The 'Sundariye Vaa' girl is still mini screen's favourite

There was a time when Malayali music lovers eagerly awaited the release of music albums. These songs which were beautiful melodies or peppy numbers with interesting lines became the anthems of the campuses. Many young musicians and artists were brought to the lime light and they enjoyed amazing fanfare as well. However, trends changed soon and music albums lost its sheen. But the genre had produced some soulful melodies which still find a special place in the music enthusiasts’ hearts. The song ‘Sundariye Vaa...Vennilave Vaa...En Jeeva Thalam Nee Pranayini’ from the album ‘Chembakame’ grabbed attention as soon as it got released and went on to become one of super hits album songs of all times. These songs surely excite nostalgia which makes us want watch it on Facebook or Youtube even today. The song ‘Sundariye Vaa’ rendered in the amazing voice of Franco had some beautiful visuals which celebrated love. No one can easily forget the pretty post woman who regularly comes on a bicycle to deliver post. Sangeetha Sivan, who essayed the female lead in the music album, had cycled her way into the hearts of the Malayali audience as well. The actress gets candid about her experiences in the entertainment industry and also about the album which shot her to fame.

Early start

Realizing Sangeetha’s passion for music, her parents had arranged music classes for her when she was just a five year old. After making her debut musical performance, she began to participate in various light and classical music competitions and poetry recitations. Sangeetha won many prizes in the art festivals conducted at her school Eloor St Ann’s higher secondary school. “No one imagined that I would enter the field of acting. My parents and teachers thought I would become a singer,” said Sangeetha.

The breakthrough

Sangeetha began her career as a television anchor from 2003 onwards. This opened up an opportunity for her to dub for a TV commercial. “I did that without knowing anything about dubbing. I mouthed the dialogues casually without paying attention to the lip movements. I got Rs 500 as remuneration then. I dubbed for the first time at the Metro studio in Vazhakkala,” recalled Sangeetha.

She was later introduced to dubbing for serials by Anil who worked in the post production department of the super hit serial Minnukettu. “Dubbing artist and actor Sajith Devadas and his wife noted dubbing artist Valsamma had helped me a lot. I then made my acting debut in the serials. Minnukettu which ran for more than 1000 episodes was my first serial. Later I acted in serials like Kalipattangal, Anantham, Manaporuthama and Nilavilakku,” explained the actress.

Movie foray

Mammootty starrer Thaskaraveeran was the first movie in which she had dubbed. Sangeetha soon went on to become a leading young dubbing artist in Malayalam cinema with blockbuster movies like Chanthupottu, Raapakal, Krithyam and Chintamani Kola Case to her credit. A veteran dubbing artist, Sangeetha has dubbed for more than 200 movies so far. She made her acting debut in the movies through a song sequence in the movie Achanurangatha Veedu.

“The album Chembakame directed by Udayasankaran became the turning point in my life. I played the role of a post woman in that music album. People still remember that character with so much love and fondness,” smiled Sangeetha.

Personal loss

It was in 2009 that Sangeetha lost her father. He had suffered cardiac arrest. However, the unexpected demise of her father had pushed her to the verge of depression. She soon became a recluse who preferred to sit at home, refusing to act or dub anymore. She had said ‘no’ to all the offers during that time. It was then that noted actress – director Geethu Mohandas offered her a role in her debut directorial venture Kelkunnundo. “When Geethu offered me the role, I told her about my father’s sudden demise and my mental state. But she came to my house, talked and convinced me to take up the role in Kelkunnundo. I essayed the mother of a visually challenged kid. We did spot dubbing in it. That movie is now included in the syllabus of class ten,” noted the actress.

Senior weds Junior

Sangeetha married Vinu on 3rd December 2010. Vinu was her senior at Maharajas College in Ernakulam. “We met each other through a session of ragging at college. Later, we fell in love. We settled in Dubai after marriage and were there for six years. I used to dub for advertisements in FM radio there. I dubbed for the movie Chaapa Kurishu when I was in Kerala for a vacation,” said Sangeetha.

Back home

The family returned to Kerala in 2016 after the birth of the couple’s son Madhav. They are currently settled in Ernakulam. Sangeetha’s mother Manjusha is an advisor at LIC and her younger sister Sruthi works at Singapore.

“I began dubbing again from 2017 onwards. Almost a year after that, I became active in acting as well. I am currently acting in serials like Neelakuyil and Sthreepadam, which is aired on Mazhavil Manorma,” Sangeetha signs off.