P. Bhanumathi

P. Bhanumathi Ramakrishna (7 September 1925 – 24 December 2005) was an Indian actress, singer, film producer, director, dancer, music composer, writer, studio owner and novelist. She is regarded as the first female superstar of Telugu cinema.^[1] She is also considered the first female director of Telugu cinema with her debut directorial Chandirani (1953). Bhanumathi appeared in over 100 films predominantly in Telugu and Tamil languages. She also acted in few (6) hindi films. She was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2001 for her contribution to the Indian cinema.^[2] She was honored among "Women in Cinema" at the 30th International Film Festival of India.^[3]

Bhanumathi was born on 7 September 1925 in Doddavaram village of Prakasam district, near Ongole, Andhra Pradesh. She is the third child to Bommaraju Saraswathamma, Venkata Subbayya.^[4][5] She grew up watching her father perform in various stage shows. Bhanumathi's father : Venkata Subbayya, was a lover of classical music and trained her in music from an early age. Though her father wanted her to be a great singer, fate had other plans. She became a wildly successful actress and ruled the cine industry. ^[6]

Bhanumathi entered the film industry in 1939. After marriage, she quit acting and became a homemaker. B.N. Reddy convinced her to act in swargaseema which was turning point in her life. She also shined as singer, writer, director, music director, composer, producer, studio owner, editor. She also sung two english song "when i was just a little girl" Thodu Needa "Let me try" Pathu Maadha Bandham ^[7] She acted in over 100 films in Telugu and Tamil.^[8] She is regarded as The First Female Super Star of Telugu cinema.^[1]

She made her debut in Telugu cinema in 1939 as Kalindi in Vara Vikrayam directed by C. Pullayya. Her first popular film was Krishna Prema. Her next popular film was Swargaseema, a milestone film in her career. In Swargaseema, she played the role with negative shades. Oho Pavurama song (sung by her) in Swargaseema became a super hit and she was showered with offers. She later acted in many memorable movies like Chakrapani, Laila Majnu, Vipranarayana, Malliswari, Batasari and Anthasthulu. Her first film in Tamil was 1948 Raja Mukthi Pairing to MGR. The duo paired as the second hero and heroine. In 1953, she made her directorial debut with Chandirani (made simultaneously in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi).Her last film was made in 1998, entitled Pelli Kanuka.

In her film career, Bhanumathi worked alongside five future Chief Ministers: writers C.N. Annadurai (Tamil Nadu) and M. Karunanidhi (Tamil Nadu), co-stars MGR (Tamil Nadu), NTR (Andhra Pradesh) and V.N.Janaki (Tamil Nadu).

C. N. Annadurai gave her a title "Nadippukku Ilakkanam" (Tamil: நடிப்புக்கு இலக்கணம்) (Grammar for acting) after seeing her performance in Rangoon Radha film, that suits her aptly. In a Telugu interview, she also proudly stated that C.N.Annadurai conferred upon her the title Nadippukku Ilakkanam. She is called as "Ashtavadhani" by Tamil people.

She was revered by many actors she had worked with like N. T. Rama Rao, Sivaji Ganesan, M. G. Ramachandran, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Nagarjuna, Balakrishna, Chiranjeevi, Pawan Kalyan, Venkatesh for her bold and prolific versatility. One of her memorable movies in Tamil was Annai, in the year 1962 directed by Krishnan–Panju, where her acting was appreciated by all and also got the National Award for the film and for also performances in movies Anthasthulu and Palnati Yudham (1964) she received National Awards (Rashtrapati Award). She is the last recipient of Rashtrapati Award.

The Super Hit film Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum, starring MGR and Bhanumathi made history in Tamil cinema by being the First Tamil Film to be entirely shot and released in Gevacolor. It was also the First Full-Length Colour Film released in South India.

Due to her rift with Aluri Chakrapani, she left her role in Missamma movie (Initially Bhanumathi was shot for some scenes in the movie before being replaced by Savitri ) but after the release of the movie she watched and commented that "she lost a wonderful role but industry gained a talented actress like savitri" which showed her sportiveness and encouragement towards new actors.

Due to clash with Aluri Chakrapani, she produced a satirical movie on him titled Chakrapani which was a huge hit and became a classic in Tollywood for this movie she also worked as music director.

For the movie Anthasthulu (1964), VB Rajendra Prasad had approached Bhanumathi for the role of ANR's sister. She liked the subject and agreed to do the film immediately. The crew booked a room in "Ritz-Carlton" in Hyderabad and she did not want to waste money, so she offered to stay at Sarathi Studios, which had an open area and snakes. The next morning she woke up with her nails bitten by rats. The director decided to cancel the shoot, VB Rajendra Prasad rushed to see Bhanumathi applying iodine casually on the nails and asking when she could start work. While continuing with the shooting, she said, "If you cancel shoot for small things how will I be a Bhanumathi (which means 'shining like the sun' in Sanskrit)."^[9]

India's First Vice-President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a fan of her work. Telugu cinema Veterans like Jamuna, Savitri and so many actresses cited her as an inspiration for entering into movies.she is widely recalled by her close associates as 'Epitome of Self-Respect and Versatility'. She is the only Female Film Studio Owner in our country.

Despite being younger than MGR, Bhanumathi was the only person in cine industry who 'publicly' addressed MGR as Mr.Ramachandran, even though fellow actors were apprehensive about interacting with MGR. Despite Bhanumathi calling MGR by name, he continued to treat her with utmost respect. He always called her as Bhanumathi Amma^[10]

Bhanumathi stated that She is regardered as an arrogant and troublesome artist. Before signing any film she would put the condition that she would not allow "indecency" or closeness with the hero in love scenes or any other scene. So, the producers, directors and actors always remained at a distance."^[11]

When a reporter asked Bhanumathi about her experience acting with NTR and ANR, she responded by saying, "Ask them how the experience of acting with Bhanumathi was." When she was asked who she thought was her heir among the next generation of actresses, she replied stating there cannot be a "Successor" to Bhanumathi.^[12]

MGR and Bhanumathi were a super-hit screen pair in the Tamil film industry of that era. During filming with MGR, she predicted he would achieve greatness beyond cinema. After he became Chief Minister, MGR recalled her prophecy and gave her credit.

Despite their rivalry on the set of Nadodi Mannan, they maintained mutual respect. Years later, after becoming Chief Minister, MGR appointed her as principal of the Government Music College.

In later years, she continued to act in pivotal 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 Malliswari, Chakrapani, Chandirani, Vipranarayana she played romantic, fun loving and playful characters. She is first south Indian actress to receive Padma Awards.

She was adept in both Carnatic and Hindustani music. She gave voice to her songs despite it being the norm to use playback singers for actors. Some of her songs are still popular like Manasuna mallela, Pilichina biguvatara,Oh baatasaari, Kila Kila Navvulu, Oh Pavurama, Preme Neramauna, Srikara karunaalavaala, Sharanam nee divya charanam and many more in Telugu; and Azhagaana Ponn Naan, Vaarai Inbam Thaaraai, Nilaa Nilaa Odi Vaa, Thalai Vaari Poochoodi Unnai, Kannile Iruppathenna and Annai Enbadhu Neethaanaa in Tamil. She also provided music to a lot of her films.^[13][14][15]

During her later years, she served on various movie related organizations. She was a Member of State Film Awards Committee for two years. She was also a visiting professor at the Film Institute for one year. She was Member of Children Film Society for 5 years, from 1965 to 1970.

In India, she was The First and The Only Woman to have owned a Film Studio and First Woman to act in a Dual role and the First Woman to have Directed a movie simultaneously in Three Languages.

On occasion of World Women's day, Sakshi Sunday magazine listed the most successful women from every industry and she was listed in the one for those from the movie industry. It was also added that the present highly successful heroines could not reach the heights Bhanumathi reached and that it is an impossible task for anyone to reach her level of success.

Bhanumathi was also a talented writer with a number of short stories to her credit. Her autobiography Nalo Nenu was published in Telugu and later, released in English as Musings. Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Academy awarded her as the best short story writer for her popular short stories Attagari Kathalu.^[16] She was a Member of Lalit Kala Academy for 5 years, and Sahitya Academy Andhra Pradesh for 10 years. She served as Director and Principal of the Tamil Nadu Government Music College.

She was an eminent social worker who was closely associated with a number of Social Service Organizations. She was the founder member and treasurer of Madras branch of Altrusa International Inc., Chicago for lifelong starting from 1963. She was a life member of the 'Red Cross Society'. She established an educational institution named as Dr. Bhanumathi Ramakrishna Matriculation School at Saligramam, Chennai providing free education to the poor.

During the shooting of the film Krishna Prema (1943), she met P. S. Ramakrishna Rao (1918–1986), an assistant director for that film. So, it all started with 'Krishna Prema' and ended as 'Ramakrishna Prema'. Bhanumathi married him against her parent's wish. The couple married on 8 August 1943 and have one son, Bharani. This celebrity couple was one of the most 'stable' and happy couple from Indian cinema industry. He was a film producer, director and editor of Telugu and Tamil Films. Later they launched a popular production company, Bharani Pictures on their son's name and Bharani Studios. She settled in Chennai and lived there for the rest of her life. She died at the age of 80 years in Chennai. There is a street named after Bhanumathi Ramakrishna in Chennai. It is called Bhanumathi Ramakrishna Road ^[17]in Saligramam. ^[18]

Civilian honors

• Padma Bhushan in 2001^[19]
• Padma Shri in 1966^[19]

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" an autobiography in 1993.

Filmfare Awards South

• Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South (1988)^[20]

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 honoured her with a title "Nadippukku Ilakkanam" for her remarkable performance in "Rangoon Radha"
• She was one of the dignitaries been honored by Andhra Pradesh government at the time of state formation in 1956.

• Raghupathi Venkaiah Award

బహుముఖ ప్రజ్ఞాశాలి

• P. Bhanumathi at IMDb