CHENNAI: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Sunday said Tamil cinema would never ever get to see an achiever like actor Manorama. “The vacuum left by Manorama cannot be filled by anyone at any time. Her death is an irreparable loss,” she said.
Former chief minister M G Ramachandran always had a special affection for Manorama and thespian Sivaji Ganesan had lauded her as a genius in acting. “She is truly a genius. She can be termed as ‘Nadigaiyar Thilagam’ or ‘Pen Nadigar Thilagam’.”
“In the film industry, Manorama was an elder sister to me. We acted together in several films. We used to visit each other’s house and take food together. I cannot forget those days. The bond that existed between me and Manorama cannot be separated by anyone at any time. I have no words to describe my sorrow when I came to know that my elder sister had passed away,” the Chief Minister said.
In her condolence statement, Jayalalithaa said Manorama began her acting career as a drama artiste and went to act in 1,300 films with heroes like MGR and Sivaji, besides heroes of this generation. She acted in character and comedy roles and ruled Tamil cinema for over 40 years.
The Chief Minister said Manorama was introduced by poet Kannadasan through the film ‘Maalaiyitta Mangai’ in a main role and acted as the heroine in the film ‘Konjum Kumari’ released in 1963. Her performances were superb in films like Bommalattam, Suryagandhi, Anbey Vaa, Thillana Mohanambal, Chinnathambi, Unnaal Mudiyum Thambi, Samsaram Adhu Minsaram and Nadigan, she said. She was cordial by nature and acted with MGR and myself in several films.
“Films Kandhan Karunai and Galatta Kalyanam, in which Manorama acted with me, are evergreen in my memories. The songs ‘Vaa Vadhyararey Voottanda’ in Bommalattam and ‘Theriyadho Nokku’ in Suryagandhi, which she acted with me turned out be very popular in nook and corner of Tamil Nadu. She had sung in 300 films,” Jayalalithaa said.
Manorama entered the Guinness Book of World Records by acting in over 1,000 films and was awarded the Padma Shri besides the Kalaimamani of the State government, Jayalalithaa recalled.