S. Varalakshmi

Saridey Varalakshmi (13 August 1925 – 22 September 2009), popularly known as S. Varalakshmi, was a veteran Telugu and Tamil actress, and singer. She was popular for her roles and songs in Telugu movies like Mahamantri Timmarasu and Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam and Tamil movies like Veerapandiya Kattabomman and in Poova Thalaiya.

S. Varalakshmi
S. Varalakshmi in 1951 Tamil film Saudamini
Born13 August 1925
Jaggampeta, Madras Presidency, British India (now Andhra Pradesh, India)
Died22 September 2009 (aged 84)
Chennai, India
OccupationSinger, actress
Years active1935–1992
Spouse(s)A. L. Srinivasan

Life

Varalakshmi was born in Jaggampeta, Andhra Pradesh, India. She started her career as child artist in saint role in Balayogini (1937), when she was nine years old. Gudavalli Ramabrahmam was engaged by the pioneer filmmaker K. Subrahmanyam to direct the Telugu version of this movie. He spotted young Varalakshmi in Kurnool. Subramanyam later cast her in his classic Seva Sadanam (1938) with M. S. Subbulakshmi.[1] She played a young friend of the heroine (M.S.), and they became close friends. She played a young girl's role in Parasuraman (Tamil, 1940) along with T. R. Mahalingam. T. R. Sundaram, cast her in a major role in his box office hit 'Aayiram Thalai Vaangi Apoorva Chinthamani' (1947). The title role was played by V. N. Janaki. The film was a major success and Govindan and Varalakshmi made an attractive pair. T. R. Sundaram cast her again in the lead role in 'Bhojan' (1948). Her first successful movie was Balaraju in 1948 produced and directed by Ghantasala Balaramaiah. She later acted with all top heroes in Telugu and Tamil industries including M K Tyagaraja Bhagavatar in the classic Tamil film by B A Subba Rao called 'Syamala' in 1953; Sivaji Ganesan (Veerapandiya Kattabbomman), M. G. Ramachandran (Chakravarthi Thirumagal, Maattukara Velan, Needhikku Thalaivanangu), Gemini Ganesan (Poova Thalaiya, Panama Pasama), N. T. Rama Rao (Satya Harischandra), A. Nageswara Rao(ANR) (Balaraju), Chittor V. Nagaiah (Naga Panchami), Ranjan (En Magan) and R. S. Manohar (Maamiyaar). She was also famous for her voice, and sung her songs in all movies she acted. Her roles as Sivaji's sister in Veerapandiya Kattabomman, and important roles in Poova Thalaiya, Savale Samali, Maattukkara Velan, Shivaji's sister in Raja Raja Chozhan and Neethikku thalaivanangu won her critical acclaim as a talented singer and actress in Tamil movies. In her later career, she acted in mother and aunt roles. She married film producer A. L. Srinivasan, an elder brother of Kavignar Kannadasan; they had two children named Nalini and Muruga She continued to act after marriage in senior roles in Telugu and Tamil cinema. She sang many beautiful songs in Telugu and Tamil films.

Her son, S. Muruga, died after suffering cardiac arrest in Chennai on 22 October 2013. He lived for 48 years.

Her daughter Nalini is a homemaker with 2 children.

Death

Varalakshmi was bedridden during the last 6 months of her life after she fell and injured her back. She died on 22 September 2009.[2]

Honors and awards

She has received several awards commending her service to Tamil cinema. The most recent ones were:

  1. Sivaji Ganesan Memorial Award Presented by the Sivaji Family in Oct 2007
  2. Kavignar Kannadasan Award presented by the Tamil Nadu Government in 2004

Filmography

Note: The lists are not comprehensive.

YearFilmLanguageCharacterSongsMusic Director
1937BalayoginiTeluguChild Saint
1938SevasadanamTamil
1939Raithu BiddaTeluguBeggar Girl
1940IllaluTelugu* Koyilokasari Vachi Koosi Poyane
* Neepai Mohamuno Krishna Nilupagalemoyi Krishna (with P. Suri Babu)		S. Rajeswara Rao
1940ParasuramarTamilG. Ramanathan
1942AaraichimaniTamil*Srinivasa Rao Shinde
1940Sathi MuraliTamil
1944JagathalaprathapanTamilG. Ramanathan
1945MayalokamTeluguGalipenchala Narasimha Rao
1947Palnati YudhamTeluguMaanchala* Chandamama O Chandamama Jaalirada Neeku Naameeda
* Oho Charusheela Oho Veerabala		Galipenchala Narasimha Rao
1947Aayiram Thalai Vaangi Apoorva ChinthamaniTamil* Kaadhal AaginenG. Ramanathan
1947Thulasi JalandarTamilM. D. Parthasarathi
1948BalarajuTeluguSeetha* Evarine Nenevarine Vagavagala Nenevarine
* O Balaraja Jaalileda Balaraja
* Roopama Neeyaraya Nijaroopamu Neeyaraya		C. R. Subburaman, Galipenchala Narasimha Rao and Ghantasala
1948BhojanTamil* Bhagyasali Puvimel NaaneC. R. Subburaman
1948ChakradhariTamilM. D. Parthasarathi
1948KaamavalliTamilC. N. Pandurangan
1949JeevithamTeluguLakshmi* Anandamouga Palleseema Daanadharmakillu Maa PalleseemaR. Sudharsanam
1949NavajeevanamTamil* Eedilla Kathalar Name (with Ghantasala)
* Jeeva Sugitha Anbe (with Ghantasala)
* Aananda Manoharaa
* Nalla Vaazhvu
* Sri Raamaa Raghugula Naayagaa		S. V. Venkataraman
1950Macha RekaiTamil* Odaadhe (with T. R. Mahalingam)C. R. Subburaman
1950Swapna SundariTeluguC. R. Subburaman
1950Vaali SugreevaTelugu
1951SaudaminiTamilHemavathi*S. V. Venkatraman
1951SoudaminiTeluguHemavathi*S. V. Venkatraman
1951VanasundariTamil* Azhagana Thadi Raja
* Nane Rani		C. R. Subburaman
1951Mohana SundaramTamilVisalakshi* Avarthane
* Vinmugil Kaana
* Oh Jegamathil Inbam Kanbathellam (with T. R. Mahalingam)
* Pulli Maanai Pole (with T. R. Mahalingam)
* Kanneerthano (with T. R. Mahalingam)
* Kanavilum Unai Maraven (with T. R. Mahalingam)		T. G. Linggappa
1952Chinna DuraiTamilIndramani*T. G. Lingappa
1952VelaikaranTamil* Naane Raani En Maname
* Ezhil Vaan Mugam Thannaiye
* Kaadhalum Poi Aagume (with T. R. Mahalingam)		R. Sudharsanam
1952ManavathiTamil* O Saratha
* Vaaraai En Inba Vaazhve (with P. Leela)		Balantrapu Rajinikantha Rao
1953KodarikamTeluguC. N. Pandurangan
1953MamiyarTamil* Arul Purivay
* Vazviniley Nannalithuve (with A. M. Rajah)
* Aiyirandu Thingalaayi
* Devi Eswari Jagathamba
* Singara Roopa Karunaa		C. N. Pandurangan
1953ShyamalaTamilShyamala* Pudhu Vaazhvu Kanden Naan Poovil
* Thaye Sangari (with M. S. Sarojini)
* Aha, Ahaa Naan Bhaagyasaali		G. Ramanathan, T. V. Raju & S. B. Dinakar Rao
1953Vayyari BhamaTeluguSudha*S. Rajeswara Rao
1954AmmaiyappanTamilPoongavanam*T. R. Pappa
1954Edhir ParadhathuTamilNaliniNoneC. N. Pandurangan
1954En MagalTamilVasantha* Engal Vaazhvum Engal
* Pennaaga Pirandhorku
* Vaazhvinile Aanandam
* Konden Arum Perum (with T. M. Soundararajan)
* Ulaginil Vaazhvu Tharum Kalvi (with Sathyawathi)		C. N. Pandurangan
1954Sati SakkubaiTeluguSakkubai
1955Nam KuzhandaiTamil* Ulagam Pora Thinusai
* Kadhaiyaa Alladhu Karpanaiyaa
* O! Mariyaadhai Ariyaadha Podhu (with Kothamangalam Seenu)
* Idhayathile Pugundha		M. D. Parthasarathy
1956KanakataraTeluguBalantrapu Rajanikanta Rao
1956Mangala GauriTamilNoneOgirala Ramachandra Rao & T. V. Raju
1956Naga PanchamiTelugu
1956Naga PanjamiTamil* Om Namasivaaya
* Sambo Maha Devaa (with Chittor V. Nagaiah)
1956Sri Gauri MahatyamTeluguNoneOgirala Ramachandra Rao & T. V. Raju
1956Verum Pechu AllaTamilC. N. Pandurangan
1957Chakravarthi ThirumagalTamilDhurga* Ematramthana En Vazhvile
* Nalangittu Parpomadi (with A. P. Komala )
* Sollaley Vilakka Theriyale (with P. Leela)		G. Ramanathan
1957Sati SavitriTeluguSavithri* Enduko Ohoho Vilasala (with P. B. Sreenivas)
* Raavelano (with P. B. Sreenivas)
* Nammithine Janani (with Sreenivasan & Sarojini)
* Amma Kaavave Amma
* Maataa Idena
* Navaratnanchita
* Pati Bhakti
* Praananaatha
* Thaguna Idi Janaka		S. V. Venkatraman
1957Sathiyavan SavithriTamilSavithri* Edhuko Indraanandham (with P. B. Sreenivas)
* Raavelano (with P. B. Sreenivas)
* Ambigaiye Kadhi Nee Endhan (with Sreenivasan & Sarojini)
* Ammaa.... Katharulvaai Ammaa
* Anbbarin Innuyir Vandhida
* Navaratnanchita
* Pati Bhakti
* Naan Vaanagum
* Thaguna Idi Janaka		S. Rajeswara Rao & Babu Rao
1959Raja SevaiTamilGowriNoneT. V. Raju
1959Rechukka PagatichukkaTeluguGowriNoneT. V. Raju
1959Veerapandiya KattabommanTamilQueen Jakkamma* Singara Kanne Un Thenoorum Sollale
* Vetrri Vadivelane.... Manam Kanintharul Vel Muruga (with V. N. Sundharam)
* Takku Takku Ena Adikkadi Thudikkum (with P. Susheela & A. P. Komala)		G. Ramanathan
1959Veerapandya KattabrahmanaTeluguQueen Jakkamma* Chinnari Thalli
* Vijaya Varadayaka.... Prabho Krupakara (with B. Gopalam)
* Takku Takku Bada Bada (with S. Janaki & A. P. Komala)		G. Ramanathan
1959Sivagangai SeemaiTamil* Thanimai Serndhadho
* Muthu Pugazh Padaitha (with Radha Jayalakshmi)
* Thendral Vanthu Veesatho (with T. S. Bagavathi)		Viswanathan Ramamoorthy
1960AbhimanamTelugu* Rama Idhi YemiGhantasala
1960DeepavaliTeluguVasumathi* Mahadeva Deva Mahaneeya
* Agni Sakshiga
* Haye Haye Andala Raja		Ghantasala
1960Sri Venkateswara MahatyamTeluguMahalakshmi* Sri Devini Needu Deverini Sarisaatileni Sowbhagyavatini
* Varala Beramaya Vanaram Beramaya		Pendyala Nageswara Rao
1961Krishna PremaTelugu* Repe Vasthadanta Gopaludu (with Ghantasala)
* Cheliyalu Muddaraalu
* Krishnaa Radhamano Vihari
* Navaneetha Chorudu Nandha Kishorudu (with Jikki)
* Navaneetha Chorudu Nandha Kishorudu (pathos) (with Jikki)		Pendyala Nageswara Rao
1962Mahamantri TimmarusuTeluguTirumala Devi* Leela Krishna Nee Leelalu Ne Leelaganaina Teliyanuga
* Tirumala Tirupati Venkateswara		Pendyala Nageswara Rao
1962Vadivukku Valai KappuTamilRajeswari* Thaamadham Seiyathe ThozhiK. V. Mahadevan
1963Lava KushaTeluguBhoodeviNoneGhantasala
1963Lava KushaTamilBhoodeviNoneGhantasala
1963Sri Krishnarjuna YuddhamuTeluguSatyabhama* Veyi Shubhamulu Kalugu NeekuPendyala Nageswara Rao
1964BabruvahanaTeluguChitrangada* Maa Saati Vaaru
* Yemani Thaanaaduno
* Nee Sari Manohari (with Ghantasala)
* Vardillu Papa		Paamarthi
1964BabruvahanaTamilChitrangadaPaamarthi
1964Karuppu PanamTamilKamalaNoneViswanathan–Ramamoorthy
1965Satya HarishchandraTeluguChandramathi* He Chandrachooda Madanantaka Shoolapane (with Ghantasala)Pendyala Nageswara Rao
1965Veera AbhimanyuTamilSubhadraNoneK. V. Mahadevan
1965VeerabhimanyuTeluguSubhadraNoneK. V. Mahadevan
1966Sri Krishna PandaveeyamTeluguKuntiNoneT. V. Raju
1966Sri Krishna TulabharamTeluguShachi Devi* Vidhudu Nee MaataPendyala Nageswara Rao
1967Apoorva PiravaigalTamil
1967Bhama VijayamTeluguQueenNoneT. V. Raju
1967Kandan KarunaiTamilIndrani* Velli Malai MannavaK. V. Mahadevan
1967Shri KrishnavataramTeluguDraupadiT. V. Raju
1967Ummadi KutumbamTeluguKanthamNoneT. V. Raju
1968Nindu SamsaramTeluguTulasammaNoneMaster Venu
1968Panama PasamaTamilMeenakshiNoneK. V. Mahadevan
1969Aadarsa KutumbamTeluguJayaNoneS. Rajeswara Rao
1969Poova ThalaiyaTamilParuvathammaNoneM. S. Viswanathan
1969Sattekalapu SatteyaTeluguNoneM. S. Viswanathan
1969Thanga SurangamTamilKamakshi* Petramanam Sirayile T. K. Ramamoorthy
1970Kaaviya ThalaiviTamil* Kavidhaiyil Ezhudhiya Eduthnatharadi Kaviya Thalaivi (with P. Susheela)K. V. Mahadevan
1970DrohiTelugu
1970Maattukara VelanTamilAnnapurnaNoneK. V. Mahadevan
1971Aathi ParasakthiTamilAathi ParasakthiNoneK. V. Mahadevan
1971Bomma BorusaTeluguParvathammaNoneR. Govardhanam
1971IlangeswaranTamil* JothimayamanaS. M. Subbaiah Naidu
1971Kannan KarunaiTamilS. V. Venkatraman
1971Meendum VazhvenTamilShantha LakshmiNoneM. S. Viswanathan
1971Prem NagarTeluguNoneK. V. Mahadevan
1971Sri Krishna SatyaTeluguNonePendyala Nageswara Rao
1971ThirumagalTamilMaragathamNoneK. V. Mahadevan
1971Veguli PennTamilDoctor S. V. LakshmiV. Kumar
1972Bala BharatamTeluguGandhariS. Rajeswara Rao
1972Pillaiyo PillaiTamilNoneM. S. Viswanathan
1972Sri Krishna Satya TeluguDraupadiNonePendyala Nageswara Rao
1972Velli VizhaTamilSivakamiNoneV. Kumar
1973Bangaru BabuTeluguNoneK. V. Mahadevan
1973Devudu Chesina ManushuluTeluguVaralakshmiNoneRamesh Naidu
1973Karaikkal AmmaiyarTamil* Anbe Sivam Endru PaduvomeKunnakkudi Vaidyanathan
1973Nathayil MuthuTamilNoneSankar Ganesh
1973Rajaraja CholanTamilKundavai Pirāttiyār* Eduthandhanadi Thillayile (with Seerkazhi Govindarajan)
* Thanjai Preiya Koyil Pallandu Vaazhgave (with Seerkazhi Govindarajan & T. R. Mahalingam)		Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan
1974ThaaiTamilKarpagam* Mangalam Kaappaal SivasakthiM. S. Viswanathan
1973Thirumalai DeivamTamil* Neela Nira Megamellaam Neeye KannaKunnakkudi Vaidyanathan
1974Devi Sri Karumari AmmanTamilMeenakshi* Kanne Kanmainiye KarumaariShankar-Ganesh
1975AbhimanavathiTelugu
1975Cinema PaithiyamTamilNoneSankar Ganesh
1975Yashoda KrishnaTeluguNoneS. Rajeswara Rao
1975Ramuni Minchina RamuduTeluguNoneT. Chalapathi Rao
1976DasavatharamTamilAathi ParasakthiNoneS. Rajeswara Rao
1976Needhikku ThalaivananguTamilMaragadham* Intha Pachai KillikoruM. S. Viswanathan
1976Rojavin RajaTamilNoneNoneM. S. Viswanathan
1976Vazhvu En PakkamTamilVijayalakshmiNoneM. S. Viswanathan
1977Chanakya ChandraguptaTeluguMuradeviNonePendyala Nageswara Rao
1977Daana Veera Soora KarnaTeluguKuntiNonePendyala Nageswara Rao
1977NavarathinamTamilNoneKunnakudi Vaidyanathan
1977Sri Krishna LeelaTamilYasodha* Nalla NaalK. V. Mahadevan
1977Unnai Suttrum Ulagam TamilNoneShankar Ganesh
1979Kavari MaanTamil* Sollavallaayo KiliyeIlaiyaraaja
1979Suvarilladha ChiththirangalTamilParvathyGangai Amaran
1980Sarada RamuduTeluguSuvrchalaNoneK. Chakravarthy
1980Sardar Papa RayuduTeluguUrmila DeviNoneK. Chakravarthy
1981Aggi RavvaTeluguMeenakshiNoneK. V. Mahadevan
1981Guru SishyuluTeluguMeenakshiNoneK. V. Mahadevan
1981Prema SimhasanamTeluguAnasuya DeviNoneK. Chakravarthy
1982Dheviyin ThiruvilaiyadalTamilM. S. Viswanathan
1982Kaliyuga RamuduTeluguJayamma & SurammaNoneK. V. Mahadevan
1982Vayyari Bhamalu Vagalamari BhartaluTeluguSeetammaNoneRajan–Nagendra
1983Adutha VarisuTamilRani AmmaNoneIlaiyaraaja
1983Muddula MoguduTeluguNoneS. Rajeswara Rao
1983Neti BharatamTeluguNoneK. Chakravarthi
1983Sri Ranga NeethuluTeluguRaja Rajeswari DeviNoneK. Chakravarthy
1984TharaasuTamilNoneM. S. Viswanathan
1984ThiruppamTamilNoneM. S. Viswanathan
1985BulletTeluguNoneK. V. Mahadevan
1986Muddula KrishnaiahTeluguMangalagiri RamanammaNoneK. V. Mahadevan
1987Lawyer SuhasiniTeluguNoneS. P. Balasubrahmanyam
1991GunaTamilManonmani* Unnai Naan ArivenIlaiyaraja
1995SankalpamTeluguMathajiNoneKoti
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References
  1. Melody-filled screen presence by Randor Guy in The Hindu, 2009
  2. Veteran actress passes away IndiaGlitz. Retrieved on 25 September 2009.
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