Hyderabad, Jul 28: Prominent Telugu character artiste ‘Pavala’ Syamala died here in the early hours of Tuesday following a heart attack. She was 75.
Syamala, who had been undergoing treatment for age-related ailments at the state-run Osmania General Hospital here, suffered a heart attack and died, hospital sources said.
Movie Artists Association Joint Secretary ‘Karate’ Kalyani told PTI that the funeral would be held in Hyderabad on July 29.
The MAA would make the necessary arrangements for the funeral, she said.
Though Syamala had been facing financial and health-related difficulties in recent years, several members of the Telugu film industry had extended assistance to her, Kalyani said.
Syamala is survived by a daughter.
In a career spanning over four decades, Syamala appeared in numerous Telugu films. She came to be popularly known as ‘Pavala’ Syamala after her performance in the eponymous stage play in the early 1980s.
Her performances, particularly in ‘Swarna Kamalam’, directed by veteran filmmaker and Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipient K Viswanath, and Krishna Vamsi’s ‘Khadgam’, earned her widespread recognition.
Syamala had reportedly been battling health and financial problems in recent years.
A private hospital had allegedly turned her away because she could not afford treatment. However, several members of the film fraternity later came to her aid and extended financial assistance. (PTI)
