Lalitha (16 December 1930 – 1982) was an Indian

actress An actor or actress is a person who portrays a Character (arts), character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek ...

and

dancer Dance is a performing art form consisting of sequences of movement, either improvised or purposefully selected. This movement has aesthetic and often symbolic value. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoi ...

. She was the eldest of the "

Travancore Sisters Travancore Sisters refers to the trio of Lalitha, Padmini and Ragini who were actresses, dancers and performers in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Kannada films. The Travancore sisters learned dancing under Guru Gopinath and Guru T. K. ...

"—Lalitha, Padmini, and Ragini. She started her acting career in the 1948 Tamil film ''

Adhithan Kanavu ''Adhithan Kanavu'' () is an Indian Tamil language film directed and produced by T. R. Sundaram. The film stars T. R. Mahalingam and Anjali Devi. It was released on 11 December 1948. Plot Two cousins serves as commanders in the army of a ...

'' and has acted in movies of different Indian languages including

Hindi Hindi (Devanāgarī: or , ), or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi (Devanagari: ), is an Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in the Hindi Belt region encompassing parts of northern, central, eastern, and western India. Hindi has been de ...

Malayalam Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 22 scheduled languages of India. Malayalam was des ...

Tamil Tamil may refer to: * Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia ** Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils **Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia * Tamil language, nati ...

and

Telugu Telugu may refer to: * Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of India *Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India * Telugu script, used to write the Telugu language ** Telugu (Unicode block), a block of Telugu characters in Unicode S ...

. She entered films before her sisters, concentrating more on Malayalam films, and was mostly cast in

vamp The VaMP driverless car was one of the first truly autonomous cars Dynamic Vision for Perc ...

roles.

Personal life

She was born to Thangappan Pillai and Saraswathi Amma on 16 December 1930 at

Thiruvananthapuram Thiruvananthapuram (; ), also known by its former name Trivandrum (), is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala. It is the most populous city in Kerala with a population of 957,730 as of 2011. The encompassing urban agglomeration populati ...

. She is the aunt of actress

Shobana Shobana Chandrakumar Pillai (born 21 March 1970) is an Indian actress and Bharatanatyam dancer. She acts predominantly in Malayalam films along with Telugu and Tamil films with few Hindi, Kannada and English films. She has won two National Fil ...

. Malayalam actress

Ambika Sukumaran Ambika may refer to: Mythology * Ambika (goddess), an avatar of the Hindu goddesses Durga, Parvati, and Shakti * Ambika (Jainism), a Jain Yakshini goddess * Ambika (Mahabharata), the wife of Vichitravirya was also the mother of Dhritarashtra, t ...

is her relative. Actress

Sukumari Sukumari Amma (6 October 1940 – 26 March 2013) was an Indian actress best known for her works in Malayalam and Tamil films. In a career spanning more than five decades, She has appeared in more than 2500 films predominantly in Malayalam, Tam ...

was the trio's maternal first cousin. Malayalam actor

Krishna Krishna (; sa, कृष्ण ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme god in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is one ...

is her grandson.

Partial filmography

Malayalam

* '' Prasanna'' (1950) * '' Chandrika'' (1950) .... Dancer * ''

Amma Amma or AMMA may refer to: Acronym * American Medical Marijuana Association * Amhara Mass Media Agency (created in 1993), a media organisation in Amhara Region in Ethiopia * Association of Malayalam Movie Artists * Assistant Masters' and Mist ...

'' (1952) .... Saradha * '' Kaanchana'' (1952) .... Kaanchana * ''

Ponkathir ''Ponkathir'' is a 1953 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by E. R. Cooper and produced by P. Subramaniam. The film stars Prem Nazir and Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair. The film was dubbed into Tamil with the title ''Irulukku Pin'' and releas ...

'' (1953) .... Radha

Tamil

* ''

Kannika ''Kannika'' is a 1947 Indian Tamil-language film starring M. S. Sarojini, T. E. Varadan and M. R. Santhanalakshmi. The film was directed and produced by S. M. Sriramulu Naidu. Plot King Paligna is a demon king whose life is imprisoned insid ...

'' (1947) ..... Shiva * ''

'' (1948) ... Pushumarasura * ''

Mohini Mohini (Sanskrit: मोहिनी, ') is the Hindu goddess of enchantment. She is the only female avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. She is portrayed as a '' femme fatale'', an enchantress, who maddens lovers and demons, sometimes leading them ...

'' (1948) * '' Bhojan'' (1948) * ''

Gokuladasi ''Gokuladasi'' () is a 1948 Indian Tamil language film directed and produced by K. Subrahmanyam. The film stars C. Honnappa Bhagavathar and M. V. Rajamma, with T. R. Ramachandran, N. Krishnamurthi, Lalitha and Padmini playing supporting roles ...

'' (1948) * ''

Vedhala Ulagam ''Vedhala Ulagam'' () is a 1948 Indian Tamil language, Tamil-language fantasy film directed and produced by A. V. Meiyappan, and written by P. Neelakantan. Adapted from the play of the same name by Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar, the film stars T. R ...

'' (1948) * ''Gnana Soundari'' (1948) * ''

Bhaktha Jana ''Bhaktha Jana'' () is a 1948 Indian Tamil language film directed and produced by P. Pullaiah. The film featured C. Honnappa Bhagavathar, V. Nagayya and Santha Kumari with K. Sarangapani and B. R. Panthulu playing supporting roles. Plot Janaka ...

'' (1948) .... Kubja * '' Vazhkai'' (1949) * ''

Deva Manohari Deva may refer to: Entertainment * ''Deva'' (1989 film), a 1989 Kannada film * ''Deva'' (1995 film), a 1995 Tamil film * ''Deva'' (2002 film), a 2002 Bengali film * Deva (2007 Telugu film) * ''Deva'' (2017 film), a 2017 Marathi film * Deva ...

'' (1949) * ''

Kanniyin Kaadhali ''Kanniyin Kathali'' () is a 1949 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film directed by K. Ramnoth, who produced it with A. K. Sekhar and wrote the screenplay. An adaption of the play ''Twelfth Night'' by William Shakespeare, it stars Madhuri ...

'' (1949) * ''

Laila Majnu ''Layla & Majnun'' ( ar, مجنون ليلى ; Layla's Mad Lover) is an old story of Arab origin, about the 7th-century Bedouin poet Qays ibn al-Mulawwah and his ladylove Layla bint Mahdi (later known as Layla al-Aamiriya). "The Layla ...

'' (1949) * '' Maayavathi'' (1949) * '' Geethagandhi'' (1949) * '' Pavalakkodi'' (1949) * '' Naatiya Rani'' (1949) * ''

Mangayarkarasi ''Mangayarkarasi'' () is a 1949 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Jiten Banerjee. The film was produced by F. Nagoor and S. N. Ahamed, and stars P. U. Chinnappa, P. Kannamba and Anjali Devi. It is a remake of the Telugu film ''Gollabhama'' ...

'' (1949) * '' Velaikkari'' (1949) * '' Vinothini'' (1949) * '' Chandrika'' (1950) * ''

Ezhai Padum Padu ''Ezhai Padum Padu'' () is a 1950 Indian Tamil language film directed by K. Ramnoth. It was simultaneously shot in Telugu as ''Beedala Patlu''. It was an adaptation of ''Les Misérables'', Victor Hugo's 1862 novel. The film was released on Diwal ...

'' (1950) .... Angela * ''

Manthiri Kumari ''Manthiri Kumari'' () is a 1950 Indian Tamil-language historical fiction film directed by Ellis R. Dungan and starring M. G. Ramachandran, M. N. Nambiar. Plot The King of Mullai Nadu is dominated by his Raja guru (head priest) ( M. N. Nam ...

'' (1950) * ''

Ponmudi Ponmudi (the Golden Peak) also known as Kashmir of Kerala is a hill station in the Peringamala gramapanchayath of Trivandrum District of Kerala in India. It is located 22km west of Vithura town, 53 km north-east of Trivandrum City, 78&n ...

'' (1950) * ''

Ithaya Geetham ''Ithaya Geetham'' is a 1950 Indian Tamil-language historical romance film written, directed and produced by Joseph Thaliath Jr. The film stars T.R. Mahalingam and T. R. Rajakumari. Plot A king is on his deathbed. He requests his friend to ...

'' (1950) * ''

Krishna Vijayam ''Krishna Vijayam'' () is a 1950 Indian Tamil language film written and directed by Sundar Rao Nadkarni. The film featured Carnatic music singer N. C. Vasanthakokilam in the role of Narada. The film, based on the Epic story of Krishna avatar, fe ...

'' (1950) .... Gopika * ''

Vijayakumari Vijayakumari is an Indian stage, television and film actress. She was a stage actress at Kerala People's Arts Club and Kalidasa Kalakendra. She is the winner of the Kerala State award for best stage actress. Currently she is the Secretary of Kal ...

'' (1950) * ''

Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi ''Maruthanad Elavarasee'' () is a 1950 Indian Tamil-language film directed and edited by A. Kasilingam, and written by M. Karunanidhi. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran (credited as Ramachandar) and V. N. Janaki. It was released on 2 April 19 ...

'' (1950) * '' Parijatham'' (1950) * ''

Digambara Samiyar ''Thigambara Samiar'' () is 1950 Indian Tamil language, Tamil-language thriller film produced and directed by T. R. Sundaram. An adaptation of Vaduvur Duraisami Iyengar, Vaduvoor K. Duraswamy Iyengar's novel of the same name, the film stars M. ...

'' (1950) * ''

Singari ''Singari'' is a 1951 Indian Tamil language comedy film directed by T. R. Raghunath. The film stars T. R. Ramachandran, Lalitha and Padmini. It was released on 29 October 1951. Plot A young man (Nayagam) who is wrongly convicted for a bank ...

'' (1951) * ''

Sudharshan ''Sudharshan'' is a 1951 Indian Tamil-language film directed by A. S. A. Sami and Sundar Rao Nadkarni. The film stars P. U. Chinnappa and P. Kannamba. The story is based on a popular folk myth about a Panduranga devotee Gora who was a potter b ...

'' (1951) * ''

Manamagal ''Manamagal'' () is a 1951 Indian Tamil-language drama film, directed and produced by N. S. Krishnan. The film stars Padmini, Lalitha, S. V. Sahasranamam and T. S. Balaiah in lead roles. The film had musical score by C. R. Subburaman. It is ba ...

'' (1951) .... Vijaya * ''

Or Iravu ''Ore Iravu'' () is a 1951 Indian Tamil-language film directed by P. Neelakantan and co-written by him and C. N. Annadurai. Produced by AVM Productions, it is based on Annadurai's play of the same name. The film stars K. R. Ramasamy, reprising ...

'' (1951) .... Shyamala * '' Devagi'' (1951) * ''

Vanasundari ''Vanasundari'' is a 1951 Indian Tamil-language film directed by T. R. Raghunath, starring P. U. Chinnappa, T. R. Rajakumari, T. S. Balaiah and S. Varalakshmi. Plot Prince Gunasagaran hates his father Marthandan, king of Neelapuri as he, i ...

'' (1951) * ''

Dharma Devatha ''Dharma Devatha'' () is a 1952 Indian film produced and directed by P. Pullaiah. The film stars Santha Kumari and Kaushik, with Mudigonda Lingamurthy, Mukkamala, Relangi, Baby Sachu and Girija in supporting roles. It was simultaneously sho ...

'' (1952) .... Bijile * ''

Andhaman Kaidhi ''Andhaman Kaidhi'' () is a 1952 Indian Tamil-language crime drama film directed by V. Krishnan and written by Ku. Sa. Krishnamurthy. Starring M. G. Ramachandran, it is based on Krishnamurthy's play of the same name. The film was released on 1 ...

'' (1952) * ''

'' (1952) ... Saradha * '' Anbu'' (1952) ... Reeta * ''

Amarakavi ''Amarakavi'' () is a 1952 Indian Tamil language film produced and directed by F. Nagoor. The film stars M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and T. R. Rajakumari. Cast Adapted from the film credits. ;Male cast * M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar as Am ...

'' (1952) * '' Kanchana'' (1952) ... Kanchana * '' Marumagal'' (1953) ... Usha * '' Ponni'' (1953) ... Ponni * ''Devadas'' (1953) .... Chandramukhi * ''

Ulagam ''Ulagam'' () is a 1953 Indian Tamil-language film directed by L. S. Ramachandran. The film stars V. Nagayya and M. V. Rajamma. Plot The story spans three generations. Sabapathy is an average person and he married beautiful Meena. Sabapathy ga ...

'' (1953) * ''

Thookku Thookki ''Thookku Thookki'' () is a 1954 Indian Tamil-language historical drama film directed by R. M. Krishnaswami. Based on the play of the same name by Udumalai Narayana Kavi, it stars Sivaji Ganesan, Lalitha and Padmini. The film revolves around a ...

'' (1954) .... Prema * '' Kanavu'' (1954) * '' Vaira Maalai'' (1954) * ''

Sugam Enge ''Sugam Enge'' () is a 1954 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film, directed by K. Ramnoth and produced by Modern Theatres. The script was written by A. K. Velan and Kannadasan. Music was composed by the Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy duo. The fi ...

'' (1954) * ''

Valliyin Selvan ''Valliyin Selvan'' () is a 1955 Indian Tamil-language children's film written and directed by Kothamangalam Subbu. The film stars Lalitha, Sahasranamam, M. S. Sundari Bai and S. V. Subbaiah. Plot A rich man is childless and wants to remar ...

'' (1955) ... Vathsala * ''

Menaka Menaka () is an Apsara (heavenly nymph) in Hindu literature. Legends Menaka was born during the churning of the ocean by the devas and asuras. She is one of the most mesmerising apsaras (celestial nymphs) in the three worlds, with quick intel ...

'' (1955) * ''

Kanavaney Kankanda Deivam ''Kanavane Kankanda Deivam'' () is a 1955 Indian Tamil language, Tamil-language fantasy film directed by T. R. Raghunath and produced by Pattanna. The film stars Gemini Ganesan, R. Ganesh and Anjali Devi, with V. Nagayya, M. N. Nambiar, Friend R ...

'' (1955) .... Nagarani * ''

Kaveri The Kaveri (also known as Cauvery, the anglicized name) is one of the major Indian rivers flowing through the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Kaveri river rises at Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri range in the Western Ghats, Kodagu dis ...

'' (1955) .... Amudha * '' Ulagam Palavidham'' (1955) .... Indra * ''Rajakumari'' (1955) * ''Nalla Thangai'' (1955) * '' Ellam Inba Mayam'' (1955) .... Guest role * ''

Madurai Veeran Madurai Veeran, also known as Veeran, is a Tamil folk deity popular in southern Tamil Nadu, India. His name literally means, "warrior of Madurai". Legend According to the ''Maduraiveeraswamikathai'', Veeran was born to royal parents and w ...

'' (1956) * '' Rajarajan'' (1957) ... Priyamohini * ''

Pudhu Vazhvu ''Pudhu Vazhvu'' () is a 1957 Indian Tamil language, Tamil-language film produced and directed by M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar. The film stars himself, Lalitha (actress), Lalitha and Madhuri Devi. It was released on 8 March 1957. Plot Vaikunt ...

'' (1957) * ''

Kanniyin Sabatham ''Kanniyin Sabatham'' () is a 1958 Indian Tamil-language film directed by T. R. Raghunath and produced by M. Somasundaram and A. L. Srinivasan. The film stars K. R. Ramasamy, Anjali Devi and M. N. Nambiar. Plot Cast Adapted from the ...

'' (1958) * ''Thanga Padhumai'' (1959) * ''Baghdad Thirudan'' (1960) * ''

Senthamarai Senthamarai may refer to: * Senthamarai (actor) Senthamarai was an Indian actor who acted in Tamil cinema and theatre. Career Senthamarai was born on 13 April 1935 at Kancheepuram. His family included his father Thiruvenkadam, his mother Vedamm ...

'' (1962) * ''Ellorum Vazhavendum'' (1962) * ''1967 Nil N S Krishnan'' (1967)

Telugu

* ''Vijaya Gauri'' (1955) * ''

Ammalakkalu ''Marumagal'' () is a 1953 Indian Tamil-language drama film, produced by Lena Chettiar on Krishna Pictures banner and directed by D. Yoganand. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao, Padmini and Lalitha, with music composed by C. R. Subburaman. It wa ...

'' (1953) ... Usha * '' Devadasu'' (1953) ... Chandramukhi * ''

'' (1952) * '' Kanchana'' (1952)...Kanchana * ''Navvithe Navarathnaalu'' (1951) * ''Chandravanka'' (1951) * ''

Jeevitham ''Jeevitham'' ( en, Life) is a 1950 Indian Telugu-language social guidance film produced by A. V. Meiyappan with his company AVM Productions and directed by M. V. Raman. The film stars Vyjayanthimala in her Telugu cinema debut with S. Vara ...

'' (1950) * ''Thirugubatu'' (1950) * ''

Beedala Patlu ''Beedala Patlu'' () is a 1972 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced and directed by B. Vittalacharya. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Krishna Kumari, with music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. The film is based on the 1862 French nove ...

'' (1950) ... Angela * ''

'' (1949)

Hindi

* '' Kalpana'' (1948) * '' Kalpana'' (1960)

Sinhala

*''Surasena'' (1957) *''Kapati Arakshakaya'' (1948) (Choreography only)

References

External links

* * http://www.malayalachalachithram.com/profiles.php?i=5758
Profile of Lalitha at jointscene.com
1930 births 1982 deaths Actresses from Thiruvananthapuram Indian film actresses Actresses in Malayalam cinema Actresses in Tamil cinema 20th-century Indian actresses Filmfare Awards South winners Women of the Kingdom of Travancore People of the Kingdom of Travancore Actresses in Telugu cinema Actresses in Hindi cinema {{India-actor-stub

Personal life

Partial filmography

Malayalam

Tamil

Telugu

Hindi

Sinhala

See also

References

External links