S. D. Subbulakshmi

Last updated

S. D. Subbulakshmi
Born
Srivaikundam Duraisamy Subbulakshmi
Occupation(s)film actor, singer
Years active1934–1964
Spouse K. Subramanyam

Srivaikundam Duraisamy Subbulakshmi was an Indian actress and singer who was active in Tamil cinema during the 1930s and 1940s. She was the wife of film director K. Subramanyam. [1] She is credited with having introduced the singer and family friend of hers, M. S. Subbulakshmi to Tamil cinema and mentored her in her early days. [1]

Contents

Early life

S. D. Subbulakshmi was born in Srivaikundam to Duraisamy and Janaki Ammal. Since childhood, S. D. Subbulakshmi showed keen interest in stage dramas. The family moved to Madurai, where she learned carnatic music and dance. Her parents took photos of her in various makeups and showed them to a number of drama companies. This had assisted her to start as a child actress in stage plays. She grew up acting in stage dramas and managed to act in a number of dramas with well-known artists such as M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, K. B. Sundarambal and T. R. Mahalingam and earned a very good name. Pavalakkodi was one such drama where she had acted with M. K. Thiagaraja Bhagavather and became very famous.

Cinema life

Letchumanan Chettiar or Lena Chettiar of Krishna Pictures, who has seen the drama wanted to picturise the drama and requested K. Subrahmanyam to direct that film. Lena Chettiar and K. Subrahmanyam watched the drama together. K. Subrahmanyam suggested retaining the same artists who acted in drama to be in the film too and Lena Chettiar agreed to this. Through Pavalakkodi, S. D. Subbulakshmi entered into Tamil Cinema in 1934. She became a famous heroine in the 1930s till mid-1940s, then she switched to mother and supporting roles.

Introducing M. S. Subbulakshmi

S. D. Subbulakshmi became instrumental in introducing M. S. Subbulakshmi when she persuaded K. Subrahmanyam to give the daughter of her friend Madurai Shanmugavadivu, a chance on the concert stage at the exhibition he was organising in connection with the 1932 Mahamagam Festival in Kumbakonam. Thus, it was also K. Subrahmanyam who first helped to make M. S. Subbulakshmi a star in the world of song. It was on that stage that M. S. Subbulakshmi became a star.

Later, when he negotiated with Sadasivam for the film rights for a story serialised in Ananda Vikatan , starring M. S. Subbulakshmi in the film, she came almost as part of the package. Thus started M. S. Subbulakshmi's film career in Sevasadanam with S. D. Subbulakshmi guiding throughout. [1]

Family life

S. D. Subbulakshmi married the lawyer turned director K. Subramanyam with the consent of his first wife Meenatchi. K. Subramanyam kept both families together and managed them without any discrimination between them. She had a son named Abaswaram Ramji.

Filmography

YearFilmRoleNotes
1934 Pavalakkodi Princess Pavalakkodi
1935 Naveena Sadaram Sadharam
1936 Usha Kalyanam Usha
1936 Kuchela Lord Krishna and Suseela
1936 Naveena Sarangadhara Chitrangi
1937 Mr. Ammanchi
1939 Thyaga Bhoomi Savithri
1942 Ananthasayanam Mohini
1943 Krishna Sudhaama Kannada
1945 Maanasamrakshanam
1946 Vikatayogi
1952 Andhaman Kaidhi Kamatchi
1952 Panam
1954 Thookku Thookki
1954 Thuli Visham
1955 Gulebakavali
1956 Mathar Kula Manickam
1957 Raja Rajan Queen Senbagavalli
1957 Rani Lalithangi Empress Angaiyarkanni
1958 Sampoorna Ramayanam Kausalya
1959 Aana Valarthiya Vanampadi ThankamaniMalayalam
1959 Yaanai Valartha Vaanampaadi Thangamani
1959 Kalyana Parisu Vasanthi and Geetha's mother
1960 Kadavulin Kuzhandhai
1960 Sivagami
1962 Pattinathar Meenatchi
1964 Pattanathil Bhootham Latha's mother
1966 Sadhu Mirandal ParvarthyTamil; Special Appearance
1970 Engirundho Vandhaal Radha / Kamala's mother

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Muthiah, S. (5 April 2004). "M. S. and the two centenarians". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 5 July 2004.