Acting
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.
Filmography
Dollar
Film · 1993
Vasthuhara
Film · 1991
Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu
Film · 1986
Lakshmi Vandhachu
Film · 1986
Aayiram Kannudayaal
Film · 1986
Poove Poochooda Vaa
Film · 1985
Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu
Film · 1984
Dard Ka Rishta
Film · 1982
Punniya Boomi
Film · 1978
Navarathinam
Film · 1977
Uzhaikkum Karangal
Film · 1976
Appa Tata
Film · 1972
Annai Velankanni
Film · 1971
Thirumagal
Film · 1971
Adi Parasakthi
Film · 1971
Iru Thuruvam
Film · 1971
Kulama Gunama
Film · 1971
Rickshawkaran
Film · 1971
Thenum Paalum
Film · 1971
Penn Daivam
Film · 1970
Sabarimala Shri Dharmasastha
Film · 1970
Ethirkalam
Film · 1970
Vietnam Veedu
Film · 1970
Vilaiyaattu Pillai
Film · 1970
Mera Naam Joker
Film · 1970
Mastana
Film · 1970
Raman Ethanai Ramanadi
Film · 1970
Vivahitha
Film · 1970
Aansoo Aur Muskan
Film · 1970
Nannha Farishta
Film · 1969
Bhai Bahen
Film · 1969
Kumara Sambhavam
Film · 1969
Gurudhakshaneiy
Film · 1969
Thillana Mohanambal
Film · 1968
Thirumal Perumai
Film · 1968
Kuzhanthaikkaga
Film · 1968
Iru Malargal
Film · 1967
Thiruvarutchelvar
Film · 1967
Iruttinte Athmavu
Film · 1967
Aurat
Film · 1967
Vasantha Sena
Film · 1967
Pesum Deivam
Film · 1967
Paaladai
Film · 1967
Afsana
Film · 1966
Selvam
Film · 1966
Saraswathi Sabatham
Film · 1966
Thaaye Unakkaga
Film · 1966
Mahabharat
Film · 1965
Kaajal
Film · 1965
Naan Vanangum Deivam
Film · 1963
Dil Hi To Hai
Film · 1963
Aashiq
Film · 1962
Vikramaadhithan
Film · 1962
Rani Samyuktha
Film · 1962
Senthamarai
Film · 1962
Punar Janmam
Film · 1961
Umminithanka
Film · 1961
Deiva Piravi
Film · 1960
Meenda Sorgam
Film · 1960
Mannadhi Mannan
Film · 1960
Raja Desingu
Film · 1960
Arasilangumari
Film · 1960
Bindya
Film · 1960
Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai
Film · 1960
Singapore
Film · 1960
Veerapandiya Kattabomman
Film · 1959
Thangapadumai
Film · 1959
Maragatham
Film · 1959
Chathurangam
Film · 1959
Uthama Puthiran
Film · 1958
Ponnu Vilayum Bhoomi
Film · 1958
Vanjikottai Valiban
Film · 1958
Raj Tilak
Film · 1958
Mujrim
Film · 1958
Sampoorna Ramayanam
Film · 1958
Amar Deep
Film · 1958
Raagini
Film · 1958
Pardesi
Film · 1957
Pudhaiyal
Film · 1957
Baagyavathi
Film · 1957
Rajarajan
Film · 1957
Mallika
Film · 1957
Payal
Film · 1957
Amara Deepam
Film · 1956
Asai
Film · 1956
Madurai Veeran
Film · 1956
King and Queen
Film · 1956
Mangayar Thilakam
Film · 1955
Koteeswaran
Film · 1955
Kaveri
Film · 1955
Kalyanam Panniyum Brammachari
Film · 1954
Snehaseema
Film · 1954
Thookku Thookki
Film · 1954
Edhir Paradhathu
Film · 1954
Sorgavasal
Film · 1954
Illara Jothi
Film · 1954
Anbu
Film · 1953
Ashadeepam
Film · 1953
Andhaman Kaidhi
Film · 1952
Amarakavi
Film · 1952
Panam
Film · 1952
Mr. Sampat
Film · 1952
Or Iravu
Film · 1951
Devaki
Film · 1951
Thigambara Samiar
Film · 1950
Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi
Film · 1950
Manthiri Kumari
Film · 1950
Prasanna
Film · 1950
Ezhai Padum Paadu
Film · 1950
Laila Majnu
Film · 1950
Kanniyin Kathali
Film · 1949
Laila Majnu
Film · 1949
Vaazhkai
Film · 1949
Velaikari
Film · 1949
Natyarani
Film · 1949
Mohini
Film · 1948
Kalpana
Film · 1948
Marthanda Varma
Film · 1933