Bye bye, my loving funny Mama: Kamal Haasan’s tribute to Aachi
Ulaganayagan pays a heart-felt tribute to the ever-smiling Manorama, who breathed her last on October 10
By : subhash k jha
Update: 2015-10-12 08:21 GMT
She had known me as a three-year- old child actor. A loving woman and a great performer, I would say that she and Nagesh are the mom and dad of Tamil cinema comedy. I am honoured that they both admired my work, commented on it and cheered me on. They argued my case with my critics behind my back, aachi Manorama especially. I am one among the millions of fans who’ll miss her. Hers was a full life yet we’ve not had our fill as her admirers,” says Kamal Haasan.
He recalls, “I met her a week back. We were honouring veteran film journalists. Manorama surprised us by visiting us on stage. With audience’s permission, she spoke a three- page dialogue that was written by M. Karunanidhi 65 years back, from memory. I think the whole exercise was to show her audience that she could still perform. The house thundered with applause when she finished her soliloquy. I had tears in my eyes when she turned to me for approval.”
Says Kamal, “Many, even in her funeral will inadvertently have a smile on their faces when they reminisce memorable screen moments she has given us. Thanks for the smile you etched on faces with your sharp wit, Mama. Bye bye, my loving funny Mama.”