Manorama

Gopishantha (26 May 1937 – 10 October 2015), better known by her stage name Manorama, also called Aachi, was an Indian actress, comedian and playback singer who had appeared in more than 1500 films and 5000 stage performances predominantly in the Tamil and also in Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Sinhala. She was honoured with Kalaimamani award in 1995. In 2002, Government of India awarded Manorama the Padma Shri for her contribution in the field of arts. She is a recipient of one National Film Award, one Filmfare Award South and seven Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.

Early life Manorama was born to Kasiyappan Kilakudaiyar and Ramamirtham in Mannargudi Thirukannamangai, a town in the former Thiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu in a Kallar (Thevar) family. Her mother brought her up working as a maid. She mentioned being indebted to her mother for her success: saying that many of the motherly roles that she has played in films resemble her own mother. Her family moved to Pallathur near Karaikudi due to poverty. While in Pallathur, her mother had started vomiting blood. To cover her mother's medical expenses, Manorama decided to start working as a maid and dropped out of school at the age of 11.

Once a drama troupe had come to Pallathur and one of the actresses who was to play a small part suddenly dropped out due to her inability to sing, so the troupe was looking for an artist who could act and sing as well. The troupe decided to cast Manorama as a replacement in the drama titled Andhaman Kadhali, thus starting her acting career at the age of twelve. During this time, she was rechristened Manorama by one of her drama directors Thiruvengadam and harmonist Thiayagarajan. Manorama went and met S.S. Rajendran (SSR) when he camped at her native district with his drama troupe. She was selected for a role in his ManiMagudam drama written by Kalaignar M Karunanidhi. She continued to act in plays and performed as a playback singer as well. After having success in the world of plays she was offered to work on a film, named Inbavazhvu, by Janakiraman, which remained mostly incomplete. Later on Kannadasan would offer her a lead role in another movie, Unmayinkottai, which was shelved after shooting less than half of it. She lost hope of becoming a film actor when both these films remained incomplete.

Manorama fell in love with her manager, S. M. Ramanathan and married him in 1954; the couple has a son named Bhoopathy born in 1955. However, they divorced in 1956 and started to live separately in Chennai. She would later state in an interview in 2015:"My mom wanted me to study medicine. But it was not easy to become a doctor in those days, and I became an actress. So, if I hadn't taken up acting, I would have tried to become a doctor as my mom wished for it. But now, fortunately, my grandson is a doctor, and I am proud of it." She then took part in an unfinished film starring S. S. Rajendran and Devika.

She migrated from dramas to the silver screen with the role of a heroine in the 1958 Tamil film Malayitta Mangai: Kannadasan was the one to give her the lead role there. The first film in which she played as an heroine was Konjum Kumari. From there moving onto comedy in the 60s. In this period she would be given equally challenging roles alongside the well-known comedian Nagesh in 50 films.

When asked in an interview as to how she got into films, she quoted: "It's all because of Kannadasan. It was he who changed my life by casting me in the film Maalayitta Mangai in 1957. It was a comical role, and he trusted me so much and said that I will be able to pull it off. I was very doubtful about it, but he told me, "If you are going to act in films only as a heroine, people here will throw you out of the industry after three or four years, but doing such roles will take you places. And you have the talent, too, to reach higher peaks." That is when I got confidence and continued doing comedy roles."

The first time Manorama stood before the camera was for a Sinhalese film named Sukumali in 1957, in which she played a friend of the main hero. Her dance master Suryakala recommended her to the director Masthaan to play the role. She has acted predominantly in Tamil films since 1958, but also acted in Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam and Kannada movies as well. Her on-screen pair with Tangavelu was appreciated in the film Vallvanakku Vallavan. Her on-screen pair with Nagesh was very popular in the 60s, then with Cho in the 1970s and 80s and later with Thengai Srinivasan, Vennira Aadai Moorthy, and Surali Rajan in the 70s and 80s.

She had done playback singing for 300 songs, mostly centered on herself, in Tamil films. The first song that she sang was in a film called Magale Un Samathu, composed by G. K. Venkatesh and she got this opportunity due to the producer P.A. Kumar. She has sung a classical-based song with TM Sounderajan in the film Dharshinam (1970), where she was paired with Cho. Manorama would also perform with L.R. Eswari in a song named Thaatha thaatha pidi kudu. Her career's biggest hit songf was Vaa Vaathiyaare Uttaande composed by music director V. Kumar for the film Bommalattam", which was centered around her and Cho. She also sang for M. S. Viswanathan and A. R. Rahman.

Some of her best Tamil films include Anbe Vaa, Thenmazhi, Ethir Neechal, Galatta Kalyanam, Chittukuruvi, Durga Devi, Annalakshmi and Imayam. In Telugu, she starred in films such as Rikshavodu, Krishnarjuna and Subhodayam. When asked in an interview which were her most memorable roles, she replied: "It is Nadigan, which had Sathyaraj and Khushbu in the lead. I cannot forget that role of Baby Amma in my life. Also my role in Chinna Gounder, for which I had to sport weird, artificial teeth, is something which I always think about. In 1974 she shared the screen with the legendary comedian Mehmood in the Hindi movie Kunwara Baap. Cho and Manorama were paired together in 20 films which included Malligai Poo, Annaiyum Pidhavum, Dharisanam, Anbai Thedi, Nanaivin Nindraval, Nirai Kudam, Aayiram Poi, Muhammad bin Tughluq, Bommalattam, Delhi Mappilai, Vilayattu Pillai, Kanavan, Rojavin Raja and Suryagandhi.

The character she was given by K. Balachander in the 1989 film Unnal Mudiyum Thambi is considered a cornerstone by her as it was completelly new to her. She stated in an interview on Toronto TV that one of the most challenging characters she played was the role of the 50-year-old unmarried woman in the 1990 film Nadigan with Sathyaraj. She has acted with many lead comedians across five different generations, which includes M. R. Radha, K. A. Thangavelu, J. P. Chandrababu, A. Karunanithi, Ennatha Kannaiya, V. K. Ramasamy, Nagesh, Cho Ramaswamy, Thengai Seenivasan, M. R. R. Vasu, Suruli Rajan, Vennira Aadai Moorthy, Janagaraj, Pandiarajan, Goundamani, Senthil, Vivek and Vadivelu.

She has been in films with seven chief ministers. She played the female lead in the plays written, directed and acted by C. N. Annadurai, former chief minister of Tamil Nadu. She has also appeared in plays with another chief minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi. She has acted in films with MGR, J. Jayalalithaa and Vijay, who later became chief ministers of Tamil Nadu. She has also acted in Telugu films with Dr. N. T. Rama Rao, who became the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. She also acted with Vijay (actor) in Rasigan and Senthoorapandi. When asked which character of hers she found most hilarious to play, she specified the role of a talkative female, who is forced to act dumb in a film called Unakkum Vazhvu Varum. She had played this role along with Thengai Srinivasan. She was bitten by a Bungarus fasciatus snake during the shooting of Manjal Kungumam and was admitted to hospital. Coincidentally, after recovery, the next scene she had to act in was Aadi Viradham, where she had to bathe a snake statue and sing a lullaby for it, and after being asked by the director whether she would like to perform she agreed enthusiasthically.

Manorama, being a close friend of Jayalalithaa and of the firm belief that Jayalalithaa would never be corrupt, campaigned against actor Rajinikanth in support of her friend in the 1996 elections.

When asked as to how she was able to do more than 1500 films, she said in her interview in September 2015, "I believe I am a blessed person. Without God's will, I couldn't have acted in so many films. It all just happened in my life, and you won't believe it, but I still have the urge to act. The one person who is the reason for all my success is my mom. She did everything for me in life, and I miss her the most now. Whatever I achieve or have achieved in life is only because of her." She died in Chennai at 11.20 pm on 10 October 2015 due to multiple organ failure at the age of 78.

Reactions Tamil Nadu reacted to Manorama's death with an outpouring of grief; numerous tributes were paid to the deceased actor across the state and on social media. Chief Minister Jayalalithaa laid a wreath on the body at the actor's home in T. Nagar. Ms. Jayalalithaa said, "There had been no accomplished achiever like Manorama in the Tamil film world and there would be none in the future as well." Jayalalitha was quoted as saying, "I was shocked to hear about her death. She was an elder sister to me. I used to call her Manorama while she called me Ammu. We used to visit each other's houses whenever we didn't have shootings." The chief minister also said, "If Sivaji Ganesan was Nadigar Thilagam, Manorama was Nadigai Thilagam." Others who paid homage to the actress include Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Vijay, Vikram, Sivakumar, Dhanush, Ajith Kumar, M. Karunanidhi, K. Veeramani, G. K. Vasan, Delhi Ganesh, R. Sarathkumar, Ilayaraja, Vairamuthu, Karthik, S. Ve. Shekhar, Vijayakumar, Goundamani, K. Bhagyaraj, R. Parthiban, Radhika, Vimal, Silambarasan, Suriya, Karthi, Vikraman, S. Thanu, T. Rajender and Pandiarajan.

Awards and honors

Guinness World Records – 1985 – for acting in over 1000 films. Padma Shri – 2002

Discography Manorama also holds a record of singing for many notable music directors. She has rendered her voice for M. S. Viswanathan, Ilayaraja, A. R. Rahman and many other composers. Year Movie Song Composer Co-singers 1963 Ratha Thilagam Pogathey Pogathey En Kanava (parody) Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy 1964 Magale Un Samathu Thaatha Thaatha G. K. Venkatesh L. R. Eswari 1965 Kanni Thai Vazhai Vidhu Ilai K. V. Mahadevan Tharapuram Sundararajan 1967 Anubavam Pudhumai Enna Ninaithu M. S. Viswanathan 1967 Magaraasi Aalai Parthal Shankar–Ganesh T. M. Soundararajan, Tharapuram Sundararajan & P. Susheela 1968 Bommalattam Vaa Vathiyare Oottanda (Jambajaar Jakku) V. Kumar 1969 Aayiram Poi Kaveri Thanniyil Kulichavadi V. Kumar L. R. Eswari Thamizh Vidu Thoodhu Tharapuram Sundararajan 1969 Dharisanam Pogadhe Aiyyaa Pogadhe Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi S. Rangarajan 1969 Poova Thalaiya Poda Chonnaal Pottukkiren M. S. Viswanathan T. M. Soundararajan & A. L. Raghavan 1969 Singapore Seeman Mollamaari Kepmaari Shankar–Ganesh 1970 Thirumalai Thenkumari Azhage Thamizhe Nee Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan Seerkazhi Govindarajan, Sarala, M. R. Vijaya, A. L. Raghavan, Tharapuram Sundararajan & L. R. Anjali 1971 Arunodhayam Yeamandi Neenga K.V. Mahadevan 1971 Justice Viswanathan Ada Epdithaan Vedha T. M. Soundararajan 1971 Kankatchi Kaadai Pidippom Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan S. V. Ponnusamy 1971 Thanga Gopuram Dhimkita Dhimkita S. M. Subbaiah Naidu S. V. Ponnusamy 1971 Vidyarthikale Ithile Ithile Chinchilam Chiluchilam M. B. Sreenivasan Adoor Bhasi 1972 Kadhalikka Vanga Kadhal Endral Athu Then J. V. Raghavulu P. Susheela 1972 Karundhel Kannayiram Poontha Malliyile Shyam-Philips S. P. Balasubrahmanyam & Pattom Sadan 1972 Mr. Sampath Alangaaram Podhumadi M. S. Viswanathan T. M. Soundararajan 1972 Needhi Engaladhu Boomi M. S. Viswanathan T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela & J. P. Chandrababu 1973 Ganga Gowri Thimikitta Thimikkitta M. S. Viswanathan 1973 Kasi Yathirai Amaravathi Nenjame Shankar–Ganesh S. V. Ponnusamy 1973 Manjal Kungumam Raa Raa Naa Bhavaa Shankar–Ganesh S. P. Balasubrahmanyam 1973 Petha Manam Pithu Ammaadi Uzhaikkum Kaigal V. Kumar T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela & S. V. Ponnusamy 1973 Suryagandhi Theriyatho Nokku Theriyatho M. S. Viswanathan 1974 Ippadiyum Oru Penn Agapatta Varayil P. Bhanumathi P. Bhanumathi 1974 Pandhattam Un Raadhaiyai Shankar–Ganesh 1975 Hennu Samsarada Kannu Hosadenu Kaane Idaralli Vijaya Bhaskar 1975 Vaazhnthu Kaattugiren Yemmi Mynaa Summa Summa M. S. Viswanathan 1976 Unakkaga Naan Kaadu Vetta M. S. Viswanathan L. R. Eswari & S. C. Krishnan1977 Chakravarthy Thatthalangudhu Thalathalakkudhu V. Kumar Aarathi Yedungadi P. Susheela 1977 Sonnathai Seiven Adiye Kaali V. Kumar 1978 Achchani Athu Maathiram Ilaiyaraja Malaysia Vasudevan 1978 Paavathin Sambalam Raave Raave Shankar–Ganesh S. P. Balasubrahmanyam 1978 Unakkum Vaazhvu Varum Manjakayiru Thali Manja Kayiru V. Kumar 1978 Vaazha Ninaiththaal Vaazhalaam Kaanaan Kuruvikku Kalyanamam (Two versions) Ilayaraja 1979 Kuppathu Raja Kodikatti Parakkuthada M. S. Viswanathan T. M. Soundararajan, Malaysia Vasudevan & L. R. Eswari 1979 Pancha Boodham Azudha Pulla Sirikkanum Shankar–Ganesh 1979 Veettukku Veedu Vasappadi Patta Kashtam Rajan–Nagendra Suruli Rajan & S. Janaki 1980 Avan Aval Adhu Andha Naal Mudharkkondu M. S. Viswanathan L. R. Eswari 1980 Oru Marathu Paravaigal Mottu Malli Shankar–Ganesh T. K. Kala 1981 Savaal Kai Nalla Kaiyappa M. S. Viswanathan Malaysia Vasudevan & Kovai Soundarajan 1982 Amma Bodhaiyil Pongum Shankar–Ganesh Malaysia Vasudevan & L. R. Anjali 1982 Boom Boom Maadu Ungal Oottu Engaluke Ilaiyaraja 1982 Manal Kayiru Mappillai Sir M. S. Viswanathan Malaysia Vasudevan & Visu 1982 Thalaimagan Ada Naan Pettha Mavane Shankar–Ganesh Malaysia Vasudevan & S. P. Sailaja 1982 Simla Special Kuthura Kuthulla M. S. Viswanathan Malaysia Vasudevan 1983 Kai Varisai Vaadi Pulle Shankar–Ganesh Malaysia Vasudevan 1984 Madras Vathiyar Madras Vathiyar Shankar–Ganesh Sundararajan & Udhayamaran 1984 Rajathi Rojakili Athukkulle Yelelo Chandrabose Chandrabose 1985 Kutravaaligal Nalla Thambi Kottaiyelea Shankar–Ganesh 1985 Sri Raghavendrar Paarthale Theriyaatho Ilayaraja Vani Jairam 1986 Maragatha Veenai Chee Chee Ponga Ilaiyaraja Malaysia Vasudevan 1988 Paatti Sollai Thattathe Delhikku Raja Analum Chandrabose 1988 Paadatha Thenikkal Aathi Antham Ilaiyaraaja Ilaiyaraaja, Krishnamoorthy, S. S. Chandran & P. Susheela 1989 Thaaya Thaarama Aai Aatthi Pudhu Shankar–Ganesh Vani Jairam 1989 Thangamana Purushan Thaaikulame Thaaikulame Shankar–Ganesh 1991 Aadi Viratham Vadakkile Irukkuddu Thiruppathi Shankar–Ganesh Ranjini 1991 Pondatti Pondattithan Pondatti Pondattithan Gangai Amaran 1992 Kaviya Thalaivan Sandhana Malargalai Aravind Siddhartha K. J. Yesudas & Swarnalatha 1992 Magudam Karpulla Kaalaiye Ilaiyaraja S. P. Balasubrahmanyam 1994 May Madham Madrasa Sutthi A. R. Rahman Shahul Hameed, Swarnalatha & G. V. Prakash Kumar 1995 Deva Kothagiri Kuppamma Deva Vijay & Swarnalatha 1995 Marumagan Maamaa Maamaa Enakku Masakkai Deva Mano & Malgudi Subha 1995 Murai Maman Anandham Anandham Vidyasagar P. Unni Krishnan & Sujatha 1995 Muthu Kaalai Vaazha Ilai.... Eredutthu Eredutthu Ilaiyaraaja S. P. Balasubrahmanyam 1996 Nattupura Pattu Nattupura Pattu Ilayaraja K. S. Chithra 1996 Parambarai Thanjaavooru Kaalaiyile Deva K. S. Chithra, Krishnaraj & Sundararajan 1997 Arunachalam Mathadu Mathadu Deva S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sujatha & Meera Krishnan 1997 Vallal Puliyampatti Kosavampatti Deva 1998 Pooveli Kathai Solla Poren Bharadwaj Karthik & Sujatha 2000 Chinna Ramasamy Periya Ramasamy Vacha Payiru... Unnai Naan Ilaiyaraja S. P. Balasubrahmanyam & K. S. Chithra 2000 Thirunelveli Ini Naalum Thirunaal Ilaiyaraaja Arunmozhi, Swarnalatha, Ilaiyaraaja & S. N. Surendar 2003 Anbe Anbe Rettai Jadai Rakkamma Bharadwaj T. L. Maharajan, Manikka Vinayagam, Swarnalatha & Srinivas 2006 Pasa Kiligal Thangeiyenum Vidhyasagar Tippu, Karthik & Sujatha 2015 Perandi