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The Travancore sisters refers to the trio of Lalitha, Padmini and Ragini. They were actresses and dancers who performed in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Kannada films.[1][2]
The Travancore sisters grew up in a joint Nair family tharavadu Malaya Cottage in Poojappura, Travancore.[3] They were nieces of the famous beauty Narayani Pillai Kunjamma, who spurned the king of Travancore in favour of marrying the aristocratic landowner Kesava Pillai of Kandamath and through her they were related to the actress Sukumari's mother Sathyabhama Amma and the Travancore Royal Family through their cousin Ambika.[4] They learned dancing under the noted Indian dancer Guru Gopinath and guru T. K. Mahalingam Pillai.[5] Uday Shankar called the sisters to Chennai (then Madras) to act in a film based on dance which he was planning to make.
The matriarchal head of the family was Karthyayini Amma, wife of Palakunnathu Krishna Pillai of Cherthala alias 'Penang Padmanabha Pillai'or P K Pillai, who had six sons of whom Satyapalan Nair was a leading producer of many early Malayalam films. Another son, Raveendran Nair's daughter Latika Suresh, is a leading producer of Malayalam TV programs. They performed at the 1955 Filmfare Awards.[6]
Ragini died from cancer in 1976, Lalitha in 1982, and Padmini died in 2006. Few documents relating to them have survived, except for dozens of films and articles in Indian newspapers.
Filmography
editDance and musical drama performances in films.
| Year | Film | Language | Song | Singer | Music | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | Kannika | Tamil | Dance Drama of Lord Siva and Mohini | Background Music | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1948 | Adhithan Kanavu | Tamil | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha & Padmini | ||
| 1948 | Bhaktha Jana | Tamil | Reema, Narayanan & BNR | Lalitha & Padmini | ||
| 1948 | Bhojan | Tamil | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha & Padmini | ||
| 1948 | Gnana Soundari | Tamil | Dance | Background Music | S. V. Venkatraman | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1948 | Gokuladasi | Tamil | S. V. Venkatraman & C. N. Pandurangan | Lalitha & Padmini | ||
| 1948 | Mohini | Tamil | Aahaa Ivar Yaaradi | K. V. Janaki & P. Leela | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1948 | Vedhala Ulagam | Tamil | Vaasam Ulla Poo Parippene | T. S. Bagavathi & M. S. Rajeswari | R. Sudarsanam | Lalitha & Padmini |
| Dance | Background Music | Lalitha & Padmini | ||||
| Ezhil Annam Vadivaagi Eduthheginen | P. A. Periyanayaki | Lalitha & Padmini | ||||
| Saantham Kolvaai En Sagodhariye | P. A. Periyanayaki | Padmini | ||||
| 1949 | Deva Manohari | Tamil | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha & Padmini | ||
| 1949 | Kanniyin Kaadhali | Tamil | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini | ||
| 1949 | Laila Majnu | Telugu | Amdala Chinna Daana | P. Leela & Jikki | C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini |
| Eenaati Maa Paataa | P. Leela & Jikki | Lalitha & Padmini | ||||
| 1949 | Laila Majnu | Tamil | Kuliridhe Suvai Madhu | P. Leela & Jikki | C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini |
| Kannaadi Kanni Neeye | P. Leela & Jikki | Lalitha & Padmini | ||||
| 1949 | Mangayarkarasi | Tamil | Dance | Background Music | G. Ramanathan, C. R. Subburaman & Kunnakudi Venkatarama Iyer |
Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1949 | Naattiya Rani | Tamil | Papanasam Sivan | Lalitha & Padmini | ||
| 1949 | Pavalakkodi | Tamil | Konjum Kiliye | C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini | |
| 1949 | Vazhkai | Tamil | Uzhuthundu Vaazhvaar.... Paadupattaale Palan Koodum | T. S. Bagavathi & M. S. Rajeswari | R. Sudarsanam | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1949 | Velaikaari | Tamil | Oridam Thanile Inaiyilla Ulaginile | P. Leela & K. V. Janaki | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1949 | Vinothini | Tamil | Srinivasa Iyengar | Lalitha & Padmini | ||
| 1950 | Digambara Samiyar | Tamil | Kaakka Vendum Kadavule Nee | A. G. Rathnamala & U. R. Chandra | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & G. Ramanathan | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1950 | Ithaya Geetham | Tamil | Juma Juma Jum Jum | P. A. Periyanayaki & P. Leela | S. V. Venkatraman | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1950 | Jeevitham | Telugu | Bhoomi Dunnaloy Mana Desam | T. S. Bagavathi & M. S. Rajeswari | R. Sudarsanam | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1950 | Krishna Vijayam | Tamil | Ennadi Aniyaayam Idhu | T. V. Rathnam & P. Leela | C. S. Jayaraman & S. M. Subbaiah Naidu | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1950 | Manthiri Kumari | Tamil | O Raja O Rani Indha Ezhaiyeliya | P. Leela, N. Lalitha and U. R. Chandra | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha, Padmini & Ragini |
| 1950 | Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi | Tamil | Veerathaayai Panivom | P. Leela | M. S. Gnanmani | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1950 | Parijatham | Tamil | Manamagizh Vasandha Kaalamidhe | Jikki & K. V. Janaki | S. V. Venkatraman & C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1950 | Ponmudi | Tamil | Vaanam Kumurudhamma | K. V. Janaki & N. Lalitha | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1950 | Vijayakumari | Tamil | C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini | ||
| 1951 | Devaki | Tamil | Tea Tea Soodaana Tea | Jikki, A. G. Rathnamala & U. R. Chandra | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha, Padmini & Ragini |
| 1951 | Or Iravu | Tamil | Arumbu Pol Meesai.... Paartthu Paartthu Kanngal Rendum | M. S. Rajeswari, T. S. Bagavathi & V. J. Varma | R. Sudarsanam | Lalitha & Padmini with A. Nageswara Rao |
| 1951 | Singari | Tamil | Pasum Paalu Virkkum | P. A. Periyanayaki & P. Leela | S. V. Venkatraman, T. R. Ramanathan & T. A. Kalyanam |
Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1951 | Sudharshan | Tamil | Unnai Kandu Mayamngaadha Pergal Undo | P. A. Periyanayaki | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha |
| Ulagame Sandhai Koottamada.... Paaril Sandhai Koottam | P. A. Periyanayaki | Lalitha | ||||
| 1951 | Vanasundari | Tamil | Deeyo Deeyo Deeyaalo | P. A. Periyanayaki, P. Leela & K. V. Janaki | S. V. Venkatraman & C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha, Padmini & Ragini |
| Pennin Inbam Naadida Vaareer | P. A. Periyanayaki & K. V. Janaki | Lalitha & Padmini | ||||
| Inbamaaga Paaduvom Anbin Kaadhal Vaazhave | P. A. Periyanayaki & K. V. Janaki | Lalitha & Padmini | ||||
| 1952 | Amarakavi | Tamil | Mookkutthi Minnal Kannile | N. L. Ganasaraswathi & P. Leela | G. Ramanathan & T. A. Kalyanam | Lalitha & Padmini |
| Mullaich Chirippile | N. L. Ganasaraswathi & P. Leela | Lalitha & Padmini | ||||
| 1952 | Andhaman Kaidhi | Tamil | College Padippukku Goodbye Nam Kaadhal Vaazhvukkini Welcome | T. V. Rathnam & A. P. Komala | G. Govindarajulu Naidu | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1952 | Dharma Devatha | Telugu | Lambadi Lambadi | K. Rani | C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha |
| Pataku Pallavi | K. Rani | Lalitha | ||||
| K. Rani | Lalitha | |||||
| 1952 | Dharma Devadhai | Tamil | Lambadi Lambadi | K. Rani | C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha |
| Aananda Leelai Tharum | K. Rani | Lalitha | ||||
| Paaduven Paarungko | K. Rani | Lalitha | ||||
| 1953 | Anbu | Tamil | Vendhazhalaai Erikkum Venmadhiye | A. P. Komala & N. L. Ganasaraswathi | T. R. Pappa | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1953 | Marumagal | Tamil | Aanukkoru Penn Pillai | P. A. Periyanayaki, A. G. Rathnamala & A. P. Komala | G. Ramanathan, C. R. Subburaman & Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy |
Padmini & Ragini with T. D. Kusalakumari |
| 1953 | Ponni | Tamil | Aaduvome Oonjal Aaduvome | A. P. Komala, P. A. Periyanayaki, Jayalakshmi & C. B. Radha |
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu | Lalitha, Padmini & Ragini with Ambika |
| 1956 | Amara Deepam | Tamil | Jalilo Jimkana | Jikki | G. Ramanathan & T. Chalapathi Rao | Padmini with E. V. Saroja |
| Ellorum Koodi Aadi Paadi | Jikki | Padmini | ||||
| Pachchai Kilipaadudhu | Jikki | Padmini | ||||
| 1956 | Charana Daasi | Telugu | Yekkadunnadi Dharmamekkadunnadi | K. Rani & Jikki | S. Rajeswara Rao | Ragini with Ambika |
| 1956 | Madurai Veeran | Tamil | Summa Kidanthaa Sotthukku Nashtam | Jikki & P. Leela | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha & Ragini |
| 1956 | Sahasa Veerudu | Telugu | Somarulaithe Thindiki Nashtam | P. Susheela & Jikki | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha & Ragini |
| 1956 | Mathar Kula Manickam | Tamil | Denjaru Aiyaa Denjaru | T. V. Rathnam & G. Kasthoori | S. Rajeswara Rao | Ragini with Rita |
| 1957 | Baagyavathi | Tamil | Paruvam Malarndhu Asaindhu Aadum | Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi | S. Dakshinamurthy | Ragini |
| 1957 | Chakravarthi Thirumagal | Tamil | Kannaalane Vaarunga | Jikki | G. Ramanathan | Ragini |
| 1957 | Karpukkarasi | Tamil | Illaadha Adhisayamaai Irukkudhudhadi | A. P. Komala & K. Jamuna Rani | G. Ramanathan | Ragini with Rita |
| 1957 | Mallika | Tamil | Neela Vanna Kannane Unadhu | P. Susheela | T. R. Pappa | Padmini |
| Mangaamal Valarum Singaara Nadanam | P. Susheela | Padmini | ||||
| 1957 | Manamagan Thevai | Tamil | Kaadhal Kalyaaname Seidha Paappaa | P. Leela | G. Ramanathan | Ragini |
| 1957 | Pardesi | Hindi | Na Dir Dhin Tana Dere Na | Lata Mangeshkar | Anil Biswas | Padmini |
| 1957 | Payal | Hindi | Jaa Re Saanwale Salone | Lata Mangeshkar | Hemanta Mukherjee | Padmini |
| Jhuki Jhuki Ankhiya | Lata Mangeshkar | Padmini | ||||
| 1957 | Raja Rajan | Tamil | Aadum Azhage Azhagu | Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi & P. Leela | K. V. Mahadevan | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1956 | Amar Deep | Tamil | Jali Lo Dim Tana | Asha Bhosle | C. Ramchandra | Padmini & Ragini |
| Lagi Apni Najariya Katar Ban Ke | Asha Bhosle | Padmini | ||||
| Mere Man Ka Bawra Panchhi | Lata Mangeshkar | Padmini | ||||
| 1958 | Mangalya Bhagyam | Tamil | Imaya Malaiyai Idadhu Kaiyaal | K. Jamuna Rani & A. G. Rathnamala | G. Ramanathan | Padmini |
| 1958 | Manamalai | Tamil | Nadanam Aadinaar | P.Leela & Radha Jayalakshmi | Vedha | Ragini with Sukumari |
| 1958 | Neelavukku Neranja Manasu | Tamil | Kannaikkavarum Baradhakalai | Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi | K. V. Mahadevan | Ragini |
| Otrumaiye Namakku Uyirnaadi | Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi & Jikki | Ragini with M. N. Rajam | ||||
| 1958 | Ragini | Hindi | Main Bangaali Chhokraa | Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar | O. P. Nayyar | Padmini with Kishore Kumar |
| 1958 | Raj Tilak | Hindi | Aaja To Aaja | Asha Bhosle & Sudha Malhotra | C. Ramchandra | Padmini with Vyjayanthimala |
| 1958 | Uthama Puthiran | Tamil | Kaatthiruppaan Kamala Kannan | P. Leela | G. Ramanathan | Padmini & Ragini |
| Kondaattam Manasukkulle Kondaattam | P. Leela | Padmini & Ragini | ||||
| 1958 | Vanjikottai Valiban | Tamil | Kannum Kannum Kalanthu | P. Leela & Jikki | C. Ramchandra | Padmini with Vyjayanthimala |
| 1958 | Vijayakota Veerudu | Telugu | Kannu Kannu Kalipi | P. Leela & Jikki | C. Ramchandra | Padmini with Vyjayanthimala |
| 1959 | Nalla Theerpu | Tamil | Azhagaana Maaran | P. Leela | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu | Ragini |
| 1959 | Ponnu Vilaiyum Boomi | Tamil | Aangila Naagareegam Nalladhu | P. Susheela & K. Jamuna Rani | K. H. Reddy | Ragini with Sukumari |
| 1959 | Veerapandiya Kattabomman | Tamil | Anjatha Singam En Kaalai | P. Susheela | G. Ramanathan | Padmini |
| Takku Takku Takkunu | P. Susheela, A. P. Komala & S. Varalakshmi | Padmini & Ragini | ||||
| 1959 | Veerapandya Kattabrahmana | Telugu | Andala Basavanna | S. Janaki | G. Ramanathan | Padmini |
| Takku Takku Bada Bada | S. Janaki, A. P. Komala & S. Varalakshmi | Padmini & Ragini | ||||
| 1960 | Amar Shaheed | Hindi | Alhad Jawan Mera Jaage | Lata Mangeshkar | Jamal Sen | Padmini |
| 1960 | Kalpana | Hindi | Tu Hai Mera Prem Devta | Mohammed Rafi & Manna Dey | O. P. Nayyar | Padmini & Ragini |
| 1960 | Mannadhi Mannan | Tamil | Kanniyar Perumai | P. Leela | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | Ragini |
| 1960 | Raja Desingu | Tamil | Pazhanimalai | P. Leela | G. Ramanathan | Ragini |
| Paarkadal Alaimele | M. L. Vasanthakumari | Padmini | ||||
| 1961 | Punar Jenmam | Tamil | Manam Aadudhu Paadudhu | S. Janaki & Jikki | T. Chalapathi Rao | Padmini & Ragini |
| 1961 | Sabarimala Ayyappan | Malayalam | Minnal Ente Kannu | P. Leela | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu | Padmini |
| 1961 | Sabarimalai Sri Ayyapan | Tamil | Minnal Endhan Kannu | P. Leela | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu | Padmini |
| 1962 | Kavitha | Tamil | Kannukkulle Onnirukku | K. Jamuna Rani & T. M. Soundararajan | K. V. Mahadevan | Ragini with Harban Lal |
| 1962 | Raani Samyuktha | Tamil | Mullaimalar Kaadu Engal Mananvan Ponnaadu | A. P. Komala | K. V. Mahadevan | Ragini |
| 1962 | Vikramaadhithan | Tamil | Nilaiyaana Kalai Vaahgave | P. Leela & T. V. Rathnam | S. Rajeswara Rao | Padmini & Ragini |
| 1967 | Thiruvarutchelvar | Tamil | Mannavan Vandhaanadi | P. Susheela | K. V. Mahadevan | Padmini |
| 1968 | Thirumal Perumai | Tamil | Karaiyeri Meen Vilaiyaadum | P. Susheela & Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi | K. V. Mahadevan | Padmini with Rajasulochana |
| 1968 | Thillana Mohanambal | Tamil | Maraindhirundhu Paarkkum | P. Susheela | K. V. Mahadevan | Padmini |
| Nalandhaanaa Nalandhaanaa | P. Susheela | |||||
| Tillana | Nadhaswaram Instrumental |
References
edit- ^ Gulzar; Nihalani, Govind; Chatterjee, Saibal (2008). Encyclopaedia of Hindi cinema. Encyclopædia Britannica (India) Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 9788179910665.
- ^ "Malaya Cottage was their grooming ground : The Travancore Sisters, Lalitha, Padmini and Ragini, were the pride of Malaya Cottage". The Hindu. 30 September 2006. Archived from the original on 16 June 2010.
- ^ "When the stars shone in Malaya Cottage". The Hindu. 30 September 2006. Archived from the original on 29 October 2010.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Kerala Council for Historical research Family History Papers see under Tharishuthala by K. K. N "keralahistory.ac.in". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
- ^ "Life dedicated to dance". The Hindu. 3 January 2003. Archived from the original on 6 December 2003.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "From year to eternity". Filmfare Print Edition. April 2002. Archived from the original on 2 January 2004. Retrieved 3 August 2010.