Kumari Rukmani
Indian actress and dancer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 | |
|---|---|
Rukmani in the 1940s | |
| Born | 19 April 1929 |
| Died | 4 September 2007 (aged 78) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1935–2000 |
| Spouse | Y. V. Rao |
| Children | Lakshmi |
| Parent | Nungambakkam Janaki |
| Relatives | Aishwariyaa Bhaskaran (granddaughter) |
Childhood
She 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
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
| 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 | |
| 1948 | Ramadas | ||
| 1955 | Mullaivanam | ||
| 1961 | Kappalotiya Thamizhan[3] | Meenakshi Ammal | V. O. Chidambaram Pillai's wife |
| 1961 | Sri Valli | ||
| 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 | |
| 1970 | Mayani Mamata | Telugu film | |
| 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
She has produced two films in Hindi, with Lavangi and Manjari.[3]
Death
K. T. Rukmini
There was another actress/singer named K. T. Rukmini during 1930/40s. She was featured in films like Menaka (1935), Thirumangai Alwar (1940) and her last film was Ponnuruvi (1947).
