
Acting
Born June 12, 1932 · Thiruvananthapuram, Travancore, British India
Padmini (12 June 1932 – 24 September 2006) was an Indian actress and trained Bharathanatyam dancer, who acted in over 250 Indian films. She acted in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi language films. Padmini, with her elder sister Lalitha and her younger sister Ragini, were called the "Travancore sisters". Padmini was born and raised in Thiruvananthapuram, in what was then the princely state of Travancore (now the Indian state of Kerala). She was the second daughter of Sree Thankappan Pillai and Saraswathi Amma, both coming from noble Nair families. Her sisters Lalitha and Ragini, were also well known film actresses. Together, the three were known as the Travancore sisters. Padmini and her sisters learnt Bharathanatyam from Thiruvidaimarudur Mahalingam Pillai. The trio were the disciples of Indian dancer Guru Gopinath. They learnt Kathakali and Kerala Natanam styles of dancing from him. N.S. Krishnan noticed her talents while she was presenting Parijatha Pushpapaharanam in Thiruvananthapuram. After that performance, he said that in the future she would become an actress. She was thus cast as heroine in his own production Manamagal. The Travancore Sisters grew up in a joint family tharavadu (Malaya Cottage) in Poojappura, Trivandrum. The matriarchial head of the family was Karthiyayini Amma, whose husband was P.K. Pillai (Palakunnathu Krishna Pillai of Cherthala) alias "Penang Padmanabha Pillai". P.K. Pillai had six sons, of whom Satyapalan Nair (Baby) was a leading producer of many early Malayalam films. They performed at the 1955 Filmfare Awards. Padmini was a leading actress and one of the highest paid actresses of the 50s, 60s and 70s. She is also known as one of the charming beauty queens of the 50s and 60s. She was given the title "Natya Peroli" in Tamil Nadu because of her excellent Bharatnatyam performances in Tamil films. Her Tamil movie Thillana Mohanambal, is a cult classic of Tamil cinema and continues to be remembered even today. Her beautiful performance in Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai was outstanding and made her a national star.

Dollar
1993

Vasthuhara
1991

Lakshmi Vandhachu
1986

Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu
1986

Poove Poochudava
1985

Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu
1984

Dard Ka Rishta
1982
Punniya Boomi
1978
Navarathinam
1977

Uzhaikkum Karangal
1976
Appa Tata
1972

Adi Parasakthi
1971

Annai Velankanni
1971

Rickshawkaran
1971

Kulama Gunama
1971

Iru Thuruvam
1971
Thirumagal
1971

Thenum Paalum
1971

Mera Naam Joker
1970

Sabarimala Shri Dharmasastha
1970

Mastana
1970
Raman Ethanai Ramanadi
1970

Vietnam Veedu
1970
Ethirkalam
1970
Vilaiyaattu Pillai
1970

Penn Daivam
1970

Vivahitha
1970

Kumara Sambhavam
1969
Gurudhatchanai
1969

Nannha Farishta
1969

Bhai Bahen
1969

Thillana Mohanambal
1968

Kuzhanthaikkaga
1968

Thirumaal Perumai
1968

Iru Malargal
1967

Aurat
1967
Vasantha Sena
1967

Thiruvarutchelvar
1967
Iruttinte Athmavu
1967
Selvam
1966

Saraswathi Sabatham
1966
Thaaye Unakkaga
1966

Afsana
1966

Kaajal
1965

Mahabharat
1965

Nenjam Marappathillai
1963

Naan Vanangum Deivam
1963

Iruvar Ullam
1963

Dil Hi To Hai
1963

Vikramaadhithan
1962

Paadha Kaanikkai
1962

Rani Samyuktha
1962

Aashiq
1962

Then Nilavu
1961

Punar Janmam
1961

Umminithanka
1961
Arasilangumari
1960

Vidivelli
1960

Bindya
1960
Mannadhi Mannan
1960
Raja Desingu
1960

Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai
1960

Meenda Sorgam
1960

Deiva Piravi
1960

Singapore
1960
Chathurangam
1959

Maragatham
1959

Veerapandiya Kattabomman
1959
Thangapadumai
1959
Do Behnen
1959
Ponnu Vilayum Bhoomi
1958

Annaiyin Aanai
1958

Sampoorna Ramayanam
1958

Vanjikottai Valiban
1958
Uthama Puthiran
1958

Raj Tilak
1958

Mujrim
1958

The Eternal Lamp
1958

Raagini
1958
Baagyavathi
1957

Journey Beyond Three Seas
1957

Mallika
1957
Rajarajan
1957
Pudhaiyal
1957

Payal
1957
Iru Sahodarigal
1956

Amara Deepam
1956

Madurai Veeran
1956
Asai
1956
Koteeswaran
1955

Mangayar Thilakam
1955

Snehaseema
1954

Edhir Paradhathu
1954

Thookku Thookki
1954
Kalyanam Panniyum Brammachari
1954

Sorgavasal
1954
Anbu
1953

Panam
1952

Mr. Sampat
1952
Andhaman Kaidhi
1952

Amarakavi
1952
Devaki
1951

Or Iravu
1951
Ezhai Padum Paadu
1950

Thigambara Samiar
1950

Prasanna
1950
Manthiri Kumari
1950
Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi
1950
Laila Majnu
1950

Vaazhkai
1949

Laila Majnu
1949

Kanniyin Kaadhali
1949

Velaikari
1949
Mohini
1948

Marthanda Varma
1933