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Travancore sisters

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From left to right: Padmini, Ragini and Lalitha

The Travancore sisters refers to the trio of Lalitha, Padmini and Ragini. They were actresses and dancers who performed in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Kannada films.[1][2]

The Travancore sisters grew up in a joint Nair family tharavadu Malaya Cottage in Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram.[3] They were nieces of the famous beauty Narayani Pillai Kunjamma, who spurned the king of Travancore in favour of marrying the aristocratic landowner Kesava Pillai of Kandamath and through her they were related to the actress Sukumari's mother Sathyabhama Amma and the Travancore Royal Family through their cousin Ambika.[4] They learned dancing under the noted Indian dancer Guru Gopinath and guru T. K. Mahalingam Pillai.[5] Uday Shankar called the sisters to Chennai (then Madras) to act in a film based on dance which he was planning to make.

The matriarchal head of the family was Karthyayini Amma, wife of Palakunnathu Krishna Pillai of Cherthala alias 'Penang Padmanabha Pillai'or P K Pillai, who had six sons of whom Satyapalan Nair was a leading producer of many early Malayalam films. Another son, Raveendran Nair's daughter Latika Suresh, is a leading producer of Malayalam TV programs. They performed at the 1955 Filmfare Awards.[6]

Ragini died from cancer in 1976, Lalitha in 1982, and Padmini died in 2006. Few documents relating to them have survived, except for dozens of films and articles in Indian newspapers.

Filmography

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Dance and musical drama performances in films.

Year Film Language Song Singer Music Notes
1947 Kannika Tamil Dance Drama of Lord Siva and Mohini Background Music S. M. Subbaiah Naidu Lalitha & Padmini
1948 Adhithan Kanavu Tamil G. Ramanathan Lalitha & Padmini
1948 Bhaktha Jana Tamil Reema, Narayanan & BNR Lalitha & Padmini
1948 Bhojan Tamil G. Ramanathan Lalitha & Padmini
1948 Gnana Soundari Tamil Dance Background Music S. V. Venkatraman Lalitha & Padmini
1948 Gokuladasi Tamil S. V. Venkatraman & C. N. Pandurangan Lalitha & Padmini
1948 Mohini Tamil Aahaa Ivar Yaaradi K. V. Janaki & P. Leela S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & C. R. Subburaman Lalitha & Padmini
1948 Vedhala Ulagam Tamil Vaasam Ulla Poo Parippene T. S. Bagavathi & M. S. Rajeswari R. Sudarsanam Lalitha & Padmini
Dance Background Music Lalitha & Padmini
Ezhil Annam Vadivaagi Eduthheginen P. A. Periyanayaki Lalitha & Padmini
Saantham Kolvaai En Sagodhariye P. A. Periyanayaki Padmini
1949 Deva Manohari Tamil G. Ramanathan Lalitha & Padmini
1949 Kanniyin Kaadhali Tamil S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & C. R. Subburaman Lalitha & Padmini
1949 Laila Majnu Telugu Amdala Chinna Daana P. Leela & Jikki C. R. Subburaman Lalitha & Padmini
Eenaati Maa Paataa P. Leela & Jikki Lalitha & Padmini
1949 Laila Majnu Tamil Kuliridhe Suvai Madhu P. Leela & Jikki C. R. Subburaman Lalitha & Padmini
Kannaadi Kanni Neeye P. Leela & Jikki Lalitha & Padmini
1949 Mangayarkarasi Tamil Dance Background Music G. Ramanathan, C. R. Subburaman
& Kunnakudi Venkatarama Iyer
Lalitha & Padmini
1949 Naattiya Rani Tamil Papanasam Sivan Lalitha & Padmini
1949 Pavalakkodi Tamil Konjum Kiliye C. R. Subburaman Lalitha & Padmini
1949 Vazhkai Tamil Uzhuthundu Vaazhvaar.... Paadupattaale Palan Koodum T. S. Bagavathi & M. S. Rajeswari R. Sudarsanam Lalitha & Padmini
1949 Velaikaari Tamil Oridam Thanile Inaiyilla Ulaginile P. Leela & K. V. Janaki S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & C. R. Subburaman Lalitha & Padmini
1949 Vinothini Tamil Srinivasa Iyengar Lalitha & Padmini
1950 Digambara Samiyar Tamil Kaakka Vendum Kadavule Nee A. G. Rathnamala & U. R. Chandra S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & G. Ramanathan Lalitha & Padmini
1950 Ithaya Geetham Tamil Juma Juma Jum Jum P. A. Periyanayaki & P. Leela S. V. Venkatraman Lalitha & Padmini
1950 Jeevitham Telugu Bhoomi Dunnaloy Mana Desam T. S. Bagavathi & M. S. Rajeswari R. Sudarsanam Lalitha & Padmini
1950 Krishna Vijayam Tamil Ennadi Aniyaayam Idhu T. V. Rathnam & P. Leela C. S. Jayaraman & S. M. Subbaiah Naidu Lalitha & Padmini
1950 Manthiri Kumari Tamil O Raja O Rani Indha Ezhaiyeliya P. Leela, N. Lalitha and U. R. Chandra G. Ramanathan Lalitha, Padmini & Ragini
1950 Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi Tamil Veerathaayai Panivom P. Leela M. S. Gnanmani Lalitha & Padmini
1950 Parijatham Tamil Manamagizh Vasandha Kaalamidhe Jikki & K. V. Janaki S. V. Venkatraman & C. R. Subburaman Lalitha & Padmini
1950 Ponmudi Tamil Vaanam Kumurudhamma K. V. Janaki & N. Lalitha G. Ramanathan Lalitha & Padmini
1950 Vijayakumari Tamil C. R. Subburaman Lalitha & Padmini
1951 Devaki Tamil Tea Tea Soodaana Tea Jikki, A. G. Rathnamala & U. R. Chandra G. Ramanathan Lalitha, Padmini & Ragini
1951 Or Iravu Tamil Arumbu Pol Meesai.... Paartthu Paartthu Kanngal Rendum M. S. Rajeswari, T. S. Bagavathi & V. J. Varma R. Sudarsanam Lalitha & Padmini with A. Nageswara Rao
1951 Singari Tamil Pasum Paalu Virkkum P. A. Periyanayaki & P. Leela S. V. Venkatraman, T. R. Ramanathan
& T. A. Kalyanam
Lalitha & Padmini
1951 Sudharshan Tamil Unnai Kandu Mayamngaadha Pergal Undo P. A. Periyanayaki G. Ramanathan Lalitha
Ulagame Sandhai Koottamada.... Paaril Sandhai Koottam P. A. Periyanayaki Lalitha
1951 Vanasundari Tamil Deeyo Deeyo Deeyaalo P. A. Periyanayaki, P. Leela & K. V. Janaki S. V. Venkatraman & C. R. Subburaman Lalitha, Padmini & Ragini
Pennin Inbam Naadida Vaareer P. A. Periyanayaki & K. V. Janaki Lalitha & Padmini
Inbamaaga Paaduvom Anbin Kaadhal Vaazhave P. A. Periyanayaki & K. V. Janaki Lalitha & Padmini
1952 Amarakavi Tamil Mookkutthi Minnal Kannile N. L. Ganasaraswathi & P. Leela G. Ramanathan & T. A. Kalyanam Lalitha & Padmini
Mullaich Chirippile N. L. Ganasaraswathi & P. Leela Lalitha & Padmini
1952 Andhaman Kaidhi Tamil College Padippukku Goodbye Nam Kaadhal Vaazhvukkini Welcome T. V. Rathnam & A. P. Komala G. Govindarajulu Naidu Lalitha & Padmini
1952 Dharma Devatha Telugu Lambadi Lambadi K. Rani C. R. Subburaman Lalitha
Pataku Pallavi K. Rani Lalitha
K. Rani Lalitha
1952 Dharma Devadhai Tamil Lambadi Lambadi K. Rani C. R. Subburaman Lalitha
Aananda Leelai Tharum K. Rani Lalitha
Paaduven Paarungko K. Rani Lalitha
1953 Anbu Tamil Vendhazhalaai Erikkum Venmadhiye A. P. Komala & N. L. Ganasaraswathi T. R. Pappa Lalitha & Padmini
1953 Marumagal Tamil Aanukkoru Penn Pillai P. A. Periyanayaki, A. G. Rathnamala & A. P. Komala G. Ramanathan, C. R. Subburaman
& Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
Padmini & Ragini with T. D. Kusalakumari
1953 Ponni Tamil Aaduvome Oonjal Aaduvome A. P. Komala, P. A. Periyanayaki,
Jayalakshmi & C. B. Radha
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu Lalitha, Padmini & Ragini with Ambika
1956 Amara Deepam Tamil Jalilo Jimkana Jikki G. Ramanathan & T. Chalapathi Rao Padmini with E. V. Saroja
Ellorum Koodi Aadi Paadi Jikki Padmini
Pachchai Kilipaadudhu Jikki Padmini
1956 Charana Daasi Telugu Yekkadunnadi Dharmamekkadunnadi K. Rani & Jikki S. Rajeswara Rao Ragini with Ambika
1956 Madurai Veeran Tamil Summa Kidanthaa Sotthukku Nashtam Jikki & P. Leela G. Ramanathan Lalitha & Ragini
1956 Sahasa Veerudu Telugu Somarulaithe Thindiki Nashtam P. Susheela & Jikki G. Ramanathan Lalitha & Ragini
1956 Mathar Kula Manickam Tamil Denjaru Aiyaa Denjaru T. V. Rathnam & G. Kasthoori S. Rajeswara Rao Ragini with Rita
1957 Baagyavathi Tamil Paruvam Malarndhu Asaindhu Aadum Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi S. Dakshinamurthy Ragini
1957 Chakravarthi Thirumagal Tamil Kannaalane Vaarunga Jikki G. Ramanathan Ragini
1957 Karpukkarasi Tamil Illaadha Adhisayamaai Irukkudhudhadi A. P. Komala & K. Jamuna Rani G. Ramanathan Ragini with Rita
1957 Mallika Tamil Neela Vanna Kannane Unadhu P. Susheela T. R. Pappa Padmini
Mangaamal Valarum Singaara Nadanam P. Susheela Padmini
1957 Manamagan Thevai Tamil Kaadhal Kalyaaname Seidha Paappaa P. Leela G. Ramanathan Ragini
1957 Pardesi Hindi Na Dir Dhin Tana Dere Na Lata Mangeshkar Anil Biswas Padmini
1957 Payal Hindi Jaa Re Saanwale Salone Lata Mangeshkar Hemanta Mukherjee Padmini
Jhuki Jhuki Ankhiya Lata Mangeshkar Padmini
1957 Raja Rajan Tamil Aadum Azhage Azhagu Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi & P. Leela K. V. Mahadevan Lalitha & Padmini
1956 Amar Deep Tamil Jali Lo Dim Tana Asha Bhosle C. Ramchandra Padmini & Ragini
Lagi Apni Najariya Katar Ban Ke Asha Bhosle Padmini
Mere Man Ka Bawra Panchhi Lata Mangeshkar Padmini
1958 Mangalya Bhagyam Tamil Imaya Malaiyai Idadhu Kaiyaal K. Jamuna Rani & A. G. Rathnamala G. Ramanathan Padmini
1958 Neelavukku Neranja Manasu Tamil Kannaikkavarum Baradhakalai Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi K. V. Mahadevan Ragini
Otrumaiye Namakku Uyirnaadi Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi & Jikki Ragini with M. N. Rajam
1958 Ragini Hindi Main Bangaali Chhokraa Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar O. P. Nayyar Padmini with Kishore Kumar
1958 Raj Tilak Hindi Aaja To Aaja Asha Bhosle & Sudha Malhotra C. Ramchandra Padmini with Vyjayanthimala
1958 Uthama Puthiran Tamil Kaatthiruppaan Kamala Kannan P. Leela G. Ramanathan Padmini & Ragini
Kondaattam Manasukkulle Kondaattam P. Leela Padmini & Ragini
1958 Vanjikottai Valiban Tamil Kannum Kannum Kalanthu P. Leela & Jikki C. Ramchandra Padmini with Vyjayanthimala
1958 Vijayakota Veerudu Telugu Kannu Kannu Kalipi P. Leela & Jikki C. Ramchandra Padmini with Vyjayanthimala
1959 Nalla Theerpu Tamil Azhagaana Maaran P. Leela S. M. Subbaiah Naidu Ragini
1959 Ponnu Vilaiyum Boomi Tamil Aangila Naagareegam Nalladhu P. Susheela & K. Jamuna Rani K. H. Reddy Padmini with Sukumari
1959 Veerapandiya Kattabomman Tamil Anjatha Singam En Kaalai P. Susheela G. Ramanathan Padmini
Takku Takku Takkunu P. Susheela, A. P. Komala & S. Varalakshmi Padmini & Ragini
1959 Veerapandya Kattabrahmana Telugu Andala Basavanna S. Janaki G. Ramanathan Padmini
Takku Takku Bada Bada S. Janaki, A. P. Komala & S. Varalakshmi Padmini & Ragini
1960 Amar Shaheed Hindi Alhad Jawan Mera Jaage Lata Mangeshkar Jamal Sen Padmini
1960 Kalpana Hindi Tu Hai Mera Prem Devta Mohammed Rafi & Manna Dey O. P. Nayyar Padmini & Ragini
1960 Mannadhi Mannan Tamil Kanniyar Perumai P. Leela Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy Ragini
1960 Raja Desingu Tamil Pazhanimalai P. Leela G. Ramanathan Ragini
Paarkadal Alaimele M. L. Vasanthakumari Padmini
1961 Punar Jenmam Tamil Manam Aadudhu Paadudhu S. Janaki & Jikki T. Chalapathi Rao Padmini & Ragini
1961 Sabarimala Ayyappan Malayalam Minnal Ente Kannu P. Leela S. M. Subbaiah Naidu Padmini
1961 Sabarimalai Sri Ayyapan Tamil Minnal Endhan Kannu P. Leela S. M. Subbaiah Naidu Padmini
1962 Kavitha Tamil Kannukkulle Onnirukku K. Jamuna Rani & T. M. Soundararajan K. V. Mahadevan Ragini with Harban Lal
1962 Raani Samyuktha Tamil Mullaimalar Kaadu Engal Mananvan Ponnaadu A. P. Komala K. V. Mahadevan Ragini
1962 Vikramaadhithan Tamil Nilaiyaana Kalai Vaahgave P. Leela & T. V. Rathnam S. Rajeswara Rao Padmini & Ragini
1967 Thiruvarutchelvar Tamil Mannavan Vandhaanadi P. Susheela K. V. Mahadevan Padmini
1968 Thirumal Perumai Tamil Karaiyeri Meen Vilaiyaadum P. Susheela & Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi K. V. Mahadevan Padmini with Rajasulochana
1968 Thillana Mohanambal Tamil Maraindhirundhu Paarkkum P. Susheela K. V. Mahadevan Padmini
Nalandhaanaa Nalandhaanaa P. Susheela
Tillana Nadhaswaram Instrumental

References

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  1. ^ Gulzar; Nihalani, Govind; Chatterjee, Saibal (2008). Encyclopaedia of Hindi cinema. Encyclopædia Britannica (India) Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 9788179910665.
  2. ^ "Malaya Cottage was their grooming ground : The Travancore Sisters, Lalitha, Padmini and Ragini, were the pride of Malaya Cottage". The Hindu. 30 September 2006. Archived from the original on 16 June 2010.
  3. ^ "When the stars shone in Malaya Cottage". The Hindu. 30 September 2006. Archived from the original on 29 October 2010.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ Kerala Council for Historical research Family History Papers see under Tharishuthala by K. K. N "keralahistory.ac.in". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  5. ^ "Life dedicated to dance". The Hindu. 3 January 2003. Archived from the original on 6 December 2003.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ^ "From year to eternity". Filmfare Print Edition. April 2002. Archived from the original on 2 January 2004. Retrieved 3 August 2010.