Sreenivasan was born on 2 May 1950
Even as actor Sreenivasan—who constantly renewed Malayalam society’s social and political life by humorously mocking himself—bid farewell, he left behind a small joke about himself.
When Sreenivasan passed away at the age of 75, his age itself became a topic of discussion. Except for Mathrubhumi daily, most media outlets reported that his age was 69 and that his year of birth was 1956 in different database sources including authentic pages of Wikipedia, which led to confusion. As debates intensified on social media, efforts began to ascertain his real age—Mathrubhumi clarified the facts.
Why to give away the chance to become young— that Sreenivasan joke still remains
When news reports mentioned actor Srinivasan’s age as younger than it actually was, it sparked discussions, and his friends began recalling his trademark humour about age once again. Some websites and personal-data platforms had earlier wrongly recorded his year of birth as 1956. A few friends had already brought this mistake to Srinivasan’s attention.
Why waste a chance to become four or five years younger? — that was Srinivasan’s usual humorous reply, his friends recall.
People of his own age from his native place Padiyam Kongatta of Kannur district, as well as his classmates from Mattannur Pazhassi Raja NSS College, were equally surprised when they read news stating that Srinivasan was 69 years old instead of 75.
While all other media outlets reported his age as 69, there were claims that Mathrubhumi daily had made an error. The inquiry into this confusion ultimately led to the finding of Srinivasan’s transfer certificate which was issued after his degree completion at Mattannur Pazhassi Raja NSS College.
According to that certificate, Srinivasan’s date of birth is May 2, 1950.
Best Actor award in the year 1970
Srinivasan joined Mattannur College on August 14, 1968, pursuing BA in History and Economics, and left the college on March 31, 1971.
Classmates, including C. Umapathi, former Regional Manager of North Malabar Gramin Bank, recall that Srinivasan completed his studies and graduated in 1971. In November 1970, Srinivasan and his team staged the play Vairupyangal at the Calicut University Kannur District Zone Arts Festival.
Srinivasan won the Best Actor award at the festival, and his photograph was published in Mathrubhumi on November 30, 1970.
Author’s note:
Mathrubhumi’s efforts to bring out the real truth of Srinivasan’s age are really commendable. Thanks to Wikipedia and other social media pages for updating his real age.
If someone honestly ask me about Srinivasan’s age, my mind travels to the 1980s and 1990s. Not just my case, it’s the opinion of every Malayali that Nadodikkattu’s Vijayan can never grow old. His age is somewhere sealed in his 30s. Through the numerous reels we watch him every day, he is funny, energetic and young. It will always remain so! Our memories associated with Srinivasan will stay fresh through countless immortal fun-filled scenes he created on screen. RIP Legend!
Article and image courtesy: Mathrubhumi daily
Also read: Harikeshan Thampi alias Hari – Hero of Sreenivasan’s Debut Film
Best 10 scripts of Sreenivasan
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