Kudassanad Kanakam

Born in Kudassanad near Pandalam in the Pathanamthitta district, Kudassanad Kanakam was the youngest of eight children of Kunjukunju and Narayani. She completed her education at Kudassanad LP School and NSS High School. Kanakam’s involvement in the arts began at the age of three when she played the role of Unnikannan in the play Pootanamoksham Thiruvathirakkali. Her passion for acting continued throughout her school years, with her first role in the amateur play Karuttha Nakshatra.

Kanakam made her professional debut in drama with the play Ramayanathile Seetha by Kottiyam Sangham Theatre. She later performed in Parithranaya with Adoor Pankajam’s Jaya Theatres. Over her career, she became a prominent member of several professional drama troupes in Kerala, performing on numerous stages. Some of her notable roles were in plays such as Kaiyum Talayum Patariyum, Muhurtham Shubha Muhurtham, Mandakini’s Maunatheeramil, Hridayapurva Snehithan, Darikan, Kadukolom Badalyu, and Madhurapuriyile Mantravadini. For her portrayal of the dancer Urvashi in Madhurapuriyile Mantravadini, she received an award from Mannadi Ponnamma.

Kanakam dedicated much of her life to drama, performing for seven years with the Ochira Sariga Kalasamiti, three years with Geetha Salam’s Nataka Samiti, two years with Ochira Aavishkara, and one year with Cochin Kalasarathi. Her talent earned her numerous accolades, including the Prem Nazir Rolling Trophy for Best Actress for her role as a psychiatrist in Cell No. 13 by Attingal Back Curtain Theatre Group. She also participated in dance performances with groups such as Shankhanadam, Thacholi Angam, and Harichandran. Among her many awards are the Arang Best Actress Award, Dr. Bindu Ananthakrishnan Endowment, Navarasa Best Actress Award, Kudassanad Junction WhatsApp Group Honors, and Deepam Kalavedi Honors.

Kanakam transitioned to screen acting with her debut in the telefilm Jest A Minute. Her film debut was in Spider House, followed by roles in Akatheikku Tutkunna Jaalakam and Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hai, where her performance as Amma was widely praised. She later appeared in the film Communist Pacha.

Kanakam was the mother of two sons, the late Kalachandran and Hemachandran.