Kerala CM mourns the demise of veteran actress Kaviyoor Ponnamma; speaks about how she ‘embodied the essence of motherhood on screen’

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan paid tribute to veteran Malayalam actor actress Kaviyoor Ponnamma, who passed away today (September 20) evening. She was 79.

Kaviyoor Ponnnamma who is known for her iconic portrayal of mother roles in films, was adored by the audience of all generations. The CM in a note shared on social media, expressed that he is deeply saddened by the news of the veteran actress’ demise. Pinarayi Vijayan also spoke about the contributions Kaviyoor Ponnamma has made to cinema. In a note on X, the CM stated that Ponnamma's death marks the end of an era in the Malayalam cinema industry.

In a note shared on X, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said, “An important chapter in Malayalam cinema comes to a close with the passing of Kaviyoor Ponnamma, who embodied the essence of motherhood on screen for decades. Her effortless portrayals of Malayali women have left an indelible mark on our collective memory. Heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and all those who cherish Malayalam cinema.”

Check out the post here.

Kaviyoor Ponnamma, who debuted in films in the 1950s has worked in over 700 films in her illustrious career spanning over six decades. She has worked alongside all the big actors in Malayalam cinema including Sathyan, Prem Nazir, Mammootty, Mohanlal, and Suresh Gopi among others.

Kaviyoor Ponnnamma’s husband passed away in 2011, and she is survived by her daughter, who resides in the United States.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”