Actor and theatre artist Geetha Salaam passed away yesterday evening aged 73. He was undergoing treatment for respiratory illnesses at Aleppey Medical College.
A native of Ochira, Kollam, Salaam was born on October 9, 1946. He worked briefly in the Public Works Department of the state, before quitting to pursue theatre full time.
Salaam who was actively involved in theatre until the early 2000s, adopted his name ‘Geetha’ after working in Geetha Theatres, Chenganassery for five years. He won the State Award for the best actor for his performance in the 1987 play Abhimaanam. He was also honoured with a Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 2010. He has worked with several theatre troupes like Kottayam National, Geetha, K.P.A.C and Trivandrum Aradhana.
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In a long career spanning over 3 decades, Geetha Salaam has acted in films, plays and TV serials. Having debuted in 1979 in the movie Mani Koya Kurup, Salaam went on to star in 88 films. His characters in Ee Parakkum Thalika (2001) and Gramaphone (2003), though brief in duration, would perhaps be what he will be remembered for. He has also been part of commercially successful films like Romans (2014), Vellimoonga (2014), Kochi Rajavu (2005) and Kunjikkoonan.
In films, Salaam has portrayed diverse characters. His characters would either be comic in nature or people undergoing extreme suffering and hardships, and has has been directed by industry stalwarts like Joshiy, Kamal, Sibi Malayil and Rajasenan.
His funeral and burial will be held today at 10.a.m in a mosque in Ochira. He is survived by his wife Rahmabeevi and two sons Hasheer and Shaan.
Image Courtesy: Manorama News