KOCHI: “Ippo sheriyaki tharam” is what comes to every Malayali’s mind on seeing some garage worker holding a spanner in his hand. The hilarious line delivered by the late Kuthiravattom Pappu in ‘Vellanakalude Naadu’ is just one of the fine screen memories he has left behind. In his 43-year acting career on stage and screen Pappu gave life to a plethora of finely molded characters that are remembered and cherished even today.It was 12 years ago, in February, that the blessed actor became a memory and even now, Malayalam Film industry is yet to find a supporting actor who could fit in the shoes of Padmadalakshan who was given the name Kuthiravattom Pappu by the iconic writer Vaikom Muhammed Basheer in the movie ‘Bhargavi Nilayam’.The actor who used to jest with ease in the screen had a life which was filled with miseries and hard work. Orphaned at the age of 16, Pappu lived with his relatives for the most of his childhood. He started working as a curtain hanger for plays that were promoted by the Deshaposhini Library which was a hangout of the cultural activists of the 60s.It was later on Pappu started to work as an actor with professional theater troupes in Kozhikode for a pay of Rs 5 per show.“He understood the pain of the people around him. Whenever he saw his friends in need of help it would be his pleasure to help them. He has many a times told us that it is because, he also had to go through similar situations in his life,” said Rajan Padoor, a childhood friend and long term colleague of Pappu.Pappu was a classic comedian who won the hearts of the audience with his unique presentation style and typical ‘Kozhikoden’ slang. In the 10 years of his stage life Pappu developed a particular style which was never tried in the theaters of Kerala. “The style of presentation which was called ‘ Show Drama’ was introduced by Pappu. He never had a pre written script for his plays but focusing on the strong underlying theme and asked the actors to deliver dialogues which came to them spontaneously. The plays were an instant hit at the carnivals and exhibitions all over the state,” says Ratnakaran, a theater artist who has worked with Pappu at the Despaposhini Library. In his span of theater career Pappu had worked with noted playwrights like KT Muhammed, Nelikode Bhaskaran and Thikkodiyan.The veteran actor fell ill after he was diagnosed with liver sclerosis and started to lose his strength and charisma by 1992.He succumbed following a cardiac arrest eight years later in 2000. Though he was physically weak, he did some strong character roles in the period. Noted ones being the role of a freedom fighter in the movie ‘The King’.He is survived by his wife Padmini and his children Biju and Bindu.His children have shown no interest in the field of acting ever. The family is also not so keen in sharing their memories of Pappu with the media.12 years after the death of the actor and almost half a century after his entry to the silver screen Kuthiravattom Pappu remains brands apart from any other supporting actor present in the Malayalam film industry.His famous one-liners like ‘Thamarassery Churam’ and ‘Taski Villiyada’ have attained a cult status beyond damage.
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