Rajasree
Rajasree | |
---|---|
Born |
Kusuma Kumari[1] 1945 Eluru,West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh |
Other names | Rajasri/Gracy/Rajasree.T |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1956 - 1979 |
Spouse(s) | Thota Panchajanyam |
Rajasree, also known as RajaSri, is a noted South Indian film actress of the 1960s. She is particularly famous for her portrayal as princess in several folklore Telugu movies opposite N. T. Rama Rao and Tadepalli Lakshmi Kanta Rao.
Notable among Rajasri's roles in non-folklore social films are as Nimmi in Tamil hit comedy film Kaadhalikka Neramillai, remade as Preminchi Choodu in Telugu, and as movie star Bhama in Tamil film Bama Vijayam.
Rajasree acted as Gracy in the Malayalam movie Bharya (1962) directed by Kunchakko. She has acted more than 200 movies in Telugu,Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi movies during 1960s and 1970s.
Awards
Yesteryear actress Rajasree was honoured with the MGR Award in 2004.
Personal life
Rajasree's husband died suddenly when her child was just four. Yet the actress has kept up her promise to him to this day! "Many ask me why I can't do television now? But I'm reluctant," she says. However, she has not severed ties with the film world. "I still have many friends from the industry. Saroja Devi calls up whenever she's in town. Recently Sharada (actress), Vanisri, Jayapradha, Sachu, Padmini (actress), Rajasulochana and I met over lunch. In fact it was Sachu who first called me up and told me about the award," she says. Rajasree spends her time in meditation and being a devotee of Sathya Sai Baba, people can often spot her at Sundaram, their Chennai centre. But today she is a picture of contentment, leading a relaxed life and taking care of her old sister.
Film Industry
It was the Tamil comic classic, `Kaadhalikka Neramillai,' that catapulted Rajasree to fame. "When I got a call from such a big banner as Chitralaya asking me to be present at the studio the next morning, I couldn't believe my ears. Many artistes had been considered for the role, I had heard. The song, `Anubavam Pudhumai,' was the sequence that was shot first. They liked it and I did the film," she recalls.
Rajasree went on to play the same role in Telugu with Nageswara Rao and in Hindi with Shashi Kapoor — she was the only one to repeat the role in the remakes. Acting in `Bama Vijayam' and also later in `Anubavi Raja Anubavi,' under the stewardship of K. Balachander was a great experience for her. "I remember Nagesh pulling my leg often shouting out `Dhigilazhagi' whenever I was on the sets," she laughs. (In `Bama Vijayam,' a thief refers to her by the name.)
Getting back to the subject of awards she says: "I've done three films with the CM (She's great!)J.Jayalalitha, and I've also acted with her mother Sandhya as her daughter."
Beginning as a child artiste in `Naga Devadhai,' Rajasree went on to do scores of films in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam(as Gracy) and Hindi from beginning of 1960s until late 1970s
Partial Filmography
In order of languages in which she acted the least to most number of films(please help to expand it).
Hindi
- Pyar Kiye Jaa (1966) (as Rajasree of south) .... Nirmala/Nimmi-(remake of Kadhalikka Neramillai)
- Naseehat (1967)
- Payal Ki Jhankar (1968)
Malayalam: Credited as Gracy
- Vishwaroopam (1978)
- Sreemurukan (1977)
- Raasaleela (1975)
- Durga (1974)
- Devi Kanyaakumaari (1974)
- Ponnaapuram Kotta (1973)
- Manassu (1973)
- Sree Guruvayoorappan (1972)
- Aana Valarthiya Vaanampaadiyude Makan (1971)
- Dathuputhran (1970)
- Urangatha Sundary (1969) ...Vilasini
- Kumara Sambhavam (1969) .... Urvashi
- Dial 2244 (1968)
- Kadal (1968) .... Rajeena
- Karutha Rathrikal (1967)
- Udhyogastha (1967)
- Anarkali (1966)...Gulnar
- Kadamattathachan (1966)
- Jail (1966)
- Shakuntala (1965)
- Pazhassi Raja (1964)
- Rebecca (1963)
- Kadalamma (1963)
- Bharya (1962)
Kannada
- Swarna Gowri (1962)
- Naaga Kanye (1975)
- Kantheredu Nodu (1962)
- Santha Thukaram (1963)
- Naagapooja (1965)
- Arunodaya (1968)
- Modala Raathri (1970)
- C.I.D. Rajanna (1970)
- Mr. Rajkumar (1970)
- Sukha Samsaara (1970)
- Aashirvaada (1975)
- Shani Prabhava (1977)
- Devadhasi (1978)
- Mannina Magalu (1974)
- Mahadeshwara Pooja Phala (1974)
- CID 72 (1973)
- Jwala Mohini (1973)
- Bhale Basava (1969)
- Gruhalakshmi (1969) ... Guest appearance
- Bala Nagamma (1966)
- Satya Harishchandra (1965)
- Chandavalliya Thota (1964)
- Shivagange Mahathme (1964)
- Shivarathri Mahathme (1964)
- Chandra Kumaara (1963)
- Karuneye Kutumbada Kannu (1962)
- Rathna Manjari (1962)
- Thejaswini (1962)
- Aasha Sundari (1960)
- Dashavathara (1960)
Tamil
- Iravu 12 Mani (1978)
- Amudha (1975)...Anbarasi
- Naalai Namadhe (1975) ... Guest appearance
- Hotel Swargam (1975)
- Netru Indru Naalai (1974)...Amudha
- Pattikaattu Ponnaiya (1973)...Megala
- Ellai Kodu (1972)
- Namma Veetu Deivam (1972)...Guest appearance
- Yanai Valartha Vanampadi Magan (1971)
- Aathi Parasakthi(1971)...Lakshmi Devi
- Pattondru Ketten (1971)
- Poi Sollathae (1971)
- Patham Pasali (1970)
- Sorgam (1970)
- Kumara Sambhavam (1969)...Urvasi
- Singapore Seeman (1969)
- Adimai Penn (1969)...Princess Muthazhagi
- Poova Thalaiya (1969)...Raji
- Ulagam Ivvalaudhan(1969)
- Kudiyirundha Koyil (1968)...Aasha
- Siritha Mugam (1968)
- Delhi Mapillai (1968)
- Neeyum Naanum (1968)
- Kallum Kaniyagum (1968)
- Selva Magal (1967)...Saradha
- Anubavam Pudhumai (1967)
- Anubavi Raja Anubavi (1967)...Rajamani
- Bama Vijayam(1967)...Bama
- Thaikku Thalaimagan (1967) ... Guest Appearance
- Neela Vanam (1965)...Vimala
- Iru Thuruvam (1965)...Kamala
- Kalyana Mandapam (1965)
- Kaadhalikka Neramillai (1964)...Nirmala/Nimmi
- Kalai Kovil (1964)
- Magaley Un Samathu (1964)
- Nal Varavu (1964)
- Poompuhar (1964)...Madhavi
- Kattu Maina (1963)
- Yarukku Sondham (1963)
- Kalai Arasi (1963)...Princess Rajani
- Nichaya Thaamboolam (1962)...Sarala
- Sengamala Theevu (1962)
- Baktha Sabari (1960)
- Petraval Kanda Peruvazhvu (1960)
- Naga Devathai (1956) ... Child artist
Telugu
- Sattekalapu Satteya (1969)
- Rahasyam (1967)
- Chitti Chellelu (1970)
- Manushulu Mamathalu (1965)
- Mangalyam (1960)
- Mahamantri Timmarusu (1962)
- Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham (1975)
- Aggi Pidugu (1964)
- Pakkalo Ballem (1965)
- Aggi Veerudu (1969)
- Aggidora (1967)
- Okka Kutumbham (1970)
- Lakshmi Kataksham (1970)
- Gopaludu Bhoopaludu (1969)
- Pidugu Raamudu (1966)
- Ukkupidugu (1969)
- Mangamma Sapatham
- Sthree Janma (1967)
- Pooja Phalam (1964)
- Aradhana (1962)
- Preminchi Chudu (1965)
- Takkari Donga Chankkani Chukka (1969)
- Aatma Gowravam (1965)
- Govula Gopanna (1968)
- Aggi Meeda Guggilam (1968)
- Bhale Kodallu (1968)
- Loguttu Perumallakeruka (1966)
- Kambojaraju Katha (1967)
- Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna (1967)
- Raktha Sindhooram (1967)
- Satyame Jayam (1967)
- Sattekalapu Satayya (1969)
- Sabhash Satyam (1969)
- Maa Manchi Akkayya (1970)
- Merupu Veerudu (1970)
- Prema Jeevulu (1971)
- Bale Etthu Chivariki Chitthu (1970)
- Bangaru Kutumbam (1971)
- Alluri Seetarama Raju (1974)
- Intinti Katha (1974)
- Atthanu Diddina Kodalu (1972)
- Dakshayagnam (1962)
- Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977)
- Bhulokamlo Yamalokam (1966)
- Totalo Pilla Kotalo Raani (1964)
- Akasha Ramanna (1965)
- Ukku Pidugu (1969)
- Vijaya Simha (1965)
- Raithe Raju (1970)
- Rajayogam (1968)
- Bhaktha Ambarisha (1959)
- Nitya Kalyanam Paccha Thoranam (1960)
- Ranabheri (1968)
- Bheemanjaneyula Yuddham (1966)
- Guruvunu Minchina Sishyudu (1963)
- Saptaswaralu (1969)
- Adavi Veerulu (1971)
- Gandara Gandadu (1969)
- Madana Kamaraju Katha (1962)
- Devudichhina Bhartha (1968)
- Conistable Kuthuru (1962)
- Pattindhalla Bangaaram (1971)
- Panjaramlo Pasipapa (1973)
- Andame Anandham (1977)
- Evarini Nammali (1970)
- Jhanmabhoomi (1970)
- Bangaru Timmaraju (1964)
- Veera Pooja (1967)
- Evaru Monagaadu (1968)
- Bhaktha Ramadasu (1964)
- Prameelarjuna Yuddham (1965)
- Prathigna Palana (1966)
- Babruvahana (1964)
- Vikramarka Vijayam (1971)
- Anuradha (1971)
- Urvashi (1974)
References
- ↑ Wa
- Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Paul Willemen (1999). Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema. Oxford University Press. pp. 380, 391. ISBN 0-85170-669-X.
- "Icchina Maata Kosame Natinchadam Maanesa". Sakshi.com. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
External links
- http://www.malayalachalachithram.com/profiles.php?i=5275
- Rajasree of South on IMDB
- RajaSri Filmography on 16reels.com
- https://sites.google.com/site/purushothamapatnam/rajasree