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Sarada (actress)
Indian actress From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Thadiparthi Saraswati Devi (born 12 June 1945), better known by her stage name Sarada, is an Indian actress and politician. Though known for her work predominantly in Telugu films and Malayalam films, she has also appeared in Tamil, Hindi as well as Kannada language films.[1]
Sarada is a three-time recipient of the National Film Award for Best Actresss for her roles in Thulabharam (1968),[2] Swayamvaram (1972), and Nimajjanam (1977). She is also known as Urvasi Sarada – the National Film Award for Best Actress was officially designated the Urvasi Award. Sarada also won the NTR National Award by the Government of Andhra Pradesh for her contributions to Indian cinema.[3]
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Early life
Sarada was born on 12 June 1945[4] as Saraswati Devi in Tenali, Madras Presidency, British India (in present-day Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India). Her parents Venkateswar Rao and Satyavathi Devi were farmers. She has a brother, Mohan Rao. Sarada was sent to Madras in her childhood to live with her grandmother Kanakamma. Sarada describes her grandmother as a "strict disciplinarian" who in the later days "wouldn't even let the heroes touch her" and allowed "rehearsals only on Sundays".[5] Sarada started to learn dance when she was six. She used to perform during Dasara and other temple festivals. Because of her mother's desire, she learnt dancing. Her mother wanted her to be a "big star in cine field". Though Sarada's father was not too interested in the idea, he did not stop her.
Sarada married Telugu actor Chalam, and the couple later divorced. Currently Sarada resides with her brother's family in Chennai.[5]
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Early career
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When she grew up, she started acting in Telugu theatre.[1] Her debut in cinema was with a minor role in the Telugu film Kanyasulkam. However, she returned to theatre after that and did a major role in the Telugu version of Ratha Kanneer, a Tamil drama.[5] The play went on to be staged over 100 times in Tamil Nadu.[5]
Film career
In 1959, she began her career as Sarada. The change in name was attributed to the presence of a few other actors in the industry with the goddess' name, Saraswati.[5] She came under contract to L.V. Prasad, a Telugu producer.[3] Though she didn't get to act in any of his films, she got her formal training in acting under him, including the Navarasa lessons. She largely attributes her performances and growth in the field to this training.[5] Her first break came with the Akkineni Nageswara Rao-starrer Iddaru Mitrulu, which was a major hit. Noted for the role in the film, she got acting offers from Tamil and Malayalam films as well.[1]
The year 1965 changed her career as Sarada carved her niche for herself in the Malayalam film industry with her performances in Shakuntala, Murappennu, Udhyogastha by P. Venu, Kattu Thulasi and Inapravukal.[3] After that, she focused in Malayalam films, acting only a few roles in other languages. Recognition came in 1967 in the form of a national honorary award for her performances in various films of 1966 including Iruttinte Athmavu.[3] The award was the predecessor to the National Film Award for Best Actress, which was instituted in 1968. In 1969, she won her first National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in Thulabharam. She went on to win the award 2 more times, for Swayamvaram (1972, Malayalam) and Nimajjanam (1978, Telugu). She also won the Kerala State Film Awards for Best Actress one time.[1] After 1993, she became choosy and accepted only a few films. Her major films of late were Mazhathullikkilukkam (2002, Malayalam), Rappakal (2005, Malayalam), Nayika (2011, Malayalam) and Stalin (2006, Telugu).
She owns a chocolate factory named Lotus Chocolates.[3][1] She was elected as a Member of Parliament on Telugu Desam Party ticket from her native town of Tenali.[3] She was one of WCC members of Hema Committee report.[6]
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Awards
 | This section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (April 2023) |
National Film Awards
- 1968 - National Film Award for Best Actress : Thulabharam (Malayalam)
- 1972 - National Film Award for Best Actress : Swayamvaram (Malayalam)
- 1977 - National Film Award for Best Actress : Nimajjanam (Telugu)
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
- 2013 - Kalaimamani for contributions to Tamil Cinema
Kerala State Film Awards
Filmfare Awards South
- 1987 - Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam : Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam
- 1997 – Lifetime Achievement Award
Nandi Awards
- 1984 - Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actress - Bobbili Brahmanna[7]
- 2010 - NTR National Award for Lifetime Achievement
Other Awards
- 1970 - Bengal Film Journalists' Association (BFJA) Award for Best Actress in Hindi – Samaj Ko Badal Dalo
- 2017 - Prem Nazir Award
- 1999 - Doctorate from Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad
- 2020 - Vanitha Film Awards - Lifetime Achievement Award
Notable filmography
Telugu
Malayalam
Tamil
Hindi
Kannada
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See also
References
External links
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