KPAC Lalitha's mortal remains consigned to flames

Thrissur: The cremation of iconic Malayalam actor KPAC Lalitha, 74, was held at Enkakkad in Wadakkancherry here on Wednesday.

The last rites were performed by her son Sidharth Bharathan. Lalitha, one of Malayalam's finest actors, was given state honours at her home 'Orma' in Enkakkad.

Earlier in the day, public homage was paid to the actor at Layam Koothambalam in Tripunithara and later at Thrissur. The body was also kept at the Sangeetha Nataka Akademi in Thirssur for public to pay homage.

Hundreds also paid their respects at Enkakkad.

Several members of the Malayalam film industry including actors Mammootty, Mohanlal, star-couple Kavya Madhavan and Dileep, director Shaji Kailas, and Renji Panicker paid tribute to the late actor in Tripunithura.

Lalitha had passed away at 10.20 pm on Tuesday. She was residing at Tripunithara with her actor-director son Sidharth.

She is survived by her son and daughter Sreekutty. She was married to the legendary Malayalam film director late Bharathan.

Lalitha, who was suffering from liver ailments and diabetes, had been bedridden for the past few months.

A versatile actor
Known for her versatility in playing a wide range of characters, Lalitha began her acting career as a theatre artist with KPAC (Kerala People's Arts Club)-- a theatre collective in Kerala, five decades ago.

Barring a deliberate career break which she took during the 1970s, Lalitha had always been part of the cinema and theatre since she ventured into acting at a tender age. Born to photographer K Ananthan Nair and Bhargavi Amma on February 25, 1947 in Alappuzha District, Lalitha was originally named as Maheshwari Amma.

Thoppil Bhasi christened Maheshwari Amma as Lalitha and thus she later came to be knows as 'KPAC Lalitha' due to her association with the drama group. The theatre itself paved way for her eventful journey in the tinsel town as "Koottukudumbam", one of the plays in which she enacted a major role, was adapted into a movie under the same title. The 1969 film was helmed by K S Sethumadhavan and produced by the famed Udata Studios.

Lalitha married Bharathan in 1978. Interestingly, she bagged her first National Award through Bharathan-directed "Amaram" in 1991.

Jayaraj's 2000-movie "Shantham" won her second national award for the best supporting actress besides four state awards in the years 1975, 1978, 1990 and 1991 for the stellar performance in various movies. She also appeared in television serials later and the 74-year-old actor was very much active until the illness and physical difficulties affected her recently. 

Lalitha was also the chairperson of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi.