Then and now photos of Alleppey Devamma Alappuzha: Malayalam's first woman professional stage director, Alleppey Devamma, passed away on Saturday at the age of 75.
Devamma became a director at a time when it was unheard of women directing drama or films.
She had directed plays by famous playwright S.L. Puram Sadanandan and C.L. Jose among others during the 1970s. Some of those plays were 'Vila kuranja manushyan' and 'Nombarangal'.
Mridangam specialist and Devamma's brother Alleppey Das introduced her to the world of theater. She made her debut on stage at the age of 13 and in 1966, won the best actress award for her performance in the play 'Ulliku moorchayund'. She later also acted in films such as Bharya and Pazhasiraja.
In 1990, she bid farewell to her theater life and worked at Alappuzha west village office. Devamma was unmarried and stayed with her brother's son in Ambalappuzha.
