Kottayam Santha

Kottayam Santha Biography

Kottayam Santha was a noted character artist associated with Malayalam cinema. She was a famous dubbing artist too, who has dubbed for almost 1000 films, and has sung a few film songs. She has dubbed for leading ladies of Mollywood - Seema and Lakshmi for almost all their movies. Known as a theatre artist as well, she has also appeared in several television serials. She has acted in 26 dramas. She has appeared as a character artist for more than 300 films and was last seen in Blessy’s Palungu in 2006 starring Mammootty in the lead role. She passed away in 2007. Also known as a woman activist, she was the founder and chief patron of Sthree Sakthi Samajam.

Santha was born and brought up in Kottayam, Kerala and hence ‘Kottayam’ tag got added to her name. Her acting debut happened with the theatre troupe owned by Ponkunnam varkey. Her debut movie was ‘Aniyathi’ in 1955, directed by M Krishnan Nair. Since then she has been associated with Malayalam cinema for 5 decades till her last film Palungu released in 2006. A very active artist in the Malayalam film industry over the years, she has portrayed several powerful character roles onscreen. 60s and 70s were the golden era of her film career where she glowed as a character artist as well as a dubbing star.

She is known for portraying matured character roles and mother roles and some of her noted roles include Ninamaninja Kalpadukal, Chemmeen, Lovely, Abhayam, Ambalapravu, Ammaye Kanan, Rajamalli, Bhagyamudra, Anweshichu Kandethiyilla, Viruthan Sanku, Kattu Kurangu, Kallichellamma, Agninakshatram, Aaravam, Eetta, Vivahithare Ithile, Pavam Pavam Rajakumaran, Kaliveedu etc. Active in the industry till her death, she was found death at her home at Olassa, Kottayam on 27 April 2007. She was 67 and was survived by a daughter. A case was registered for unnatural death.

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Updated: January 18, 2016