Veteran actor Kaviyoor Ponnamma cremated with state honours

Kochi: The mortal remains of veteran actor Kaviyoor Ponnamma were cremated with full state honours on Saturday evening. The cremation was held on her house premises in Karumaloor near Aluva.It was on Friday evening that the eighty-year-old Kaviyoor Ponnamma breathed her last after battling cancer at a private hospital in the city.Hundreds of people from various walks of life paid homage to the award-winning actor when her mortal remains were kept at Kalamassery Municipal Town Hall from 9am to 12pm for the public to pay their last respects.Industries minister P Rajeeve represented the state govt and offered tribute, along with prominent personalities from the film field, such as actors Mammootty, Mohanlal, Renji Panicker, Siddique, Manoj K Jayan, Ananya, Bhagyalakshmi, Ramesh Pisharody, etc.Chalachithra Academy secretary S Ajoychandran paid last respects on behalf of the cultural department, and the chairman Prem Kumar paid homage on behalf of the Academy.Earlier, Union minister of state for tourism Suresh Gopi, actors Dileep, Manju Pillai, Cherthala Jayan, Jomol, Sarayu, and directors Sibi Malayail and B Unnikrishnan paid homage when her body was kept at Lissie Hospital for a few hours on Friday night.