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.
116 movies
Dollar
1993·8.0
Vasthuhara
1991·7.7
Lakshmi Vandhachu
1986·0.0
Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu
1986·10.0
Poove Poochooda Vaa
1985·8.3
Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu
1984·8.0
Dard Ka Rishta
1982·8.0
Punniya Boomi
1978·0.0
Navarathinam
1977·8.0
Uzhaikkum Karangal
1976·7.0
Appa Tata
1972·0.0
Adi Parasakthi
1971·7.0
Annai Velankanni
1971·0.0
Rickshawkaran
1971·6.2
Kulama Gunama
1971·6.5
Iru Thuruvam
1971·0.0
Thirumagal
1971·8.0
Thenum Paalum
1971·0.0
Mera Naam Joker
1970·7.3
Sabarimala Shri Dharmasastha
1970·8.0
Mastana
1970·10.0
Raman Ethanai Ramanadi
1970·0.0
Vietnam Veedu
1970·7.7
Ethirkalam
1970·0.0
Vilaiyaattu Pillai
1970·9.0
Penn Daivam
1970·9.0
Vivahitha
1970·9.0
Kumara Sambhavam
1969·8.0
Gurudhatchanai
1969·8.0
Nannha Farishta
1969·10.0
Bhai Bahen
1969·7.0
Thillana Mohanambal
1968·7.3
Kuzhanthaikkaga
1968·0.0
Thirumaal Perumai
1968·9.0
Iru Malargal
1967·6.5
Aurat
1967·9.0
Vasantha Sena
1967·7.0
Thiruvarutchelvar
1967·7.5
Iruttinte Athmavu
1967·5.7
Selvam
1966·8.0
Saraswathi Sabatham
1966·7.0
Thaaye Unakkaga
1966·8.0
Afsana
1966·7.0
Kaajal
1965·5.3
Mahabharat
1965·8.0
Nenjam Marappathillai
1963·7.5
Naan Vanangum Deivam
1963·0.0
Dil Hi To Hai
1963·10.0
Vikramaadhithan
1962·7.0
Paadha Kaanikkai
1962·6.0
Rani Samyuktha
1962·0.0
Aashiq
1962·9.0
Then Nilavu
1961·6.5
Punar Janmam
1961·5.0
Umminithanka
1961·10.0
Arasilangumari
1960·0.0
Vidivelli
1960·0.0
Bindya
1960·10.0
Mannadhi Mannan
1960·0.0
Raja Desingu
1960·10.0
Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai
1960·6.1
Meenda Sorgam
1960·0.0
Deiva Piravi
1960·8.3
Singapore
1960·6.6
Chathurangam
1959·7.0
Maragatham
1959·7.0
Veerapandiya Kattabomman
1959·6.4
Thangapadumai
1959·10.0
Do Behnen
1959·6.0
Ponnu Vilayum Bhoomi
1958·7.0
Annaiyin Aanai
1958·8.0
Sampoorna Ramayanam
1958·8.0
Vanjikottai Valiban
1958·6.0
Uthama Puthiran
1958·7.3
Raj Tilak
1958·9.0
Mujrim
1958·7.5
The Eternal Lamp
1958·7.0
Raagini
1958·10.0
Baagyavathi
1957·8.0
Journey Beyond Three Seas
1957·6.1
Mallika
1957·0.0
Rajarajan
1957·4.0
Pudhaiyal
1957·0.0
Payal
1957·7.0
Iru Sahodarigal
1956·8.0
Amara Deepam
1956·9.0
Madurai Veeran
1956·7.0
Asai
1956·0.0
Koteeswaran
1955·9.0
Mangayar Thilakam
1955·7.0
Snehaseema
1954·0.0
Edhir Paradhathu
1954·0.0
Thookku Thookki
1954·0.0
Kalyanam Panniyum Brammachari
1954·9.0
Sorgavasal
1954·7.0
Anbu
1953·0.0
Panam
1952·0.0
Mr. Sampat
1952·9.0
Andhaman Kaidhi
1952·10.0
Amarakavi
1952·0.0
Devaki
1951·0.0
Or Iravu
1951·7.0
Ezhai Padum Paadu
1950·7.5
Thigambara Samiar
1950·0.0
Prasanna
1950·8.0
Manthiri Kumari
1950·10.0
Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi
1950·0.0
Laila Majnu
1950·0.0
Vaazhkai
1949·9.0
Laila Majnu
1949·7.0
Natyarani
1949·0.0
Kanniyin Kathali
1949·7.0
Velaikari
1949·8.0
Mohini
1948·0.0
Kalpana
1948·6.6
Marthanda Varma
1933·9.0