Garikapati Varalakshmi (27 September 1926 – 26 November 2006) was an Indian actress, stage artist, singer, and director who worked in

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 ...

and

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 ...

films.

Biography

Varalakshmi was born in 1926 in

Ongole Ongole is a city in Prakasam district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is the headquarters of Prakasam district and also the mandal headquarters of Ongole mandal in Ongole revenue division. Ongole cattle, an indigenous breed of oxe ...

Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh (, abbr. AP) is a state in the south-eastern coastal region of India. It is the seventh-largest state by area covering an area of and tenth-most populous state with 49,386,799 inhabitants. It is bordered by Telangana to t ...

, India. Her father was a pehelwan. She started acting on stage in

Vijayawada Vijayawada, formerly known as Bezawada, is the second largest city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh and is a part of the state's Capital Region. It is the administrative headquarters of the NTR district. Its metropolitan region comprises N ...

when she was 11 years old. She acted along with stage actors Thungala Chalapathi and

Dasari Kotiratnam Dasari Kotiratnam was an Indian actress, singer, and film producer. She was the first female producer of Telugu cinema. She was also the first actress to set up a theatre group in Andhra. Her career as a theatre actor spanned over four decades. ...

and became popular for her roles in plays like ''Sakkubai'' and ''Rangoon Rowdy''. Her first two movie roles aged 14 were in ''Barrister Parvatheesam'', produced by Raghupathy Prakash, and ''Bondam Pelli'', produced by

H. M. Reddy Hanumappa Muniappa Reddy (12 June 1892 – 14 January 1960), known as H. M. Reddy, was an Indian film director and producer, known for his works in Telugu cinema. He directed the first Indian multilingual sound film ''Kalidas'' (1931), shot in T ...

. These two movies were released together as a two-in-one movie. She then moved to

Bombay Mumbai (, ; also known as Bombay — the official name until 1995) is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the '' de facto'' financial centre of India. According to the United Nations, as of 2018, Mumbai is the sec ...

to sing in the chorus for

Naushad Naushad Ali (25 December 1919 – 5 May 2006) was an Indian music director for Hindi films. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest and foremost music directors of the Hindi film industry. He is particularly known for popularising the ...

in 1942. As her career as a singer was not successful, she returned to

Madras Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras (List of renamed Indian cities and states#Tamil Nadu, the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost states and territories of India, Indian state. The largest city ...

in 1946. She married the filmmaker and studio-owner

K. S. Prakash Rao Kovelamudi Surya Prakash Rao (1914–1996) was an Indian film director, producer, actor and cinematographer known for his works in Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi films. In 1977 he won the Filmfare Award for Best Director – Kannada for ''Ganda Hendt ...

. Her husband and she acted in and produced a controversial and popular movie, ''Drohi'' in which she played the part of an arrogant daughter. ''Drohi'' was followed by popular movies like ''

Kula Gotralu ''Kula Gotralu'' () is a 1961 Indian Telugu-language drama film written and directed by K. Pratyagatma. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Krishna Kumari, with music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. Acharya Aatreya wrote the dialogues for the fi ...

'', ''

Kanna Talli ''Kanna Talli'' () is a 1953 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced and directed by K. S. Prakash Rao under the Prakash Studios banner. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, G. Varalakshmi with music composed by Pendyala Nageshwara Rao. The ...

'' and ''

Pelli Chesi Choodu ''Pelli Chesi Choodu'' () is a 1952 Indian satirical comedy film directed by L. V. Prasad and produced by Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani under their company Vijaya Productions. The film was made simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil, the latter tit ...

'' in which she acted with all the top heroes of Indian films of the 1940s and 1950s in Telugu and Tamil, playing roles ranging from the loving woman and arrogant sister to the mother-in-law. She also directed a social movie, '' Moogajeevulu''. She got involved in politics and supported M.G.R for a short time and was an active member of Andhra Pradesh Praja Natya Mandali. She was the mother of two children, one daughter Kovelamudi Kanaka Durga and a son Kovelamudi Siva Prakash who became a famous cameraman. She is also the step-mother of the famous director Kovelamudi Raghavendra Rao.

Filmography

Note: The list is not comprehensive.

Actress

# ''

Barrister Parvateesam ''Barrister Parvateesam'' () is a Telugu language humorous novel written by Mokkapati Narasimha Sastry in 1924. It was printed in three parts. This work is regarded as one of the best written novels in India. Plot First Part It describes the n ...

'' (1940) # ''Bondam Pelli'' (1940) # '' Dakshayagnam'' (1941) # '' Bhakta Prahlada'' (1942) # ''

Vindhyarani ''Vindhyarani'' () is a 1948 Indian Telugu-language film directed by C. Pullayya. It is a film based on a drama written by Pingali Nagendra Rao. Pushpavalli played the title role of Vindhyarani. Plot Durjaya kills his elder brother Maharaja Jay ...

'' (1948) # '' Drohi'' (1948) # ''Maya Rambha'' (1950) # ''Modati Rathri'' (1950) # ''Sri Lakshmamma Katha'' (1950) # '' Swapna Sundari'' (1950) # ''Deeksha'' (1951) # '' Nirdoshi'' (1951) # '' Niraparadhi'' (1951) # ''

Manavathi ''Manavathi'' is a 1952 Indian film produced in two language editions, Telugu & Tamil. The film was directed by Y. V. Rao. The film stars Mukkamala and Madhuri Devi. Cast List adapted from the database of Film News Anandan and from iMDB.(see ex ...

'' (1952) # ''

'' (1953) # ''Naa Chellelu'' (1953) # ''

Paropakaram ''Paropakaram'' () is a 1953 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Kamal Ghosh. The film stars Ramesh Sharma and Savithri. Cast List adapted from the database of Film News Anandan. ;Male cast *Ramesh Sharma * C. S. R. *Mukkamala * Relangi ...

'' (1953) # ''Jyoti'' (1954) # ''Maa Gopi'' (1954) # '' Menarikam'' (1954) # '' Gulebakavali'' (1955) # ''Ante Kavali'' (1955) # ''Melukolupu'' (1956) # ''

Paasavalai ''Pasavalai'' () is a 1956 Indian Tamil-language historical fantasy film, directed by A. S. Nagarajan produced by T. R. Sundaram of Modern Theatres, and written by Pa. Kannan. Music was composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy. It stars M. K. Ra ...

'' (1956) # ''Naan Petra Selvam'' (1956) # ''

Dongallo Dora ''Dongallo Dora'' () is a 1957 Indian Telugu-language action film, produced by D. L. Narayana under the Chandamama Films banner and directed by P. Chengayya. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Jamuna, with music composed by M. Subrahmanyam Ra ...

'' (1957) # ''

Aaravalli ''Aravalli'' () is 1957 Indian Tamil-language fantasy action film directed by Krishna Rao and written by V. N. Sambantham. Produced by Modern Theatres, the film stars G. Varalakshmi, S. Mohana, S. G. Eshwar, Mynavathi and Kaka Radhakrishnan pl ...

'' (1957) # ''

Karpurakarasi ''Karpukkarasi'' is a 1957 Indian Tamil-language swashbuckler film directed by A. S. A. Sami and produced by M. Somasundaram under Jupiter Pictures. The story and screenplay were written by A. S. A. Sami and Aru. Ramanathan. The dialogues w ...

'' (1957) # ''

Pathini Deivam ''Pathini Deivam'' is a 1957 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Ch. Narayanamurthi. The film stars Gemini Ganesan and Savithri. Plot Kulasekaran, King of Kurinjinadu, visits his friend Mahendran who is the King of Marudanadu. Mahendran, ...

'' (1957) # ''

Raja Nandini ''Raja Nandini'' is a 1958 Telugu-language film, produced by M. Ramakrishna Rao and Midde Jagannatha Rao under the Jalaruha Productions banner and directed by Vedantam Raghavayya. It stars N. T. Rama Rao and Anjali Devi, with music composed by ...

'' (1958) #'' Sampoorna Ramayanam'' (1958) #''Dongalunnaru Jagratha'' (1958) # ''

Mangalya Balam ''Mangalya Balam'' () is a 1959 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film, produced by D. Madhusudhana Rao under Annapurna Pictures banner and directed by Adurthi Subba Rao. It stars Savitri and Akkineni Nageswara Rao, with music composed by M ...

'' (1958) # Sri renuka devi mahatyam (1960) # ''

Sivagami ''Sivagami'' is a 1960 Indian Tamil-language drama film produced by Muthiah Pictures and directed by Antony Mitradas. It featured M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar in his final film appearance alongside G. Varalakshmi playing the titular character. ...

'' (1960) # '' Iddaru Mitrulu'' (1961) # ''

Kula Gothralu ''Kula Gotralu'' () is a 1961 Indian Telugu-language drama film written and directed by K. Pratyagatma. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Krishna Kumari, with music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao. Acharya Aatreya wrote the dialogues for the ...

'' (1962) # ''

Bhishma Bhishma (Sanskrit: भीष्‍म, , ), also known as Pitamaha, Gangaputra, and Devavrata, played an integral role in Mahabharata. He was the supreme commander of the Kaurava forces during the Kurukshetra War mentioned in the Hindu epi ...

'' (1962) #'' Sumangali'' (1965) # ''

Antastulu ''Antastulu'' () is a 1965 Indian Telugu-language drama film produced by V. B. Rajendra Prasad and directed by V. Madhusudhana Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Bhanumathi Ramakrishna, Krishna Kumari with music composed by K. V. Mahadevan ...

'' (1965) #''

Veerabhimanyu ''Veerabhimanyu'' is a 1965 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film produced by Sunderlal Nahta and Doondi and directed by V. Madhusudhana Rao. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Shobhan Babu and Kanchana, with music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. ...

'' (1965) # ''

Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum ''Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum'' () is a 1965 Indian Tamil language, Tamil-language children's film directed by Krishnan–Panju. It is based on the American film ''The Parent Trap (1961 film), The Parent Trap'' (1961) which in turn was based on Erich ...

'' (1965) #'' Aata Bommalu'' (1966) # ''

Aastiparulu ''Aastiparulu'' () is a 1966 Indian Telugu-language drama film, produced by V. B. Rajendra Prasad and directed by V. Madhusudhana Rao. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Jayalalithaa, with music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. The film was rema ...

'' (1966) # '' Letha Manasulu'' (1966) # ''

Bangaru Pichika ''Bangaru Pichika'' () is a 1968 Telugu-language comedy-drama film directed by Bapu, produced by Kommana Narayana Rao and written by Mullapudi Venkata Ramana. It stars Chandra Mohan and Vijaya Nirmala. The music was composed by K. V. Mahadeva ...

'' (1967) #'' Rahasyam'' (1967) #'' Amayakudu'' (1968) # ''

Bangaru Sankelu Haryanvi ( ' or '), also known as Bangru, is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in the state of Haryana in India, and to a lesser extent in Delhi. Haryanvi is considered to be part of the dialect group of Western Hindi, which also includes Kharib ...

'' (1968) # ''

Buddhimanthudu ''Buddhimantudu'' () is a 1969 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by Bapu. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Vijaya Nirmala, Sobhan Babu and Krishnam Raju, with music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. The film was remade in Tamil as ''Mani ...

'' (1969) # ''

Nindu Hrudayalu Nindu Hrudayalu () is 1969 Telugu-language action drama film, produced by M. Jagannatha Rao under the S.V.S. Films banner and directed by K. Viswanath. It stars N. T. Rama Rao, Sobhan Babu, Vanisri and has music composed by T. V. Raju. This ...

'' (1969) #''

Pavitra Bandham ''Pavitra Bandham'' ( ''The Holy Bond'') is a 1996 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film co-written and directed by Muthyala Subbaiah. It stars Venkatesh and Soundarya, with music composed by M. M. Keeravani. The film was produced by C. V ...

'' (1971) #''

Anuradha Anuradha may refer to: Film * ''Anuradha'' (1940 film), a 1940 Bollywood film * ''Anuradha'' (1960 film), a 1960 Hindi-language film * ''Anuradha'' (1967 film), a 1967 Indian Kannada film * ''Anuradha'' (2014 film), a 2014 Bollywood drama fil ...

'' (1971) as Rukmini #Veetukku Oru Pillai (1971) # '' Vazhaiyadi Vazhai''(1972) # ''

Samsaram Sagaram ''Samsaram Sagaram'' is a 1973 Indian Telugu-language drama film written and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao.The film won two Nandi Awards. Cast * Satyanarayana * Jayanthi * Rama Prabha * M. Prabhakar Reddy * G. Varalakshmi * Kaikala S ...

'' (1973) #''

Doctor Babu ''Doctor Babu'' is a Telugu language film released in 1973. It starred Sobhan Babu and Jayalalitha in lead roles. It is romantic social drama film. The film was a remake of Hindi film '' Himalay Ki Godmein''. Cast * Sobhan Babu as Sekhar * ...

'' (1973) # ''

Ganga Manga ''Ganga Manga'' is a 1973 Indian Telugu-language comedy drama film in which Vanisri played a dual role as Ganga and Manga. Krishna and Sobhan Babu played main roles. The film was a remake of the Hindi film ''Seeta Aur Geeta ''Seeta aur Ge ...

'' (1973) #'' Chakravakam'' (1974) # '' Athavarillu'' (1976) # ''

Sri Rajeswari Vilas Coffee Club Shri (; , ) is a Sanskrit term denoting resplendence, wealth and prosperity, primarily used as an honorific. The word is widely used in South and Southeast Asian languages such as Marathi, Malay (including Indonesian and Malaysian), Javanese, B ...

'' (1976) #''

Mahatmudu ''Mahatmudu'' () is a 1976 Telugu-language drama film, produced and directed by M. S. Gopinath under the Rajeswari Chitra banner. It stars Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Sharada, with music composed by T. Chalapathi Rao. Plot Zamindar Parvatamm ...

'' (1976) # ''

Gorantha Deepam ''Gorantha Deepam'' is a 1978 Telugu-language drama film from the writer-director duo of Ramana and Bapu. The film stars Sreedhar, Vanisri and Mohan Babu. Plot A young bride, Padmavathi (Vanisri) is sent to her new home with instructions of tre ...

'' (1978) #''Sirimalle Navvindi'' (1980) #''Kiladi Krishnudu'' (1980)

Director

# '' Moogajeevulu'' (1968)

References

External links

*
Maverick Varalakshmi
{{DEFAULTSORT:Varalakshmi, Garikapati 1926 births 2006 deaths Indian women playback singers Indian film actresses Telugu actresses Telugu playback singers Singers from Andhra Pradesh 20th-century Indian singers People from Ongole Telugu film directors Indian women film directors 20th-century Indian film directors Film directors from Andhra Pradesh 20th-century Indian actresses 20th-century Indian women singers Film musicians from Andhra Pradesh Women musicians from Andhra Pradesh Telugu women film directors