Noted film producer and wife of late veteran filmmaker K Balachander, Rajam, passed away in Chennai early on Monday morning due to age-related ailments. She was 84.
Rajam married Balachander in 1954, when he was still working at the Accountant General's Office, and the two remained married until his death in 2014. The couple has three children, of which the eldest, Bala Kailasam, passed away aged 54 in 2014.
Rajam is survived by her daughter Pushpa Kandaswamy and son Prasanna. Kavithalaya Productions is run by Pushpa.
Rajam, who maintained a low profile throughout her life, has produced films like Netrikkan (1981), Sindhu Bhairavi (1985), Punnagai Mannan (1986), Duet (1994) and Muthu (1995), to name a few.
In 2017, Rajam unveiled the bust of her husband in his hometown of Nallamangudi village in Tiruvarur district to coincide with his birth anniversary.
It is being reported that Rajam’s last rites will be held in Chennai at 3.00 pm. Actors Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, who have referred to Balachander as their guru, are expected to pay a visit to their Warren Road residence.
Condolences poured in on Twitter for the octogenarian.
Mrs Rajam Balachanderwife of director k Balachander passed away today morning by 430am funeral today at 300pm
— subashchandranv (@subashchandranv) November 26, 2018
34 Warren road mylopore
madras film society pay its homage to her family pic.twitter.com/5waJncBSRN
Late Ace Dir #KBalachander 's wife Mrs.RajamBalachander passed away early this morning in #Chennai
— Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) November 26, 2018
She was 82.. Producer of several Kavithalaya movies..
Her last rites will be performed after 3 PM this afternoon..
May her soul RIP! pic.twitter.com/TmoBLujHYC
Director Balachander's wife Rajam Balachander is no more.
— svijeyanarasimhan (@svijeyanarasimh) November 26, 2018
ஆழ்ந்த இரங்கல்
My heartfelt condolences to #PushpaKandaswami madam and her family for the loss of beloved mother Rajam Balachandar.
— Arun Vaidyanathan (@Arunvaid) November 26, 2018
Rest in Peace.