Padmini
Acting
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.
Movies(116)
Dollar
Ammachi
1993
Vasthuhara
Bhavani
1991
Lakshmi Vandhachu
Rajeshwari
1986
Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu
Dhanam
1986
Poove Poochudava
Poongavanathamma
1985
Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu
Kunjoonjamma Thomas
1984
Dard Ka Rishta
1982
Punniya Boomi
1978
Navarathinam
Vayiduriyam
1977
Uzhaikkum Karangal
1976
Appa Tata
1972
Adi Parasakthi
1971
Annai Velankanni
1971
Rickshawkaran
Parvathi
1971
Kulama Gunama
1971
Iru Thuruvam
Thangam
1971
Thirumagal
1971
Thenum Paalum
Janaki
1971
Mera Naam Joker
Meenu
1970
Sabarimala Shri Dharmasastha
1970
Mastana
Gauri
1970
Raman Ethanai Ramanadi
1970
Vietnam Veedu
1970
Ethirkalam
1970
Vilaiyaattu Pillai
Maragatham
1970
Penn Daivam
Ponnamma
1970
Vivahitha
1970
Kumara Sambhavam
Parvathi / Sathi
1969
Gurudhatchanai
1969
Nannha Farishta
Gauri
1969
Bhai Bahen
Rani / Tara
1969
Thillana Mohanambal
Mohanambal
1968
Kuzhanthaikkaga
Gowri
1968
Thirumaal Perumai
Dancer
1968
Iru Malargal
1967
Aurat
1967
Vasantha Sena
Anaga Sena
1967
Thiruvarutchelvar
1967
Iruttinte Athmavu
Nani
1967
Selvam
1966
Saraswathi Sabatham
Parvathi
1966
Thaaye Unakkaga
Devi
1966
Afsana
1966
Kaajal
Bhanu
1965
Mahabharat
Draupadi
1965
Nenjam Marappathillai
1963
Naan Vanangum Deivam
Rukmani
1963
Iruvar Ullam
1963
Dil Hi To Hai
Bahar
1963
Vikramaadhithan
Princess Rathnamalai
1962
Paadha Kaanikkai
1962
Rani Samyuktha
Rani Samyuktha
1962
Aashiq
Preeti
1962
Then Nilavu
1961
Punar Janmam
Parvathi
1961
Umminithanka
1961
Arasilangumari
1960
Vidivelli
Rosie
1960
Bindya
Bindya
1960
Mannadhi Mannan
1960
Raja Desingu
1960
Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai
Kammo
1960
Meenda Sorgam
Nirmala
1960
Deiva Piravi
Thangam
1960
Singapore
Lata
1960
Chathurangam
1959
Maragatham
Maragatham/Alamu
1959
Veerapandiya Kattabomman
Vellayamma
1959
Thangapadumai
1959
Do Behnen
1959
Ponnu Vilayum Bhoomi
1958
Annaiyin Aanai
1958
Sampoorna Ramayanam
Seetha
1958
Vanjikottai Valiban
Princess Padma
1958
Uthama Puthiran
Amudhavalli
1958
Raj Tilak
1958
Mujrim
1958
The Eternal Lamp
Roopa
1958
Raagini
1958
Baagyavathi
Meena
1957
Journey Beyond Three Seas
Court Dancer Lakshmi
1957
Mallika
1957
Rajarajan
1957
Pudhaiyal
1957
Payal
1957
Iru Sahodarigal
1956
Amara Deepam
Roopa
1956
Madurai Veeran
Velliaiyamma
1956
Asai
1956
Koteeswaran
Neela
1955
Mangayar Thilakam
Sulochana
1955
Snehaseema
1954
Edhir Paradhathu
Sumathi
1954
Thookku Thookki
Rajakumari
1954
Kalyanam Panniyum Brammachari
Padmini
1954
Sorgavasal
Queen Kumara Devi
1954
Anbu
Malathi
1953
Panam
Jeeva
1952
Mr. Sampat
Malini
1952
Andhaman Kaidhi
1952
Amarakavi
Special appearance
1952
Devaki
Self - Dancer
1951
Or Iravu
1951
Ezhai Padum Paadu
Lakshmi
1950
Thigambara Samiar
1950
Prasanna
Madanika
1950
Manthiri Kumari
1950
Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi
1950
Laila Majnu
Self - Dancer
1950
Vaazhkai
Dancer
1949
Laila Majnu
Dancer
1949
Kanniyin Kaadhali
Dancer
1949
Velaikari
1949
Mohini
1948
Kalpana
1948
Marthanda Varma
Parukutty
1933