S. Varalakshmi
Saridey Varalakshmi (13 August 1925 – 22 September 2009) was an Indian actress and singer who worked in Telugu and Tamil-language films. She was popular for her roles and songs in Telugu movies like Mahamantri Timmarasu and Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam and Tamil movies like Veerapandiya Kattabomman and in Poova Thalaiya.
S. Varalakshmi | |
---|---|
![]() S. Varalakshmi in 1951 Tamil film Saudamini | |
Born | 13 August 1925 |
Died | 22 September 2009 (aged 84) Chennai, India |
Occupation | Singer, actress |
Years active | 1935–1992 |
Spouse(s) | A. L. Srinivasan |
Life
Varalakshmi was born in Jaggampeta, Andhra Pradesh, India. She started her career as child artist in saint role in Balayogini (1937), when she was nine years old. Gudavalli Ramabrahmam was engaged by the pioneer filmmaker K. Subrahmanyam to direct the Telugu version of this movie. He spotted young Varalakshmi in Kurnool. Subramanyam later cast her in his classic Seva Sadanam (1938) with M. S. Subbulakshmi.[1] She played a young friend of the heroine (M.S.), and they became close friends. She played a young girl's role in Parasuraman (Tamil, 1940) along with T. R. Mahalingam. T. R. Sundaram, cast her in a major role in his box office hit 'Aayiram Thalai Vaangi Apoorva Chinthamani' (1947). The title role was played by V. N. Janaki. The film was a major success and Govindan and Varalakshmi made an attractive pair. T. R. Sundaram cast her again in the lead role in 'Bhojan' (1948). Her first successful movie was Balaraju in 1948 produced and directed by Ghantasala Balaramaiah. She later acted with all top heroes in Telugu and Tamil industries including M K Tyagaraja Bhagavatar in the classic Tamil film by B A Subba Rao called 'Syamala' in 1953; Sivaji Ganesan (Veerapandiya Kattabbomman), M. G. Ramachandran (Chakravarthi Thirumagal, Maattukara Velan, Needhikku Thalaivanangu), Gemini Ganesan (Poova Thalaiya, Panama Pasama), N. T. Rama Rao (Satya Harischandra), A. Nageswara Rao(ANR) (Balaraju), Chittor V. Nagaiah (Naga Panchami), Ranjan (En Magan) and R. S. Manohar (Maamiyaar). She was also famous for her voice, and sung her songs in all movies she acted. Her roles as Sivaji's sister in Veerapandiya Kattabomman, and important roles in Poova Thalaiya, Savale Samali, Maattukkara Velan, Shivaji's sister in Raja Raja Chozhan and Neethikku thalaivanangu won her critical acclaim as a talented singer and actress in Tamil movies. In her later career, she acted in mother and aunt roles. She married film producer A. L. Srinivasan, an elder brother of Kavignar Kannadasan; they had two children named Nalini and Muruga She continued to act after marriage in senior roles in Telugu and Tamil cinema. She sang many beautiful songs in Telugu and Tamil films.
Her son, S. Muruga, died after suffering cardiac arrest in Chennai on 22 October 2013. He lived for 48 years.
Her daughter Nalini is a homemaker with 2 children.
Death
Varalakshmi was bedridden during the last 6 months of her life after she fell and injured her back. She died on 22 September 2009.[2]
Honors and awards
She has received several awards commending her service to Tamil cinema. The most recent ones were:
- Sivaji Ganesan Memorial Award Presented by the Sivaji Family in Oct 2007
- Kavignar Kannadasan Award presented by the Tamil Nadu Government in 2004
Filmography
Note: The lists are not comprehensive.
Year | Film | Language | Character | Songs | Music Director |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1937 | Balayogini | Telugu | Child Saint | ||
1938 | Sevasadanam | Tamil | |||
1939 | Raithu Bidda | Telugu | Beggar Girl | ||
1940 | Illalu | Telugu | * Koyilokasari Vachi Koosi Poyane * Neepai Mohamuno Krishna Nilupagalemoyi Krishna (with P. Suri Babu) | S. Rajeswara Rao | |
1940 | Parasuramar | Tamil | G. Ramanathan | ||
1942 | Aaraichimani | Tamil | * | Srinivasa Rao Shinde | |
1940 | Sathi Murali | Tamil | |||
1944 | Jagathalaprathapan | Tamil | G. Ramanathan | ||
1945 | Mayalokam | Telugu | Galipenchala Narasimha Rao | ||
1947 | Palnati Yudham | Telugu | Maanchala | * Chandamama O Chandamama Jaalirada Neeku Naameeda * Oho Charusheela Oho Veerabala | Galipenchala Narasimha Rao |
1947 | Aayiram Thalai Vaangi Apoorva Chinthamani | Tamil | * Kaadhal Aaginen | G. Ramanathan | |
1947 | Thulasi Jalandar | Tamil | M. D. Parthasarathi | ||
1948 | Balaraju | Telugu | Seetha | * Evarine Nenevarine Vagavagala Nenevarine * O Balaraja Jaalileda Balaraja * Roopama Neeyaraya Nijaroopamu Neeyaraya | C. R. Subburaman, Galipenchala Narasimha Rao and Ghantasala |
1948 | Bhojan | Tamil | * Bhagyasali Puvimel Naane | C. R. Subburaman | |
1948 | Chakradhari | Tamil | M. D. Parthasarathi | ||
1948 | Kaamavalli | Tamil | C. N. Pandurangan | ||
1949 | Jeevitham | Telugu | Lakshmi | * Anandamouga Palleseema Daanadharmakillu Maa Palleseema | R. Sudharsanam |
1949 | Navajeevanam | Tamil | * Eedilla Kathalar Name (with Ghantasala) * Jeeva Sugitha Anbe (with Ghantasala) * Aananda Manoharaa * Nalla Vaazhvu * Sri Raamaa Raghugula Naayagaa | S. V. Venkataraman | |
1950 | Macha Rekai | Tamil | * Odaadhe (with T. R. Mahalingam) | C. R. Subburaman | |
1950 | Swapna Sundari | Telugu | C. R. Subburaman | ||
1950 | Vaali Sugreeva | Telugu | |||
1951 | Saudamini | Tamil | Hemavathi | * | S. V. Venkatraman |
1951 | Soudamini | Telugu | Hemavathi | * | S. V. Venkatraman |
1951 | Vanasundari | Tamil | * Azhagana Thadi Raja * Nane Rani | C. R. Subburaman | |
1951 | Mohana Sundaram | Tamil | Visalakshi | * Avarthane * Vinmugil Kaana * Oh Jegamathil Inbam Kanbathellam (with T. R. Mahalingam) * Pulli Maanai Pole (with T. R. Mahalingam) * Kanneerthano (with T. R. Mahalingam) * Kanavilum Unai Maraven (with T. R. Mahalingam) | T. G. Linggappa |
1952 | Chinna Durai | Tamil | Indramani | * | T. G. Lingappa |
1952 | Velaikaran | Tamil | * Naane Raani En Maname * Ezhil Vaan Mugam Thannaiye * Kaadhalum Poi Aagume (with T. R. Mahalingam) | R. Sudharsanam | |
1952 | Manavathi | Tamil | * O Saratha * Vaaraai En Inba Vaazhve (with P. Leela) | Balantrapu Rajinikantha Rao | |
1953 | Kodarikam | Telugu | C. N. Pandurangan | ||
1953 | Mamiyar | Tamil | * Arul Purivay * Vazviniley Nannalithuve (with A. M. Rajah) * Aiyirandu Thingalaayi * Devi Eswari Jagathamba * Singara Roopa Karunaa | C. N. Pandurangan | |
1953 | Shyamala | Tamil | Shyamala | * Pudhu Vaazhvu Kanden Naan Poovil * Thaye Sangari (with M. S. Sarojini) * Aha, Ahaa Naan Bhaagyasaali | G. Ramanathan, T. V. Raju & S. B. Dinakar Rao |
1953 | Vayyari Bhama | Telugu | Sudha | * | S. Rajeswara Rao |
1954 | Ammaiyappan | Tamil | Poongavanam | * | T. R. Pappa |
1954 | Edhir Paradhathu | Tamil | Nalini | None | C. N. Pandurangan |
1954 | En Magal | Tamil | Vasantha | * Engal Vaazhvum Engal * Pennaaga Pirandhorku * Vaazhvinile Aanandam * Konden Arum Perum (with T. M. Soundararajan) * Ulaginil Vaazhvu Tharum Kalvi (with Sathyawathi) | C. N. Pandurangan |
1954 | Sati Sakkubai | Telugu | Sakkubai | ||
1955 | Nam Kuzhandai | Tamil | * Ulagam Pora Thinusai * Kadhaiyaa Alladhu Karpanaiyaa * O! Mariyaadhai Ariyaadha Podhu (with Kothamangalam Seenu) * Idhayathile Pugundha | M. D. Parthasarathy | |
1956 | Kanakatara | Telugu | Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao | ||
1956 | Mangala Gauri | Tamil | None | Ogirala Ramachandra Rao & T. V. Raju | |
1956 | Naga Panchami | Telugu | |||
1956 | Naga Panjami | Tamil | * Om Namasivaaya * Sambo Maha Devaa (with Chittor V. Nagaiah) | ||
1956 | Sri Gauri Mahatyam | Telugu | None | Ogirala Ramachandra Rao & T. V. Raju | |
1956 | Verum Pechu Alla | Tamil | C. N. Pandurangan | ||
1957 | Chakravarthi Thirumagal | Tamil | Dhurga | * Ematramthana En Vazhvile * Nalangittu Parpomadi (with A. P. Komala ) * Sollaley Vilakka Theriyale (with P. Leela) | G. Ramanathan |
1957 | Sati Savitri | Telugu | Savithri | * Enduko Ohoho Vilasala (with P. B. Sreenivas) * Raavelano (with P. B. Sreenivas) * Nammithine Janani (with Sreenivasan & Sarojini) * Amma Kaavave Amma * Maataa Idena * Navaratnanchita * Pati Bhakti * Praananaatha * Thaguna Idi Janaka | S. V. Venkatraman |
1957 | Sathiyavan Savithri | Tamil | Savithri | * Edhuko Indraanandham (with P. B. Sreenivas) * Raavelano (with P. B. Sreenivas) * Ambigaiye Kadhi Nee Endhan (with Sreenivasan & Sarojini) * Ammaa.... Katharulvaai Ammaa * Anbbarin Innuyir Vandhida * Navaratnanchita * Pati Bhakti * Naan Vaanagum * Thaguna Idi Janaka | S. Rajeswara Rao & Babu Rao |
1959 | Raja Sevai | Tamil | Gowri | None | T. V. Raju |
1959 | Rechukka Pagatichukka | Telugu | Gowri | None | T. V. Raju |
1959 | Veerapandiya Kattabomman | Tamil | Queen Jakkamma | * Singara Kanne Un Thenoorum Sollale * Vetrri Vadivelane.... Manam Kanintharul Vel Muruga (with V. N. Sundharam) * Takku Takku Ena Adikkadi Thudikkum (with P. Susheela & A. P. Komala) | G. Ramanathan |
1959 | Veerapandya Kattabrahmana | Telugu | Queen Jakkamma | * Chinnari Thalli * Vijaya Varadayaka.... Prabho Krupakara (with B. Gopalam) * Takku Takku Bada Bada (with S. Janaki & A. P. Komala) | G. Ramanathan |
1959 | Sivagangai Seemai | Tamil | * Thanimai Serndhadho * Muthu Pugazh Padaitha (with Radha Jayalakshmi) * Thendral Vanthu Veesatho (with T. S. Bagavathi) | Viswanathan Ramamoorthy | |
1960 | Abhimanam | Telugu | * Rama Idhi Yemi | Ghantasala | |
1960 | Deepavali | Telugu | Vasumathi | * Mahadeva Deva Mahaneeya * Agni Sakshiga * Haye Haye Andala Raja | Ghantasala |
1960 | Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam | Telugu | Mahalakshmi | * Sri Devini Needu Deverini Sarisaatileni Sowbhagyavatini * Varala Beramaya Vanaram Beramaya | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
1961 | Krishna Prema | Telugu | * Repe Vasthadanta Gopaludu (with Ghantasala) * Cheliyalu Muddaraalu * Krishnaa Radhamano Vihari * Navaneetha Chorudu Nandha Kishorudu (with Jikki) * Navaneetha Chorudu Nandha Kishorudu (pathos) (with Jikki) | Pendyala Nageswara Rao | |
1962 | Mahamantri Timmarusu | Telugu | Tirumala Devi | * Leela Krishna Nee Leelalu Ne Leelaganaina Teliyanuga * Tirumala Tirupati Venkateswara | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
1962 | Vadivukku Valai Kappu | Tamil | Rajeswari | * Thaamadham Seiyathe Thozhi | K. V. Mahadevan |
1963 | Lava Kusha | Telugu | Bhoodevi | None | Ghantasala |
1963 | Lava Kusha | Tamil | Bhoodevi | None | Ghantasala |
1963 | Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddhamu | Telugu | Satyabhama | * Veyi Shubhamulu Kalugu Neeku | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
1964 | Babruvahana | Telugu | Chitrangada | * Maa Saati Vaaru * Yemani Thaanaaduno * Nee Sari Manohari (with Ghantasala) * Vardillu Papa | Paamarthi |
1964 | Babruvahana | Tamil | Chitrangada | Paamarthi | |
1964 | Karuppu Panam | Tamil | Kamala | None | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy |
1965 | Satya Harishchandra | Telugu | Chandramathi | * He Chandrachooda Madanantaka Shoolapane (with Ghantasala) | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
1965 | Veera Abhimanyu | Tamil | Subhadra | None | K. V. Mahadevan |
1965 | Veerabhimanyu | Telugu | Subhadra | None | K. V. Mahadevan |
1966 | Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam | Telugu | Kunti | None | T. V. Raju |
1966 | Sri Krishna Tulabharam | Telugu | Shachi Devi | * Vidhudu Nee Maata | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
1967 | Apoorva Piravaigal | Tamil | |||
1967 | Bhama Vijayam | Telugu | Queen | None | T. V. Raju |
1967 | Kandan Karunai | Tamil | Indrani | * Velli Malai Mannava | K. V. Mahadevan |
1967 | Shri Krishnavataram | Telugu | Draupadi | T. V. Raju | |
1967 | Ummadi Kutumbam | Telugu | Kantham | None | T. V. Raju |
1968 | Nindu Samsaram | Telugu | Tulasamma | None | Master Venu |
1968 | Panama Pasama | Tamil | Meenakshi | None | K. V. Mahadevan |
1969 | Aadarsa Kutumbam | Telugu | Jaya | None | S. Rajeswara Rao |
1969 | Poova Thalaiya | Tamil | Paruvathamma | None | M. S. Viswanathan |
1969 | Sattekalapu Satteya | Telugu | None | M. S. Viswanathan | |
1969 | Thanga Surangam | Tamil | Kamakshi | * Petramanam Sirayile | T. K. Ramamoorthy |
1970 | Kaaviya Thalaivi | Tamil | * Kavidhaiyil Ezhudhiya Eduthnatharadi Kaviya Thalaivi (with P. Susheela) | K. V. Mahadevan | |
1970 | Drohi | Telugu | |||
1970 | Maattukara Velan | Tamil | Annapurna | None | K. V. Mahadevan |
1971 | Aathi Parasakthi | Tamil | Aathi Parasakthi | None | K. V. Mahadevan |
1971 | Bomma Borusa | Telugu | Parvathamma | None | R. Govardhanam |
1971 | Ilangeswaran | Tamil | * Jothimayamana | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu | |
1971 | Kannan Karunai | Tamil | S. V. Venkatraman | ||
1971 | Meendum Vazhven | Tamil | Shantha Lakshmi | None | M. S. Viswanathan |
1971 | Prem Nagar | Telugu | None | K. V. Mahadevan | |
1971 | Sri Krishna Satya | Telugu | None | Pendyala Nageswara Rao | |
1971 | Thirumagal | Tamil | Maragatham | None | K. V. Mahadevan |
1971 | Veguli Penn | Tamil | Doctor S. V. Lakshmi | V. Kumar | |
1972 | Bala Bharatam | Telugu | Gandhari | S. Rajeswara Rao | |
1972 | Pillaiyo Pillai | Tamil | None | M. S. Viswanathan | |
1972 | Sri Krishna Satya | Telugu | Draupadi | None | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
1972 | Velli Vizha | Tamil | Sivakami | None | V. Kumar |
1973 | Bangaru Babu | Telugu | None | K. V. Mahadevan | |
1973 | Devudu Chesina Manushulu | Telugu | Varalakshmi | None | Ramesh Naidu |
1973 | Karaikkal Ammaiyar | Tamil | * Anbe Sivam Endru Paduvome | Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan | |
1973 | Nathayil Muthu | Tamil | None | Sankar Ganesh | |
1973 | Rajaraja Cholan | Tamil | Kundavai Pirāttiyār | * Eduthandhanadi Thillayile (with Seerkazhi Govindarajan) * Thanjai Preiya Koyil Pallandu Vaazhgave (with Seerkazhi Govindarajan & T. R. Mahalingam) | Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan |
1974 | Thaai | Tamil | Karpagam | * Mangalam Kaappaal Sivasakthi | M. S. Viswanathan |
1973 | Thirumalai Deivam | Tamil | * Neela Nira Megamellaam Neeye Kanna | Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan | |
1974 | Devi Sri Karumari Amman | Tamil | Meenakshi | * Kanne Kanmainiye Karumaari | Shankar-Ganesh |
1975 | Abhimanavathi | Telugu | |||
1975 | Cinema Paithiyam | Tamil | None | Sankar Ganesh | |
1975 | Yashoda Krishna | Telugu | None | S. Rajeswara Rao | |
1975 | Ramuni Minchina Ramudu | Telugu | None | T. Chalapathi Rao | |
1976 | Dasavatharam | Tamil | Aathi Parasakthi | None | S. Rajeswara Rao |
1976 | Needhikku Thalaivanangu | Tamil | Maragadham | * Intha Pachai Killikoru | M. S. Viswanathan |
1976 | Rojavin Raja | Tamil | None | None | M. S. Viswanathan |
1976 | Vazhvu En Pakkam | Tamil | Vijayalakshmi | None | M. S. Viswanathan |
1977 | Chanakya Chandragupta | Telugu | Muradevi | None | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
1977 | Daana Veera Soora Karna | Telugu | Kunti | None | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
1977 | Navarathinam | Tamil | None | Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan | |
1977 | Sri Krishna Leela | Tamil | Yasodha | * Nalla Naal | K. V. Mahadevan |
1977 | Unnai Suttrum Ulagam | Tamil | None | Shankar Ganesh | |
1979 | Kavari Maan | Tamil | * Sollavallaayo Kiliye | Ilaiyaraaja | |
1979 | Suvarilladha Chiththirangal | Tamil | Parvathy | Gangai Amaran | |
1980 | Sarada Ramudu | Telugu | Suvrchala | None | K. Chakravarthy |
1980 | Sardar Papa Rayudu | Telugu | Urmila Devi | None | K. Chakravarthy |
1981 | Aggi Ravva | Telugu | Meenakshi | None | K. V. Mahadevan |
1981 | Guru Sishyulu | Telugu | Meenakshi | None | K. V. Mahadevan |
1981 | Prema Simhasanam | Telugu | Anasuya Devi | None | K. Chakravarthy |
1982 | Dheviyin Thiruvilaiyadal | Tamil | M. S. Viswanathan | ||
1982 | Kaliyuga Ramudu | Telugu | Jayamma & Suramma | None | K. V. Mahadevan |
1982 | Vayyari Bhamalu Vagalamari Bhartalu | Telugu | Seetamma | None | Rajan–Nagendra |
1983 | Adutha Varisu | Tamil | Rani Amma | None | Ilaiyaraaja |
1983 | Muddula Mogudu | Telugu | None | S. Rajeswara Rao | |
1983 | Neti Bharatam | Telugu | None | K. Chakravarthi | |
1983 | Sri Ranga Neethulu | Telugu | Raja Rajeswari Devi | None | K. Chakravarthy |
1984 | Tharaasu | Tamil | None | M. S. Viswanathan | |
1984 | Thiruppam | Tamil | None | M. S. Viswanathan | |
1985 | Bullet | Telugu | None | K. V. Mahadevan | |
1986 | Muddula Krishnaiah | Telugu | Mangalagiri Ramanamma | None | K. V. Mahadevan |
1987 | Lawyer Suhasini | Telugu | None | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | |
1991 | Guna | Tamil | Manonmani | * Unnai Naan Ariven | Ilaiyaraja |
1995 | Sankalpam | Telugu | Mathaji | None | Koti |
References
- Melody-filled screen presence by Randor Guy in The Hindu, 2009
- Veteran actress passes away IndiaGlitz. Retrieved on 25 September 2009.