Thursday, October 15, 2015

Babies Breaths of Cinema That I Adore Part 2

**When I began this piece, Tamil Nadu State Award, National Award and Padmasri title holder Aachi Manorama was still alive and mesmerising a new generation. It is with a heavy heart I post the second addition to this trilogy after her demise on  10th Ocotber 2015. I dedicate this post to the legend**

While I sit at my desk writing, I instantly realise this list is going to be a lot smaller than the first part. Why? Honestly, I dont know since I dont think any of these women are less in calibre. Possibly the women of the industry has different priorites. Or maybe they aren't given the chance to shine as much. Either way, these women I have adored and will continue to do so but let's get on with it.
Once again we begin with a classic talent and there is no one quite like
Manorama. You only need to look at her filmography to know she has been there and done it all, barring direction. She sings, she dances, she acts and she downright funny! Her "Gammunu Keda" line from Samsaaram Aval Minsaaram is one that I often try to imitate at home but never quite the same. Guinness book record holder, she may have been born Gopishantha but she will forever been known as Aachi.


Kovai Sarala has by far one of the most peculiar voices I have heard. The woman has gone from a blib on the screen to one of the few women of cinema that has withstood the test of time. While some may say she is repetitive with voice modulation, it seems to be working for her just fine. She is a character artist like no other of her generation and she tickles the funny bone. For Tamil, she has a particularly interesting combo with Vadivel and Vivek. In Telugu, the variation of her duo act with Brahmnandam never cease to get the crowd going. She's cut back on these languages quite a bit now, possibly to focus on other languages or just for a break. Either way, I wont forget this lady that easily.

Now some may disagree with me on this one but I believe Surekha Vani is under used in a major way. For the films I have seen, she makes her presence felt. Whether it be comedy, negative or side Auntyji roles. I absolutely loved that romance scene in Kadhalil Sodhappuvathu Eppadi/Love Failure between her and Suresh. Even before that, her role in Vasthadu Naa Raju, regardless of how the film turned out, had me in hysterics! I really hope she gets more comedy roles instead of the pity-me role like that of Srimanthudu. She scores but becomes 1 in a million artists that can.


Pragathi is one of those mother/character artists that is more than that. I especially love her with the fun mothers. Dookudu and Andari Banduvayya are my picks of the lot. She is also one of the few that does the dubbing for Tamil and Telugu. I especially loved her as Pilli Gayathri Simha in Baadshah, taking the dance floor with the other Pilli ladies and mana NTR Junior. Yet she is another dime a dozen that most of the time you will see in a farely docile state.

I am majorly fangirling the new kid on the block
Vidyulleka Raman. Yes its been 4 years since she acted in NEP/YVM but she is just too adorable for words. Her sharpshooter level come backs on screen with whomever she talks to are on point every time. The best factor isnt even that she dominates her screenspace. I would have to put it down to the fact she has yet to caricaturise her performance. Beauty and brains.. my favourite combo!

Since I dont have Indian tv channels, the first time I saw Jangiri Madhumitha was in OK OK. Besides giving the boys a run for their money, this lovely lady is superb at modulation and reminds me of Kovai Sarala back in the day. I honestly find her refreshing as the sidekick but would happily watch her if she had a full fledged leading lady role. She was a scene stealer but had enough pizzazz to stand up against Santhanam and Udhaynidhi. 

Do I think these women are doing amazing in the male dominated field? Hell yes. Do they get enough scope? Hell no. But while my list is shorter and there will be more people venturing into the field long after this is posted, I think its important to notice these ladies and I love the flare they all have. Here's to many more fabulous babies!

P.s. I did start a 3rd part for child artists but found that list even shorter.. you know babies growing up and all. 

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