Ragini (27 March 1937 – 30 December 1976) was an Indian actress and dancer. She was the youngest 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 mid-1950s along with her sister Padmini and has acted in movies of different Indian languages, including

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 ...

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 ...

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, nativ ...

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 also starred opposite

Shammi Kapoor Shammi Kapoor (born Shamsher Raj Kapoor; (pronounced �ʌmːi kʌpuːɾ 21 October 1931 – 14 August 2011) was an Indian actor who worked in Hindi cinema. He is the recipient of two Filmfare Awards, winning in the categories of Best Actor f ...

in film ''Mujrim'' (1958). She played the role of Parvati opposite

Trilok Kapoor Trilok Kapoor (11 February 1912 23 September 1988) was an Indian actor and a member of the Kapoor family who worked in Bollywood films. He was the younger brother of actor Prithviraj Kapoor. Early and personal life Trilok was born as the seco ...

who played Shiva in the 1962 film Shiv Parvati. The era of dance in Hindi cinema is considered to have begun with the entrance of Ragini and other South Indian actresses. Ragini died of breast cancer in 1976. She had acted in many dramas also.

Family

She was married to Madhavan Thampi. The couple had two daughters, Lakshmi and Priya. 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 actors

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 ...

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 ...

Vineeth Vineeth Radhakrishnan (born 23 August 1969) is an Indian actor, classical dancer, voice artist and choreographer who primarily works in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu language films. He has also starred in a few Kannada and Bollywood films. He h ...

and

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 ...

are her relatives. Her husband left for the US in 1972, but returned after his wife became ill from cancer.

Partial filmography

Malayalam

* '' Prasanna'' (1950) * '' Chandrika'' (1950) * '' Ponkathir'' (1953) * ''

Minnunnathellam Ponnalla ''Minnunnathellam Ponnalla'' () is a 1957 Indian Malayalam-language crime thriller film directed by R. Velappan Nair. It is a remake of the 1956 Hindi film ''CID'' and stars Sathyan, P. K. Sathyapal and Kumari Thankam. This was A. Janaki's debut ...

'' (1957) as Dancer * '' Thaskaraveeran'' (1957) as Shobha * ''

Nairu Pidicha Pulivalu ''Nairu Pidicha Pulivalu'' ( ml, നായരു പിടിച്ച പുലിവാല്) is a 1958 Malayalam film directed by P. Bhaskaran and written by Uroob based on his own story "Business". Ragini and Sathyan play the lead roles, ...

'' (1958) as Thankam * ''Krishna Kuchela'' (1961) as Rukmini * ''Ummini Thanka'' (1961) as Anandam * ''Sabarimala Ayyappan'' (1961) as Mahishi * ''Unniyarcha'' (1961) as Unniyarcha * ''

Puthiya Akasam Puthiya Bhoomi ''Puthiya Akasam Puthiya Bhoomi'' () is a 1962 Malayalam-language film, directed by M. S. Mani, starring Sathyan and Vinodini. It is based on Thoppil Bhasi's play of the same name that was first staged in 1959. The film received a certificate ...

'' (1962) as Ponnamma * ''

Palattu Koman ''Palattu Koman'' is a 1962 Indian Malayalam-language film.Palattu Koman
...

'' (1962) as Unniyamma * '' Veluthambi Dalawa'' (1962) as Jagadambika * ''

Vidhi Thanna Vilakku ''Vidhi Thanna Vilakku'' is a 1962 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by S. S. Rajan and produced by Guruvayoorappan Pictures. The film stars Sathyan, Ragini, Sukumari and Muthukulam Raghavan Pillai. Cast * Sathyan * Ragini * Suku ...

'' (1962) as Bhavani * ''

Kaalpadukal ''Kalpadukal'' ( en, Footprints) is a 1962 Malayalam-language film, directed by K. S. Antony, starring Prem Nazir in the lead role. The film received a certificate of merit at the National Film Awards. Renowned playback singer K. J. Yesudas s ...

'' (1962) as Chandalabishuki * ''

Viyarppinte Vila ''Viyarppinte Vila'' is a 1962 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by M. Krishnan Nair and produced by T. E. Vasudevan. The film stars Sathyan, Adoor Bhasi, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair and Kedamangalam Sadanandan in lead roles. The film h ...

'' (1962) as Omana * '' Bharya'' (1962) as Leela * ''

Nithya Kanyaka ''Nithyakanyaka'' is a 1963 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan and produced by A. K. Balasubramaniam. The film stars Sathyan, Ragini, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair and Ambika. The film had musical score by G. Devarajan ...

'' (1963) as Latha * '' Chilamboli'' (1963) as Chinthamani * ''

Kalayum Kaminiyum ''Kalayum Kaminiyum'' is a 1963 Indian Malayalam language film. E. J. Philip, popularly known by his pen name Kaanam E. J., was known for his social novels. Some of them were made into films. He wrote a few plays too. One of his short plays, ''K ...

'' (1963) as Usha * ''

Atom Bomb A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission (fission bomb) or a combination of fission and fusion reactions (thermonuclear bomb), producing a nuclear explosion. Both bomb ...

'' (1964) as Sushamma * ''

Anna Anna may refer to: People Surname and given name * Anna (name) Mononym * Anna the Prophetess, in the Gospel of Luke * Anna (wife of Artabasdos) (fl. 715–773) * Anna (daughter of Boris I) (9th–10th century) * Anna (Anisia) (fl. 1218 to 12 ...

'' (1964) as Anna * '' School Master'' (1964) as Sarala * '' Manavatty'' (1964) as Susi * ''

Saraswathi Saraswati ( sa, सरस्वती, ) is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom, and learning. She is one of the Tridevi, along with the goddesses Lakshmi and Parvati. The earliest known mention of Saraswati as a god ...

'' (1967) as Saraswathi * ''

Ammayenna Sthree ''Ammayenna Sthree'' is a 1970 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sathyan, K. R. Vijaya and Ragini. The film has musical score by A. M. Rajah. Plot Hari (Prem Nazir) and Ravi (K. P. ...

'' (1970) as Bhanu * '' Sabarimala Sree Dharmashastha'' (1970) * '' Othenente Makan'' (1970) as Kunji * '' Thurakkatha Vathil'' (1970) as Sulekha * '' Aranazhikaneram'' (1970) as Deenamma * '' Achante Bharya'' (1971) as Thankamma * ''

Ganga Sangamam ''Gangasangamam'' is a 1971 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by J. D. Thottan and written by Ponkunnam Varkey. The film stars Prem Nazir, Jayabharathi, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair and Jesey. It is based on Varkey's play of the same name. ...

'' (1971) as Philomina/Mini * '' Muthassi'' (1971) as Mary * '' Poompatta'' (1971) as Susheela * '' Panchavan Kaadu'' (1971) as Unniyamma * '' Lanka Dahanam'' (1971) as Maheswari * ''

Ernakulam Junction Ernakulam Junction railway station (also known as Ernakulam South, code: ERS) is the biggest railway station in the city of Kochi in Kerala, India. Controlling 376 train routes at a time, it is the busiest railway junction station in South Indi ...

'' (1971) as Malathi * ''

Naadan Premam ''Naadan Premam'' ( en, Love in the Countryside) is a Malayalam novel written by S. K. Pottekkatt in 1941. It is a short novel written when the author was in Bombay and tells the story of an innocent village belle jilted by a modern man-about-tow ...

'' (1972) * ''

Aromalunni ''Aromalunni'' is a 1975 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed and produced by Kunchacko, based on ''Vadakkan Pattukal'', a collection of Northern Ballads of medieval origin. The film stars Prem Nazir, Vijayasree, Ravichandran and Sheela ...

'' (1972) as Unniyarcha * '' Lakshyam'' (1972) as Anna * ''Thottilla (1972) * ''

Aalinganam ''Aalinganam'' () is a 1976 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by I. V. Sasi and written by Sherif. The film stars Raghavan, Sridevi, Rani Chandra and Vincent. The film has musical score by A. T. Ummer. Sasi remade it in Tamil as ''Pagali ...

'' (1976) as Vimala * ''Prem Nazirine Kanmanilla'' (1983) as Archive footage

Hindi

Tamil

* ''Manthiri Kumari'' (1950) * ''Ezhai Padum Padu'' (1950) * '' Chandrika (1950) * ''Vanasundari'' (1951) * ''

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 ban ...

'' (1951) * ''Devaki'' (1951) * ''Andhaman Kaidhi'' (1952) * '' Mappilai'' (1952) * ''Ponni''(1953) * ''Marumagal'' (1953) * ''Manithan (1953)'' *''

Vaira Malai ''Vaira Maalai'' () is a 1954 Indian Tamil-language comedy film starring R. S. Manohar, K. A. Thangavelu, Padmini and Ragini. It is based on the play of the same name by Thottakara Viswanathan. Plot Rangasamy and Mohan are college students ...

'' (1954) *''Kalyanam Panniyum Brammachari'' (1954) as Savithri * ''Thooku Thooki'' (1954) as Mallika * ''Koondukkili'' (1954) *''Menaka'' (1955) *''

Mangaiyar Thilakam ''Mangaiyar Thilakam'' () is a 1955 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by L. V. Prasad. The film, released on 26 August 1955, was a remake of the 1953 Marathi film ''Vahinicha Bangadya.'' The film was produced by Sripadha Shankar under ...

'' (1955) as Neela * ''Ellam Inba Mayam'' (1955) as Bhanu * ''

Gomathiyin Kaadhalan ''Gomathiyin Kaadhalan'' () is a 1955 Indian Tamil language film directed by P. Neelakantan and starring T. R. Ramachandran, K. Savithri and K. A. Thangavelu. The film is an adaptation of a novel of the same name written by Devan. Plot Goma ...

(1955) * ''Kaveri'' (1955) as Kurathi * ''

Koteeswaran ''Koteeswaran'' () is a 1955 Indian Tamil-language comedy film co-written, co-produced, edited and directed by Sundar Rao Nadkarni. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini, S. Balachander and Ragini. Based on B. V. Warerkar's Marathi play '' ...

'' (1955) as Kamala * ''Shiv Bhakta (1955) as Chinthamani * ''

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) * ''Pennin Perumai '' (1956) * ''Verum Pechu Alla'' (1956) * ''

Baagyavathi ''Bagyavathi'' is a 1957 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by L. V. Prasad and written by Ra. Ve, starring Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini and M. N. Rajam. It was released on 27 December 1957. Plot Somu, who is a criminal, marries Meena. U ...

'' (1957) as Suguna * ''

Manamagan Thevai ''Manamagan Thevai'' () is a 1957 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film produced and directed by P. S. Ramakrishna Rao. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and Bhanumathi. Based on the American film ''The Fabulous Senorita'' (1952), it was simu ...

'' (1957)'' * ''Karpukkarasi'' (1957) * ''

Chakravarthi Thirumagal ''Chakravarthi Thirumagal'' () is a 1957 Indian Tamil language film starring M. G. Ramachandran, Anjali Devi and S. Varalakshmi. The film, directed by P. Neelakantan, had musical score by G. Ramanathan and was released on 18 January 1957. It ...

'' (1957) * ''Mangalya Bhagyam'' (1958) * ''Nilavukku Niranja Manasu'' (1958) * '' Uthama Puthiran'' (1958) as Rajathi * ''Ponnu Vilayum Bhoomi'' (1959) * ''

Nalla Theerpu ''Nalla Theerpu'' () is a 1959 Indian Tamil-language legal drama film directed by T. Prakash Rao and written by Murasoli Maran. The film stars Gemini Ganesan and Jamuna. It was released on 9 April 1963, and emerged a success. Plot A man who ...

'' (1959) * ''

Pandithevan ''Pandithevan'' is a 1959 Indian Tamil-language film, produced and directed by K. Subramanyam. The film stars M. G. Chakrapani, T. K. Balachandran, Rajasulochana and B. S. Saroja. Cast and crew The following lists are adapted from the databas ...

'' (1959) * ''

Deivame Thunai ''Deivame Thunai'' () is a List of Tamil films of 1959, 1959 Indian Tamil language, Tamil-language film, directed by Ch. Narayanamurthi. The film stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Padmini (actress), Padmini. Plot Parvathi is a pretty and good-nat ...

'' (1959) * ''

Kalyanikku Kalyanam ''Kalyanikku Kalyanam'' () is a 1959 Indian Tamil-language film directed by A. S. A. Sami. The film stars S. S. Rajendran, Mynavathi and M. N. Rajam. Plot Kalyani is an uneducated village girl who lives with her mother and two brothers. Her un ...

'' (1959) as Bharatham Pattammal * ''

Veerapandiya Kattabomman Veerapandiya Kattabomman was an 18th-century Tamil Palayakarrar and king of Panchalankurichi in Tamil Nadu, India. He refused to accept the sovereignty of the British East India Company and waged a war against them. He was captured by the Briti ...

'' (1959) as Sundaravadivu * ''Raja Desingu'' (1960) * ''

Irumanam Kalanthal Thirumanam ''Irumanam Kalanthal Thirumanam'' () is a 1960 Indian Tamil language film directed by Jambanna and G. Viswanath. The film stars Prem Nazir and Ragini. Plot Cast This list is adapted from ''Thiraikalanjiyam''. ;Male cast *Prem Nazir * P. ...

'' (1960) * ''

Mannadhi Mannan ''Mannathi Mannan'' (; ) is a 1960 Indian Tamil-language swashbuckler film directed and produced by M. Natesan. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran, Anjali Devi and Padmini. The film, written by Kannadasan, had musical score by Viswanathan–Rama ...

'' (1960) as Dancer at festival * ''

Parthiban Kanavu '' Parthiban Kanavu '' ( ta, பார்த்திபன் கனவு, , lit. Parthiban's dream) is a Tamil novel written by Kalki Krishnamurthy. Details Adapted in 1960 into a film of the same name, starring Gemini Ganesan and Vyjaya ...

'' (1960) as Valli * ''Baghdad Thirudan'' (1960) * ''

Punar Jenmam ''Punar Janmam'' () is a 1961 Indian Tamil-language film directed by R. S. Mani. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini and Ragini. It was released on 21 April 1961. Plot Shankar is a successful artist and lives with his mother. He takes to ...

'' (1961) as Pushpa * ''Sri Valli'' (1961) as Valli's friend * ''Senthamarai'' (1962) * ''

Raani Samyuktha ''Rani Samyuktha'' () is a 1962 Indian Tamil-language historical romance film directed by D. Yoganand. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran as Prithviraj Chauhan and Padmini as the eponymous queen. It was released on 14 January 1962, and perfor ...

'' (1962) as Amarawathi * ''Vikramdhithan '' (1962) * ''Kavitha'' (1962) * ''

Ezhai Pangalan ''Ezhai Pangalan'' () is a 1963 Indian Tamil-language film directed by K. Shankar, written by M. Lakshmanan and produced by K. V. Mahadevan, who also composed the music. The film stars Gemini Ganesan, Ragini, Pushpalatha and M. N. Nambiar. I ...

'' (1963) * ''

Parisu ''Parisu'' () is a 1963 Indian Tamil-language film directed by D. Yoganand. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran, Savitri and M. R. Radha. The film, produced by Gowri Pictures, had a score composed by K. V. Mahadevan and was released on 15 Novem ...

'' (1963) as Shanthi * '' Naan Vanangum Dheivam'' (1963) as Kalaivani * ''Chitor Rani Padmini'' (1963) * ''Aayiram Roobai'' (1964) * ''

Navagraham ''Navagraham'' () is a 1970 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama film written and directed by K. Balachander. The film stars Nagesh, Srikanth, R. Muthuraman and Lakshmi, with Ragini, Sivakumar, Rama Prabha, Y. G. Mahendran (his film debut), V ...

'' (1970) as Akhilandam * ''Ethirkalam'' (1970) * ''Aathi Parasakthi'' (1971) * '' Raman Thediya Seethai'' (1972) as Actress/Dancer of the play * ''Poove Poochooda Vaa'' (1985) as Alamelu (Photo only)

Telugu

Bengali

Sinhala

References

External links

* {{authority control Indian film actresses Actresses from Thiruvananthapuram Actresses in Malayalam cinema 1937 births 1976 deaths Actresses in Tamil cinema Actresses in Kannada cinema Actresses in Hindi cinema 20th-century Indian actresses Deaths from cancer in India Women of the Kingdom of Travancore People of the Kingdom of Travancore Actresses in Bengali cinema Actresses in Telugu cinema Dancers from Kerala 20th-century Indian dancers