Tearful farewell to actress Srividya

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 20 (IANS) Friends and well-wishers of veteran south Indian actress Srividya bid her a tearful final farewell here Friday.

Srividya passed away at a private hospital Thursday evening after suffering from cancer. She was 53. The actress was accorded a state funeral by the Kerala government.

Many of her colleagues were in a sombre mood, trying hard to hold back their tears.

Malayalam superstar Mammootty said his association with Srividya as an actor was one that had no barriers. "Except for playing the role of my daughter, she has played all roles - as my wife, lover and mother. This is a big loss for the industry," said Mammootty.

Veteran actress Sukumari said Srividya was like a daughter to her.

"We lived nearby for a long time and she was often in my house. I went and met her five days ago and we talked for a long time. She pleaded not to make her laugh because her stomach would pain. I never knew this would happen so fast," said Sukumari.

Maneka, a former Malayalam actress, said Srividya had gone without fulfilling one of her dreams. "She wanted to set up a dance and music school, and this dream of hers will now remain unfulfilled," she said.

Apart from being an actress, Srividya was known as a dancer and a singer as well. She also worked in a few television serials.

Born in Tamil Nadu in 1953, Srividya wore the grease paint in nearly 900 south Indian films. Daughter of veteran Carnatic classical singer M. L. Vasanthakumari, she acted in over 300 Malayalam films, and played the female lead with all the big names of the film industry - from Sathyan to Mammootty.

Srividya also acted in a few Hindi films too. She began her illustrious film career at the age of 13.

Her body was taken from her residence here early Friday to the VJT Hall, where Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, along with several fans, paid his last respects.

Leader of Opposition Oommen Chandy had visited her residence earlier.

"She will be missed by everyone, irrespective of their age, because she was a hugely talented actor," said Chandy.