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. Début 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 Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai, Mera Naam Joker). Known mainly as a Bharat Natyam dancer (cf. Thillana Mohanambal) 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; Gnanasoundari; Mahabali; 1949: Velaikkari; Devamanohari; Geetha Gandhi; Krishna Vijayam; Vinodini; Mayavathi; Natya Rani; Pavalakkodi; Ponmudi; Laila Majnu; 1950: Ezhai 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; Thooku Thooki; Sorgavasal; 1955: Rajkumari; Shiv Bhakta; Mangayar Thilakam; Vijayagauri; Kathanayaki; Kaveri; Koteshwaran; 1956: Madurai Veeran; Amara Deepam; Raja Rani; Kannin Manigal; Verum Pechalla; 1957: Payal; Pardesi; Qaidi; 1958: Amar Deep; Ragini; Raj Tilak; Uthama Puthran/Sitamgarh?; Chadarangam; Sampoorna Ramayanam; 1959: Veerapandiya Kattaboman/Amar? Shaheed; Thangapathumai; Maragatham; Daivame Thunai; Ponnu Vilayum Bhoomi; Minnal Padayali; 1960: Bindiya; Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai; Kalpana; Maya Machhindra; Ramayan; Singapore; Daiva Piravi; Meenda Sorgam; Raja Desingu; Mannathi Mannan; 1961: Umminithanka; Apsara; Shri Sabarimalai Shri Ayyappan; 1962: Aashiq; Meri Bahen; Rani Samyuktha; Senthamarai; Vikramadithan; 1963: Kattu Roja; Naan Vanangum Daivam; Veera Dalapathi Veluthambi; 1964: Shri Guruvayoorappan; 1965: Kalyanaphoto; Kajal; Mahabharat; 1966: Afsana; Kanakachilanka; Chitthi; Thaye Unakkaga; 1967: Aurat; Irutinte Atmavu; Pareeksha; Pooja; Pesum Daivam; Engalukam Kalamvaryam; Kan Kanda Daivam; Iru Malargal; 1968: Love in Kerala; Adhyapika; Aparadhini; Vaasna; Thillana Mohanambal; Thirumal Perumai; Kuzhandaikaka; 1969: Kumara Sambhavam; Chanda Aur Bijli; 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; Thirudi; Roshakkari; Devi Shri Karumariamman; 1975: Engalukkum Kathal Varum; Oru Kudumbathin Kathai; 1976: Ungalil Oruthi; Uzhaikum Karangal; 1977: Navarathnam; 1978: Padakkudhira; 1979: Ezham Kadalinakkare; 1982: Chilanthivala; 1984: Nokketha Dhoorathu Kannum Nattu; 1985: Poove Poo Chooda Va; 1986: Thaikku Oru Thalattu; 1990: Vasthuhara.