Renowned actor KPAC Lalitha passes away at 74, tributes pour in
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Veteran Malayalam actress KPAC Lalitha passed away in Kochi on Tuesday, February 22. She was 74 years old.
Lalitha, though active in the film industry until recently, was ailing for a long time. She was hospitalised in December last year for liver-related ailments.
The mortal remains of Lalitha would be kept in Ernakulam until 11 am for public to pay homage and the body will be taken to Thrissur. The funeral will be held in Vadakanchery in Thrissur around 5 pm on Wednesday.
A prolific actor, she has acted in over 500 films in a career spanning over 50 years.
Born as Maheswari Amma in Kayamkulam of Alappuzha district on February 25, 1947, the actor had joined K.P.A.C (Kerala People's Arts Club), a prominent drama troop in Kerala.
She was then given the screen-name Lalitha and later when she started acting in movies, the tag K.P.A.C was added to her name.
The actress also won two National Awards for best female-supporting actor and four Kerala State film awards.
She bagged the National award for best supporting actress twice in Amaram (1990) and Shantham (2000). She has served as the chairperson of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi.
She got her first state award for second best actor (female) in 1978, for her performance in the film Neelaponman.
Some of Lalitha's prominent and noteworthy roles came in films like Kodiyettam, Chattambikalyani, Rajahamsam, Sanmanassulavarku Samadhanam, Vietnam Colony, Manichitrathazhu and Aniyathipravu.
She was last seen in the film Home. A number of her upcoming films in various stages of production are pending release.
Condolences with tributes started pouring right at late night on news of her death. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed his condolences on the death of Lalitha. "Lalitha has become part of the history of an era, penetrating the hearts of different generations with her acting skills," he said.
The Chief Minister recalled her contribution as chairperson of Kerala Lalitha Sangeetha Nataka Akademi and said that she has always been associated with the progressive movement.
Opposition leader V D Satheesan also condoled the demise of KPAC Lalitha and said she was a unique genius in Malayalam cinema and drama.
