Renowned Malayalam actor Meena Ganesh passed away on Thursday, December 19, at the age of 81. She breathed her last at a private hospital in Shoranur, Palakkad, Kerala, where she was undergoing treatment for age-related health issues. Meena had largely retreated from public life following a stroke six years ago.
Born in 1942 in Palakkad, Meena Ganesh began her career in theater at the age of 19. The daughter of actor KP Keshavan, she displayed a passion for acting early on, participating in numerous stage performances across Kerala and Tamil Nadu during her school years.
In 1971, she married celebrated playwright, director, and actor AN Ganesh. The couple co-founded the drama troupe ‘Pournami Kalamandir’ in Shoranur, where Meena became a prominent figure in productions penned by her husband.
Meena Ganesh acted in more than 100 films and appeared in several popular television serials. She made her cinematic debut in the 1976 film Manimuzhakkam and went on to deliver memorable performances in films such as Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njanum, Meesha Madhavan, Nandanam, Karumadikuttan, Valkannadi, and My Dear Karadi.
In theater, Meena portrayed significant roles in over two dozen plays, including Panchajanyam, Mayookham, Simhasanam, Swarnamayooram, Aayiramnaavulla Mounam, Kaattu Maari Veeshi, Searchlight, Bharathakshethram, and Nokkukuthikkal. One of her most acclaimed roles was that of ‘Kulsumbi’ in the play Fasah, directed by actor Thilakan for Chalakudy Sarathi Theaters.
She shared the stage with her husband in around 20 productions, creating a lasting legacy in Malayalam theater.
The late actor is survived by her two children. Her son, Manoj Ganesh, is a television serial director, while her daughter, Sangeetha, has remained out of the limelight.
The funeral was scheduled for Thursday afternoon at Shanthitheeram in Shoranur, where family, friends, and fans gathered to pay their respects to the veteran actor who left an indelible mark on Malayalam cinema and theater.