P. Bhanumathi Ramakrishna (7 September 1925 – 24 December 2005) was an Indian actress, singer, film producer, director, music composer, writer, editor, studio owner and novelist. She is regarded as the first female superstar of Telugu cinema, and 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 a few Hindi and Kannada films. She was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2001 for her contribution to the Indian cinema. She was honored among "Women in Cinema" at the 30th International Film Festival of India.
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Early life
Bhanumathi was born on 7 September 1925 in Doddavaram village of Prakasam district, near Ongole, Andhra Pradesh. She was the third child to Bommaraju Saraswathamma, Venkata Subbayya - 6000 Niyogi Brahmin. 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 cinema industry.
Career
Bhanumathi entered the film industry in 1939. After marriage, she quit acting and became a homemaker. B.N. Reddy convinced her to act in the 1945 film Swargaseema, which was turning point in her life. "She also shone as a singer, writer, director, music director, composer, producer, studio owner and editor". She is famous for being paid more than the male contemporaries of her time. She also sang two songs in English: "When I was just a little girl" in Thodu Needa and "Let me try" from Pathu Maadha Bandham. She acted in over 100 films in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi. She is regarded as the first female superstar of Telugu cinema. Bhanumathi was active in the film industry for six decades.
Film career
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 movies such as Chakrapani, Laila Majnu, Vipranarayana, Malliswari, Batasari and Antastulu. Her first film in Tamil was 1948 Raja Mukthi Pairing to MGR.
The duo paired as the second hero and heroine. With MGR, she acted in films that included Malaikallan, Madurai Veeran, Thaikkupin Tharam, Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum, and Nadodi Mannan. She also acted in films including Kalvanin Kadhali, Makkalaipetra Magarasi, Ambigapathy, Manamagan Thevai, Arivali, Rani Lalithangi with Sivaji Ganesan.
In 1953, she made her directorial debut with Chandirani (made simultaneously in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi). She also directed films like Ippadiyum Oru Penn. Additionally, she directed Bhakta Dhruva Markandeya, an all-children film featuring a cast under 16 years of age, a notable person who acted in this film is Shobana.
Bhanumathi also worked as Music director for few films. 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 Antastulu and Palnati Yuddham, she received National Awards (Rashtrapati Award).
Songs
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 Ponnu 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. She has sung approximately 300 songs in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi movies in which she acted.
Bhanumathi has privately recorded Purandaradasa’' bhajans. In 1953 when Andhra Pradesh state was formed from the Madras province she recorded a song along with Balantrapu Rajaneekantha Rao (who wrote the lyrics and composed music) “pasidi merungula talatalalu “for All India Radio, Vijayawada. She was the first singer to sing thyagaraya kruti in Telugu films with the song, “Palukavemi Naa Daivama” in her first film Varavikrayam (1939). She made a point to sing one Carnatic song in all her films produced under her home production Bharani Studios.
Literary Career
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'. Bhanumathi stated that her literary works are close to her heart. She was a member of Lalit Kala Academy for five years, and Sahitya Academy Andhra Pradesh for 10 years. She served as Director and Principal of the Tamil Nadu Government Music College. She got an honorary doctorate degree in 1975 from the Andhra University.
Philanthropy
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.
Personal life
Bhanumathi married film director P. S. Ramakrishna Rao in 1943. They had one son. She died in 2005 in Chennai.
Awards
Civilian honors
Padma Bhushan in 2001
Padma Shri in 1966
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 Outstanding contributions to South Indian Cinema (1988)
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
Interview
National Film Archive of India
Interview of one of the first female superstars of Telugu Cinema P. Bhanumathi by Randor Guy
Shivaji about Bhanumathi. Bhanumathi about C.N. Annadurai
MGR complimented Jayalalithaa by comparing her to Bhanumathi.