The seven-year old peeped through a small opening on the side of the tent and gaped at the big screen inside. The innumerable song sequences fascinated her and the visit to the cinema became a routine almost. Soon she could sing all the numbers with ease. “My mother used to tell me that I began singing at the age of two. Fascinated, she would call out to the neighbours asking them to listen to her ‘Paapa.’ It seems I would willingly oblige,” recalls Manorama. To this day, the performer in her remains active.
Manorama is still ‘Paapa’ to the family. “Even my son calls me so,” she laughs. “As far as music is concerned I’m like Ekalaivan. The touring cinemas were my training ground and Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and M.S. Subbulakshmi, my gurus,” she remembers. When MS passed away Manorama went over to her place and stood at the bedside for more than three hours, paying homage to her guru. “I was lost in my memories of her. VIPs including A.P.J. Abdul Kalam thronged to pay homage but I continued to stay put. When I was in school I was asked to sing Bharatiyar’s ‘Paarukkulae Nalla Naadu’ at the annual day function. I didn’t know the composition, but I was familiar with MS’s ‘Kaatrinilae Varum Geetham,’ and sang ‘Paarukkulae …’ in the same tune. [She sings it for me effortlessly.] The applause was deafening,” she smiles. Plaudits that began that day for the young girl haven’t stopped even six decades later! Manorama nods her head pensively. “I cherish accolades from the public and I’m thankful that I receive them in plenty,” she says. “The other day a speaker on stage said about me, ‘My grandfather was her fan. So was my father. Today I’m an admirer of her acting skills and now my son has begun to toe the line.’ What more can I ask for?”
It was P.A. Kumar, a director well aware of Manorama’s singing skills, who was instrumental in making her sing for films. Her first song was with L.R. Easwari for the film, ‘Magale Un Samarthu.’ Whenever possible Manorama accepted offers to croon and churned out plenty of hits. “My mother was a good singer. I think it’s in the genes,” she says.
Radio plays were her forte too. “Nagesh and I would literally act out the entire play over the mike. And I don’t mean mere voice modulation. Many would gather at the studio to watch us,” she smiles. Manorama has even done dual roles in plays broadcast from AIR. “I’ve acted as the mother and her young son in ‘Janatha Nagar Colony.’ Many would call up the producer at the Station to find out who the ‘boy’ was,” she laughs.
Films or television, once on the sets, Manorama is completely focussed. She doesn’t entertain personal calls and thinks of home and issues that need her attention only on her way back from the studios. To this day the practice continues.
Battling odds has been a way of life for her. Her successes have been alternated with slander, honours with disappointments. A veteran who has entered the Guinness Book of World Records, Manorama has been felicitated at several podia, national and international. “I entered theatre at the age of 12 and I’ve been working continuously since. I love making up my face and getting my hair-do right for the character I play. I don’t have a personal make-up artist. I like to do it myself,” she says.
Even after 1300 films (including other languages) and 5000 stage plays Manorama’s zest for acting shows no signs of waning. “But I’m not able to work long hours like before. Last evening, at the dubbing theatre, I requested the director to let me off at the stipulated time because physically I wasn’t up to it,” says Manorama who is still busy with serials and films. The dubbing session she refers to is for the soap, ‘Pandavargal,’ in which she plays a pivotal role. ‘Pandavargal’ opened on Captain TV this week.
‘Irumbu Kottai Murattu Singam’ and ‘Singam’ are among her recent releases. “I’ll soon be shooting for ‘Ponnar Shankar.’ My profession is my relaxation. I enjoy the love and adulation of people wherever I go and I’ve garnered a fair share of achievements. And when canards are being spread about me and my family it is the love of the people at large that keeps me going. I have millions of well-wishers, who get upset when they read anything adverse written about me,” she says.
To what does she attribute her sustaining power, besides the usual reasons of luck, skill and divine grace? “I often think about it. Probably it’s because I’ve never been the mercenary kind. I don’t attach too much importance to money,” she observes.
Exaggerations and assumptions about her physical condition and family squabbles in a section of the media have scarred her. “I underwent surgery on my knees and I’m slowly getting back to normal. I went to Australia after the surgery, where they honoured me, visited Pudukottai and the Navagraha temples and finally made a trip to Tirupati to have my head tonsured, to fulfil my mother’s vow. I was asked to pay a huge amount for the purpose and for my stay there. I didn’t find it necessary and preferred to stand in the general queue waiting to have it done. My legs began aching and the women there helped me. Later I had a peaceful darshan and returned. I was heart broken to read the utter falsehood that came out. I wasn’t pushed about. I neither created a scene nor do I intend turning sanyasin because my son doesn’t care for me as has been reported by some. My son is my life. Even the other day when I got into the car and he insisted I fasten my seat belt, I was reminded of my mother’s concern for me,” she pauses for a second. “My grandson keeps saying, ‘You have achieved enough. Why do you have to exert yourself?’ He is a doctor now pursuing M.S. (Ortho),” she adds.
Manorama has the unique distinction of having acted with five chief ministers – C.N. Annadurai, M. Karunanidhi, M.G. Ramachandran, N.T. Rama Rao and Jayalalithaa. Receiving awards has been a norm for this versatile actor. And she is a widely travelled person. Hence, on the whole it has been a rewarding life. “Not entirely,” she interrupts, “though I’ve had my moments of happiness.” Besides her fervent wish to continue acting till the end, what else does she like to do? “Some day after I feel better I want to visit the Great Wall. I’ve never been to China. Surely, they’ll have alternatives organised for those who can’t walk the entire distance, won’t they,” she asks eagerly. And a few seconds later she says, “Till the day before, I was depressed about certain recent developments. That’s when somebody gave me a copy of ‘Gitachaaram.’ The lines gave me equanimity and consolation and I realise that this too shall pass …”
It’s not age alone and that has made the generally feisty Manorama seek solace in philosophy. It also reveals that the incredible achiever is smarting from the wounds inflicted on her by the grapevine …
