Pala: As the film ‘Kayamkulam Kochunni’ is running successfully in theatres, Jassiyamma is savouring the memories of having enacted a major role in the movie of the same name released in 1965. The retired professor is a resident of Munjananattu, Chakkambuzha, here in Kottayam district.
While Nivin Pauly plays the lead role and Mohanlal makes a guest appearance in the latest ‘Kayamkulam Kochunni’, it was the legendary actor Sathyan who was the hero of the film Jassiyamma had acted in.
Jassiyamma had enacted the role of a girl in a Nair family who approaches Kochunni for help to save her from a marriage to an elderly Brahmin. Kochunni rescues her from the predicament.
Jassiyamma, whose name appeared as ‘Jassy Pala’ in the film’s credits, acted in around 10 films while learning Bharatanatyam under the noted guru S K Rajaratnam Pillai in Chennai. They included ‘Nadi’, ‘Aromalunni’ and ‘Gayatri.’
Jassiyamma, a member of the Mundanolikkal family in Pala, later let filmdom and pursued higher studies. She subsequently joined the faculty of Alphonsa College. In the meantime, she also served as a member of the Karoor panchayat for five years.
Her husband Joy Joseph had earlier worked with the Cochin Shipyard.
