Padmini
Padmini (12 June 1932 – 24 September 2006) was an Indian actress and trained Bharathanatyam dancer, who acted in over 250 Indian films. She acted in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi language films. Padmini, with her elder sister Lalitha and her younger sister Ragini, were called the "Travancore sisters". Padmini was born and raised in Thiruvananthapuram, in what was then the princely state of Travancore (now the Indian state of Kerala). She was the second daughter of Sree Thankappan Pillai and Saraswathi Amma, both coming from noble Nair families. Her sisters Lalitha and Ragini, were also well known film actresses. Together, the three were known as the Travancore sisters. Padmini and her sisters learnt Bharathanatyam from Thiruvidaimarudur Mahalingam Pillai. The trio were the disciples of Indian dancer Guru Gopinath. They learnt Kathakali and Kerala Natanam styles of dancing from him. N.S. Krishnan noticed her talents while she was presenting Parijatha Pushpapaharanam in Thiruvananthapuram. After that performance, he said that in the future she would become an actress. She was thus cast as heroine in his own production Manamagal. The Travancore Sisters grew up in a joint family tharavadu (Malaya Cottage) in Poojappura, Trivandrum. The matriarchial head of the family was Karthiyayini Amma, whose husband was P.K. Pillai (Palakunnathu Krishna Pillai of Cherthala) alias "Penang Padmanabha Pillai". P.K. Pillai had six sons, of whom Satyapalan Nair (Baby) was a leading producer of many early Malayalam films. They performed at the 1955 Filmfare Awards. Padmini was a leading actress and one of the highest paid actresses of the 50s, 60s and 70s. She is also known as one of the charming beauty queens of the 50s and 60s. She was given the title "Natya Peroli" in Tamil Nadu because of her excellent Bharatnatyam performances in Tamil films. Her Tamil movie Thillana Mohanambal, is a cult classic of Tamil cinema and continues to be remembered even today. Her beautiful performance in Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai was outstanding and made her a national star.
Known For
Credits
- 1993 · Dollar as Ammachi
- 1991 · The Dispossessed as Bhavani
- 1986 · Lakshmi Vandhachu as
- 1986 · Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu as
- 1985 · Poove Poochudava as Poongavanathamma
- 1984 · Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu as Kunjoonjamma Thomas
- 1982 · Dard Ka Rishta as
- 1978 · Punniya Boomi as
- 1977 · Navarathinam as Vayiduriyam
- 1976 · Uzhaikkum Karangal as
- 1972 · Appa Tata as
- 1971 · Adi Parasakthi as
- 1971 · Annai Velankanni as
- 1971 · Rickshawkaran as Parvathi
- 1971 · Kulama Gunama as
- 1971 · Iru Thuruvam as Thangam
- 1971 · Thirumagal as
- 1970 · Mera Naam Joker as Meenu
- 1970 · Sabarimala Shri Dharmasastha as
- 1970 · Mastana as Gauri
- 1970 · Raman Ethanai Ramanadi as
- 1970 · Vietnam Veedu as
- 1970 · Ethirkalam as
- 1970 · Vilaiyaattu Pillai as Maragatham
- 1970 · Penn Daivam as Ponnamma
- 1970 · Vivahitha as
- 1969 · Kumara Sambhavam as Parvathi / Sathi
- 1969 · Gurudhatchanai as
- 1969 · Bhai Bahen as Rani / Tara
- 1969 · Nannha Farishta as Gauri
- 1968 · Thillana Mohanambal as Mohanambal
- 1968 · Kuzhanthaikkaga as Gowri
- 1968 · Thirumaal Perumai as Dancer
- 1967 · Iru Malargal as
- 1967 · Aurat as
- 1967 · Thiruvarutchelvar as
- 1967 · Iruttinte Athmavu as Nani
- 1966 · Selvam as
- 1966 · Saraswathi Sabatham as Parvathi
- 1966 · Thaaye Unakkaga as Devi
- 1966 · Afsana as
- 1965 · Mahabharat as Draupadi
- 1965 · Kaajal as
- 1963 · Nenjam Marappathillai as
- 1963 · Naan Vanangum Deivam as Rukmani
- 1963 · Iruvar Ullam as
- 1963 · Dil Hi To Hai as Bahar
- 1962 · Vikramaadhithan as
- 1962 · Paadha Kaanikkai as
- 1962 · Rani Samyuktha as Rani Samyuktha
- 1962 · Aashiq as Preeti
- 1961 · Then Nilavu as
- 1961 · Punar Janmam as Parvathi
- 1961 · Umminithanka as
- 1960 · Vidivelli as Rosie
- 1960 · Arasilangumari as
- 1960 · Bindya as Bindya
- 1960 · Mannadhi Mannan as
- 1960 · Raja Desingu as
- 1960 · Meenda Sorgam as Nirmala
- 1960 · Deiva Piravi as Thangam
- 1960 · Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai as Kammo
- 1960 · Singapore as Lata
- 1959 · Maragatham as Maragatham/Alamu
- 1959 · Veerapandiya Kattabomman as Vellayamma
- 1959 · Thangapadumai as
- 1959 · Do Behnen as
- 1958 · Ponnu Vilayum Bhoomi as
- 1958 · Annaiyin Aanai as
- 1958 · Sampoorna Ramayanam as Seetha
- 1958 · Vanjikottai Valiban as Princess Padma
- 1958 · Uthama Puthiran as Amudhavalli
- 1958 · Raj Tilak as
- 1958 · Mujrim as
- 1958 · Raagini as
- 1958 · The Eternal Lamp as Roopa
- 1957 · Fortunate Bride as
- 1957 · Journey Beyond Three Seas as Court Dancer Lakshmi
- 1957 · Mallika as
- 1957 · Rajarajan as
- 1957 · Pudhaiyal as
- 1957 · Payal as
- 1956 · Iru Sahodarigal as
- 1956 · Amara Deepam as Roopa
- 1956 · Madurai Veeran as Velliaiyamma
- 1956 · Asai as
- 1955 · Mangayar Thilakam as Sulochana
- 1954 · Snehaseema as
- 1954 · Edhir Paradhathu as Sumathi
- 1954 · Thookku Thookki as Rajakumari
- 1954 · Kalyanam Panniyum Brammachari as Padmini
- 1953 · Anbu as Malathi
- 1952 · Panam as Jeeva
- 1952 · Mr. Sampat as Malini
- 1952 · Andhaman Kaidhi as
- 1952 · Amarakavi as Special appearance
- 1950 · Ezhai Padum Paadu as
- 1950 · Thigambara Samiar as
- 1950 · Prasanna as Madanika
- 1950 · Manthiri Kumari as
- 1950 · Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi as
- 1949 · Vaazhkai as Dancer
- 1949 · Laila Majnu as Dancer
- 1949 · The Maiden's Lover as Dancer
- 1948 · Mohini as
- 1933 · Marthanda Varma as Parukutty