Ravi Menon - A Memory

It is with great sorrow that I came to know of the death of my dear friend and Batchmate from the Acting Course (1968-69) Ravi Menon. He died today ( 24 th November,2007) at Peruthalmanna, Kerala. He was 57.

He was one of the few Malayali actors who passed out from the Institute. He was always jovial and in high spirits and remained a chronic bachelor! I was the cinematographer for his debut film NIRMALYAM ( Malayalam -1973, Director : M.T.Vasudevan Nair). The film won the National Award for the Best Feature Film. He had also acted inthe Hindi film 'DUVIDHA' (1973), directed by Mani Kaul. I was also associated with him in another Malayalam film Directed by G.S. Panikker ( 1967-70 Batch) AEKAKINI (1978) and a few other films. The last film we worked together was in the Malayalam film "VARNAKKAZHCHAGAL" (2000)

A few days back a TV channel wanted to do a programme on the film "NIRMALYAM" and the Producer was telling me that though not keeping well, Ravi had agreed to participate in it. While looking towards a reunion of Institute friends, the cruel hands of fate intervened to snatch him away for ever.

As a homage I am putting the photograph of him, from the Film "NIRMALYAM" and Pray for the Peace of his Soul.