PTI and other sources
 
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 20: Eminent South Indian actress Srividya died in a hospital on Thursday evening.

A charming, vivacious and versatile actress, Srividya stole the hearts of film buffs in Malayalam and other south Indian languages for the last four decades through her memorable portrayal of a variety of roles.

The 53-year-old actress, born in Chennai as daughter of top-notch classical singer M L Vasanthakumari, had acted in over 300 films and several television serials, most of them in Malayalam.

Srividya began her career as a 13-year-old girl in Tamil film Iruvarul Selvam with Sivaji Ganesan. She soon switched over to Malayalam with her debut film Chattambikavala with veteran actor Sathyan.

Since then, she had left a deep impression on Malayalam movie world teaming up with all top stars including Madhu, Mohanlal and Mammootty.

Her memorable roles in Malayalam included Idvazhiyile Poocha Minda Poocha, based on a story by Jnanpith laureate M T Vasudevan Nair and Deivathinte Vikrithikal, the screen adaptation of novelist M Mukundan.

In 1970s and early 80s, Madhu-Srividya team came out with big hits like Theekkanal. She had won several honours, including the Kerala government's best actress award twice.

Of late, she had left a mark on the mini-screen by her splendid performance in several popular television serials.

A danseuse, she had a passion for music though she spared her talent as singer mostly for private audience.

Srividya was married to businessman George Thomas but the partnership did not last for long. 

A versatile artiste

Totally devoted to art, Srividya kept up her commitment as an actress, although it was known to her that she had cancer about three years back.

She often had to alternate between the shooting locations and the hospital but, by her own admission, the pursuit of art provided the greatest solace in a life chequered with personal tragedies.

Starting with teenage romantic roles, she had depicted a variety of characters including that of the suffering housewife, self-reliant woman struggling to keep up one's individuality in a male-dominated society and loving and caring mother and sister.

Acknowledging her talent and versatility, most top directors had cast her in lead roles.

The death of Srividya plunged the entire Malayalam film world into deep sorrow with film-makers, actors and movie lovers expressing profound grief.
 
Condolences

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has condoled the death of veteran actor Srividya.

In his message, he said that Srividya, through her sterling performances, had gained the pride of place in the hearts of all Malayalis.

An accomplished actor and a singer, her untimely death was a painful loss to the State. Minister for Education M.A. Baby condoled the death of the actor.

Her death was a great loss to the State's cultural sphere, he said. 

BJP State president P S Sreedharan Pillai and its south zone organisational secretary, P.P. Mukundan, also condoled the death of Srividya.

Srividya, who got recognition in Tamil films with a memorable performance as a classical singer in K. Balachander's 1972 film 'Apoorva Raagangal', won the Kalaimamani Award of the Tamil Nadu Government in 1977. She also won the best actress (special) award for her role in `Madhura Geetham' in 1977-78.

She did over 200 movies in Tamil, starring with veterans including Sivaji Ganesan, Kamal Hassan and Rajnikanth. Her last movie was `London' in 2005.

Kamal Haasan, in a message, said Srividya battled cancer with valour and dignity. The versatile and talented artist would be missed by the industry and the audience.

State honours
 
Thiruvananthapuram: Srividya will be cremated with state honours here on Friday, an official spokesman said.

The body of the actress would be kept at the VJT hall here in the morning so that her fans and public can pay last respects to her.

The cremation would take place at the Brahmin Samajam crematorium at Karamana in the city in the afternoon.