Padmini - actress & Classical Dancer-Bharatanatyam ( She has overall appeared in 226 films- 142 in Tamil, 37 in Hindi, 28 in Malayalam, 15 in Telugu, 2 in Sinhala and one in each Russian & French languages respectively.)

VIDEO: DD Morning Show | Padmini Ramachandran | Birth Anniversary Special | 12th June 2025

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Monday 18, Aug 2025, 20:00.

*Padmini in 1950

Born - December 13, 1932, Trivandrum, Travancore, (now Kerala)

Died 24 September 2006 (aged 73), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Other names Natiya Peroli, Pappima, Thiruvancore Sisters, Thiruvithaamkoor sisters

Years active 1947–1994, 2002

Spouse- Ramachandran (m. 1961; died 1981)​

Children 1

Relatives Shobana (niece)

Ambika Sukumaran

Vineeth (nephew)

Sukumari (cousin)

Family Lalitha (sister)

Ragini (sister)

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Introduction:

Padmini Ramachandran (13 December 1932 – 24 September 2006)  was an Indian actress and trained Bharatanatyam dancer, who acted in over 250 Indian films.She acted in Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu and Russian language films. Padmini, with her elder sister Lalitha and her younger sister Ragini, were called the "Travancore sisters".

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Early life:

Padmini was born and raised in Trivandrum (present-day Thiruvananthapuram), in what was then the princely state of Travancore (now the Indian state of Kerala) to a Malayali Nair family. She was the second daughter of Sree Thankappan Pillai and Saraswathi Amma.

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Career:

VIDEO: Padmini Biography In Hindi | Padmini Family | Padmini Lifestyle In Hindi ||

At the age of 16, Padmini was cast as a dancer in the Hindi film Kalpana (1948), which launched her career. She acted in films consecutively for nearly 30 years in the first lease of her career. Padmini starred with several of the most well-known actors in Indian film, including Sivaji Ganesan, M. G. Ramachandran, N. T. Rama Rao, Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor, Sathyan, Prem Nazir, Rajkumar, Gemini Ganesan and S. S. Rajendran. Ezhai Padum Padu, released in 1950, was her first film in Tamil. V A Gopalakrishnan taught the Padmini sisters Tamil since their mother-tongue was Malayalam. He was associated with Pakshi Raja studios. Padmini Ramachandran's association with Sivaji Ganesan started with the film Panam in 1952. Some of her notable Tamil films include Sampoorna Ramayanam (1958 film) (1958), Thanga Padhumai, Anbu (1953), Kaattu Roja, Thillana Mohanambal (1968), Vietnam Veedu, Edhir Paradhathu, Sri Valli (1961). Other projects include Mangayar Thilakam and Poove Poochudava (1985), Thaikku Oru Thalattu (1986), Lakshmi Vandhachu (1986) and Aayiram Kannudayaal (1986). Some of her Malayalam films include Prasanna, Snehaseema, Vivaahitha, Adhyaapika, Kumara Sambhavam (a 1969 Tamil/Malayalam bilingual), Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu (1984). Whereas Vasthuhara and Dolar marked the latter's last few films in her acting career and in Malayalam too after which, she immediately retired as an actress and hasn't appeared in any movies since.

She was paired with Raj Kapoor in three films— Mera Naam Joker (1970) which was Rishi Kapoor's debut film, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960) and Aashiq (1962). Her other Bollywood films include Amardeep (1958), Payal (1957), Afsana (1966), Vaasna (1968), Chanda Aur Bijli (1969) and Babubhai Mistry's Mahabharat (1965).

Her most famous film is the Tamil film Thillana Mohanambal where she plays a dancer competing with a musician to determine whose skills are better. She also acted in a 1957 Indian-Soviet film Journey Beyond Three Seas (Hindi version: Pardesi) based on the travelogues of Russian traveler Afanasy Nikitin, called A Journey Beyond the Three Seas.

Padmini was known for her professional rivalry with actress Vyjayanthimala, the successful dancer-actress. They performed a dance number in the Tamil film Vanjikottai Valiban; the well-known song was "Kannum Kannum Kalanthu" sung by P. Leela and Jikki. In the song, they were pitted against each other. Due to their professional rivalry, the song has a cult following since the film was released.

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Personal life:

In 1961, Padmini married Ramachandran, a US - based physician. The couple had one son, born in 1963, who now lives in Hillsdale, New Jersey and works for Warner Brothers.A few years later she retired from films, joined her husband in the United States, and focused on family life. In 1977 Padmini opened a classical dance school in New Jersey, named the Padmini School of Fine Arts which is today considered one of the largest Indian classical dance institutions in America.

Actress Sukumari was the maternal first cousin of Padmini and her sisters (the Travancore sisters). Shobana, the famous dancer, is the niece of Padmini. Malayalam actress Ambika Sukumaran is her relative. Actors Vineeth and Krishna are among her relatives. Padmini died of a heart attack at the Chennai Apollo Hospital on 24 September 2006, aged 74. She was hospitalized on the previous day when she suffered a fatal heart attack during a meeting with the then Tamil Nadu CM M. Karunanidhi.

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*Padmini (Right) in 2005

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Awards:

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1.Won

1954 – Film Fans Association Award for Best Actress

1957 – The "Best Classical Dancer Award" from Moscow Youth Festival

1958 – Kalaimamani Award from the Government of Madras State

1959 – Film Fans Association Award for Best Actress

1960 – Certificate of Merit for Veerapandiya Kattabomman at the Afro-Asian Film Festival

1961 – Film Fans Association Award for Best Actress

1966 – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for Kaajal

1966 – Film Fans Association Award for Best Actress

1970 – Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress for Thillaanaa Mohanambal

1990 – Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South

2000 – Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award – Kalaivanar Award

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2.Nominated:

1960 – Filmfare Award for Best Actress for Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai

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Filmography
Padmini filmography:

Padmini acted in Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu and Russian language films. Padmini, with her elder sister Lalitha and her younger sister Ragini, were called the "Travancore sisters". 

She has overall appeared in 226 films- 142 in Tamil, 37 in Hindi, 28 in Malayalam, 15 in Telugu, 2 in Sinhala and one in each Russian & French languages respectively.

Padmini acted in Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu and Russian language films. Padmini, with her elder sister Lalitha and her younger sister Ragini, were called the "Travancore sisters". 

She has overall appeared in 226 films- 142 in Tamil, 37 in Hindi, 28 in Malayalam, 15 in Telugu, 2 in Sinhala and one in each Russian & French languages respectively.

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Filmography:

Year Title Role Notes

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1.Malayalam:

1950 Prasanna Madanika

Chandrika Dancer

1951 Rakthabandham Lalitha

1952 Kanchana Bhanumathi

Amma Dancer

1953 Aashadeepam Jayanthi

1954 Snehaseema Omana

1957 Sakunthala

1959 Minnalpadayali

Chathurangam

1961 Ummini Thanka Thanka

1962 Sabarimala Sree Ayyappan Mohini/Mahavishnu

1964 Devalayam

Kanakachilanga

1968 Aparadhini

Adhyapika Saramma

1969 Kumara Sambhavam Sathi / Parvathi

Sandhya

1970 Vivahitha Meena

Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha

1971 Rathrivandi

1979 Ezham Kadalinakkare Doctor

1984 Sabarimala Darshanam

Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu Kunjoonjamma Thomas

1989 Gurudevan Parvathy

1991 Vasthuhara Bhavani

1994 Paamaram

Dollar Ammachi

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2.Telugu:

Year Title Role Notes

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1949 Laila Majnu Dancer

1950 Jeevitham Dancer

Beedala Patlu Lakshmi

Tirugubatu Dancer

1951 Chandravanka Dancer

Navvithe Navarathnaalu Dancer

1952 Kanchana Bhanumathi

Dharma Devatha Narthaki

1953 Ammalakkalu Usha

Oka Talli Pillalu

1954 Amara Sandhesam Raja Narthaki

1955 Vijaya Gauri

1959 Sampoorna Ramayanam Sita

1966 Mohini Bhasmasura[1] Mohini

1967 Vasantha Sena Anaga Sena

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Tamil:

Year Title Role Notes

1947 Kannika Mohini

1948 Vedhala Ulagam Dancer

Mohini Dancer

Bhojan Dancer

Bhaktha Jana Krishna

Adhithan Kanavu Mohini

Mahabali

Gnana Soundari

Gokuladasi Krishna

Geetha Gandhi Dancer

1949 Peralena Iranama Dancer

Vazhkai Dancer

Naattiya Rani Dancer

Maayaavathi Dancer

Mangayarkarasi Dancer

Kanniyin Kathali Dancer

Kanniyin Kaadhali Dancer

Pavalakkodi

Velaikaari Dancer

Vinothini

Deva Manohari

1950 Manthiri Kumari Dancer 2

Digambara Samiyar Dancer

Vijayakumari Dancer

Parijatham Dancer

Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi Dancer

Ponmudi Dancer

Ithaya Geetham Dancer

Krishna Vijayam Gopika / Dancer

Ezhai Padum Padu Lakshmi

1951 Vanasundari Dancer

Singari

Or Iravu A dancer

Manamagal Kumari

Devaki Dancer

1952 Velaikaran

Panam Jeeva

Kanchana

Dharma Devathai Narthaki

Andhaman Kaidhi Dancer

Amarakavi Dancer

1953 Anbu Malathi

Ponni Kanmani

Marumagal Shantha

Asai Magan Jayanthi

Ulagam Bharathanatyam Dancer

1954 Thookku Thookki Princess Madhavi

Sorgavasal Queen Kumara Devi

Kalyanam Panniyum Brammachari Padmini

Illara Jothi Chithra Lekha

Edhir Paradhathu Sumathi

Vaira Malai

1955 Kaveri Kavery

Kathanayaki

Mangaiyar Thilakam Sulochana

Gotteswaran Neela

Ellam Inba Mayam Guest artist

Rajakumari

1956 Raja Rani Rani

Madurai Veeran Velaiammai

Aasai Sundari

Amara Deepam Roopa

Kannin Manigal

Verum Pechu Alla

1957 Puthaiyal Parimalam

Baagyavathi Meenakshi

Raja Rajan Princess Rama

Mallika Kamala

1958 Uthama Puthiran Amudhavalli

Sampoorna Ramayanam Seethadevi Watch Sampoorna Ramayanam Tamil, NTR, Padmini at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEPtTWTkOOQ

Vanjikottai Valiban Princess Padma

1959 Veerapandiya Kattabomman Vellaiyammal

Thangapathumai Selvi

Ponnu Vilayum Bhoomi Muthamma

Maragatham Maragatham / Alamu

Daivame Thunai

1960 Raja Desingu Ayisha

Raja Bakthi Princess Sarojini

Petra Manam

Meenda Sorgam Nirmala

Mannadhi Mannan Chithra

Deivapiravi Thangam

Rickshaw Rangan

Baghdad Thirudan Dancer

1961 Sri Valli Valli

Punar Jenmam Parvathi

Arasilangkumari Anbukarasi

1962 Senthamarai Senthamarai

Rani Samyuktha Samyukta

Meri Bahen

Vikramaadhithan Princess Ratnamalai

1963 Naan Vanangum Daivam Rukmani

Veera Dalapathi Veluthambi

Kattu Roja Ponni

1964 Veeranganai

1965 Nartaki Chitra

1966 Thaaye Unakkaga Devi

Saraswathi Sabatham Devi Maha Parvathi 'Shakti'

Chitthi Meenakshi

1967 Thiruvarutchelvar Dancer

Pesum Daivam Lakshmi

Paladai Janaki

Iru Malargal Uma

Engalukkum Kalam Varum

1967 Nil N S Krishnan

Kan Kanda Deivam Annam

1968 Thillana Mohanambal "Thillana" Mohanambal

Thirumal Perumai Deva Devi

Kuzhanthaikkaga Gowri Remade in Hindi as Nanha Farishta

1969 Gurudhatchanai Devaki

1970 Ethirkalam Mangamma

Vilaiyattu Pillai Maragatham

Vietnam Veedu Savitri

Raman Ethanai Ramanadi Guest appearance

Penn Deivam Ponnamma

Kumara Sambhavam Parvathi / Sathi

1971 Rickshawkaran Parvathi

Annai Velankanni Swarnam

Thirumagal Kalyani

Therottam Kanakam

Thenum Paalum Janaki

Kulama Gunama Seetha

Iru Thuruvam Thangam

Aathi Parasakthi Meenakshi, Vishalakshi, Kamakshi, Karumariamman and Durga Dubbed in Hindi as Jai Jagat Janani

1972 Rani Yaar Kuzhanthai

Appa Tata

1973 Dheiva Kuzhandhaigal

1974 Thayi

Devi Shri Kaumariamman

Appa Amma

1975 Baaghi Lutera

Oru Kudumbathin Kadhai

1976 Uzhaikum Karangal

1977 Dheepam Raja

Navarathnam

1979 Ore Vaanam Ore Bhoomi

1985 Poove Poochudava Pungavanathama

1986 Thaikku Oru Thalattu Dhanam

Lakshmi Vanthachu Rajeswari

Aayiram Kannudayaal Abhirami

Cinema Cinema Herself

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Hindi:

Year Title Role Notes

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1948 Kalpana Dancer

1951 Jeevan Tara

1952 Mr. Sampat Malini Devi

1955 Shiv Bhakta Rani

1957 Pardesi Lakshmi Indian-Soviet film. Released in Russian as Journey Beyond Three Seas

Qaidi

Payal Kamla

1958 Sitamgar

Ragini Sitara Devi

Mujrim Dancer dressed as man In song "Heeriye, Soniye"

Amar Deep Roopa

1959 Raj Tilak Princess Bathma

Amar Shaheed

1960 Singapore Lata

Kalpana Kalpana

Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai Kammo

Bindiya Bindya 'Bindu'

Aai Phirse Bahar

Maya Machhindra

Ramayan

1961 Apsara

1962 Aashiq Priti

1965 Shahir

Mahabharat Draupadi / Sairantri

Kaajal Bhanu Saxena

Saptarshi

1966 Afsana Renu

1967 Aurat Parvati

1968 Vaasna Lakshmi K. Chander

1969 Madhavi Rajkumari Mangala V Singh

Nannha Farishta Gauri

Chanda Aur Bijli Bijli

Bhai Bahen Rani / Tara

1970 Mastana Gauri

Mera Naam Joker Meena / Meena Banu Bochali / Master Meenu

Aansoo Aur Muskan Mary

1982 Dard Ka Rishta Anuradha's mother

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Sinhala:

Year Title Role Notes

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1948 Kapati Arakshakaya Choreography only

1957 Surasena

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Russian:

Year Title Role Notes

1957 Khozhdenie Za Tri Morya Lakshmi

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French:

Year Film Role Notes

1969 Things Seen in Madras 1969 - L' Inde Fantôme -

Phantom India Film actress/Herself Documentary

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TV series:

Year Title Role Note

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1980's Unknown serial by Manobala Actress

1994 Aadhar Shila Actress Hindi Serial DD Metro Channel

Ninaivu Kurippugal Host

2002 American Dreams Parvathyamma Asianet Channel

2004 Thaka Thimi Tha Guest Jaya TV

Samagamam Guest Amrita TV

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Dramas:

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Ramayanam

Kalpana

Valli

Kannaki

Dashavatharam

Sri Krishna Leela

Parijata Pushpaharanam

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Endorsements:

Lux

Filmfare Magazines

Star & Style

Remy Talcum Powder

*****

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VIDEO: Padmini - Biography

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