Pala Thankam | Photo: Mathrubhumi
Kollam: Actress and dubbing artiste Pala Thankam passed away at Gandhi Bhavan in Pathanapuram here on Sunday night. She was 84. She was under treatment at Gandhi Bhavan palliative care for a long time.
She is daughter of Kottayam native Kunhikuttan and Lakshmikutty. Her real name is Radhamani. Thankam who acted in over 300 movies is a singer too. She made her debut to Mollywood as a playback singer at the age of 15. Marking her debut, she rendered voice to the song ‘Thamaramalarukal Vadi’ in Aleppy Vincent’s ‘Kedavilakku’. Later, she sung for many movies and plays.
She performed in many plays of NN Pillai. Thankam acted in plays of popular theatre troupes Viswakerala Kalasamiti, Changanassery Geetha, Kerala Theatres of Ponkunnam Varkey and KPAC.
‘Thurakatha Vathil, ‘Innalenkil Nale’, ‘Nirakudam’, ‘Kaliyugam’, ‘Enippadikal’ and ‘Anbhavangal Palichakal’ are some of the popular movies.
During this period, she worked as a dubbing artiste for many movies including dubbed version of Hindi, Tamil and Telugu movies.
In 2018, Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi honoured her with Gurupooja award.
Pala Thankam, wife of late Sreedharan Thampi, is survived by sons Somasekharan Thampi, Bahuleyan Thampi. Her daughter Ambili predeceased her.