P. Bhanumathi

P. Bhanumathi Ramakrishna (7 September 1925 – 24 December 2005) was an Indian actress, singer, film producer, director, music composer, writer, editor, studio owner and novelist. She is regarded as the first female superstar of Telugu cinema.^[1] She is also considered the first female director of Telugu cinema with her debut directorial Chandirani (1953).^{[citation needed]} Bhanumathi appeared in over 100 films predominantly in Telugu and Tamil languages. She also acted in few (6) hindi films. She was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2001 for her contribution to the Indian cinema.^[2] She was honored among "Women in Cinema" at the 30th International Film Festival of India.^[3]

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Quick Facts Born, Died ...

P. Bhanumathi
Bhanumathi on a 2013 stamp of India
Born	(1925-09-07)7 September 1925 Doddavaram, Madras Presidency, British India (now Andhra Pradesh, India)
Died	24 December 2005(2005-12-24) (aged 80) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupations	Actress singer writer music director director producer editor studio owner
Works	Films songs
Spouse	P. S. Ramakrishna Rao
Children	1 Bharani
Honours	Padma Bhushan (2001) Padma Shri (1966)

Bhanumathi entered the film industry in 1939. After marriage, she quit acting and became a homemaker. B.N. Reddy convinced her to act in swargaseema which was turning point in her life. She also shined as singer, writer, director, music director, composer, producer, studio owner, editor. She also sang two songs in English: "When I was just a little girl" in Thodu Needa and "Let me try" from Pathu Maadha Bandham^[7] She acted in over 100 films in Telugu and Tamil.^[8] She is regarded as The First Female Super Star of Telugu cinema.^[1]

Film Career

She made her debut in Telugu cinema in 1939 as Kalindi in Vara Vikrayam directed by C. Pullayya. Her first popular film was Krishna Prema. Her next popular film was Swargaseema, a milestone film in her career. In Swargaseema, she played the role with negative shades. Oho Pavurama song (sung by her) in Swargaseema became a super hit and she was showered with offers. She later acted in many memorable movies like Chakrapani, Laila Majnu, Vipranarayana, Malliswari, Batasari and Anthasthulu. Her first film in Tamil was 1948 Raja Mukthi Pairing to MGR. The duo paired as the second hero and heroine. In 1953, she made her directorial debut with Chandirani (made simultaneously in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi).Her last film was made in 1998, entitled Pelli Kanuka.

In her film career, Bhanumathi worked alongside five future Chief Ministers: writers C.N. Annadurai (Tamil Nadu) and M. Karunanidhi (Tamil Nadu), co-stars MGR (Tamil Nadu), NTR (Andhra Pradesh) and V.N.Janaki (Tamil Nadu).

C. N. Annadurai gave her a title "Nadippukku Ilakkanam" (Tamil: நடிப்புக்கு இலக்கணம்) (Grammar for acting) after seeing her performance in Rangoon Radha film, that suits her aptly. In a Telugu interview, she also proudly stated that C.N.Annadurai conferred upon her the title Nadippukku Ilakkanam. She is called as "Ashtavadhani" by Tamil people.

She was revered by many actors she had worked with like N. T. Rama Rao, Sivaji Ganesan, M. G. Ramachandran, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Nagarjuna, Balakrishna, Chiranjeevi, Pawan Kalyan, Venkatesh for her bold and prolific versatility. One of her memorable movies in Tamil was Annai, in the year 1962 directed by Krishnan–Panju, where her acting was appreciated by all and also got the National Award for the film and for also performances in movies Anthasthulu and Palnati Yudham (1964) she received National Awards (Rashtrapati Award). She is the last recipient of Rashtrapati Award.^{[citation needed]}

The Super Hit film Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum, starring MGR and Bhanumathi made history in Tamil cinema by being the 'First Tamil Film' to be entirely shot and released in Gevacolor. It was also the First Full-Length Colour Film released in South India. MGR and Bhanumathi also acted in film Kalai Arasi, a Tamil movie released in 1963. It's considered the 'First Indian Film' to feature 'Aliens' visiting Earth.

Bhanumathi's rift with Aluri Chakrapani in Missamma gave Savitri Ganesh a breakthrough and her rivalry with MGR in Nadodi Mannan gave B. Sarojadevi a breakthrough. (MGR changed the script. Bhanumathi's character the revolutionary Madhana, was written out by being killed off early. Sarojadevi then carried the film as the lead heroine, Princess Ratna)^[9]

Due to her rift with Aluri Chakrapani, she left her role in Missamma movie (Initially Bhanumathi was shot for some scenes in the movie before being replaced by Savitri ) but after the release of the movie she watched and commented that "she lost a wonderful role but industry gained a talented actress like savitri" which showed her sportiveness and encouragement towards new actors.

Due to clash with Aluri Chakrapani, she produced a satirical movie on him titled Chakrapani which was a huge hit and became a classic in Tollywood for this movie she also worked as music director.

For the movie Anthasthulu (1964), VB Rajendra Prasad had approached Bhanumathi for the role of ANR's sister. She liked the subject and agreed to do the film immediately. The crew booked a room in "Ritz-Carlton" in Hyderabad and she did not want to waste money, so she offered to stay at Sarathi Studios, which had an open area and snakes. The next morning she woke up with her nails bitten by rats. The director decided to cancel the shoot, VB Rajendra Prasad rushed to see Bhanumathi applying iodine casually on the nails and asking when she could start work. While continuing with the shooting, she said, "If you cancel shoot for small things how will I be a Bhanumathi (which means 'shining like the sun' in Sanskrit)."^[10]

India's First Vice-President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a fan of her work. Telugu cinema Veterans like Jamuna, Savitri and so many actresses cited her as an inspiration for entering into movies. She is widely recalled by her close associates as 'Epitome of Self-Respect' and 'Versatility'. People in the film industry call her 'high-spirited' and a woman who tried to get what she wanted and often 'succeeded'. Their assessment was correct. She is Multi-talented person. She is the only Female Film Studio Owner in our country.

Despite being younger than MGR, Bhanumathi was the only person in cine industry who 'publicly' addressed MGR as Mr.Ramachandran, even though fellow actors were apprehensive about interacting with MGR. Despite Bhanumathi calling MGR by name, he continued to treat her with utmost respect. He always called her as 'Bhanumathi Amma'^[11]

MGR and Bhanumathi were a super-hit screen pair in the Tamil film industry of that era. During filming with MGR, she predicted he would achieve greatness beyond cinema. After he became Chief Minister, MGR recalled her prophecy and gave her credit.

Despite their rivalry on the set of Nadodi Mannan, they maintained mutual respect. Years later, after becoming Chief Minister, MGR appointed her as principal of the Government Music College.

Bhanumathi stated that She is regardered as an arrogant and troublesome artist. Before signing any film she would put the condition that she would not allow "indecency" or closeness with the hero in love scenes or any other scene. So, the producers, directors and actors always remained at a distance."^[12]

When a reporter asked Bhanumathi about her experience acting with NTR and ANR, she responded by saying, "Ask them how the experience of acting with Bhanumathi was." When she was asked who she thought was her heir among the next generation of actresses, she replied stating there cannot be a "Successor" to Bhanumathi.^[13]

In later years, she continued to act in pivotal roles in many hit movies like Tatamma Kala, Mangammagari Manavadu, Gadasari Atta Sogasari Kodallu, Muddula Manavaralu, Bamma Maata Bangaru Baata, Peddarikam and Pelli Kanuka.

In Malliswari, Chakrapani, Chandirani, Vipranarayana she played romantic, fun loving and playful characters. She is first south Indian actress to receive Padma Awards.^{[citation needed]}

She was adept in both Carnatic and Hindustani music. She gave voice to her songs despite it being the norm to use playback singers for actors. Some of her songs are still popular like Manasuna mallela, Pilichina biguvatara,Oh baatasaari, Kila Kila Navvulu, Oh Pavurama, Preme Neramauna, Srikara karunaalavaala, Sharanam nee divya charanam and many more in Telugu; and Azhagaana Ponn Naan, Vaarai Inbam Thaaraai, Nilaa Nilaa Odi Vaa, Thalai Vaari Poochoodi Unnai, Kannile Iruppathenna and Annai Enbadhu Neethaanaa in Tamil. She also provided music to a lot of her films.^[14]^[15]^[16]

During her later years, she served on various movie related organizations. She was a Member of State Film Awards Committee for two years. She was also a visiting professor at the Film Institute for one year. She was Member of Children Film Society for 5 years, from 1965 to 1970.

In India, she was The First and The Only Woman to have owned a Film Studio and First Woman to act in a Dual role and the First Woman to have Directed a movie simultaneously in Three Languages.^{[citation needed]}

On occasion of World Women's day, Sakshi Sunday magazine listed the most successful women from every industry and she was listed in the one for those from the movie industry. It was also added that the present highly successful heroines could not reach the heights Bhanumathi reached and that it is an 'impossible' task for anyone to reach her level of 'success'.^{[citation needed]}

Literary Career

Bhanumathi was also a talented writer with a number of short stories to her credit. Her Autobiography 'Nalo Nenu' was published in Telugu and later, released in English as Musings. Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Academy awarded her as the best short story writer for her popular short stories 'Attagari Kathalu'.^[17] She was a Member of Lalit Kala Academy for 5 years, and Sahitya Academy Andhra Pradesh for 10 years. She served as Director and Principal of the Tamil Nadu Government Music College.

Philanthropy

She was an eminent social worker who was closely associated with a number of Social Service Organizations. She was the founder member and treasurer of Madras branch of Altrusa International Inc., Chicago for lifelong starting from 1963. She was a life member of the 'Red Cross Society'. She established an educational institution named as 'Dr. Bhanumathi Ramakrishna Matriculation School' at Saligramam, Chennai providing free education to the poor.

Early life

Career

Film Career

Literary Career

Philanthropy

Personal life

Awards

Filmography

See also

References

External links

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