Tearful farewel to Padmini

Chennai, Sep 26 (UNI) With her son Premanand performing the rituals, the family members and the Tamil film industry today bid a tearful farewell to yesteryear dancer-actress Padmini, who died here past midnight on Sunday last.

The cremation was done at the Beasant Nagar electric crematorium in the city. Kamala Ammal, wife of late thespian Sivaji Ganesan, with whom Padmini had performed some memorable characters in commercial classics like, ''Vietnam Veedu'', ''Iru Malargal'' and ''Thillana Mohanambal'', attended the funeral and consoled the actor's grieving family, according to industry sources.

Actor Vikram, Sivaji Ganesan's younger son and actor Prabhu, and the late actress's niece Shobana, also a dancer and a star, today paid their homage to Padmini.

Earlier, Padmini's body was taken to the electric crematorium in a van, in a procession for a small distance for public to have a last glimpse.

The sudden demise of Padmini, who shot to stardom like a meteor after her screen debut in 1950 in the Tamil film 'Manamagal'evolving into an acclaimed performer, came as a shock to the tinsel world.

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