Ace cinematographer and director Rajiv Menon's mother Kalyani Menon passed away on August 2 and several notable personalities from the film industry shared their heartfelt condolences to the Kandukondain Kandukondain director. Kalyani Menon, who was a veteran classical singer, was 80 years old when she breathed her last. She has also sung several songs in Tamil cinema, mostly in A.R.Rahman's music. 'Alaipayuthey' from Alaipayuthey and 'Omana Penne' from Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa are some of the memorable cinema tracks of Kalyani Menon. Having said all these, Rajiv Menon took to his official Instagram page this afternoon (August 7) to post a sweet and heartfelt note, expressing his love for his mother.

Rajiv Menon shared a throwback portrait picture of his mother which looked absolutely pretty and beautiful. Rajiv recalled how his mother supported his decision to pursue art instead of asking him to concentrate on his academics. Talking about his mother's death and her support over these years, Rajiv wrote, "In life, there are a very few things that we can truly call eternal. I've realised that this portrait of my mother is one of them. Although she left this mortal realm on the 2nd of August, we know that she lives on and guides us through her music and memories.

Contrary to the popular opinion of prioritising academics and stability over a life of artistic pursuit, my mother enabled me and my brother to make choices that empowered and challenged us because we all have only this one life. Even though she had become a single parent when my father passed away,she was just only 37 years old, she still didn't use this situation to emotionally blackmail me into using my good academic record to design a conventional life for us and our family".

Talking about the portrait picture that he posted, Rajiv Menon posted, "This particular picture was taken in 1983 when I was experimenting with window light. I didn't have a camera nor did I know what the future would hold but whenever I borrowed camera's, my grandmother and my mother would be the most co-operative and beautiful models that any aspiring artist could ask for".

A post shared by Rajiv Menon (@dirrajivmenon)