A reunion without laughter: The last goodbye to Sreenivasan

Kochi: The scenes at Ernakulam Town Hall bore an uncanny resemblance to a reunion from ‘Kathaparayumbol' as familiar faces of Malayalam cinema, including Mammootty, gathered there. The air was heavy with grief this time as they came to bid farewell to Sreenivasan, who had portrayed the gentle, unassuming protagonist in that film.

Thousands of fans and others waited in long queues. For some, Sreenivasan was the consummate performer whose timing and humour transformed everyday life into cinema. For others, he was a fearless writer who sharpened Malayalam cinema's social conscience by giving voice to ordinary people. He offered something deeply familiar to every Malayali. The loss everyone felt was intimate, as though a member of their family was taken away.




Seenivasan's wife Vimala and son Vineeth sat beside the mortal remains, receiving condolences in quiet dignity. Through the afternoon, actors, filmmakers, writers and political leaders including CM Pinarayi Vijayan paid homage.

Santhosh M M, a marketing professional who travelled from Kottayam, said: "Sreenivasan had a Midas touch. Which Malayali can forget his dialogues in Sandesam and Vadakkunokkiyantram?"

Longtime CPM workers Pushpa Satheesan, Reeja Vidyadharan and Mary Agnes from Kadamakkudy were among the first to reach Town Hall. The three are aware that Sreenivasan's criticism of the Left was sharp, but they said art and politics need not be mixed. "We love him as an artist. We enjoy his political satire," said Satheesan.

C M Ansar, who runs an automobile spare parts shop, said: "I watch many of his movies repeatedly on TV. I admired him both as a person and actor." P S Kabir, a taxi driver, said he skipped a trip to pay the actor last respects.

National award-winning director Priyanandanan, who travelled from Thrissur, recalled Sreenivasan's rare ability to sense common man's pulse. "He spoke truth to power and because he held on to that truth, no external force could destroy him."

Cultural affairs minister Saji Cherian described Sreenivasan as "a human wonder". "As an actor, writer and director, his films captured the raw emotions of ordinary people," he said

As evening descended on the city, the crowd at Town Hall slowly thinned, but the weight of grief remained. Mammootty stood still. Srinivasan had presented the megastar his first salary at K G George's Mela and Mammootty knew how invaluable it was, just like the roles he had scripted for him. Ashok Raj in Kathaparayumbol was just only one among them. MSID:: 126094985 413 |

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