|
Name |
Dr.P.
Bhanumathi Ramakrishna |
|
|
Birth
Name |
Paluvayi
Bhanumathi |
|
Titles |
* Swarna Kanganam
* Multifaced Queen of the Indian screen
* Kalaimamani
* Bhakukala Dheerati Sreemathi
* Nadippukku Ilakkanam
*
Ashtavadhani |
|
Profession |
Actress,
Writer, Director, Producer, Studio Owner, Music
Director and Singer |
|
Date of Birth |
7 September 1925
|
|
Date of Demise |
24 December 2005
|
|
Birth Place |
Doddavaram village near Ongole Andhra Pradesh
|
|
Nationality |
Indian |
|
Mother
Tongue |
Telugu |
|
Family |
Father : Bommaraju Venkata Subbaiah
Mother : Saraswatamma
Spouse : P.S. Ramakrishna Rao (film producer,
director and editor of Telugu and Tamil Films)
Son : Dr. Bharani
A grand son and a grand daughter |
|
Marriage Date |
8 August 1943 |
|
Introduced by |
Sri Chintajallu.Pullaih
(popularly called as C.Pulliah) |
|
Film Debut |
Film: Telugu - Varavikrayam (1939) at
a very early age of 13.
Tamil - "Rajamukthi" (1948) with M.K.
Thygaraja Bagavathar.
Singer:
Varavikrayam (1939)
Producer:
Ratnamala (1947)
Writer: Prema
(1952)
Director: Chandirani (1953)
Composer: Chakrapani (1954)
|
|
Chandi-rani |
* In 1953 she performed
a dual role in the movie "Chandi-rani".
* It was simultaneously made in Telugu, Tamil
and Hindi and was released on the same day all
over India
* She created history by becoming the first woman
in the history of Indian Cinema who directed,
produced, sang and acted in that movie. |
|
Music |
*
Her father was her first Guru.
* Was good at singing both Carnatic and Hindustani
Music
* Has sung many english songs.
* She also served as Principal of the Government
College of Music in Madras (now Chennai), from
1985 to 1988. |
|
Husband |
* She met him during
the shooting of the movie "Krishna Prema"
in the year 1942.
* He was the assistant director of that movie.
* Married him against her father's wishes. |
|
Owned |
Along with her husband
she founded Bharani Studios and Bharani Pictures
both named after her son. |
|
Children's film |
She produced a Children's
feature colour film titled "BHAKTHA DHURUVA
MARKADEYA" in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi and Malayalam
with artists of under sixteen, which was a huge
success |
|
Air travel |
Had a terrible fear
of flying |
|
Member of |
* Children's
Film Society (1965-1970)
* Lalith Kala Academy for 5 years
* Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Academy for 10
years
* Madras Branch of Altrusa International Inc.,
Chicago
* Red Cross Society
* State Film Awards Committee for two years |
|
Awards |
* 2003 -Awarded
Padma Sri & Padma Bhushan by the Government
of India
* 2001 - NTR award, from the Government of Andhra
Pradesh
* 1998 - Raja-Lakshmi Award from Sri Raja-Lakshmi
Foundation, Chennai.
* 1996 - "Mangiar Ratna" award by
K.K.Nagar Lion's Club.
* 1994 - Government National Award for Best
writer for the book "Nalo Nenu" an
autobiography.
* 1994 - London Doctors Association honoured
her as a 'Great Artiste.'
* 1986 - Best Director, Nandi Award
* 1985 - Awarded the prestigious Raghupathy
Venkaiah award by the State Government of Andhra
Pradesh.
* 1984 - Honorary Doctorate, Sri Venkateswara
University, Tirupathi
* 1983 - Kalai Maamani, Government of Tamilnadu
* 1975 - Honorary Doctorate, Andhra University,
Visakhapatnam
* 1969 - Padma Shri award from the Government
of India
* National Award for Best Actress, Annai
(Tamil)
* 1966 - National Award for Best Actress, Palnati
Yuddham (Telugu)
* 1965 - National Award Winner as Best Actress,
Anthastulu (Telugu)
* The Karnataka Director's Association have
honoured her as "First Senior Lady Director"
* Annadurai
honoured her with a title "Nadippukku Ilakkanam"
for her remarkable performance in "Rangoon
Radha"
|
|
Devotee |
* She is ardent devotee of Shri Jagadguru Abhinava
Vidyateertha Swamiji of Sringeri, who bestowed
her with the blessing of Sri Vidya Vupasana 32
years back. |
|
Autobiography |
* Her autobiography, Naalo Neno (1993)
* Her collection of short stories about mother
in laws, Attagari Kathalu won her the Sahitya
Academy award in 1966 later released
in English as 'Musings'. |
|
School |
She established
an educational institution named as "Dr.
Bhanumathi Ramakrishna Matriculation School"
at Saligramam, Chennai providing free education
to the poor. |
|
Facts |
* As an extremely versatile actress she was equally
adept at social dramas, mythologicals, comedies
as well as adventure and swashbucking films.
* She is best remembered for her brilliant renderings
of Thyagaraja's kirtis and Purandaradasa's bhajans.
* Was paid Rs.350/-
for her first movie
* Her film Alibabavum Narpatha Thirudargalum
was the first South Indian film produced in
Gevacolor
*
Tanguturi Surya Kumari's entry into cine field
inspired her father to make Bhanumati as an
actress.
* She had acted in more than 100 films in Tamil,
Telugu, Kannada and Hindi.
* She is the only lady in India who was a Studio
Owner, Producer, Directress, Writer, Music Director
and also a great singing cine-artiste.
* A good painter, Astrologer and a great Philosopher.
* Her autobiography was made into a teleserial.
* She was a great cook.
* Dr. Sarvepalli Radha Krishnan was a great
fan of her. Other noted fans of her include
Bejawada Gopal Reddy, PV Rajamannar, Kodavaganti
Kutumba Rao and Chakrapani.
* First lady recipient of State Honours
after the formation of Andhra Pradesh state
* Was visiting
Professor to the Film Institute for one year.
* Suffered from
chronic diabetes
|
|
About her |
Dr.J. Jayalalithaa
: " The most versatile and multi-faceted
genius who adorned the world of art and letters
and shone brilliantly in the firmament of Indian
films. Her achievements as an actress, gifted
musician, accomplished singer, film producer,
prolific writer, film director, music director
and studio owner made her stand out as a colossus
in the film world."
Manorama : "I am happy to have sung with Bhanumathi
in the film Ippadiyum Oru Pen. I was fortunate
to be able to sing with ... she appreciated and
blessed me after hearing my song. She was a doyen
among the stars."
Producer M. Saravanan : "It was like walking on
a razor's edge. We felt only she could do it and
she did it with great maturity. We would not have
done the role with any other person. When Annai
was made in Hindi, Nirupa Rai did the role. But,
when we wanted to do it in Telugu all the distributors
wanted P. Banumathi to do it. But, she had retired
by then. As she was not able to do it we did not
make the film at all."
Actor Ravichandran : "She had a knowledge of all
departments in film-making. She also knew astrology
and palmistry. We used to discuss our future with
her and spend a lot of time. Her husband Ramakrishna
also used to come to the set and when all the
three of us were together, we had a great time."
Actor Prashanth : "For me she was a legend. She
acted as my grandmother in the film. After the
shooting also I used to visit her often and talk
to her. She felt I had a great future. Having
seen her as a dynamic woman and I could not bear
to see her in failing health." |
|
Quote |
"The most important
thing in one's life is contentment, because it
does not come so easily. Today, when I look back,
I feel there is nothing left to be achieved, thanks
to the blessings of my father, my husband and
god." |
