S. D. Subbulakshmi

Srivaikundam Duraisamy Subbulakshmi was an Indian actress and singer who was active in Tamil cinema during the 1930s and 1940s. She was the wife of film director K. Subramanyam.[1] She is credited with having introduced the singer and family friend of hers, M. S. Subbulakshmi to Tamil cinema and mentored her in her early days.[1]

S. D. Subbulakshmi
Born
Srivaikundam Duraisamy Subbulakshmi
Occupationfilm actor, singer
Years active1934–1964
Spouse(s)K. Subramanyam

Early life

S. D. Subbulakshmi was born in Srivaikundam to Duraisamy and Janaki Ammal. Since childhood, S. D. Subbulakshmi had shown keen interest in stage dramas. The family moved to Madurai, where she learned carnatic music and dance. Her parents took photos of her in various makeups and showed them to a number of drama companies. This had assisted her to start as a child actress in stage plays. She grew up acting in stage dramas and managed to act in a number of dramas with well-known artists such as M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, K. B. Sundarambal and T. R. Mahalingam and earned a very good name. Pavalakkodi was one such drama where she had acted with M. K. Thiagaraja Bhagavather and became very famous.

Cinema life

Letchumanan Chettiar or Lena Chettiar of Krishna Pictures, who has seen the drama wanted to picturise the drama and requested K. Subrahmanyam to direct that film. Lena Chettiar and K. Subrahmanyam watched the drama together. K. Subrahmanyam suggested to retain the same artists who acted in drama to be in the film too and Lena Chettiar agreed to this. Through Pavalakkodi, S. D. Subbulakshmi entered into Tamil Cinema in 1934. She became a famous heroine in the 1930s till mid-1940s, then she switched to mother and supporting roles.

Introducing M. S. Subbulakshmi

S. D. Subbulakshmi became instrumental in introducing M. S. Subbulakshmi when she persuaded K. Subrahmanyam to give the daughter of her friend Madurai Shanmugavadivu, a chance on the concert stage at the exhibition he was organising in connection with the 1932 Mahamagam Festival in Kumbakonam. Thus, it was also K. Subrahmanyam who first helped to make M. S. Subbulakshmi a star in the world of song. It was on that stage that M. S. Subbulakshmi became a star.

Later, when he negotiated with Sadasivam for the film rights for a story serialised in Ananda Vikatan, starring M. S. Subbulakshmi in the film, she came almost as part of the package. Thus started M. S. Subbulakshmi's film career in Sevasadanam with S. D. Subbulakshmi guiding throughout.[1]

Family life

S. D. Subbulakshmi married the famous prolific lawyer turned director K. Subramanyam with the consent of his first wife Meenatchi. K. Subramanyam kept both the families together and managed them without any discrimination between them until his last breath. She was blessed with a son Abaswaram Ramji.

Filmography

Year Film Role Notes
1934PavalakkodiPrincess Pavalakkodi
1935Naveena SadaramSadharam
1936Usha KalyanamUsha
1936KuchelaLord Krishna and Suseela
1936Naveena SarangadharaChitrangi
1937Mr. Ammanchi
1939Thyaga BhoomiSavithri
1942AnanthasayanamMohini
1943Krishna Sudhaama Kannada
1945Maanasamrakshanam
1946Vikatayogi
1952Andhaman KaidhiKamatchi
1952Panam
1954Thookku Thookki
1954Thuli Visham
1955Gulebakavali
1956Mathar Kula Manickam
1957Raja RajanQueen Senbagavalli
1957Rani LalithangiEmpress Angaiyarkanni
1958Sampoorna RamayanamKausalya
1959Aana Valarthiya VanampadiThankamaniMalayalam
1959Yaanai Valartha VaanampaadiThangamani
1959Kalyana ParisuVasanthi and Geetha's mother
1960Kadavulin Kuzhandhai
1960Sivagami
1962PattinatharMeenatchi
1964Pattanathil BhoothamLatha's mother
1966Sadhu MirandalParvarthyTamil; Special Appearance
1970Engirundho VandhaalRadha / Kamala's mother

References

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