and although various opportunities from film studios came her way, she decided to step away from her career at the tender age of 21.
Twenty-two years after taking a break, she made her comeback to acting through the movie Aradhana, which Madhu directed. In 1994, Neyyattinkara Komalam received an honorary membership from the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA).
In a conversation with TNIE, Komalam shared the reason behind stepping away from her acting career, explaining that she was discouraged because it was not considered appropriate for girls from respectable families to be involved in films. Her mother disapproved of her going to film sets and even her brothers were unsupportive.
During a different conversation, she mentioned Prem Nazir and shared that he extended a wedding invitation to her through a letter. Upon seeing her, he warmly greeted her. He proudly presented her as his initial leading lady. In truth, he was not just a skilled actor, but an exceptional individual.
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2024-10-18 08:25