Remembering “Aachi” Manorama on her 88th Birth Anniversary

If ever one needed a female role model that was strong, decisive, successful and one capable of overcoming seemingly impossible odds, the first choice would probably be Jayalalitha. Second place would go to Manorama – an actress who constantly reinvented herself to eventually complete 1000 film and 5000 stage plays.

Manorama’s real name was Gopishantha. She was born on 26 May 1937. Growing up, she shared a close bond with her mother who took a job as a maid to support her daughter. Manorama had to drop out of school when her mother took ill.

She joined an acting troupe at a time when an actress suddenly left the production. The part was given to Manorama and the 12-year old girl made a sensational debut that saw her being rechristened as Manorama.

Because of her talent on stage, Manorama received offers to act in two films – one by Janakiraman and the other by lyricist Kannadasan. Unfortunately, both films were stalled and a dejected Manorama turned her back on the silver screen and returned to the stage.

She made a return to films through a major role in Kanandasan’s 1958 film Maalaiyitta Mangai and then made her debut as a lead actress in the 1963 film, Konjum Salangai.

It was Kannadasan who suggested to Manorama to concentrate on comedy roles as the screen lifespan of an actress is always short. Manorama would recall many years later how right Kannadasan was and what a difference that decision made to her career.

She paired on screen with Nagesh 50 times and became a popular pair among audiences with memorable performances in films like Anbe Vaa, Naan and Galatta Kalyanam. She also paired with Cho in 20 films.

Among Manorama’s favourite roles were her role in P.Vasu’s Sathyaraj starrer, Nadigan, Vijayakanth’s Chinna Gounder and P.Vasu’s Chinna Thambi.

Manorama’s popularity among people was seen after her death in Chennai on the night of 10 October 2015. Her funeral attracted tens of thousands of mourners and tributes poured in from people whose lives she had trounced during her 70-year acting career.

She was the recipient of Kalaimamani and Padmashri awards, one national award, one Filmfare award and seven Tamil Nadu state awards.