Kumari Rukmani (19 April 1929[1] – 4 September 2007), also known as Kumari Rukmini,[2] was an Indian actress and dancer. She has acted in about 100 films in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi languages.[3]
Kumari Rukmani | |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 April 1929 |
| Died | 4 September 2007 (aged 78) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1935–2000 |
| Spouse | Y. V. Rao |
| Children | Lakshmi |
| Parent | Nungambakkam Janaki |
| Relatives | Aishwariyaa Bhaskaran (granddaughter) |
Childhood
editShe is the daughter of Nungambakkam Janaki, also an actress. She hails from Melattur in Thanjavur district. During the shooting of Harishchandra (1932) in Bombay (now Mumbai) the producers were looking for a young actor to feature as Lohidasan. Kumari Rukmani, as a child, was staying with her parents in the next room where T. P. Rajalakshmi who was the female lead in the film, was staying. Rajalakshmi recommended Kumari Rukmani to the producers. The producers talked to the parents and made Kumari Rukmani to feature as Lohidasan in the film. Thus began her film career.[4]
Film career
edit
She featured in many films together with T. P. Rajalakshmi. Her first film as heroine was Sri Valli in which she acted as Valli paired with T. R. Mahalingam.[3] In 1946 she featured in Lavangi paired with the multi-talented Y. V. Rao. While the shooting of this film was going on both she and Rao fell in love with each other and later got married. Cine actress Lakshmi is their daughter.[2]
Partial filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1935 | Harichandra | Lohidasan | Child Artist |
| 1937 | Chintamani | Child Artist | |
| 1937 | Balayogini | Child Artist | |
| 1938 | Desa Munnetram | Child Artist | |
| 1941 | Rishyasringar | Child Artist | |
| 1945 | Sri Valli | Goddess Valli | |
| 1946 | Lavangi | Jagannatha Pandita Rayalu's wife | |
| 1947 | Pankajavalli | Lord Krishna | |
| 1955 | Mullaivanam | ||
| 1961 | Kappalotiya Thamizhan[3] | Meenakshi Ammal | V. O. Chidambaram Pillai's wife |
| 1963 | Mani Osai[3] | ||
| 1963 | Idhayathil Nee | ||
| 1963 | Kadavulai Kanden | ||
| 1963 | Paar Magaleya Paar | Sekar Mother | |
| 1964 | Poompuhar | Govalan Mother | |
| 1964 | Karnan | Radha Karnan Step Mother | |
| 1964 | Navarathri | Ananth Mother | |
| 1965 | Vennira Aadai[3] | Seetha | |
| 1965 | Idhayak Kamalam[3] | Baskar Mother | |
| 1966 | Thedi Vantha Thirumagal | ||
| 1970 | Vilaiyaattu Pillai | ||
| 1970 | Thalaivan | Manimegalai | |
| 1971 | Avalukendru Or Manam | Rajam | |
| 1971 | Irulum Oliyum | ||
| 1971 | Moondrudeivangal | ||
| 1973 | Karaikkal Ammaiyar | Dharmavathi | Punithavathi's mother |
| 1976 | Rojavin Raja[3] | Visalam | |
| 1978 | Ennai Pol Oruvan | Sekar Mother | |
| 2000 | Kandukondain Kandukondain | Sivagnanam's mother |
Producer
editShe has produced two films in Hindi, with Lavangi and Manjari.[3]
Death
editAfter ailing for some time, Kumari Rukmani died on 4 September 2007 at her daughter actress Lakshmi residence in Chennai.[3]
K. T. Rukmini
editThere was another actress/singer named K. T. Rukmini during 1930/40s. She featured in films like Menaka (1935), Thirumangai Alwar (1940) and her last film was Ponnuruvi (1947)
References
edit- ^ "Birthdays of Film stars". Kundoosi (in Tamil): 34–35. 1951.
- ^ a b Randor Guy (25 May 2013). "Blast from the past - lavangi 1946". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 10 September 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
The heroine was Kumari Rukmini, daughter of dancer Nungambakkam Janaki. She entered films as Baby Rukmini and went on to become a star.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Yesteryear actor Rukmani dies". The Hindu. 5 September 2007. Archived from the original on 19 November 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ^ "சூப்பர் ஸ்டார்களின் கதாநாயகி!" [Heroine of super stars]. The Hindu (in Tamil). 12 September 2015. Archived from the original on 9 January 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2016. (English translation)
External links
edit- Rukmani at Bollywood Hungama
- Rukmini at IMDb
- Chyamalan Vanthaaradi on YouTube - A song sung by Kumari Rukmani from the film Ramadas (1948)
- Kalaba Mayile on YouTube - A song sung by K. T. Rukmini (with Kothamangalam Seenu from the film Thirumangai Alvar (1940)
