Manobala, a celebrated Tamil producer of film, television, and theatre, passed away on May 3, 2023 at the age of 69. Manobala started in theater before turning to films in 1981. In his four-decade career, he produced over 200 films in five languages - Tamil, Telugu, Kaadaikutty Pathi, Kannada, and Hindi. He often collaborated with directors like K. Bhagyaraj, Thirumurugan, and R. Sundarrajan, and actors like Sathyaraj, Prabhu, and Siva. His films garnered critical and commercial success, and his productions had a huge influence on Tamil cinema. Manobala also helmed several TV shows, including Senthil & Goundamani’s Withinnga Saaral, School Kulla, Elamai Unmai, and reality show Comedy Khiladigal, as well as a web series. Manobala is survived by his wife of 48 years, Padmavathy, son Sivalingam, daughter Padmakumar, and three grandchildren.
Our dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them. George Eliot