P. Bhanumathi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bhanumathi
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Bhanumathi on a 2013 stamp of India
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| Born | 7 September 1925 |
| Died | 24 December 2005 (aged 80) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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| Spouse(s) | P. S. Ramakrishna Rao |
| Honours | Padma Bhushan (2001) Padma Shri (1966) |
P. Bhanumathi Ramakrishna (born September 7, 1925 – died December 24, 2005) was a super talented Indian artist. She was an actress, director, music director, singer, producer, writer, and lyricist. Many people called her the first female superstar of Telugu cinema.
Bhanumathi acted in over 100 films. Most of these were in Telugu and Tamil languages. She also sang some songs in Hindi. She received the Padma Bhushan award in 2001. This award honored her amazing contributions to Indian cinema.
Contents
About Bhanumathi Ramakrishna
Her Early Life
Bhanumathi was born on September 7, 1925. Her birthplace was Doddavaram village in Andhra Pradesh, India. She was the third child of Saraswatamma and Bommaraju Venkata Subbaiah.
Her father loved classical music very much. He taught Bhanumathi music from a young age. She grew up watching him perform in many stage shows.
An Amazing Career
Bhanumathi started her film career in 1939. She acted in more than 100 movies. These films were mainly in Tamil and Telugu languages. People in the film industry called her "Ashtavadhani." This means someone who is skilled in eight different arts.
She was a writer, actor, director, producer, singer, music director, editor, and even a studio owner! She also knew a lot about astrology and philosophy. She is known as the first female superstar of Telugu cinema.
Film Roles and Achievements
Bhanumathi's first Telugu film was Vara Vikrayam in 1939. She played a 13-year-old girl forced to marry an old man. Later, she acted in films like Malathi Madhavam and Dharma Patni.
Her film Krishna Prema became very popular. Another important movie for her was Swargaseema. In this film, she played a theater artist with a bit of a negative role. Her song "Oho Pavurama" from Swargaseema was a huge hit.
She starred in many memorable movies. These include Chakrapani, Laila Majnu, and Malliswari. Her first Tamil film was Ratnakumar in 1949.
In 1953, she became a director with the film Chandirani. This movie was made in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi at the same time. Her last film was Pelli Kanuka in 1998.
C. N. Annadurai gave her the title "Nadippukku Ilakkanam." This means "Grammar for acting," showing how perfect her acting was. Many famous actors respected her.
She won National Awards for her performances in Annai, Anthasthulu, and Palnati Yudham. She was the last person to receive the Rashtrapati Award.
Bhanumathi was very dedicated to her work. Once, she stayed at a studio with rats and got bitten. But she just put medicine on it and kept working! She said, "If you cancel shoot for small things how will I be a Bhanumathi?" Her name means "shining like the sun."
She was the first and only woman in India to own a film studio. She was also the first actress to play a dual role. And she was the first woman to direct a movie in three languages at once.
A Talented Musician
Besides acting, Bhanumathi was a gifted musician. She was good at both Carnatic and Hindustani music. She often sang her own songs in films. This was unusual because most actors used playback singers.
Some of her popular songs include Manasuna mallela and Oh Pavurama. She also composed music for many of her films.
Beyond Acting
Literary Works
Bhanumathi was also a talented writer. She wrote many short stories. Her autobiography, Nalo Nenu, was first published in Telugu. Later, it was released in English as Musings.
The Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Academy gave her an award. This was for her popular short stories called "Attagari Kathalu."
Helping Others
Bhanumathi was a kind social worker. She was involved with many social service groups. She helped start the Madras branch of Altrusa International Inc.. She was also a lifelong member of the 'Red Cross Society'.
She founded a school called "Dr. Bhanumathi Ramakrishna Matriculation School." This school in Chennai provides free education to children in need.
Her Family Life
Bhanumathi met P. S. Ramakrishna Rao while filming Krishna Prema. He was an assistant director. They got married on August 8, 1943. They had one son named Bharani.
Later, they started a film production company. They named it Bharani Pictures after their son. Bhanumathi passed away in Chennai at the age of 80.
Awards and Honors
Bhanumathi received many important awards for her work.
- Padma Bhushan in 2001
- Padma Shri in 1966
- Rashtrapati Award for acting in:
- Annai (1962)
- Antastulu (1965)
- Palnati Yuddham (1966)
- National Film Awards
- Government National Award for Best Writer for her book "Nalo Nenu" (1994)
- Filmfare Awards South
- Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South (1987)
- Nandi Awards
- Raghupathi Venkaiah Award (1985)
- Nandi Award for Best Director (1986)
- NTR National Award (2000)
- Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
- "Arignar Anna Award" (1992)
- State Awards
- Kalaimamani from the Government of Tamil Nadu (1983)
- Other honors
- Honorary Doctorate from Andhra University (1975)
- Honorary Doctorate from Sri Venkateswara University (1984)
- Raja-Lakshmi Award (1998)
- C. N. Annadurai gave her the title "Nadippukku Ilakkanam" for her role in "Rangoon Radha."
Her Work as a Playback Singer
Bhanumathi sang many songs in her films and for other actors. Here are some of the films where she sang:
- Vara Vikrayam (1939)
- Dharma Patni (1941)
- Swarga Seema (1945)
- Malliswari (1951)
- Chandirani (1953)
- Chakrapani (1954)
- Batasari (1961)
- Mangamma Gari Manavadu (1984)
Her Work as a Producer
Bhanumathi produced several films through her company, Bharani Pictures. Some of them include:
- Ratnamala
- Prema
- Chakrapani (1954)
- Laila Majnu
- Batasari
Her Work as a Music Director
She also directed music for films:
- Chakrapani (1954)
- Ippadiyum Oru Penn (1975)
