Today, fashion designers and stylists continually look back at her archival looks to recreate authentic vintage Kerala styling.
Kaviyoor has single-handedly revived the "Podi (Small) Border" sari. In her recent style videos, she pairs traditional off-white Kerala saris with unexpected elements:
, crafted to evoke comfort and familiarity in audiences. Her typical cinematic look included:
After a prolonged battle with stage-4 cancer, Kaviyoor Ponnamma passed away on 20 September 2024 at a private hospital in Kochi. Her loss was mourned not just by her family and friends in the film fraternity, but by an entire state that had grown up seeing her face as a symbol of comfort and love. She was given a funeral with official honours, a testament to her stature as a cultural icon.
Her on-screen chemistry with Mohanlal was particularly legendary, creating one of the most beloved mother-son duos in the history of Indian film.