Jagannatha Varma passes away

Jagannatha Varma passes away Film and TV actor Jagannatha Varma died at a private hospital in Neyyattinkara here on Tuesday. He was 77. Varma was admitted to the hospital the other day after he had been diagnosed with pneumonia. His body was kept at Kalabhavan Theatre here from 2 pm to 5 pm for the public to pay homage. Noted personalities from film and political fields offered tributes. The

body was later taken to Cherthala for the cremation which is scheduled for Wednesday morning.

Varma, who retired as Superintendent of Police, began his acting career with ‘Mattoli’ in 1978. In a career spanning 27 years, his roles in 190 films such as ‘New Delhi’, ‘CBI Diarykkurippu’, ‘Sukhamo Devi’, ‘Parinayam’, ‘Lelam’, ‘Sallapam’, ‘Aaram Thampuran’ and ‘Pathram’ and many serials were notable.

 He had training in kathakali when he was 14 years old and rubbed shoulders with noted proponents of the art form.  He also practised ‘chenda’ under Kandalloor Unnikrishnan and had ‘arangettam’ three years ago. He is married to Santha Varma.  Varma’s son Manu Varma also is an actor while his daughter Priya is married to noted director Viji Thampi.