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Krishna Kumari (actress)

T. Krishna Kumari (6 March 1933 – 24 January 2018) was an Indian actress. She worked predominantly in Telugu films, in addition to Tamil and Kannada films in the 1950s and 1960s.[2] She was the sister of noted actress Sowkar Janaki.

Krishna Kumari
Born6 March 1933 (1933-03-06)
Naihati, Bengal Province, British India
Died24 January 2018(2018-01-24) (aged 84)[1]
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
OccupationActress
Years active1951–1976
Spouse
Ajay Mohan Khaitan
​
​
(m. 1969; died 2012)​
RelativesSowcar Janaki (sister)

She starred in over 150 films in her career,[3][4] most notably Pichi Pullayya (1953), Bangaru Papa (1955), Vinayaka Chaviti (1957), Pelli Kanuka (1960), Devanthakudu (1960), Bharya Bhartalu (1961), Vagdanam (1961), Kula Gotralu (1962), Chaduvukunna Ammayilu (1963), Bandipotu (1963), Punarjanma (1963 film), Aggi Pidugu (1964), Doctor Chakravarty (1964), Gudi Gantalu (1964), Antastulu (1965), Chikkadu Dorakadu (1967),Tikka Sankarayya (1968), Neramu Siksha (1973).[4][5]

Early life

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Krishna Kumari was born on 6 March 1933 in a Kannada[6][7]-speaking Madhva Brahmin family[8] at Naihati, West Bengal to T. Venkoji Rao and Sachi Devi. Her family hails from Udupi, Karnataka but settled in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh for her father's business.[7] Owing her father's work, Kumari was schooled at Rajahmundry, Madras, Assam and Calcutta. She completed her matriculation is Assam.[9] Her sister, Sowkar Janaki is also an actress.[10]

Career

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T. Krishna Kumari started her career at the age of 17 with a small role in the Telugu film Pathala Bhairavi (1951). She later played the role of a heroine for the first time in Navvithe Navaratnalu (1951). She featured as leading actress in several Tamil movies, notably Thirumbi Paar (1953), Manithan (1953), Azhagi (1953), Pudhu Yugam (1954), Viduthalai (1954) and Thuli Visham (1954).

Krishna Kumari then began to focus on Telugu cinema, which propelled her to stardom. Her movies Pelli Meeda Pelli (1959), Bharya Bhartalu (1961), Vagdanam (1961), Kulagothralu (1962), Gudi Gantalu (1964) remain some of Telugu cinema's classics.

In the early 1960s, Krishna Kumari entered the Kannada film industry briefly, choosing to return to her preferred Telugu cinema within years. But in the short span of 5–6 years, she gave memorable performances, most of them co-starring Dr. Rajkumar. In fact, her first ever award was for the Rajkumar starrer, Bhaktha Kanakadasa (1960).

In Hindi, she acted in Kabhi Andhera Kabhi Ujala (1958). She was rechristened Rati but again, Hindi cinema held no attraction for Krishna Kumari. Although she had several offers in Hindi cinema, she returned to Madras. Her most successful movies have been with Akkineni Nageswara Rao, N. T. Rama Rao and also several mythological roles with Kantha Rao.[11][12]

Krishna Kumari acted in 150 Telugu films, and about 30 Tamil and Kannada films. Her repertoire won her fans across Telugu states and the President's Award.[3] Her co-stars include N.T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Krishnam Raju, Dr. Rajkumar, Sivaji Ganesan, Kanta Rao, and Jaggayya.[13][5]

Personal life and death

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In 1969, Krishna Kumari married Ajay Mohan Khaitan, a businessman and journalist who had previously served as Editor of the Indian Express and was the founder of two magazines, Screen and Businessman. Ajay Mohan Khaitan had previously been married to another lady also named Krishna, who was the daughter of Ramnath Goenka, founder and owner of The Indian Express. By his previous marriage, Ajay Mohan Khaitan was the father of two sons, including Vivek, who was adopted by Ramnath Goenka and given the name Viveck Goenka; he is presently running The Indian Express.[14]

After marriage, Krishna Kumari chose to step away from the arclights and moved to her husband's farmhouse near Bangalore, where she devoted herself to her family and developed her interests in cooking and gardening.[5] Krishna Kumari and Khaitan had a daughter, Dipika; according to some reports, Dipika was adopted by the couple.[15] Dipika married Vikram Maiya, the son of the Maiya family which owns the famous MTR restaurant in Bangalore and the MTR brand of ready-to-eat foods.[16]

Ajay Mohan Khaitan died in 2012 aged 85. Krishna Kumari continued to live at her farmhouse in Bangalore with her daughter, son-in-law and grandson. Krishna Kumari died on 24 January 2018, in Bangalore from bone marrow cancer.[17]

Filmography

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Year Title Role(s) Language(s) Notes Ref.
1951 Navvithe Navaratnalu Meena Telugu [18]
Pathala Bhairavi Gandharva Kanya [19]
1952 Priyuralu
1953 Thirumbi Paar Tamil [20]
Azhagi
Manithan [21]
Pichi Pullayya Kantham Telugu [22]
1954 Bangaru Papa Papa
Pudhu Yugam Tamil
Viduthalai
Thuli Visham
Karkottai
Jaladurga Kannada
1956 Ilavelpu Telugu
1957 Vinayaka Chaviti Rukmini
Veera Kankanam Rajini
Vaddante Pelli Vidyavathi
1958 Raja Nandini
1959 Sathi Sukanya Sukanya
1960 Deepavali Rukmini Devi
Pelli Kanuka Geeta
Abhimanam Kamala
Bhatha Sabari
Nithya Kalyanam Pacha Thoranam Chand
Bhakta Kanakadasa Kannada
Umma Malayalam
Aasha Sundari Hema Kannada
Dashavathara
Santhi Nivasam Raagini Telugu
1961 Bharya Bhartalu Sharada [23]
Vagdanam Vijaya
Sampoorna Ramayana Mandodari Hindi
Shri Shaila Mahathme Kannada
1962 Swarna Gowri
Kula Gothralu Saroja Telugu [24]
Mahathma Kabir Kannada
Thendral Veesum Tamil Simultaneously shot & produced in Telugu and Tamil
Aasa Jeevulu Telugu
1963 Chaduvukunna Ammayilu Vasantha
Lakshadhikari Padma
Punarjanma Radha
Sri Tirupatamma Katha Tirupatamma
Irugu Porugu Chitra / Jikki
Aapta Mitrulu Vimala
Chandrakumara Kannada
Bandipotu Mandaramala Telugu
1964 Doctor Chakravarthy Dr. Sridevi Telugu
Gudi Gantalu Kasthuri
Marmayogi Prabhavathi
Peetala Meeda Pelli
Aggi Pidugu Malathi
Sri Satyanarayana Mahathyam Ratnavalli
Sabhash Suri Jalaja
Kalavari Kodalu Latha
1965 Antastulu Mala
Sri Simhachala Kshetra Mahima Apsarasa Sirisha
Uyyala Jampala
Sathi Savithri Savithri Kannada
1966 Sri Krishna Tulabharam Jambavathi Telugu
Chilaka Gorinka K. Usha Devi
Paduka Pattabhishekam[25] Seetha
Zamindar Saroja
1967 Chikkadu Dorakadu Padmavathi Devi
Iddaru Monagallu
Sri Krishnavataram Lakshana
Ummadi Kutumbam Sarada
Pedda Akkayya
Vasantha Sena Vasantha Sena
Punyavathi Santhi
Bhuvana Sundari Katha Bhuvana Sundari
Rahasyam Rajyalakshmi
1968 Vara Katnam Sujatha
Uyira Maanama Russian woman Tamil
Tikka Sankarayya Suseela Telugu
Nindu Samsaram Jyothi
Pedarasi Peddamma Katha Nagakanya
1971 Sampoorna Ramayanam Mandodari
Varalakshmi Vratam
1972 Manavudu Danavudu
Bharya Biddalu Suseela
1973 Neramu Siksha
1974 Devadasu
Uttama Illalu[26] Gowri
1975 Yashoda Krishna Devaki
Gunavanthudu
Zamindarugari Ammayi[27] Lakshmi
1976 Padi Pantalu[28] Kamala
Jyothi Vishali
Alludochadu[29] Manikyamma mother of Saroja (Jayasudha)
Secretary Dr. Vijayalakshmi
1978 Patnavasam[30] Parvathi
1980 Bebbuli[31] Yashoda
1982 Bangaru Bhoomi[32] Ravi's step mother
1986 Veer Eklavya Hindi [33]
2003 Fools Telugu Special appearance [34]
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References

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  1. ^ "Krishna Kumari is no more". Deccan Chronicle. 25 January 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  2. ^ "Not ready for greasepaint". The Hindu. 30 June 2006. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  3. ^ a b Maiya, Dipika. "My Mother T. Krishna Kumari". Maiya Publishing. Archived from the original on 25 March 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  4. ^ a b Kavirayani, Suresh (25 January 2018). "Krishna Kumari is no more". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  5. ^ a b c Venkatram, Shree (6 June 2016). "Actress T Krishna Kumari's glamorous and family life captured in book by her daughter". The American Bazaar. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  6. ^ "Changing the roles". The Hindu. July 2016. Kumari's family from Karnataka's Udupi and speaks Kannada
  7. ^ a b Kavirayani, Suresh (25 January 2018). "Krishna Kumari is no more". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 13 October 2022. Born on March 6, 1933, in Naihati, West Bengal
  8. ^ "Yesteryear Kannada actor Krishna Kumari passes away in Bangalore". The News Minute. 24 January 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2022. Born on March 6, 1933, in Naihati, West Bengal, Krishna Kumari, Apart from films in her mother tongue Kannada, she acted in lots of Telugu and Tamil movies as well.
  9. ^ "వెండితెర 'బంగారు పాప'". Andhra Bhoomi. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  10. ^ "Yesteryear actor Veteran actor T Krishna Kumari of Telugu cinema no more". The New Indian Express. 25 January 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  11. ^ "The original swashbuckler". The Hindu. 3 April 2009. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  12. ^ "Krishna Kumari: An actress with cinematic and natural charm". The Hindu. 24 January 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  13. ^ "Veteran actor T Krishna Kumari was truly a 'star of south'". The New Indian Express. 25 January 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  14. ^ "'Sowcar' Janaki talks about sister Krishna Kumari". Telangana Today. 27 January 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  15. ^ "A book about former Telugu actress Krishna Kumari Khaitan's culinary skills reveals the food connoisseur's special recipes". The New Indian Express. 15 October 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  16. ^ "T Krishna Kumari: A glamourous [sic] actress who had immense family values". The Times of India. 25 January 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  17. ^ "Krishna Kumari-An actress of substance". The Hans India. 25 January 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  18. ^ "Navvithe Navarathnaalu (1951)". The Hindu. 19 January 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  19. ^ "Pathalabhairavi (1951)". The Hindu. 13 April 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  20. ^ "How Kalaignar's movie scripts show a subtle blend of Dravidian politics, mythology and women-centric stories". The New Indian Express. 8 August 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  21. ^ "Manithan 1953". The Hindu. 9 March 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  22. ^ "Pitchi Pullaiah (1953)". The Hindu. 12 October 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  23. ^ "Bharya Bharthalu (1961)". The Hindu. 28 April 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  24. ^ "Vizag's contribution to films". The Hindu. 27 January 2007. Archived from the original on 11 January 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  25. ^ "Paduka Pattabhishekam (1966) Telugu Movie: Watch Full HD Movie Online On JioCinema". www.jiocinema.com. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  26. ^ "Uttama Illalu (1974)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  27. ^ "Zamindaru gari Ammayi (1975)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  28. ^ "Padi Pantalu (1976)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  29. ^ "Alludochadu (1976)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  30. ^ "Patnavasam (1978)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  31. ^ "Bebbuli (1980)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  32. ^ "Bangaru Bhoomi (1982)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  33. ^ "VEER EKLAVYA (1986)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 2 February 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  34. ^ "Movie review – Fools by Gudipoodi Srihari". Idlebrain.com. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  35. ^ "Pranitha Subhash to play yesteryear heroine Krishnakumari in NTR biopic". The Times of India. 22 December 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
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