nalam thaanaa? naattiya pEroli padmini!

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Topic started by NOV on Sun Sep 24 20:56:44 2006.

Padmini was born at Poojappura in Thiruvananthapuram on 12, June 1932 as the second daughter of Thankappan Pillai, a landlord and Saraswathi Amma, a pious housewife. Her elder sister Lalitha and younger sister Ragini were also renowned film actresses and together were branded as "Travancore Sisters."

Padmini had her early education at Mahila Mandiram School and at Sea Shell convent in Thiruvananthapuram. Later she devoted her entire time and energy in pursuing classical dance and has been religiously doing it for the past 64 years.

She began learning classical dances at the age of four. In classical dance, Guru Gopinath and later TM Mahalingam Pillai were her teachers. In 1942, at the age of ten, she had her arangettam. At 14, she became a member of a dance troupe that toured various parts of India. She also composed songs for that troupe.

At the age of 17, Padmini became the heroine of the Hindi film "Kalpana," That was the beginning of her film career. She then went on to act in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam films.

In all the films acted, she herself gave the sound for the characters, which is something unique in film industry. She also speaks five languages, Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada.

Padmini has acted with all the leading heroes during that age, which include legendary stars like Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, Sivaji Ganesan, MGR, Prem Nazir, and Raj Kumar.

She got married to Dr. KT Ramachandran in 1961. Following her marriage she left the soaring acting career and settled for family life.

1977, she started her own school 'Padmini School of Fine Arts' at the basement of her house in New Jersey with four students. It is now considered as one of the oldest and largest Indian dancing school in US.

More than 100 students now learn Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, and folk dances at the school. So far, more than 71 arangettams (graduations) were held. Late film actress Richa Sharma, Sanjay Dutt's wife was one of her students.

Padmini has performed dances on Christian themes also. Her "Mary Magdalene" was a very successful dance drama. In addition to her own dance school, she also teaches children at the Kerala Culture Forum in New Jersey. She also has plans to start a school to teach classical Indian Dance forms in Chennai.

She is a founder-member of the Hindu Temple Society of North American. She is also associated with many charities.

In 1981 her husband died at the age of 48. Their only son Premanand is an official with the Warner Brothers. He acted in one Malayalam movie and produced three documentaries.

http://www.keral.com/celebrities/padmini/life&career.htm

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Responses:

From: NOV on Sun Sep 24 21:10:10 2006.

the actress famous for her impeccable performances in Thillana Mohanambal, Vietnam Veedu, Madurai Veeran, Mangayar Thilakam Chitthi and the come back movie of Poove Poo Chooda Vaa, not forgetting her foray into Hindi movies such as Mera Naam Joker, is no more with us today.

may God bless her soul!
From: NOV on Sun Sep 24 21:13:43 2006.

nalamthaanaa nalamthaanaa
udalum ullamum nalamthaanaa

nalam pera vEndum nee endru
naalum en nenjil ninaivundu
ilai maraikkaai pOl porul kondu
evarum ariyaamal sol indru

kan pattadhO undhan mEniyilE
pun pattadhO adhai naanariyEn
pun patta sEdhiyai kEttavudan
indha pen patta paattai yaar arivaar

nadandhadhellaam marandhiruppOm
nadappadhaiyE ninaiththiruppOm
kadandhadhellAm poruththiruppOm
kaalam maarum sandhippOm
From: joe on Sun Sep 24 21:19:28 2006.

நாட்டிய பேரொளிக்கு இதய அஞ்சலி!
From: Thirumaran on Sun Sep 24 21:25:31 2006.

Padmini is One of the talented and beautiful actress.
May the soul of Naatiya Paeroli Padmini rest in peace.
From: madhu on Sun Sep 24 21:31:19 2006.

two years back..I saw her in the serial "american dreams" .. and just heard that she was relocated to Chennai this year..

As Shivaji Ganesan once pointed out ... "I know only one dancer... Padmini"

May her soul rest in peace.. :anjali:
From: NOV on Sun Sep 24 21:35:36 2006.

is there any newspaper coverage of her passing away. i only heard it over radio this monrning.
From: Badri on Sun Sep 24 21:41:30 2006.

What? She was supposedly at a function yesterday, when Karunanidhi was felicitated!!!

http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=324958&ssid=1&sid=ENT

Vijaykant, MLA, a new entrant to politics from Kollywood was also present during the function along with actors Rajnikanth, Kamal Hassan, satyaraj, Vikram, Vijay, Meena, Asin, Trisha, Sneha, Nila, Kanimozhi, Kushboo and yesteryear actress Padmini.
From: Badri on Sun Sep 24 21:42:12 2006.

Eppo nadanthathu?
From: Nerd on Sun Sep 24 21:46:18 2006.

Badri wrote:

What? She was supposedly at a function yesterday, when Karunanidhi was felicitated!!!

Yes she was !!

http://www.dinamalar.com

May her soul rest in peace
From: NOV on Sun Sep 24 21:48:07 2006.

Badri wrote:

Eppo nadanthathu?
madhu wrote:

At the age of 74 she left this world coz of a heart attack at Apollo Hospital chennai !
From: Badri on Sun Sep 24 21:54:13 2006.

Thanks for the link, Nerd. She was a wonderful actress and dancer, with a remarkable screen presence!
From: pavalamani pragasam on Sun Sep 24 22:26:08 2006.

Memories of the three sisters linger from my very tender years, Lalitha's doped song, 'unnai en kan thEduhtE' has got inexplicably etched in my memory to my own surprise! Ragini's dimple is what atrracted me most to her, leanest of the three, like a 'kodi'! Shobana resembles her most. But Padmini....the idol of all girls, from tiny totsto college teens of my past attracts me most for her very expressive eyes! Very apt for crying scenes, dialogue rendering holding the 'thali'....those old cinemas of pathos, sentimentality & emoting! She has a very beautiful face with very sharp, fine features. A precious statement of my paternal athai when I was a very little girl was,'jimkki pOttukittu un mugam Padmini maathiriyE irukku'!!! That was the highest compliment to a girl!!! That was the standard Padmini set in beauty assessment among women!!! An unforgettably beautiful, lively, expressive face! It shall remain etched in our minds for ever!
From: tfmlover on Sun Sep 24 22:27:19 2006.

cant accept
pennaaga piranthavarku kannurakam irandu murai
pirppil orru thookam
irrapil orru thookam
From: ramky on Sun Sep 24 22:44:32 2006.

Naattiya Peroli Padmini's mesmerising dance in "Thillana Mohanambal" - which caused Sikkal Shanmugasundaram to stand rooted to the spot. And then she querried 'Marainthirunthu paarkum marmam enna' ? Unforgettable performance in a classic role !!

May her soul rest in Peace.

( Last rites will take place at Chennai when her only son arrives from the US. )
From: great on Sun Sep 24 22:48:22 2006.

Thirumaran wrote:

Padmini is One of the talented and beautiful actress.
May the soul of Naatiya Paeroli Padmini rest in peace.

May her soul rest in peace
From: Sinthiya on Sun Sep 24 22:52:14 2006.

my condolences to Padmini's family...rest in peace...
From: hi on Sun Sep 24 23:01:52 2006.

May her soul rest in peace...

very talented actress & dancer
From: kb on Sun Sep 24 23:11:42 2006.

avinga nalla aaduvaanga. nalla pesuvaanga..

aatma shaanthi adayatum
From: imsai on Sun Sep 24 23:16:31 2006.

may her soul rest in peace
From: groucho070 on Sun Sep 24 23:21:57 2006.

While she is mostly praised for her dancing (her title is such), I think she is very underrated as an actress.

I rate her up high, if not an equal to, Savithiri. She works very well with NT. Some of her memorable performances has been sparring with NT. The song "Unn Kannil Neer Vazhinthal' will not have effect without her searing performance.

One by one, they are leaving us. There are few remaining performers of golden era with us now. I hope the Tamil film industry will appreciate them while they are still alive.

It will be a mourning day for the lovers of the golden era of Tamil films.
From: ajithfederer on Sun Sep 24 23:22:05 2006.

may her soul rest in peace ......
From: P_R on Sun Sep 24 23:31:09 2006.

groucho070 wrote:

While she is mostly praised for her dancing (her title is such), I think she is very underrated as an actress.

Couldn't agree more. Her dancing excellence overshadowed her equally good acting talent. I place her just a few notches from Savitri. Her performances shall be cherished for years to come.
From: tfmlover on Sun Sep 24 23:55:37 2006.

http://www.dinamani.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=DNH20060924154106&Title=Headlines+Page&lTitle=%D8d%A1V+%F9Nn%A7Ls&Topic=0
From: raaja_rasigan on Mon Sep 25 0:00:14 2006.

Nee uranguga amaidhiyudan,
un pugal vazhga valamudan
From: tfmlover on Mon Sep 25 0:55:15 2006.

http://s102.photobucket.com/albums/m88/tfmlover1/
few from my fav sivaji padmini video songs
(thanks kat)
From: bingleguy on Mon Sep 25 1:06:50 2006.

Puppy or Padmini amma was a real princess in the world of Cinema ! Wearing the crown Natiya Peroli .... she has done excellent performances in dance and acting in her career ... Her Thillana Mohanaambal is worth a million mentions ....

May her soul rest in peace !
From: kb on Mon Sep 25 1:20:56 2006.

tfmlover wrote:

http://s102.photobucket.com/albums/m88/tfmlover1/
few from my fav sivaji padmini video songs
(thanks kat)
From: joe on Mon Sep 25 1:53:50 2006.

Thillana Mohanampal ,Vietnam veedu ,Vanjikottai vaaliban ,Thangapathumai .mannathi mannan ,chiththi are few of her top class movies
From: tvsankar on Mon Sep 25 2:02:34 2006.

Ippodhu dhan Sun news channel parthu Padmini avargalin maraivai therindhu konden.

ORU URAVINARIN IZAHIPAI POL MANDADHIL VARUTHAM.....

With Love,
Usha Sankar.
From: pavalamani pragasam on Mon Sep 25 2:14:25 2006.

Her skill, talent, grace grew with age!!! I rank "poovE poo sooda vaa" as her best. Simply superb. Quite a few scenes gave me goose flesh! She lived the emotionally rich,deep, natural character in that movie!
From: NOV on Mon Sep 25 2:14:53 2006.

I guess this is the most appropriate song for naattiya pEroli's departure from this mortal world...

last movie she acted
appropriately titled thaaikku oru thaalaattu
and this song comes when her character passes away

aaraarirO paadiyathaaro thoongi pOnathaarO
yaarO yaarO enakkaarO yaarO
en theivamE ithu poi thookkamaa
naan thoongavE ini naalaagumaa

pozhudhaagi pOnathE innum thookkama
sollaamal pOnathu thaayE nyayamaa
uyir thandha devikku uyirillayO
paalootti paarthiyE paalootralaamO
annam pOtta en thaayE
unakku arisi pOda vandhEn
ennai naanE nonthEn
aaraarirO...

nee mundhi pOnadhu nyaayam illayE
naan mundhi pOgavE yOgam illayE
koondai vittu thaai kili paranthadhingE
pasiththavan kEtkirEn paal sOru engE
en thEviyE naanum seidha
kutram enna kooru
oru paarvai paaru
aaraarirO...
From: mgb on Mon Sep 25 2:31:02 2006.

May her soul rest in peace
From: saradhaa_sn on Mon Sep 25 5:09:06 2006.

Really a very sad news to hear our 'Nattiya Peroli' Pappiyamma is no more.

But as long as her evergreen movies are with us, no one can part her from us.

Last night also, when we were watching the song of 'Kannum kannum kalandhu' from VanjikOttai Vaaliban in TV, me and my husband were discussing about the dancing talents of Padmini and Vaijayanthimala.

But when this morning I heard the news of her sudden demice of Padmini we get shocked.

May her soul rest in peace.
From: Nakeeran on Mon Sep 25 5:28:21 2006.

Whenever I think of Natiya peroli, I could think of NT only as together they have given splendid movies

What a graceful dancer she was in Vanji kotai valiban

Mr. Nov, I think her last movie with NT was LAKSHMI VANDHACHU I think .

She showed her old touch in Poove poochodava .

Great loss
From: raagadevan on Mon Sep 25 8:41:26 2006.

Actor, danseuse Padmini brought grace and drama to celluloid

Chennai, Sept 25. (UNI): Yesteryear heartthrob and talented actor and danseuse Padmini, who died here past midnight last night at the Apollo Hospitals, following a cardiac arrest was among the few artistes, who had imparted grace and drama rolled into one in her portrayals of a variety of characters.

Still, occupying a place in the hearts of film goers, especially down South, the 74 year- old versatile artististe's death came as a rude shock plunging the Sout Indian film industry into grief as only the previous evening she had attended the felicitation function for Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

Padmini, who was seen exchanging pleasantaries with Mr Karunanidhi, who enquired "Nalandana"? ("Are you allright?), taking after a hit song from one of her many box office hits "Thillana Mohanambal".

But midway through the function, Padmini reportedly collapsed and was rushed to Apollo hospital.

Known for her Bharatanatyam skills of the highest order, Padmini had acted in more than 250 films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi in her long and distinguished career. She paired with prominent matinee idols, Sivaji Ganesan, MGR, Prem Nazir, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand.

However, her pairing with late Sivaji Ganesan turned out to be perfect with both sharing great on screen chemistry, giving innumerable hits.

Padmini was also among the first of the heroines from the South who made it to Bollywood or Hindi cinema, beginning her career with 'Kalpana' at the age of 17 before starring in her first Tamil film "Manamagal' in 1950 with another legend N S Krishnan.

Born in Poojapura in Thiruvananthapuram on June 12, 1932, Padmini was the second daughter of a landlord and Saraswathi Amma. With her sisters Ragini and Lalitha, she formed the famous trio, "Travancore Sisters". But as destiny would have it, Padmini was the most successful in the artistic pursuits of dancing and acting, which the three were known for.

Padmini began learning classical dance at the tender age of four. Guru Gopinath and later T M Mahalingam Pillai were her teachers and she devoted her entire time and energy for pefecting her skill.

After 'Kalpana' and 'Manamagal', for which Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, who had also started his career in Kollywood wrote the dialogues, Padmini evolved into a versatile actor. In several films, she appeared for dance numbers. They include movies like 'Vedhala Ulagam' (1949), 'Seetha Kalyanam', 'Velaikkari', 'Vinodhini' and 'Pavalakodi' (1950) among others.

She made her bow as a character actress in 'Ezhai Padum Padu' (1950).

Then began Padmini's popular pairing with the late thespian Svaji Ganesan in 1951 with the film 'Panam' . There was no looking back for her thereafter. Her films with MGR included 'Madurai Veeran' 'Rani Samyukhtha', 'Mannadhi Mannan' and 'Rickshawkaran' which featured her in a character role.

However, Padmini attained a special fame in Indian cinema when the showman late Raj Kapoor picked her as his leading lady in 'Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai' and 'Aashiq', in which she was one of the heroines with Nanda, in the 60s and later on in 'Mera Naam Joker'.

Padmini went on to give commandable performances in a few other Hindi hits including 'Chanda Aur Bijli' with another great actor Sanjiv Kumar, 'Vaasna' and 'Kaajal' with late Raajkumar. Earlier, she also paired with Dev Anand in 'Amar Deep' produced by Sivaji Ganesan's production company.

(This article is from The Hindu)
From: NOV on Mon Sep 25 9:18:14 2006.

Astro Vaanavil pays tribute to this legend tonight with a special screening of Mannadhi Mannan at 10pm.
From: Kanna on Mon Sep 25 9:21:54 2006.

Pappiamma - May your soul RIP
From: VENKIRAJA on Mon Sep 25 9:28:17 2006.

dd news showed her masterpieces 2day evening.
none can replace peroli-sivaji combo.

thillana mohanambal:nalanthana-especially navarasamum.....pazharasamum:beautiful!

vietnam veedu:un kannil neer vazhindhaal.

let the pair dance in sorgham.

i heard someone on a deathday saying so,apt here too:

avarai manithargalai vida uyarntha oruvaridam oppadaithuvittom!
From: tfmlover on Mon Sep 25 10:45:18 2006.

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mag/2002/04/07/stories/2002040700310500.htm
From: RR on Mon Sep 25 11:16:49 2006.

From suntv news
From: RR on Mon Sep 25 11:24:32 2006.
From: kb on Mon Sep 25 12:23:31 2006.

oru naalil vaazhkai engum odi pogathu.. apidigara paata poiaakiduchi..

http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/gallery/m/Events/grand_occ250906/136935.html

with CM in function
From: Shakthiprabha. on Mon Sep 25 12:25:27 2006.

MY DEEPEST feelings rests with..........

a woman I admire, adore(too strong to tell in words)................

for her talent, beauty, service.

I bow my head before her. May her soul rest in peace.
From: Sanguine Sridhar on Mon Sep 25 14:25:58 2006.

Great loss

May her sole rest in peace
From: m_23_bayarea on Mon Sep 25 14:45:06 2006.

Oh man, PADMINI died ??? My deepest condolences to her family and associates ... I pray her soul rests in peace !!
From: Kollywoodfan on Mon Sep 25 15:22:36 2006.

This is very upsetting news.

Padmini Aunty (I call her that) was my first teacher when I started dance in NJ before i went to Kamala Aunty. She was sick back then and it's really sad to hear this news being one of her pupils.

I'm sure the world, Indians and the world of Bharathnatyam, will forever remember her!
From: seagull on Mon Sep 25 15:38:00 2006.

Its very sad news May her soul rest in peace.
Padmini will always be remembered for her wonderful performances in films like Thillana Moganambal, Poove Poochudava and others.
From: tfmlover on Mon Sep 25 17:00:57 2006.

http://www.bollywood501.com/classic_f/Padmini/index.html

http://www.bollywood501.com/classic_f/Padmini/Payal/index.html

http://www.bollywood501.com/classic_f/Padmini/ThillanaMohanambal/index.html
From: imsai on Mon Sep 25 17:15:54 2006.

''Nattiya Peroli''Padmini no more
By PTI
Sep 25, 2006, 10:49

Printer friendly page

Chennai, Sept. 25 (PTI): Padmini, a popular actress of yesteryears who paired with popular heroes of Indian cinema like Raj Kapoor and M G Ramachandran, died of cardiac arrest at a corporate hospital here last night.

The 74-year-old actress and dansuese is survived by a son, who is settled in the United States.

A classical dancer, Padmini started learning dance at an early age of four and came to film industry in 1949. She had paired with popular heroes like M G Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan, Prem Nazir, Raj Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand.

Leaving the film carrier after her marriage with Dr K T Ramachandran, she left for the United States, where she started the famous Padmini School of Fine Arts at New Jersey.

Born in Poojapura in Thiruvananthapuram on July 12, 1932, she along with her elder sister Lalitha and younger sister Ragini, were called the 'Famous Travancore Sisters'.

Two of the trio died two years back. Her husband also passed away in 1981, after which she came back to India and started acting in Tamil films.

Her role as a dancer in 'Thillana Mohanambal' pairing with Sivaji Ganesan, had won critical acclaim.

Even on Saturday last, she made a public appearance to participate in the film world felicitation to Chief Minister M Karunanidhi here.

Family sources said the funeral would take after the arrival of her son Anand from US.

� Copyright 2006 by MusicIndiaOnLine.com
From: raagadevan on Mon Sep 25 17:49:05 2006.

[tscii]

Queen of Tamil cinema no more

Ramya Kannan

CHENNAI: Three dancer-sisters lit up the Chennai stage nearly half a century ago. The most popular among the three Travancore sisters, Padmini, exited the stage on Sunday night, snatched by a massive heart attack. As she bowed out, it is curtains for an era of cinema � an era that had crowned her queen.

Born in Poojapura, Kerala, on June 12, 1932, to Thankappan Pillai and Saraswathi Amma, Padmini came after Lalitha and before Ragini (both of whom died earlier). It was dance that brought the sisters into the limelight and a combination of fine skills of acting and dancing that kept Padmini there for nearly four decades.

Film industry chroniclers remember Padmini's smooth transition from the stage to films in the black and white era. "Her first movie was a small role in a dance-film Kalpana, directed by Uday Shankar in 1948. He had advertised for dancers and Saraswathi Amma, her two older girls in tow, decided to see if it would be an opportunity for her children. A fatherless family had to fend for itself," says Film News Anandan.

Her first `character role' was in Ezhai Padum Paadu, which was also shot in Telugu. Padmini would soon emerge a polyglot, taking all four South Indian languages and Hindi in her stride, dispensing with dubbing support. However, if one were to mark a milestone in the filmography of the second Travancore sister, it would be Panam in 1952, where she first paired with the man with whom she would set Tamil screens ablaze � Sivaji Ganesan.

In the pair's much-toasted film, Thillana Mohanambal, Padmini played Mohanambal to Sivaji's Sikkil Shanmugasundaram, two artistes vying professionally with each other even as they fall in love. The movie proved that she well deserved the title of Natyaperoli (roughly translated as `The bright light of dance').

The movie came in 1968, seven years after her marriage to a U.S.-based physician, T.K. Ramachandran. Vietnam Veedu, the family drama in 1970 was also shot with Sivaji, as Padmini kept shuttling between America and Chennai, managing her acting along with the running of the fine arts academy she founded in the U.S.

The actress also starred with nearly all heroes of the age in nearly 250 films, including M.G. Ramachandran, S.S. Rajendran, Gemini Ganesan and N.T. Rama Rao.

Among her notable Hindi films are Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960) opposite Raj Kapoor and Pardesi, three years earlier with his father, Prithiviraj Kapoor, in an India-Russia collaboration. Film News Anandan says the Russians released a stamp in honour of the actress after the movie. Mera Naam Joker followed in 1971.

The Tamil film industry mourns the passing away of the woman whose eyes danced as she asked Sivaji in Thillana Mohanambal: "Nalamthana? Udalum Ullamum Nalamthana (Are you fine, in body and mind)?"

The Hindu - September 26, 2006
From: raagadevan on Mon Sep 25 18:21:22 2006.

The Hindu - Picture Gallery:

http://www.hindu.com/gallery/0453/0453i001.htm
From: joe on Tue Sep 26 2:17:50 2006.

Padmini -wikipedia

http://ta.wikipedia.org/wiki/பத்மினி
From: joe on Tue Sep 26 2:19:26 2006.

Some stills from Thillana mohanampal

http://www.bonkanwa.com/Entertainment/IndianMovies/TamilMovies/Alphabet/T/ThillanaMohanabal.htm
From: joe on Tue Sep 26 2:31:29 2006.

Extensive info from Dinamalar

http://www.dinamalar.com/2006sep26/general_tn3.asp
From: Kumar on Tue Sep 26 6:17:41 2006.

Mdm Padmini has a dance sequence in Aadhi Parasakthi which always mesmerises me. And that's how I'll always picture her; a dancing goddess.

May her soul rest in peace.

From: kamalsurya on Tue Sep 26 6:44:18 2006.

Quote:

Padmini's death marked the end of a saga in Tamil film industry, said veteran Nagesh. This sums up the achievements and laurels of Padmini, called affectionately 'Natiya Peroli'.

A skilled Bharatanatyam dancer, Padmini had acted in more than 250 films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi in her long and distinguished career. She paired on celluloid with prominent actors including MGR, Sivaji Ganesan, Prem Nazir, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand. She began learning classical dance at the age of four. Guru Gopinath and later T M Mahalingam Pillai were her teachers and she devoted her entire time and energy in pursuing that classical form.

Born in Poojappura in Thiruvanthapuram in 1932 to Thankappan Pillai and Saraswathi Ammal, she made her debut in filmdom with the Hindi movie Kalpana. It was followed by several movies where she appeared for dance numbers.

They include movies Vedhala Ulagam (1949), Seetha Kalyanam, Velaikari, Vinodhini and Pavalakodi (1950) among others. She made her debut as a character actress in Ezhai Padum Padu (1950).

She was introduced in Tamil with Manamagal (1950) which had dialogues by M Karunanidhi and directed by veteran comedian N S Krishnan. She followed it the next year with Panam opposite Sivaji Ganesan. Her films with MGR included Madurai Veeran, Rani Samukhtha, Mannadhi Mannan and Rickshawkaran, featuring her in a character role.

She married Dr K T Ramachandran and she settled in USA where she started the Padmini School of Fine Arts. She lost her husband, who was only 48 in the year 1981.

Padmini went on win best actress award of the Film Fans Association four times and the Kalaimamani award from Tamilnadu government in 1958. In 1985, she received the Filmfare Award in 1985 for Poovae Poo Chudava where she played Nadhiya's grandmother. The erstwhile Soviet Union released a postal stamp in her honor.

During the Indian-Pakistan war in 1965, she went to the war front and performed for the wounded Indian soldiers. She also performed for the sick patients in the hospital in the then Madras.

Padmini was cremated at Besant Nagar Crematorium on Tuesday with who's who of the industry taking part. She breathed her last at a private hospital following cardiac arrest on Sunday night.

From: r_o_j_a on Tue Sep 26 7:50:26 2006.

heard on ndtv about her passing
may her soul rest in peace
From: Nerd on Tue Sep 26 10:42:48 2006.

http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/sep/26tps.htm?q=tp&file=.htm
From: raagadevan on Tue Sep 26 22:59:01 2006.

CM pays homage to Padmini

Chennai, Sept 27. (UNI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, himself a film writer on Tuesday led the State especially the film industry in paying homage to yesteryear actor and dancer Padmini, who died past midnight on Sunday.

Mr Karunanidhi, accompanied by film lyricist Vairamuthu, visited the residence of Padmini's niece Shobana, also a dancer and national award winning actor, and placed a wreath on the late actor's body.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Film industry paid glowing tributes to the Polygot actress and "Nattiya Peroli", describing her death as an irreparable loss to the Indian film world.

Film artists, including actors and actresses of the present and earlier generations, paid their homage to the mortal remains of the actor.

Renowned danseuse and former MP Vyjayanthimala Bali, Manorama and Nagesh, contemporaries of Padmini, placed a wreath and said the death of Padmini was a personal loss to them.

The famous dance sequence filmed on Padmini and Vyjayanthimala in the film "Vanjikottai Valiban" and the refrain "Sabaash Sariyana Potti" by late villain P S Veerappa, is still vivid in the minds of film buffs.

Among others who paid their last respects included ace actor Kamal Hassan, actors Arjun, Parthiban, Vikram, veteran actor Sivakumar, Gouthami, Kushboo, distributors, producers and directors from the tinsel world.

The mortal remains of Padmini was consigned to flames at the Besant Nagar Crematorium on Tuesday.

(From The Hindu)
From: tfmlover on Thu Sep 28 0:08:47 2006.

http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2006/sep/26sd6.htm
From: raagadevan on Thu Sep 28 20:36:54 2006.

Beauty, charm, charisma

RANDOR GUY

With her versatile talent Padmini lit up the silver screen for over two decades.

A classical dancer, multi-faceted personality, and talented movie star, she brought rare power, charm, charisma, and great beauty to her many movie roles in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Hindi.

A star with a track record of over two hundred movies, Padmini, the most popular of the trio, the `Travancore Sisters' (Lalitha and Ragini being the other two) died a few days ago in Chennai to which she had relocated after 35 years in the U.S., where she lived with her husband Ramachandran, a doctor.

Born in 1932 in Trivandrum, she made her cinema debut as a teenager in the sadly underrated dance-oriented movie `Kalpana' (1948), an Uday Shankar classic produced at Gemini Studios, Madras.

Soon after, the sisters and their mother P.K.Saraswathi Amma, a woman of immense drive, settled down in Madras to pursue dancing careers.

The sisters made a mark quickly and appeared in dance sequences in many movies like `Velaikkari,' `Geetha Gandhi,' `Krishna Vijayam' and `Pavalakodi' (all 1949), winning fame and name.

Gemini Studios boss and movie mogul S.S.Vasan, cast Padmini in the lead in `Mr. Sampat' (1952), a reworked version of Tamil social satire `Miss Malini,' which brought her to the attention of the Hindi cinema world where, before long, she began to make an impact.

Meanwhile her career as leading lady began to take off and she appeared in many Tamil and Malayalam movies, quite a few hailed as classics, including `Madurai Veeran,' `Amaradeepam' (1956), and `Vanjikottai Valiban' with Gemini Ganesan (1958) and `Mannadhi Mannan' known for its lilting music.

The highlight of `Vanjikottai Valiban,' was the scintillating and enthralling `dance duel' between Padmini and Vyjayanthimala, which has come to be regarded as one of the best dance sequences in Indian cinema.

One of her finest Tamil movies, a major box-office success was `Thangapadhumai' (1959), a brilliant adaptation of the Kannagi epic by A.S.A.Sami who directed the movie. Her spirited delivery of jaw-breaking dialogue, recalled Pasupuleti Kannamba's classic `Kannagi,' was a masterpiece in movie acting.

According to Sami, Padmini virtually scored hands down over the hero Sivaji Ganesan. He recalled that while the climax sequence was being shot, Padmini worked on her dialogue not even taking a break for lunch.

"I have rarely seen such devotion among the numerous actresses I've directed in my long career," said Sami.

Malayalam hits

Many of her Malayalam hits created film history. Mention must be made of `Snehaseema' (1954), a brilliant adaptation of Alfred Tennyson's famous story-poem `Enoch Arden.'

Other Malayalam movies include `Adhyapika' (1968) and `Adimagal' (1969).

Padmini's reputation as a classic actress of high merit rests on her memorable Tamil movies `Madurai Veeran,' `Amaradeepam' (1956), `Veera Pandiya Kattaboman' (1959), `Chitthi' (1966), `Penn Deivam' (1970), `Vietnam Veedu' (1970) and so on.

Her most fondly remembered Tamil movie is `Thillana Mohanambal' (1968), in which she proved to be a fine match for Sivaji Ganesan.

Directed by A.P. Nagarajan, based on a popular magazine serial by Kothamangalam Subbu, it became a cult classic with an excellent portrayal of the rich Thanjavur culture in its many aspects. Few are aware that prints of this film in 16-mm format were acquired by universities in the U.S. for the study of South Indian culture, Thanjavur in particular.

`Mother' roles

Besides her glamorous heroine roles, she excelled in `mother' roles, memorably in `Vietnam Veedu' and `Penn Deivam.'

Of a similar genre was `Chitthi' (1966) in which she portrayed a young woman forced to marry an elderly widower with a family and her problems in taking care of them.

Equally successful in Hindi, she excelled in `Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai' (1960, and did a scintillating song-dance sequence to "Kya huaa... ."), and `Mera Naam Joker' (1970) created by master showman Raj Kapoor. Padmini settled in New Jersey where she ran an Indian classical dance institute, the biggest of its kind in the U.S. She began working on her autobiography, deciding `to tell all,' and set about interviewing a chosen few (including this writer). Regretfully, she died without completing the book.

Warm-hearted and vivacious, Padmini was a rare human being. She will live on through her movies.

The Travancore trio

One of the most successful films of the 1950s in which the three sisters - Lalitha, Padmini and Ragini (`Travancore trio') � acted was "Thookku Thookki." It was the second version of the folk myth tale made by the noted cinematographer-filmmaker R. M. Krishnaswamy. It had Sivaji Ganesan, in the lead and T.S.Balaiah. The catchy music was composed by G.Ramanathan. Udumalai Narayana Kavi, one of the top lyricists based in Coimbatore, was in Madras for a day. He wrote eight songs, and an equally fast G.Ramanathan set them to tune! The songs sung by T.M.Soundararajan and P.Leela became super hits.

Comeback

Of her second innings, mention must be made of Fazil's `Poovey Poochoodavaa.' The Malayalam filmmaker drew a fascinating performance out of Padmini, who played the grandmother, making the movie a success.

"I am blessed!" - Actor Vineet

Vineet is in a state of shock when you contact him. He is on the train from Trivandrum, on his way to Chennai, after hearing about his aunt's end. "I've been co-ordinating with Sukumari (actor and Padmini's cousin) aunty ever since I got news about Pappima's sudden illness," he says. The actor and dancer is the nephew of Padmini. "She came down to Chennai from the U. S. just about a month ago � this time for good. Her cargo is still to reach her. Just four days ago she was in our home in Kerala for the naming ceremony of my child," Vineet says softly.

Vineet is the son of Padmini's husband's brother. Sharing such affection with the in-laws, that too long after the husband's death is rather rare. "They were seven of them brothers including my dad. And Pappima has been in touch with all of us. Every time she came to India, she would visit us. She would take time to go to Calicut and meet my aunt. And whenever I went to the U. S. for my dance performances, Pappima was always there, watching me from the audience, encouraging me and blessing me," says Vineet.

In fact, it was Padmini who initiated Vineet into dance. "She told my parents that they ought to put me in a dance school, and it was on her insistence that I got into it. She was the one who got me my first dance costume. At every significant stage in my life, including my marriage, she has been present to bless me. `I'll be there for you always, any time anywhere," she would tell me.

Indelible impressions

The illustrious actor, an unassailable beauty of her times, has left an imprint that's not easy to equal. Padma Subrahmanyam, Vineet's dance guru, was herself very attached to Padmini. "Pappima gave her salangai (ankle bells) to Padhu akka (Padma) for her arangetram. `It was because I wore your bells then that I'm still dancing,' akka would often tell her."

Interacting with Padmini over the years has been a tremendous learning experience for Vineet. "She would narrate interesting experiences that she had had while working with greats such as Sivaji Ganesan. And she had an insatiable zest for life. `Now that I've decided to live in Chennai, I'm already excited about the December music and dance season,' she told us."

When Vineet says his aunt was an amazing actor and a remarkable dancer, they are matters you are aware of. But when he dwells on her punctuality and describes her as a perfectionist, you wish to know more. "She was never late for any event big or small. And whatever she did, even if it was a minor task, it had to be perfect," he says. When Padmini had gone over to Kerala this past week for the function at Vineet's place, she had come prepared to sing a song for the occasion. She insisted on having rehearsals the previous day so that it was rightly rendered. "After all, it was just a family get-together. Yet everything had to be properly done. That was Pappima," sighs Vineet.

He sums up his memories of his aunt in one word � "Divine!" And concludes, "How many would get a chance to have a guide and well wisher like her? I consider myself extremely blessed." More than anything else the exchange with Vineet offers glimpses of the wonderful human being that Padmini was. And that makes the sense of loss even more ...

MALATHI RANGARAJAN

(From The Hindu - September 29, 2006)
From: Kollywoodfan on Mon Oct 2 11:07:48 2006.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZfqWX6VZcs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M_8ZOptjLQ

From Thillana Mohanambal
From: Thirumaran on Mon Oct 2 21:45:16 2006.

Happened to watch Kaelvi bathil programme for Cine personalities with Kalaignar.

Padmini also was there. That could be her last interview. She looked healthy and active. Sad that all of a sudden her life came to an end
From: tfmlover on Tue Oct 3 0:40:03 2006.

http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/sep/25ajp.htm
From: Movie Cop on Tue Oct 3 15:31:04 2006.

Whenever I think of Padmini I immediately get reminded of the dance duel with Vaijayanthimala in "Vanji Kottai Valiban"... She is a classical dancer par excellence... Apart from her dancing skills she also displayed her histrionic skills in Thilana Moganambal...
Poove poo pookava was also a memorable movie of her's in the 80's... May her soul rest in peace...
From: tfmlover on Wed Oct 4 10:51:02 2006.

http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/26/stories/2006092607872200.htm
From: Kollywoodfan on Sat Oct 7 22:56:38 2006.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/02/arts/02ramachandran.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

New York Times Obituary for this legend!
From: tfmlover on Sun Oct 8 2:19:21 2006.

Kollywoodfan wrote:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/02/arts/02ramachandran.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

New York Times Obituary for this legend!

thanks

more song clips i will add to the thread

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