Malayalam actor and director EA Rajendran died at the age of 71 on Thursday (March 26) after a prolonged illness. He died at his residence in Pattathanam, Kollam, Kerala. Rajendran was widely recognized for his contributions to theatre, cinema and television.

Rajendran began his artistic career in theatre, gaining fame as a stage actor before moving into films. Over the years, he acted in approximately sixty films, playing a variety of roles including villains and character roles. He was also a well-known face on television through several serials.

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Born to Ayyappan and Sumathi in Angoor Tharavadu in Thrithallur in Thrissur district, Rajendran showed early interest in performing arts. While studying at Thritthallur UP School, he actively participated in stage productions organized by the school’s Literary Society.

After completing college, he joined the National School of Drama (NSD) in Delhi and graduated with first rank. After this he did a television course at the Film Institute in Pune. On his return from Pune, he married Sandhya, daughter of famous theater personality O Madhavan and sister of actor Mukesh. Sandhya was a student of Thrissur School of Drama at that time.

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After settling in Kollam, Rajendran became closely associated with Kalidasa Kalakendram, the theater troupe managed by his father-in-law. With the support of playwright Jose Chirammal, he adapted a Russian novel into a stage production, which won the Kerala State Government Award for Best Play in 1987. She and Sandhya were the lead actors in the troupe for many years, during which period Sandhya received the State Award for Best Theater Actress.

Although Rajendran’s initial film was in VR Gopinath’s film grishmam After graduating from Pune, he continued to get opportunities in cinema. He made a remarkable comeback with the film KaliyattamDirected by Jayaraj. He also acted in films like Pranayavarngal, Mercy And Pattabhishekam.

Apart from his artistic activities, Rajendran served as the Chairman of the State Horticulture Corporation.