Documentary filmmaker Rakhi Savitri passes away

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Documentary filmmaker and cultural activist Rakhi Savitri (49), passed away. She was undergoing treatment for cancer at RCC, Thiruvananthapuram. She is survived by her husband, renowned folk singer Jayachandran Kadambanad, and their daughter Gouri.

Rakhi had been living in Thiruvananthapuram for work-related reasons for many years. A public viewing was held yesterday at their house near Vadekkadu Junction, Kunnukuzhi, where cultural activists paid their respects. The body was later taken to her family home in Kadambanad. The funeral will take place on Saturday at 10:30 AM at her residence on Ganeshvilasam, Kadambanad.

Rakhi gained public attention through her documentaries on local development projects for C-DIT. She produced projects broadcast on Doordarshan, including Green Kerala Express and Haritha Vidyalayam for schoolchildren. She also worked with Beena Paul on health-related documentaries.

After COVID-19, she and her husband ran a community kitchen at Palayam Public Library, providing meals at just 20 rupees. Rakhi maintained close ties with the Film Society Federation and worked actively in science film festivals as a filmmaker, director, and pre-selection jury member. Despite her illness, she remained active in cultural events. The Federation of Film Societies of India-Kerala and FEFKA Directors’ Union expressed their condolences on her passing.