CHENNAI: Yesteryear South Indian actress KV Shanthi (81) passed away in Chennai on Monday.

Born at Ettumanoor in Kottayam, Shanthi reached Madras at a young age. She got a major breakthrough as a dancer when she was selected as the main dancer of the Uday Shankar Center for Dance. She then went on to perform in various countries.

In 1953, she performed a dance number in the film 'Ponkathir'. Shanthi made her acting debut through Merryland's 'Padatha Painkili' in which she played a supporting role. She then went on to act in more than 100 films across various languages. She was last seen in the movie 'Bharyayillatha Rathri' which released in 1975.

Shanthi is survived by son Shyam Kumar. Her funeral took place on Monday evening.