Padmini

Also Known As: Падмини, பத்மினி, पदमिनी, Pappima, Natiya Peroli, Padmini Ramachandran, Travancore sisters

Biography: 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.

Department: Acting

Place of Birth: Thiruvananthapuram, Travancore, British India

Birthday: June 12, 1932

Deathday: September 24, 2006

Adult: No

Gender: Female

Popularity:

1.56%

Known For:

Naan Vanangum Deivam
Nannha Farishta
Bhai Bahen
Dard Ka Rishta
Thigambara Samiar
The Maiden's Lover
Annai Velankanni
Thirumagal
Kumara Sambhavam
Penn Daivam
Sabarimala Shri Dharmasastha
Journey Beyond Three Seas
Adi Parasakthi
Aashiq
Thillana Mohanambal
Afsana
Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu
Punniya Boomi
Kulama Gunama
Iru Malargal
Iru Thuruvam
Thirumaal Perumai
Selvam
Saraswathi Sabatham
Punar Janmam
Thiruvarutchelvar
Uthama Puthiran
Veerapandiya Kattabomman
Deiva Piravi
Thangapadumai
Pudhaiyal
Fortunate Bride
Kalyanam Panniyum Brammachari
Amara Deepam
Anbu
Lakshmi Vandhachu
Asai
Meenda Sorgam
Ponnu Vilayum Bhoomi
Appa Tata
Vanjikottai Valiban
Ethirkalam
Vietnam Veedu
Gurudhatchanai
Vilaiyaattu Pillai
Uzhaikkum Karangal
Navarathinam
Rickshawkaran
Vikramaadhithan
Rani Samyuktha
Mohini
Arasilangumari
Mannadhi Mannan
Manthiri Kumari
Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi
Rajarajan
Andhaman Kaidhi
Raja Desingu
Madurai Veeran
Raj Tilak
Bindya
Iruttinte Athmavu
Laila Majnu
Mahabharat
Thaaye Unakkaga
Kuzhanthaikkaga
Marthanda Varma
Mangayar Thilakam
Vasthuhara
Mujrim
Mera Naam Joker
Snehaseema
Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai
Thookku Thookki
Maragatham
Dollar
Sampoorna Ramayanam
Singapore
Mastana
Raman Ethanai Ramanadi
Vidivelli
Nenjam Marappathillai
Then Nilavu
Prasanna
Edhir Paradhathu
Paadha Kaanikkai
Amarakavi
Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu
Umminithanka
Poove Poochudava
Ezhai Padum Paadu
Panam
The Eternal Lamp
Kaajal
Annaiyin Aanai
Dil Hi To Hai
Iru Sahodarigal
Iruvar Ullam
Do Behnen
Mallika
Aurat
Payal
Raagini
Vivahitha
Vaazhkai
Mr. Sampat