Legandary Actor-Danseuse Padmini no more

Chennai, Sep 25 (UNI) Legendary classical dancer and yesteryears heroine Padmini died here late last night following cardiac arrest.

She was 74.

She is survived by son Anand, who is settled in the United States.

The actor, who enthralled the audience with her subtle dance movements, facial expressions and acting skills, especially in big hits like 'Mannadhi Mannan,' 'Vanjikottai Valiban' and 'Thillana Mohanaambal,' fainted at a function organised to felicitate Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Saturday.

She was admitted to the Apollo Hospital where she died.

Padmini, who had paired with popular heroes of Indian cinema like Raj Kapoor, M G Ramachandran and Sivaji was awarded with the title of ''Nattiya Peroli.'' One of the first heroines to make it to the Bollywood from the South, Padmini was the second of the famous 'Travancore Sisters' along with Lalitha and Ragini. She had acted in more than 250 films in all the South Indian languages and in Hindi in her career spanning nearly six decades.

During the Indo-China war in 1962, Padmini went to the army camp and entertained the soldiers with her dance-drama performance.

Former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was also impressed with her performance.

Her last film was 'Poove Poochoodava' released about few years ago.

Her body was taken to the Velachery residence of her niece Shobana, also a famous Bharatanatyam dancer and actor.

The last rites would be performed tomorrow after the arrival of her son from the US, family sources said.
Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and AIADMK Chief J Jayalalithaa had condoled the death of Padmini. Earlier, Actor and contemporary K R Vijaya, Actors Nagesh and Y G Mahendran paid their last respects to the actor's body. A classical danseuse, Padmini learned dance at the tender age of four and entered the film world in 1949. She had paired with famous heroes like M G Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan, Prem Nazir, Raj Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand.

Born in Poojappura in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on June 12, 1932 Padmini made her debut in Hindi film 'Kalpana.' Her first Tamil film was 'Manamagal' (1950) made by another screen legend N S Krishnan.

She had carved a niche for herself in Hindi cinema by pairing with showman Raj Kapoor in 'Jish des mein Ganga bahti hai', 'Ashiq' and 'Mera Naam Joker.' Actor 'Padmini's memorable Tamil films included 'Utthama Puthiran,' 'Theiva Piravi', 'Mannandi Mannan,' 'Madhurai Veeran' 'Raani Samyukta,' 'Rickshawkaran,' 'Arasilangkumari' 'Punarjanmam', 'Vanjikottai Valliban,' 'Iru Malargal,' 'Thillana Moganambal' and 'Vietnam Veedu.' Padmini was awarded the 'Nattiya Peroli' and 'Kalaimamani' awards.

Some of her Hindi hits include ' Kalpana,' 'Jish desh mein Ganga baheti hai' and 'Mera Naam Joker among others.

If Gemini Ganesan-Savitiri and MGR-Saroja Devi were a formidable pair in 50s and 60s, the Sivaji-Padmini combination was no less.

Film sources said Padmini, who had settled down in America, preferred watching 'Uttamaputthiran' and 'Thillana Moganambal' among others in which she co-starred Sivaji.

Movie watchers vividly remember her powerful dialogue delivery in 'Theiva Piravi'.

Padmini gave stupendous performance with MGR in 'Mannadhi Mannan' and 'Rani Samyukta among others. The dance performance in which she was pitted against Vijayanthimala Bali in 'Mannadi Mannan' still remains fresh in the minds of movie aficionados.

UNI