The news of multi-faceted actress and vocalist Paravai Muniyamma's death has left the industry shaken. The actress, aged 83, breathed her last on March 29 at her residence in Madurai.
Hailing from the Paravai district of Madurai, Muniyamma became popular through her breakout performance in the Tamil action-drama Dhool, in which she played the role of Jyothika's grandmother in the film.
Paravai Muniyamma's performance was characterized by her witty comebacks for actor Vivek's punchlines. One of the most highlight scenes of the film is her energetic performance during the "Singam Pola" song sequence, where she sings to motivate the hero (played by Vikram), amidst being surrounded by baddies.
பரவை முனியம்மா அவர்களுடன் நான் நடித்த காட்சிகள் இன்றும் ரசிக்கப் படுகின்றன. நல்ல கிராமியக் குரல் வளம். மண் மணம் வீசிய நல் மனம். வருந்துகிறேன். 😭
— Vivekh actor (@Actor_Vivek) March 29, 2020
Muniyamma's outstanding form and camaraderie with Vivekh continued in her next film Kaadhal Sadugudu, which also stars Vikram as the lead. Although she was mainly present in the film's parallel comedy track, she managed to win our hearts as the supportive grandmother of Super Subbu (Vivekh) a foreign return who attempts to reform society through his quirky ways.
Paravai Muniyamma's entertaining presence continued in the form of a Tamil cookery show in Television. Apart from cooking elusive, lip-smacking rural delicacies, Muniyamma performed her signature routine of singing a folk song related to the dish she cooks.
Paravai Muniyamma has proven to a folk icon in Tamil pop culture, and a favourite paati (grandmother) for the 90's born Tamil viewers who grew up watching Tamil television of the early 2000's. Her presence will continue to live in the form of many rural songs and comedy sequences.
