P. Bhanumathi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids P. Bhanumathi
Bhanumathi on a 2013 stamp of India
Born	(1925-09-07)7 September 1925 Doddavaram, Madras Presidency, British India (now Andhra Pradesh, India)
Died	24 December 2005(2005-12-24) (aged 80) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupation	Actress Singer Writer Director Music Director Producer Editor Studio Owner
Works	Films songs
Spouse(s)	P. S. Ramakrishna Rao
Children	Bharani
Honours	Padma Bhushan (2001) Padma Shri (1966) Kalaimamani (1983) Honorary doctorate

P. Bhanumathi Ramakrishna (born September 7, 1925, died December 24, 2005) was an incredibly talented Indian artist. She was a famous actress, singer, film producer, director, music composer, writer, editor, studio owner, and novelist. Many people consider her the first female superstar in Telugu cinema and the first female director in Telugu films, starting with her movie Chandirani in 1953.

Bhanumathi acted in over 100 movies, mostly in Telugu and Tamil, and also in some Hindi and Kannada films. She received the Padma Bhushan award in 2001 for her amazing work in Indian cinema. She was also celebrated as one of the "Women in Cinema" at the 30th International Film Festival of India.

Early Life and Music Training

P. Bhanumathi was born on September 7, 1925, in a village called Doddavaram in Andhra Pradesh, India. She was the third child of Bommaraju Saraswathamma and Venkata Subbayya. Her father loved classical music and taught her music from a young age. He hoped she would become a great singer. While she did become a wonderful singer, she also became a very famous actress, making a big name for herself in the film world.

A Multifaceted Film Career

Bhanumathi started her film career in 1939. After she got married, she stopped acting for a while to focus on her home. However, director B.N. Reddy encouraged her to return to acting in the film Swargaseema, which became a major moment in her career. She was not just an actress; she was also a talented singer, writer, director, music composer, producer, studio owner, and editor. She was known for earning more money than many male actors of her time. She even sang two songs in English! Bhanumathi worked in the film industry for sixty years, acting in over 100 movies in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi. She is celebrated as the first female superstar of Telugu cinema.

Early Film Successes

Bhanumathi made her debut in Telugu cinema in 1939 in Vara Vikrayam. Her first widely popular film was Krishna Prema. Another important film was Swargaseema, where she played a character with a bit of a negative side. The song "Oho Pavurama," sung by her in Swargaseema, became a huge hit and led to many more film offers.

She later starred in many memorable movies like Chakrapani, Laila Majnu, Vipranarayana, Malliswari, Batasari, and Antastulu. Her first Tamil film was Raja Mukthi in 1948, where she acted alongside MGR. She also starred with MGR in superhit films like Malaikallan, Madurai Veeran, Thaikkupin Tharam, Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum, and Nadodi Mannan. She also worked with Sivaji Ganesan in films such as Kalvanin Kadhali, Makkalaipetra Magarasi, Ambigapathy, Manamagan Thevai, Arivali, and Rani Lalithangi.

Directing and Music Composing

In 1953, Bhanumathi became a director with her film Chandirani, which was made in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi at the same time. She also directed other films like Ippadiyum Oru Penn. She even directed Bhakta Dhruva Markandeya, a special film featuring only child actors under 16 years old, including the famous Shobana. Bhanumathi also composed music for several films. Her last film as an actress was Pelli Kanuka in 1998.

Working with Future Leaders

During her film career, Bhanumathi worked with five people who later became Chief Ministers: writers C.N. Annadurai and M. Karunanidhi (both from Tamil Nadu), and co-stars MGR (Tamil Nadu), NTR (Andhra Pradesh), and V.N.Janaki (Tamil Nadu).

C. N. Annadurai gave her the title "Nadippukku Ilakkanam," which means "Grammar for acting," after seeing her performance in the film Rangoon Radha. This title perfectly described her acting skills. People in Tamil Nadu also called her "Ashtavadhani," meaning someone with many talents.

A Woman of Strong Principles

Bhanumathi was admired by many actors for her bold and versatile acting, including N. T. Rama Rao, Sivaji Ganesan, M. G. Ramachandran, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Nagarjuna, Balakrishna, Chiranjeevi, Pawan Kalyan, and Venkatesh. One of her most memorable Tamil films was Annai (1962), for which her acting received a National Award. She also received National Awards (Rashtrapati Award) for her performances in Antastulu and Palnati Yuddham. She was the last person to receive the Rashtrapati Award.

The super hit film Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum, starring MGR and Bhanumathi, made history as the first Tamil film to be entirely shot and released in Gevacolor. It was also the first full-length color film released in South India. MGR and Bhanumathi also acted in Kalai Arasi (1963), which is considered the first Indian film to feature aliens visiting Earth.

Sometimes, changes in film projects led to new opportunities for other talented actors. For example, when Bhanumathi left the film Missamma, it helped Savitri become a star. Similarly, a change in the script for Nadodi Mannan created a big role for B. Sarojadevi.

Bhanumathi was originally cast in the film Missamma. However, due to creative differences, she later left the project. After the movie was released, she watched it and said that while she missed a great role, the film industry gained a talented actress in Savitri. This showed her generous spirit and support for new talent.

Following some creative disagreements, she produced a successful film called Chakrapani, which became a classic. She also composed the music for this movie.

For the movie Antastulu (1964), the director wanted Bhanumathi for a role. She liked the story and agreed right away. One morning, she woke up to find her nails bitten by rats. Instead of canceling the shoot, she calmly put medicine on her nails and asked when they could start filming. She said, "If you cancel the shoot for small things, how will I be a Bhanumathi (which means 'shining like the sun' in Sanskrit)?" This showed her dedication and strong will.

India's First Vice-President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a fan of her work. Many famous Telugu actresses like Jamuna and Savitri said she inspired them to join movies. People who knew her often described her as someone with great self-respect and versatility. She was known as a "high-spirited" woman who usually achieved what she set out to do. She was also the only female film studio owner in India.

Even though she was eight years younger than MGR, Bhanumathi was the only person in the film industry who publicly called him "Mr. Ramachandran." Other actors were often nervous about talking to MGR, but he always treated her with great respect, calling her "Bhanumathi Amma."

MGR and Bhanumathi were a very popular on-screen pair in Tamil films. During filming, she once predicted that he would achieve great things beyond cinema. After he became Chief Minister, MGR remembered her words and gave her credit.

Despite some professional disagreements, they always respected each other. Years later, after becoming Chief Minister, MGR appointed her as the director and principal of the Government Music College. NTR also appointed her as a trustee of the Thirupathi Devasthan Committee.

Bhanumathi stated that some people saw her as an arrogant or difficult artist. Before signing any film, she would insist that she would not allow "indecency" or close physical contact with the hero in love scenes or any other scene. Because of this, producers, directors, and actors always kept a respectful distance.

When asked about working with famous actors like NTR and ANR, she famously replied, "You should ask them what it was like to work with Bhanumathi!" This showed her confidence and strong personality.

When asked if any younger actress could take her place, she confidently said that there could be no "successor" to Bhanumathi, highlighting her unique talent. Many famous actresses at the time appeared in advertisements for Lux soap. Even though Bhanumathi was offered a lot of money, she refused because she didn't use that soap herself. She believed she shouldn't promote something she didn't personally use.

In her later years, she continued to act in important roles in many hit movies like Tatamma Kala, Mangammagari Manavadu, Gadasari Atta Sogasari Kodallu, Muddula Manavaralu, Bamma Maata Bangaru Baata, Peddarikam, and Pelli Kanuka.

In films like Malliswari, Chakrapani, Chandirani, and Vipranarayana, she played romantic, fun-loving, and playful characters. She was the first South Indian actress to receive a Padma Award.

During her later years, she served on various film-related organizations. She was a Member of the State Film Awards Committee for two years and a visiting professor at the Film Institute for one year. She was also a Member of the Children Film Society for five years, from 1965 to 1970.

In India, she was the first and only woman to own a film studio. She was also the first woman to act in a dual role and the first woman to direct a movie simultaneously in three languages.

On World Women's Day, Sakshi Sunday magazine listed the most successful women from every industry, and she was included for the movie industry. The magazine noted that even today's highly successful heroines could not reach the level of success Bhanumathi achieved, calling it an "impossible" task.

Her Beautiful Songs

Bhanumathi was skilled in both Carnatic and Hindustani styles of music. She often sang her own songs in movies, which was special because many actors at the time had other singers sing for them. Some of her songs are still popular today, such as Manasuna mallela, Pilichina biguvatara, Oh baatasaari, Kila Kila Navvulu, Oh Pavurama, Preme Neramauna, Srikara karunaalavaala, Sharanam nee divya charanam in Telugu; and Azhagaana Ponnu Naan, Vaarai Inbam Thaaraai, Nilaa Nilaa Odi Vaa, Thalai Vaari Poochoodi Unnai, Kannile Iruppathenna, and Annai Enbadhu Neethaanaa in Tamil. She also composed music for many of her films, "Chakrapani" (1954). She sang approximately 300 songs in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi movies.

Bhanumathi privately recorded devotional songs by Purandaradasa. In 1953, when Andhra Pradesh state was formed, she recorded a song for All India Radio, Vijayawada. She was the first singer to sing a Thyagaraja kriti (a type of Carnatic composition) in Telugu films with the song "Palukavemi Naa Daivama" in her first film Varavikrayam (1939). She made sure to include one Carnatic song in all the films produced under her own company, Bharani Studios.

Writing and Literary Achievements

Bhanumathi was also a talented writer. She wrote many short stories. Her autobiography, 'Nalo Nenu', was first published in Telugu and later released in English as 'Musings'. The Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Academy honored her as the best short story writer for her popular collection 'Attagari Kathalu'. Bhanumathi said that her literary works were very special to her. She was a Member of Lalit Kala Academy for five years and Sahitya Academy Andhra Pradesh for ten years. She also served as Director and Principal of the Tamil Nadu Government Music College. She received an honorary doctorate degree in 1975 from Andhra University.

Helping Others: Philanthropy

Bhanumathi was also a dedicated social worker. She was involved with many social service organizations. She was a founder member and treasurer of the Madras branch of Altrusa International Inc., Chicago, starting in 1963. She was also a lifelong member of the 'Red Cross Society'. She established an educational institution called 'Dr. Bhanumathi Ramakrishna Matriculation School' in Saligramam, Chennai, which provides free education to children from poorer families.

Personal Life

During the filming of Krishna Prema in 1943, she met P. S. Ramakrishna Rao, who was an assistant director. They fell in love and got married on August 8, 1943, even though her parents initially disagreed. They had one son named Bharani. This couple was known for their strong and happy marriage in the Indian film industry.

Her husband was also a film producer, director, and editor. Together, they started a successful production company called Bharani Pictures and Bharani Studios, named after their son. She lived in Chennai for the rest of her life and passed away there at the age of 80. There is a street named 'Bhanumathi Ramakrishna Road' in Saligramam, Chennai, in her honor.

Awards and Honors

Bhanumathi on a 2025 stamp of India

Civilian honors

• Padma Bhushan in 2001
• Padma Shri in 1966

Rashtrapati Award in acting

• Annai in 1962
• Antastulu in 1965
• Palnati Yuddham in 1966

National Film Awards

• National Film Award for Best Writer for the Book "Naalo Nenu" (her autobiography) in 1993.

Filmfare Awards South

• Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South (1988)

Nandi Awards

• Raghupathi Venkaiah Award, from the Government of Andhra Pradesh, in 1985
• Nandi Award for Best Director in 1986
• NTR National Award, from the Government of Andhra Pradesh, in 2000

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

• Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award – "Arignar Anna Award" in 1992

State Awards

• Kalaimamani (connoisseur of arts), Government of Tamil Nadu, in 1983

Other honors

• Kalaprapoorna, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, in 1975
• Honorary Doctorate, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupathi, in 1984
• Raja-Lakshmi Award for the year 1998 from Sri Raja-Lakshmi Foundation, Chennai
• C.N.Annadurai honored her with a title "Nadippukku Ilakkanam" for her remarkable performance in "Rangoon Radha"
• She was one of the important people honored by the Andhra Pradesh government when the state was formed in 1956.

Filmography

See also

• Raghupathi Venkaiah Award