One of mimickers favorite passes away…
I have heard this a little late today, but is nothing short of a surprise or being one of those unfortunate things to have happened. I am talking about Mr. Poornam Viswanathan.
The unique dialogue delivery and the iyer baashai he speaks in the films are the ones that made him one of mimickers favorites. Though he didn’t make a great Versatile actor (as far as I know. I may be wrong too), his performances were good and entertaining by and large. I am not sure if he has performed a central or a powerful character in any of the films (based on whatever films I have watched and as far as my memory goes) but he did his part quite well.
I have actually come to know of him better after his demise I should say. The following facts were totally new to me and I wish to have known them before :
1. He worked as a news reader in All India Radio
2. Poornam Viswanathan cleared his throat, controlled his emotions and announced India’s freedom to the outside world in a radio broadcast. At five thirty on the morning of August 15, 1947, young Viswanathan became the first Indian to make that external broadcast from All India Radio to East Asia. (from here)
3. The title Poornam came from the drama troupe he was associated with.
May his soul rest in peace !
