Rushyendramani

Rushyendramani (b: January 1, 1917 - d: August 17, 2002) is a trained singer, dancer was a famous stage/film actress and playback singer from South India.^[1] She has more than 150 movies to her credit and has acted in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi films from 1930s to 1980s.

Early life

She was born in Vijayawada on January 1, 1917.

A trained singer in both the Indian classical music traditions and a trained Kuuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dancer, She started her on stage career at the age of 7 years. She donned the mantle of Krishna and Prahalada by ten years of age. Later she joined Lakshmi Vilasa Nataka Sabha of Kommuri Pattabhi Ramaiah. She was trained under Kapilavai Ramanatha Sastry, Puvvula Ramatilakam and acted in Chintamani and Savitri dramas.

She has moved to the silver screen and acted as Satyabhama in Srikrishna Tulabaram produced by Rajarao Naidu in 1935. It was a commercial failure but she won acclaim for her singing and acting prowess. She joined the Rajarajeswari Natya Mandali of Kadaru Nagabhushanam and Pasupuleti Kannamba and extensively toured entire Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, parts of Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu. She earned accolades for her portrayal of Prabhavati in Rangoon Rowdi and Narada in Savitri.Her popularity and acting prowess crowned her as the "Rayalaseema Rani".

Married to Javvadi RamaKrishna Rao Naidu - an accomplished musician and composer who scored music to many a stage plays, she accompanied him to Madras in 1939. Ramakrishna Rao worked as Music director in Tamil film Mathru Bhoomi. As many actors of that era, she was a great singer too.^[2]

Her first film was Sri Krishna Tulabharam—1935—where she enacted the role of Satyabhama. She has acted in Patni—1942—as Kannagi based on the Tamil epic Shilappadikaram. The Kovalan character was played by K. S. Prakash Rao. With the success of this film, she reached pinnacle in the film world. She acted as Adilaxmi in Chenchu Lakshmi which was also successful. Seeta Rama Jananam in 1944 followed by Malliswari, Vipra Narayana, Maya Bazar, Jagadeka Veeruni Katha, Aggi Ramudu, Sri Krishna Satya, Panduranga Mahatyam and portrayed variety of characters.With over 150 films in all the south Indian languages and Hindi she was awarded the title of "Madhura Gaana Saraswati" by the Raja of karvetinagaram for her singing skills. She also had the pleasure of acting with her grand daughter Bhavani (acted in over 75 movies in all the South Indian languages with major heroes) in the Kannada film "Bhootayya ne magha ayyu" 1974 Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu , where Bhavani Video on YouTube won the best actress award and Rushyendrami won the award for the best supporting actor.

She died on the 17th. of August 2002 at Chennai. She is survived by 2 daughters 1 son, grand children and great grand children.

Filmography

1. Srikrishna Thulabhaaram (1935)
2. Patni (1942) .... Kannagi
3. Seeta Rama Jananam (1942) (actor and playback singer)
4. Chenchu Lakshmi (1943) (actor and playback singer)
5. Dharmangada (1949)
6. Malliswari (1951) .... Nagamma
7. Sri Kalahastiswara Mahatyam (1954)
8. Vipranarayana (1954)
9. Missamma (1955) .... Gopalam's wife
10. Maya Bazaar (1957/I) .... Subhadra (actor and playback singer)
11. Maya Bazaar (1957/II) .... Subhadra (actor and playback singer)
12. Panduranga Mahatyam (1957) .... Laxmi
13. Chenchu Lakshmi (1958/I)
14. Deepavali (1960) .... Devas mother Aditi
15. Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam (1960) .... Dhaaranidevi
16. Jagadeka Veeruni Katha (1961) .... Maharani
17. Gulebakavali Katha (1962)
18. Gundamma Katha (1962)
19. Palattu Koman (1962)^[3]
20. Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham (1963) .... Wife of Gaya
21. Navarathri (1966) ... Brothel house Head
22. Shri Krishnavataram (1967/I)
23. Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu (1974)
24. Shrimad Virat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra (1984)
25. Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam (1986)

References

External links

• Rushyendramani at the Internet Movie Database