S. PADMINI (B. 1934)

Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi and Telugu star and classical dancer born in Trivandrum. Second, and best-known, of the 3 famed Travancore sisters (Ragini and Lalitha). Dance training under Guru Gopinath. Debut in Uday Shankar's dance spectacular Kalpana, followed by roles in S.M. Sreeramulu Naidu and Sundarrao Nadkarni's productions. Then acted in several Tamil films, with both MGR (Madurai Veeran) and Sivaji Ganesan (Verapandiya Kattaboman, Thillana Mohanambal, Vietnam Veedu).

First major Hindi role in Gemini's Mr Sampat but mainly associated with Raj Kapoor (Jis Desk Mein Ganga Behti Hai, Mera Naam Joker). Known mainly as a Bharat Natyam dancer (cf. Thillana Mohanambat) and actress in sentimental melodramas (typically Adhyapika). Left films briefly in the late 70s when she moved to the USA, making her comeback in 1984. Thereafter known for her Fazil films. Probably made more Tamil films than are listed in her filmography.

FILMOGRAPHY
1948: Kalpana, Bhakta Jana; Gunanasundari; Mahabali;
1949: Velaikkari; Devamanohari; Geetha Gandhi; Krishna Vijayam; Vinodini; Mayavathi; Natya Kani; Pavalakkodi; Ponmudi; Laila Majnu;
1950: E-zhai Padum Padu/Beedala Patlu; Laila Majnu; Manthiri Kumari; Maruthanattu Ilavarasi; Parijatham; Prasanna
1951: Jeevan Tara; Navvitte Navarathrulu; Singari
1952: Krishna Kanhaiya; Mr Sampat; Kanchana; Velaikkaran
1953: Asha Deepam;Ammalakalu/Marumagal; Oka Talli Pillalu
1954: Ethirparadathu; Snehaseema; Illara Jyothi; Thookti Thooki; Sorgavasal
1955: Rajkumari; Shiv Bhakta; Mangayar Tbilakam, Vijayagauri; Katbanayaki; Kaveri; Kotesbwaran
1956: Madurai Veeran; Amara Deepam; Raja Ram; Kannin Manigal; Verum Pechalla
1957: Payal; Pardesi; Qaidi
1958: AmarDeefr, Ragini; Raj Tilak; Uthama Puthran/Sitamgarb; Chadarangam; Sampoorna Ramayanam
1959: Veerapandiya Kattaboman/Amar Shaheed; Thangapatbumai; Maragatham; Daivame Thunai; Ponnu Vilaynm Bhoomi; Minnal Padayali
1960: Bindiya;Jis Desh Mem Ganga Behti Hai; Kalpana; Maya Machhindra; Ramayan; Singapore; Daiva Piravi; Meenda Sorgam; Raja Desingu; Mannathi Mannan
1961: Umminithanka; Apsara; Shri Sabarimalai Sbri Ayyappan
1962: Aashiq; Meri Bahen; Rani Samyuktha; Senthamarai; Vikramadithan
1963: Kattu Roja; Naan Vanangum Daivam; Veera Datapath! Veluthambi
1964: Shri Guruvayoorappan
1965: Kalyanaphotcr, Kajal; Mahabharat
1966: Afsana; Kanakacbilanka; Chitthi; Thaye Unakkaga
1967: Aurat; Irutinte Atmavu; Pareeksha; Pooja; Pesum Daivam; Engalukam Kalamvaryam; Kan Kanda Daivam; Iui Malargal
1968: Love in Kerala;Adbyapika; Aparadhini; Vaasna; Thillana Mohanambal; Thirumal Perumai; Kuzhandaikaka
1969: Kumara Sambhavam; Chanda Aur Bifli; Madhavi; Nannha Farishta; Bhai Bahen; Gurudakshinai; Mr Kerala(?); Adimagal
1970: Penn Daivam; Vietnam Veedu; Aansoo Aur Muskaan; Mastana; Mera Naam Joker; Vivahitha; Vilayattu Pillai; Ethirkalam
1972: Appa Tata; Vasantha Maligai; Maa Inti Jyothi
1973: Veetu Mappillai; Pillai Selvam
1974: Kadavul Mama; Thayi; Thimdi; Roshakkari; Devi Shri Karumariamman
1975: Engalukkum Kathal Varum; Oru Kudumbathin Kathai
1976: Ungalil Oruthi; Uzhaikum Karangal
1977: Navarathnam
1978: Padakkudhira
1979: Ezham Kadalinakkare
1982: Chilanthi'uala
1984: Nokketha Dhoorathu Kannum Nattu
1985: PoovePoo Cbooda Va
1986: Thaikku Oru Thalattu; 1990: Vasthuhara