Sivaji Ganesan's wife Kamala passes away

Chennai, Nov 2 (UNI) Kamala Ganesan, the woman behind the success of her husband and legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan, died at a private hospital here this morning after a prolonged illness.

She was 68. She is survived by two sons--actor Prabhu and actor-producer Ramkumar and two daughters, Shanti and Thenmozhi.

Hospital sources told UNI that she died due to pulmonary embolism--blockage of the pulmonary artery.

Ms Kamala Ammal, who had not been keeping good health ever since the demise of Sivaji Ganesan in 2001, was admitted to the hospital on October 31. Her end came at 1050 hrs, the sources said.

Both Ramkumar and Prabhu, who were present in the hospital, broke down.

Actor Kamal Haasan, a close associate of Sivaji Ganesan's family, immediately rushed to the hospital and expressed his grief over the death of Ms Kamala Ammal.

Both of her daughters, who are currently abroad, have been informed about her death. After their arrival, the funeral would take place either tomorrow evening or Sunday morning at Besant Nagar crematorium, family sources said.

The body was taken to ''Annai Illam'', her south Boag road residence, where scores of artistes from the film world, including senior actors Sivakumar and Vijaykumar paid their homage.

Kamala Ammal and Sivaji Ganesan were married on May one, 1952 at Swamimalai in Thanjavur district. Their wedding was attended by late actor M G Ramachandran, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, who had written the fiery dialogues for Sivaji's first film 'Parasakthi', lyricist Kannadasan, several film producers and the then politicians.

After the death of Sivaji Ganesan, she chose to stay put at home and rarely attended any function.

Her last public appearance was during the unveiling of Sivaji Ganesan's statue on the Marina by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on July 21 last year.

UNI