Lalitha was nonpareil, loud and strong - 1948 –2022

Kochi: Few people remember K.P. A.C Lalitha's original name - Maheswari Amma - she herself included, perhaps. Her stage name stuck until she breathed her last Tuesday night. The acronym for the left-leaning drama troupe "Kerala People's Arts Club" to which she contributed hugely sums up her acting prowess.

There has been no dearth of female acting genius in Malayalam film industry. But why K P AC Lalitha? Her long-drawn career on-screen and theatre bespeak her talent. The vast oeuvre of roles across decades, acting in over 550 movies alongside her preceding stint in theatre, shows she was a born actor. She could ease into the skin of a character just like that. Her seat-of-the-pants experience with generations of directors and actors has no parallel. How many of you still remember her ensnaring voice-over in the movie "Mathilukal"? It was just as well that only her voice was used in a film. It was, however, so excitingly original and strong that it stood alongside the character of writer Basheer's biopic. In so many words, her voice alone could match acting genius Mammotty. Interestingly, nobody had trouble identifying her. Few actors across genres of movies could don such a role.

Lalitha rose to prominence alongside towering actresses including Sukumari Amma and Kaviyur Ponnamma. Sukumari Amma was the most versatile of actresses of her generation. She had more than 2500 movies to her kitty across languages including Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Oriya, and Bengali. Sukumari could switch herself from a maternal role to perky girlie in a matter of seconds. She only needed a round sandal bindi alongside strapping herself in a yellowish cotton sari to become the Malayali mother. Her face muscles would go relaxed, and she would become the mother next door - soft-spoken effusing tender emotions. Seconds later, she would be flaunting her floral sari in a girlie role.

Kaviyur Ponnamma with her chubby expressive face was cut out for a pious mother. At age 20 she began as a mother to older actors Sathayan and Madhu in the 1965 movie,"Thommente Makkal". Much to her bane, her mother-image got stuck, and she couldn't eschew it. Any lesser talented actress debuting in the 1960s would have been sandwiched between these towering talents. But Lalitha wouldn't. It must have been pretty hard for Lalitha to have cut a swathe in the movies in those days. She was loud, strong, and voluble. Her theater-trained acting skills were often louder, commanding attention.

Back then, it was not so much about finding more screen time as getting strong roles. With her open smile and chubby cheeks, and wide eyes, she was in her elements, and worked her way up, finding a space between those leading actresses. At times, she had us in splits with her humorous roles, pairing with actor Innocent. Perhaps you remember their chemistry in the movie, "Manichitrathazhu". She was no slouch in mother roles either, as we saw her in the movie, "The godfather" among others. Of course, there is no point in enumerating the movies she acted and her roles in them to underline her skills. It is all time-tested and lasting.

Born in 1947 to Kadaykatharayil Veettil K. Ananthan Nair and Bhargavi Amma in Kayamkulam, KPAC Lalitha started off picking up dance. At school, she was drawn more to arts and shook legs to the popular communist anthem, "Ponnarivalambiliyil Kannerunnole". As a tenth grader, her debutant role in play "Bali" for the troupe, Changanesseri Geetha, was much appreciated. The acting break in the pay drew her to KPAC troupe and subsequently she became a house-hold name across Kerala. In those days, theatre troupes based in North Kerala were more like traveling bands; they cultivated fandom across the state, performing to packed theatres in villages—mostly makeshift arrangements. Given this, drama troupes were feeding films with acting talents. K P A C Lalitha couldn't wait long before finding a foot-hold in movies.

When director KS Sethumadhavan adapted Thopil Bhasi's play, 'Kuttukudumbham' to film in 1969, Lalitha was given a debutant acting break, which was worthwhile for a beginner. She proved her mettle, easing into many roles subsequently with leading actors at the time including Sathyan and Prem Nazir. Notables from this era are Ningalenne Communistaki, Othenante makan, Vazhvemayam, Thriveni, Anubhavangal Palichakal, Oru Sundhariyude Katha, and Swayam varam. She became notably active with the film Kattathe Kilikoodu in 1983 directed by her husband Bharathan. Her pairing with actor Innocent, mostly as middle-aged couples, worked wonders in the 1990s until early 2000. Perhaps you must remember movies like Gajakesariyogam, Apporvam Chillar, Makkal Mahatmiyam, Shubha Yatra, My Dear Muthachan, Kannanum Polisum, Arjunan Pillaiyum Anju Makkalum.

Lalitha won many accolades, including National Film Award for best supporting actress in Shantham (2000), among others. Now that Lalitha has left us poorer with her demise, we have her characters to compensate the loss.