Thiruvananthapuram: The renowned actor and musician R Subbalakshmi, celebrated for her endearing grandmother roles in numerous Malayalam films, passed away on Thursday at the age of 87. The respected artist breathed her last while receiving medical care at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. Subbalakshmi, who played a pivotal role in over 75 films across various industries, was widely recognized for her maternal roles. Notably, she is the mother of the acclaimed actor and dancer Thara Kalyan, and her granddaughter, Sowbhagya Venkitesh, shared the news of her demise on Instagram.
Expressing her grief, Sowbhagya Venkitesh posted, “I lost her. 30 years of my strength and love. My Ammamma, My Subbu, My baby. Thank you for the prayers,” along with a picture from the hospital. Subbalakshmi gained fame for her portrayal of ‘Karthyayani’ in ‘Kalyanaraman’ and contributed to popular films like ‘Nandanam,’ ‘Pandippada,’ ‘CID Moosa,’ and ‘Thilakkam.’ Her talent extended beyond Malayalam cinema, as she also acted in Tamil movies, including the Vijay starrer ‘Beast.’ Additionally, she appeared in the Telugu remake of ‘Kalyanaraman’ and Gautam Menon’s ‘Ye Maaya Chesave.’ Her versatile career extended to the Hindi film industry, where she played minor roles.
In addition to her film accomplishments, Subbalakshmi was a familiar face in television commercials and garnered appreciation for her roles in various TV shows and serials. Before making her debut as a film actress in her 60s with the 2002 release ‘Nandanam,’ Subbalakshmi served as a music and dance instructor at Jawahar Balabhavan. Her association with All India Radio (AIR) since 1951 further showcased her versatility, earning her recognition as the first lady composer of AIR from South India. Her multifaceted career also included commendable contributions as a dubbing artist.
