'Achi' Manorama, end of a saga of radiating brilliance

A colossus among actors and actresses of the Tamil cinema world, the passing away of Manorama marks the end of a saga that radiated with brilliance and was punctuated by originality throughout her career, beginning with the days of 'touring talkies' and ended in digital cinema.
Born 'Gopi Shanta' in 1937 in the sleepy temple town of Mannargudi in Tamil Nadu, she assumed the name of 'Manorama' later when she began acting in stage plays in Chettinad region when she was barely 12 years old.
Raised in Pallathur near Karaikudi in Chettinad by her mother in trying circumstances, she first sang for a drama 'Andaman Kathali' and donned the role of a heroine in later plays. Subsequently she entered the reel world debuting with 'Malayitta Mangai,' produced by acclaimed poet Kannadasan in 1958.

Unique dialogue delivery, apt body language and an innate ability to perform any role that came with its specific demands with spotless perfection were her forte. In fact, for this strength, she was hailed often as the "Woman Sivaji Ganesan (Pombalai Sivaji)."
As she hailed from Chettinad, she was called 'Aachi' (Mother) in tune with the practice in that region.
She could effortlessly speak any dialect of Tamil or variants of specific communities, be it the highly colloquial "Madras Tamil", Chettinad, Coimbatore or the distinctive variant of any community like the ones spoken by Brahmins or Gounders.

Though she aspired to be a heroine, the advice rendered by Kannadasan that "you may be successful as a heroine for some years till you are a youngster, but as a comedian you could go on all your life," was a turning point.

Her comedy role pairing Kaka Radhakrishnan was a success in 'Malayitta Mangai'. A similar role followed starting with 'Abalai Anjugam' (1959), helping establish her firmly as a comedian. However, she went on to do almost all characters from villain to heroine. In the 1963 movie "Konjum Kumari", she was the heroine.
That her role as a lovelorn, old landlady in "Nadigan" and as a maid in "Samsaram Athu Minsaram" are still telecast in comedy slots in television channels, shows her talent.
Her portrayal of 'Jiljil Ramamani' character (an amateur nadaswaram player) in legendary movie "Thillana Mohanambal" is still remembered.