Kalpana Ranjani (5 October 1965 – 25 January 2016), better known

mononymously A mononym is a name composed of only one word. An individual who is known and addressed by a mononym is a mononymous person. In some cases, a mononym selected by an individual may have originally been from a polynym, a word which refers to one o ...

as Kalpana, was an Indian actress who appeared in South Indian films, predominantly in

Malayalam Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 2 ...

and Tamil. Kalpana has acted in over 300 films in various South Indian languages. She won the

National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress The National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress is an honour presented annually at India's National Film Awards ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF), an organisation set up by the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcast ...

for her performance in '' Thanichalla Njan'' (2012) at the

60th National Film Awards The 60th National Film Awards ceremony was an event during which the Directorate of Film Festivals presented its annual National Film Awards to honour the best films of 2012 in the Indian cinema. The ceremony was held on 3 May 2013 and was hos ...

. Kalpana started her career as a child artist in the late 1970s. Although she came into the industry with the intention of being a lead actress, she turned out to be popular among the audiences for her comic roles.

Career

Kalpana began her career as a child artist in the film '' Vidarunna Mottukal''. After making her debut as a mainstream actor in the 1980 film '' Pokkuveyil'', directed by G. Aravindan, she went on to star in several critically acclaimed films and her portrayals as a comedian were appreciated by critics. Her Tamil debut was through the 1985 released successful film ''

Chinna Veedu ''Chinna Veedu'' (; colloquial meaning: "Mistress") is a 1985 Indian Tamil-language film written and directed by K. Bhagyaraj. The film is the debut in Tamil for lead female Kalpana, who is also sister of actress Urvashi, who made her debut ...

'', opposite K. Bhagyaraj. Her other memorable films include '' Sathi Leelavathi'' (1995) and '' Kaliveedu'' (1996). She performed in a music album with

Usha Uthup Usha Uthup Iyer (born 7 November 1947) is an Indian pop, filmi, jazz, and playback singer who sang songs in the late 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. "Darling", which she recorded with Rekha Bhardwaj for the film ''7 Khoon Maaf'', won the Filmfare ...

. She has published her memoirs, ''Njan Kalpana''. Kalpana has sung a song in the movie ''

Kudumbakodathi ''Kudumbakodathi'' () is a 1996 Indian Malayalam-language comedy film, directed by Viji Thampy and produced by V. S. Suresh. The film stars Innocent, Dileep, Ashokan and Kalpana in the lead roles. The film has musical score by S. P. Venkates ...

'', along with

K.S. Chithra Krishnan Nair Shantakumari Chithra (born 27 July 1963), always credited as K. S. Chithra or Chithra, is an Indian playback singer and Carnatic musician. In a career spanning over four decades, she has recorded over 25,000 songs in various In ...

, in which she appeared as a Telugu speaking character. She had an inevitable presence in stage shows. She was the chairperson of "Janaseva Shishu Bhavan" and assistant chairperson of "Street Birds" and a strong promoter of "Kudumbasree".She was the brand ambassador of "Leo Natura".

Personal life

Kalpana was born to theater artists Chavara V. P. Nair and Vijayalakshmi. Actors

Kalaranjini Kalaranjini is an Indian actress and classical dancer who started her career in the early 1980s. Personal life Kalaranjini was born to theatre artists Chavara V. P. Nair and Vijayalakshmi. She is divorced and has a son, Prince. Partial film ...

and Urvashi are her sisters. She married Malayalam film director Anil Kumar in 1998 and got divorced in 2012. They have one daughter, Sreemayi and a son before getting divorced.

Death

Kalpana went to

Hyderabad Hyderabad ( ; , ) is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Telangana and the ''de jure'' capital of Andhra Pradesh. It occupies on the Deccan Plateau along the banks of the Musi River, in the northern part of Southern India ...

for the shooting of the movie '' Oopiri''. On 25 January 2016, she was found unconscious in her hotel room and was immediately taken to the hospital by the crew members, but died of a heart attack on the way. Postmortem was conducted and her body was flown to her native place on 26 January 2016. The funeral took place on the same day.

Awards

*2013 -

– for the film '' Thanichalla Njan'' *2016 -

Asianet Film Awards The Asianet Film Awards is an award ceremony for films presented annually by Asianet, a Malayalam-language television network from the south-Indian state of Kerala. Asianet says that awards ceremony has been instituted to honour both artis ...

for Best Supporting Actress - for the film '' Charlie'' (Posthumously awarded) *2016 - Henko Flowers Indian Film Awards for Best Supporting Actress - for the film '' Charlie'' (Posthumously awarded) *2016 -

South Indian International Movie Awards South Indian International Movie Awards, also known as the SIIMA Awards, rewards the artistic and technical achievements of the South Indian film industry. It was launched in 2012 by Vishnu Vardhan Induri and Brinda Prasad Adusimilli to appre ...

for Best Supporting Actress (Malayalam) - for the film '' Charlie'' (Nominated only) * 2016 - CPC Cine Awards for Best supporting actress - for the film '' Charlie'' (Nominated only)

Filmography

Malayalam

Tamil

Kannada

Telugu

Albums

* Palavattam

Television

Malayalam television

;Serials * Vamsham ( DD Malayalam) * Sathi Leelavathi (

Amrita TV Amrita TV is an Indian Malayalam Language general Entertainment television channel owned by Mata Amritanandamayi Math. It was launched in 2005. Theme song The theme song, "Lokasamastha," was composed by Rahulraj for Mata Amritanandamayi's 50t ...

) * Kudumbasametham Manikutty (

Jaihind TV Jaihind Television is an Indian Malayalam-language channel, based in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It was launched on 17 August 2007, in Delhi by the Indian National Congress President and United Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. T ...

) * Kochu Thresya Kochu (

Kairali TV Kairali TV is an Indian Malayalam-language general entertainment television channel owned by Kairali TV Network (Malayalam Communications Limited). It is headquartered at Thiruvananthapuram. It was launched on 17 August 2000. The channel is ...

) * Hukka Huvva Mikkado (Kairali TV) * Jagapoga (Kairali TV) * In Panchali House ( Surya TV) * Women's Club * Aathma * Irattavalan Kurup ;As Host * Ponkireedam (

) * Manaporutham ( Asianet) * Star Singer ( Asianet) * Run Baby Run (

Asianet Plus Asianet is an Indian Malayalam language general entertainment pay television channel owned by Disney Star (formerly ''Star India''), a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company India. Asianet and its channels are operated by Asianet Star Communicat ...

) * Amrita Onam (

) * Onakinnaram ( Surya TV) * Payasaperumma ( Jeevan TV) * Vellithirayile Ambilikala (

) * Kalpana Show 2006 ( DD Malayalam) * The Kalpana Show 2002 ( Asianet) * Apratheekshitha Athithi : Ee Onam Ivarodoppam ( Asianet) * Only Ministers (

) * Golden Moments * K P Ummer Interview * Mukesh.com Mega Show ;Other shows * Smart Show ( Flowers) * Comedy Super Nite (Flowers) * Tharapakittu (

Kaumudy TV Kaumudy TV is a Malayalam television channel owned by the owners of the Malayalam daily newspaper Kerala Kaumudi. The channel was officially launched on 5 May 2013. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had already unveiled the logo of the channel a year ...

) * Cinema Company (Kaumudy TV) * Deal or No Deal ( Surya TV) * Hairomax Mrs. Kerala (Surya TV) * Suryathejassod Amma (Surya TV) * Suryaprabhayil Priyatharangal (Surya TV) * Kitchen Tharangal (Surya TV) * Super Dancer Junior (

) * Annie's Kitchen (Amrita TV) * Malayali Durbar (Amrita TV) * Vanitharatnam (Amrita TV) * Star Family (Amrita TV) * Ningalkkum Aakaam Kodeeshwaran( Asianet) * Sarigama (Asianet) * Saregamapadhanisa (Asianet) * Idea Star Singer (Asianet) * Sell Me The Answer (Asianet) *

Badai Bungalow Avram Iancu ( hu, Felsővidra, german: Ober-Wider) is a commune located in Alba County, Transylvania, Romania. It is composed of thirty-three villages: Achimețești, Avram Iancu, Avrămești, Bădăi, Boldești, Călugărești, Cârăști, Câr ...

(Asianet) * Comedy Stars (Asianet) * Smile Plz (

) * Thiranottam (ACV) * Ruchibhedam (ACV) * Kerala's Favourite Film Actor (ACV) * On Record ( Asianet News) * Onnum Onnum Moonu (

Mazhavil Manorama Mazhavil Manorama is an Indian Free-to-air Malayalam general entertainment television channel operated and owned by Malayala Manorama Television (MMTV), the publisher of the widely circulated ''Malayalam Manorama'' daily, and the Malayalam wom ...

) * Cinema Chirima (Mazhavil Manorama) * Idavelayil (Mazhavil Manorama) * Katha Ithuvare (Mazhavil Manorama) * Aniyarayil (Mazhavil Manorama) * Nere Chovve ( Manorama News) * Veedu (Manorama News) * Pachakuthira (

) * Star Wars (Kairali TV) * Veettamma (Kairali TV) * Chirikkum Pattanam (Kairali TV) * JB Junction (Kairali TV) * Students Only (Kairali TV) * Jagapoga (Kairali TV) * Love Bites (Kairali We) * Ammayiyamma Marumakal Contest (

) * Jeevitham Ithuvare (Jaihind TV) * Ammaykku Oru Umma (Jaihind TV) * Ini Njangal Parayam ( DD Malayalam) * 2 Crore Apple Mega Star ( Jeevan TV) * Karunaniravil Kalpana * Mukhamukham Kalpana * Onam in Singapore * Crossroads * Tharaprabha * Asiavision *Lux Asianet *Asianet Television Awards *Jaycey Awards *Kerala Kaumudi Onam Celebrations 2009 *Malayalam Super Star Nite 1987 *Arabian Dreams *Mazhavilazhakil Amma *Special Athithi *Kairali Cultural Association's Onam *Asianet Film Awards *Kerala Kalotsavam *Kerala Tourism Onam Celebrations *Siddique Lal's Cine Galaxy 94 *Rhythm 92

Tamil television

;Serials * Chinna Papa Periya Papa Season 2 ( Sun TV) as China Papa * Abirami (

Kalaignar TV Kalaignar is an Indian general entertainment satellite television channel based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The channel was launched on 15 September 2007 as Kalaignar in respect of former Chief minister of Tamil Nadu M. Karunanidhi. Malaysia ...

) as Kusalam *

Thangam ''Thangam'' ( en, Gold) is a 2008 Tamil action film starring Sathyaraj and Goundamani about the life of a village do-gooder in Tamil Nadu. Plot Set in a small town near Coimbatore, 'Thangam' portrays tw families headed by Rajendranath and Mahade ...

( Sun TV) (guest role) as Kuchalambal * Mama Maaple ( Sun TV) as Parimalam * Kathiravan ( Sun TV) as Janu

References

External links

*
En.msidb.org
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kalpana 1965 births 2016 deaths Actresses from Kollam Indian film actresses People from Kollam district Actresses in Malayalam cinema Actresses in Tamil cinema 20th-century Indian actresses 21st-century Indian actresses Indian women comedians Malayalam comedians Tamil comedians Actresses in Telugu cinema Actresses in Kannada cinema Indian child actresses Child actresses in Malayalam cinema Indian autobiographers Indian women non-fiction writers Women autobiographers Writers from Kollam Actresses in Tamil television Actresses in Malayalam television Indian women television presenters Indian voice actresses Best Supporting Actress National Film Award winners