ALAPPUZHA: Famous film, serial and drama actress Pushkala, of Kalappura Ashwathi, passed away at the age of 60. Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy Gurupooja Award winner. Pushkala came into drama after school education.

She became active in professional drama through dramas of Kollam Universal Theatres. She also acted for prominent drama troupes like SL Puram Suryasoma, Kollam Upasana, Thiruvananthapuram Athulya, Souparnika, Cochin Mahatama, and Kanjirappally Amala.

After her husband VD Shivanandan formed a drama troupe, she became a permanent presence in it. Pushkala has acted in over 10,000 stages. She took a break from acting five years back due to illness. She featured in most movies of Vinayan.

. Children: Sethulakshmi and Sreelakshmi