Her Majesty MONI KRISHNANKUTTY

Say 'Her Majesty' and one sees, in one's mind, an elegant, grand lady with a charming smile and a caring heart. Probably and rightly so because only the queens could afford to be benevolent and had the 'luxury' to do charity. While Pazzage always made a conscious effort to find the queens amongst the commoners, this month's queen would leave its readers inspired, to say the least for Ms Moni Krishnankutty. A lady who proved that a large heart is all it takes and not money to do charity.

- Chandni S

Moni Krishnankutty was born in a small village in Olloor, Thrissur to Coolie workers. Her first break came when she moved to Perumbavoor in Cochin with her parents and was allowed to pursue her dancing and singing skills in a technical school there. Though she was talented she was quick to realise that her background and skills were insufficient to make a career out of music. But her penchant for drawing pushed her to pursue Civil engineering in a Polytechnic College close by. In pursuing her dreams and career, empathy and compassion, always remained her constant companions. ‘Though we were always from a humble background and were on daily wages, it never stopped my father and mother from giving. My father would never shy away from offering food and help to the less fortunate around us. I think I could also never turn my head away from the needy, since I was a child’ she reminisces. Her passion for music never did leave her either and when she saw an opportunity to join a group of street singers, she gladly signed up.

But soon she realised that her ability could be put to better use and that gave birth to the novel idea of singing to raise funds for those in need of money for treatment, especially cancer.

Singing at the High Court, Churches and Fort Cochin, with just the help of a driver who managed the generator, a small Mike system and karaoke, Ms Moni raised funds to cater to the treatment needs of the people she shortlisted as genuine.