M. Jayashree (1921 – 2006), was an Indian actress who worked mainly in

Kannada Kannada (; ಕನ್ನಡ, ), originally romanised Canarese, is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by the people of Karnataka in southwestern India, with minorities in all neighbouring states. It has around 47 million native s ...

films. She is known for her supporting roles in such movies including

Rayara Sose ''Rayara Sose'' is a 1957 Indian Kannada-language film produced by Pandari Bai and directed by R. Ramamurthy and K. S. Murthy. It stars Rajkumar, Kalyan Kumar, Mynavathi, H. Ramachandra Shastry, Pandari Bai and Ramadevi. The music of the film ...

(1957),

Naagarahaavu ''Naagarahaavu'' () is a 1972 Indian Kannada-language film directed by Puttanna Kanagal, based on T. R. Subba Rao's three novels ''Nagarahavu'', ''Ondu Gandu Eradu Hennu'' and ''Sarpa Mathsara'', and starring Vishnuvardhan (actor), Vishnuvardha ...

(1972), Eradu Kanasu and

Sri Srinivasa Kalyana ''Sri Srinivasa Kalyana'' (), is 1974 Kannada-language Hindu mythological film directed by Vijay. The film which is based on lord Venkateswara, stars Rajkumar, B. Saroja Devi and Manjula. It also featured the first screen appearances of futur ...

. She was fondly referred to as 'Amma of Silvar screen'. She received

Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress Karnataka (; ISO 15919, ISO: , , also known as Karunāḍu) is a States and union territories of India, state in the southwestern region of India. It was Unification of Karnataka, formed on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reor ...

for her performance in the movie ''Amara Bharathi'' in 1970.

Career

Jayashree was brought to Pakshiraj Studio of Tamil Nadu by Devi, the sister of the studio owner who allowed her to cast in Tamil film ''Vazhivil Thirunal''. Offers were poured in for Jayashree in Tamil movies. This was noticed by Kannada film maker

Honnappa Bhagavathar Chowdasandra Honnappa Bhagavathar (14 January 1915 – 2 October 1992; kn, ಹೊನ್ನಪ್ಪ ಭಾಗವತರು) was an Indian theatre and film actor, producer, musician and singer. He was best known as a singer and as one of the pio ...

and he made her to debut in Kannada films with the 1948 movie

Bhakta Kumbara ''Bhakta Kumbara'' () is a 1974 Indian Kannada-language biographical film directed by Hunsur Krishnamurthy. The film stars Rajkumar and Leelavathi. Actress Sridevi essayed the role of Muktha Bai (as a child artist), thereby the latter making ...

. Her next project in Kannada as heroine was

Nagakannika ''Nagakannika'' ( kn, ನಾಗಕನ್ನಿಕ) is a 1949 Indian Kannada film directed by G. Vishwanathan. The film stars Prathima Devi, M. Jayashree and G. W. Sandow in lead roles. It was the first folk-based film in Kannada. The film was su ...

in 1949, a blockbuster movie directed by G. Vishwanath. This film considered to be the first Kannada movie based on a folk tale. She played the title role in her next movie ''Thilotthame'' in 1951. Gradually she got shifted to supporting roles playing mother, mother-in-law, aunt for stalwarts like

Dr. Rajkumar Singanalluru Puttaswamaiah Muthuraj (24 April 1929 – 12 April 2006), better known by his stage name Dr. Rajkumar, was an Indian actor and singer who worked in Kannada cinema. Regarded as one of the greatest actors in the history of Indian ci ...

Kalyan Kumar Kalyan Kumar (7 June 1928 – 1 August 1999) was an Indian actor, and an occasional film director and producer who worked primarily in Kannada cinema, Kannada and Tamil cinema. Making his acting debut in the mythological drama ''Natashekara'' (19 ...

, Vishnuvardhan,

Ambareesh Malavalli Huchchegowda Amarnath (29 May 1952 – 24 November 2018), known by his screen name Ambareesh, was an Indian actor, media personality, politician from the state of Karnataka. Alongside Rajkumar and Vishnuvardhan, he is counted in ...

Tiger Prabhakar Tiger Prabhakar (30 March 1948 – 25 March 2001), also known as Kannada Prabhakar, was an Indian actor known for his works predominantly in Kannada and Telugu cinema, with a few Malayalam, Tamil and Bollywood films. Career Prabhakar started hi ...

Rajesh Rajesh is a given name of Indian and Nepali origin. Given name * Rajesh (actor), South Indian actor * Rajesh (Kannada actor), Kannada actor * Rajesh Bishnoi, Indian cricketer * Rajesh Chauhan, Indian cricketer * Rajesh Gangwar, Indian social ...

Gangadhar Gangadhar (1936–2003) was an Indian actor known for his work in Kannada cinema. A character actor who transitioned from stage to films in the mid-1960s, he had a brief period of success when his performances in social-dramas such as ''Gejje ...

Srinath Narayana Swamy (born 28 December 1944), known by his stage name Srinath, is an Indian actor and film producer who works predominantly in Kannada cinema. He holds the position of vice-president of the Kannada television channel Udaya TV. He is ...

and many. In her five decades acting career, Jayashree starred more than 450 films.

Last days and death

Jayashree did only two movies in the 1990s. Her last released movie was ''Savira Mettilu'', an unfinished film of Puttanna Kanagal and finished by K. S. L. Swamy. Jayashree spent last years of her life in ''Sri Vasavi Shantidhama'', an old age home in Mysore. She died of heart attack early morning on 29 October 2006.

Awards

* 1970-71 -

for the film ''‛Amara Bharathi’''.

Selected filmography

Tamil

* Vizhivil Thirunaal

Telugu

* Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu (1956)

Kannada

* ''

'' (1948) * ''

'' (1949) * ''Thilotthame'' (1951) * '' Jaganmohini'' (1951) * ''Mangala Gowri'' (1953) * '' Muttaide Bhagya'' (1956)...Gowri * ''

'' (1957) * ''

Bhakta Kanakadasa ''Bhakta Kanakadasa'' ( kn, ಭಕ್ತ ಕನಕದಾಸ) is a 1960 Indian Kannada language film, directed by Y. R. Swamy. It depicts the spiritual journey of Kanakadasa, who was a devotee of the Hindu deity Krishna, and a poet belonging t ...

'' (1960) * '' Naandi'' (1964)...Savitri * ''

Thumbida Koda ''Thumbida Koda'' is a 1964 Indian Kannada-language film directed by N. C. Rajan and produced by G. K. Venkatesh & Friends. The film stars Rajkumar, Leelavathi, K. S. Ashwath, Narasimharaju and Balakrishna. The film has musical score by Ven ...

'' (1964)...Jaya * ''

'' (1972)...Sonabai * '' Devaru Kotta Thangi'' (1973) * ''

'' (1974) * ''

Aruna Raaga ''Aruna Raaga'' ( kn, ಅರುಣರಾಗ) is a 1986 Indian Kannada-language action drama film, starring Anant Nag and Geetha. It was directed by K. V. Jayaram and is based on the novel of the same name, written by Rekha Kakhandaki. It was p ...

'' (1986) * '' Nammoora Hammera'' (1990)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Jayashree, M. 1921 births 2006 deaths 20th-century Indian actresses People from Mysore People from Karnataka 21st-century Indian actresses Actresses in Kannada cinema Actresses in Tamil cinema Indian actresses People from Mysore district Kannada people