
Padmini
Padmini (12 June 1932 – 24 September 2006) was an Indian actress and trained Bharathanatyam dancer, who acted in over 250 Indian films. She acted in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi language films. Padmini, with her elder sister Lalitha and her younger sister Ragini, were called the "Travancore sisters". Padmini was born and raised in Thiruvananthapuram, in what was then the princely state of Travancore (now the Indian state of Kerala). She was the second daughter of Sree Thankappan Pillai and Saraswathi Amma, both coming from noble Nair families. Her sisters Lalitha and Ragini, were also well known film actresses. Together, the three were known as the Travancore sisters. Padmini and her sisters learnt Bharathanatyam from Thiruvidaimarudur Mahalingam Pillai. The trio were the disciples of Indian dancer Guru Gopinath. They learnt Kathakali and Kerala Natanam styles of dancing from him. N.S. Krishnan noticed her talents while she was presenting Parijatha Pushpapaharanam in Thiruvananthapuram. After that performance, he said that in the future she would become an actress. She was thus cast as heroine in his own production Manamagal. The Travancore Sisters grew up in a joint family tharavadu (Malaya Cottage) in Poojappura, Trivandrum. The matriarchial head of the family was Karthiyayini Amma, whose husband was P.K. Pillai (Palakunnathu Krishna Pillai of Cherthala) alias "Penang Padmanabha Pillai". P.K. Pillai had six sons, of whom Satyapalan Nair (Baby) was a leading producer of many early Malayalam films. They performed at the 1955 Filmfare Awards. Padmini was a leading actress and one of the highest paid actresses of the 50s, 60s and 70s. She is also known as one of the charming beauty queens of the 50s and 60s. She was given the title "Natya Peroli" in Tamil Nadu because of her excellent Bharatnatyam performances in Tamil films. Her Tamil movie Thillana Mohanambal, is a cult classic of Tamil cinema and continues to be remembered even today. Her beautiful performance in Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai was outstanding and made her a national star.
116 acting credits
Acting · 116

Thiruvarutchelvar
1967

Mera Naam Joker
1970

Kaajal
1965

Veerapandiya Kattabomman
1959

Lakshmi Vandhachu
1986

Bhai Bahen
1969

Journey Beyond Three Seas
1957

Dil Hi To Hai
1963

Poove Poochudava
1985

Singapore
1960

Raagini
1958
Navarathinam
1977

Mahabharat
1965

Vasthuhara
1991

Thirumaal Perumai
1968

Meenda Sorgam
1960
Uthama Puthiran
1958

Mastana
1970
Appa Tata
1972
Thirumagal
1971

Rickshawkaran
1971

Thillana Mohanambal
1968

Afsana
1966

Uzhaikkum Karangal
1976

Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai
1960

Penn Daivam
1970
Selvam
1966

Saraswathi Sabatham
1966

Mujrim
1958

Adi Parasakthi
1971
Thaaye Unakkaga
1966

Dard Ka Rishta
1982

Paadha Kaanikkai
1962

Sampoorna Ramayanam
1958

Sabarimala Shri Dharmasastha
1970

Kumara Sambhavam
1969

The Eternal Lamp
1958

Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu
1984

Iru Malargal
1967

Iruvar Ullam
1963

Nenjam Marappathillai
1963

Rani Samyuktha
1962

Aashiq
1962

Kulama Gunama
1971

Edhir Paradhathu
1954

Or Iravu
1951

Kanniyin Kathali
1949

Nannha Farishta
1969

Raj Tilak
1958

Mr. Sampat
1952

Annai Velankanni
1971

Bindya
1960

Amara Deepam
1956
Ezhai Padum Paadu
1950
Iruttinte Athmavu
1967

Then Nilavu
1961

Naan Vanangum Deivam
1963

Kuzhanthaikkaga
1968

Payal
1957

Vanjikottai Valiban
1958

Panam
1952

Dollar
1993
Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi
1950

Annaiyin Aanai
1958
Pudhaiyal
1957

Vietnam Veedu
1970
Mohini
1948

Vaazhkai
1949

Madurai Veeran
1956
Vilaiyaattu Pillai
1970

Iru Thuruvam
1971

Aurat
1967

Mangayar Thilakam
1955

Thookku Thookki
1954

Punar Janmam
1961

Maragatham
1959

Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu
1986
Punniya Boomi
1978

Snehaseema
1954

Amarakavi
1952
Rajarajan
1957

Vidivelli
1960

Laila Majnu
1949

Vikramaadhithan
1962
Arasilangumari
1960
Thangapadumai
1959
Gurudhatchanai
1969

Thenum Paalum
1971

Marthanda Varma
1933
Iru Sahodarigal
1956

Umminithanka
1961
Kalyanam Panniyum Brammachari
1954

Thigambara Samiar
1950
Mannadhi Mannan
1960

Kalpana
1948

Sorgavasal
1954
Manthiri Kumari
1950
Raman Ethanai Ramanadi
1970

Vivahitha
1970

Mallika
1957

Prasanna
1950
Ponnu Vilayum Bhoomi
1958
Vasantha Sena
1967

Deiva Piravi
1960
Ethirkalam
1970
Devaki
1951
Andhaman Kaidhi
1952
Raja Desingu
1960
Baagyavathi
1957
Koteeswaran
1955
Anbu
1953
Do Behnen
1959
Laila Majnu
1950
Chathurangam
1959
Asai
1956

Velaikari
1949