Renowned Malayalam actor of yesteryear Adoor Bhavani, 82, who played memorable roles in a number of films, including Chemmeen, Mudiyanaya Puthran and Thulabharam, passed away at her residence in Adoor on Sunday afternoon.
Her only son Rajiv was with her when she breathed her last. She had been bedridden for the past one year following a bone injury.

Bhavani, who last acted in Sethu Ramayyar CBI in 2004 as a deaf housemaid, stopped acting after she fell ill.

Her final rites will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday on her house premises at Pannivizha, Adoor, with State honours.

Bhavani, who came to filmdom quite accidentally, had been an inevitable part of the Malayalam film industry for decades. She was well-accepted by the audience as a natural artist who immortalised a number of characters, including those of mother, sister, grandmother and mother-in-law, with rustic simplicity.
It was Bhavani who used to accompany her sister Adoor Pankajam to shooting locations. The late Thikkurissi Sukumaran Nair, who sensed her acting potential, offered her a role in Shariyo Thetto, which marked her entry into the world of films at the age of 24. Since then she found a place for herself in the filmdom.

In 1969, Bhavani won the Kerala State Film Award for the second best actress for her performances in Kallichellamma and Kadalppaalam. Her best known role was in the national award-winning film Chemmeen, depicting the role of Chakki.
In 2008, the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy had honoured Bhavani and Pankajam for their overall contribution to theatre. Bhavani was also awarded the Chalachithra Saparya Lifetime Achievement Award by Mathrubhumi- Medimix in 2002.

Pankajam has also acted in a number of films. The sisters had their own drama troupe named Jaya Theatres at Adoor. However, later Bhavani formed her own troupe called Matha Theatres, which was closed within a short time due to financial problems.

Bhavani had also acted in many plays of the KPAC and the drama troupe of Kalanilayam Krishnan Nair.

She had also won accolades for her characters in plays like Thulabharam and Veluthambi Dalava. Bhavani and Pankajam had acted in as many as 350 films each.
Bhavani, who was married to the late Janardanan Pillai, is survived by son Rajeev Kumar, who is working as manger at the Peedikayil Devi temple.
Rajeev’s wife is Kavitha and the couple has a son, Unnikrishnan. The body of Bhavani will be placed at the Town Hall here at 11 a.m. for the public to pay tributes. Shops and other commercial establishments at Adoor will remain closed on Monday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to mark respect to Bhavani. A condolence meeting will be organised at the KSRTC junction at 5 p.m. on Monday.

PROFILE
Adoor Bhavani was born in 1927 is only of the oldest actresses in malayalam film Industry. One of her most impressive screen appearances was in the national award winning film Chemmeen, directed by Ramu Kariat. She is also noted for her performances in Mudiyanaya Puthran and Thulabharam. She hails from Adoor in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. Her sister Adoor Pankajam is also a Malayalam film actress.

In 1969, Bhavani won the Kerala state film award for the second best actress. She was awarded the Chalachithra Saparya Lifetime Achievement award by Mathrubhumi-Medimix in 2002.In 2008, Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy honoured Bhavani and Pankajam for their overall contributions to theatre and drama.

She started her acting career by doing roles in dramas.She had her own troop by name Matha Theatres.The troop run uccessfully for six years."Veluthambi Dhalava" was her first drama.She is not active in films recently due bad health.She is blessed with one son.

She died at her home in Pathanamthitta district and her only son Rajiv was at her side when she breathed her last. She stopped acting after she fell ill six years ago.