A glowing tribute to actress Shantha Devi

Malayalam actress Shantha Devi (Santha Devi) died at a private hospital in Kozhikode on last Saturday, 20th November. The veteran actress was 85. She had been ailing from unknown decease for long time and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kozhikode, where she breathed her last.

The mortal remains of Shantha Devi were cremated with full state honours at Mavoor in Kozhikode at 2 pm on Nov 21. Before this, her body was kept at the Kozhikode Town Hall for the public to pay homage. the Union Minister of State for Railways, E Ahamed and the Kerala Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem were among those who paid their last respects.

Santha Devi was born in Kozhikode in 1927. She got married at the age of 18, but the relationship did not last long. Later, she got married to playback singer Kozhikode Abdul Kader. She had two kids from her second marriage, Suresh Babu and the late Sathyajith.

Kozhikode Shantha started her career as a theatre artiste with the drama Smarakam in 1954 and later she acted in total of 1000 plays. She made her debut in Malayalam films through Minnaminungu in 1957. Her last movie was Kerala Cafe in 2009 and she got rave reviews from the critics for her performance in it. She had acted in over 480 movies. Moodupadam, Kuttikkuppayam, Kunjalimaraykkar, Iruttinte Athmavu, Sthalathe pradhana payyans, Manasi, Minnukettu and Adwaitham are some of her best known movies.

The Malayalam actress had won several National and state recognition. She bagged the Best Supporting Actress National award for her performance in Yamanam in 1992. She won the Kerala Film Critics Association Award in 1979 and Kerala State Award for Best Actress in State plays in 1983. She was awarded Premji award.

Shantha was also honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award from Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi in 2005. Now, the death of such an experienced and talented actress has created an irreplaceable loss to the Malayalam as well as Indian Cinema.

Oneindia pays glowing tribute to the departed soul of legendary actress Shantha Devi. May her soul rest in peace.