86-year-old female protagonist of the first Malayalam talkie 'Balan', MK Kamalam passed away after prolonged illness here in the south Indian state,Kerala on Tuesday.
She made her debut in the Malayalam film history in the first audio film Balan in 1938.
Kamalam was born in 1924 at Kumarakam in central Kerala as the daughter of Kochupillai Panicker and Karthiyani.
Before entering the silver screen world, she was an established theatre person even at the age of 15.
Performances in dramas like 'Parijathapushpaharam', 'Anarkali', 'Sakuntalam', 'Magdalana Mariyam' had won her wide appreciation.
Her excellence in acting offered her an easy entry into the tinsel town as the heroine of 'Balan', the first feature film in Malayalam with sound recording.
Kamalam played the role of a young girl who was being victimised by her step mother in 'Balan'. She sang four songs also in it.
She completely retired from acting career after the films "Bhootharayar" and "Shayanam".