“Paappamma could you please sing your favourite song?” The question took the person to whom it was put a little by surprise, but soon she broke into a song, “Kesaadhipaadam thozhunnen Kesava! Kesaadipaadam thozhunnen…” Handclaps rent the air as she finished singing the song from the 1966 super-hit movie of hers, Pakalkkinavu . That she was addressed by an interesting variant of her pet name ‘Pappa’ appeared to have moved Sarada, three-time national award winning actor, as she sat amidst the children participating in the five-day theatre workshop organised by Bharat Bhavan here on Friday. The children not only got to hear her singing, but also to pick up tips to become versatile actors. She said she was not as intelligent and smart as they are when she started her career at 19. It was her mother’s dream that she becomes an actor, and it was hard work for her all the way. She used to try out various emotions and expressions in front of a mirror. “Whatever be your career, always remember that work is worship,” she told them .
About the differences between old and new films, Sarada said, “Life has changed, stories have changed, technologies have evolved, situations have changed, but all films portray human life in its different tones.” The shift from black and white to colour has brought it closer to reality, she added.
