Travancore sisters

Trio of Indian actresses, dancers, and performers

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From right to left: Padmini, Ragini and Lalitha

The Travancore sisters refers to the trio of Lalitha, Padmini and Ragini. They were actresses and dancers who performed in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Kannada films.[1][2]

The Travancore sisters grew up in a joint Nair family tharavadu Malaya Cottage in Poojappura, Travancore.[3] They were nieces of the famous beauty Narayani Pillai Kunjamma, who spurned the king of Travancore in favour of marrying the aristocratic landowner Kesava Pillai of Kandamath and through her they were related to the actress Sukumari's mother Sathyabhama Amma and the Travancore Royal Family through their cousin Ambika.[4] They learned dancing under the noted Indian dancer Guru Gopinath and guru T. K. Mahalingam Pillai.[5] Uday Shankar called the sisters to Chennai (then Madras) to act in a film based on dance which he was planning to make.

The matriarchal head of the family was Karthyayini Amma, wife of Palakunnathu Krishna Pillai of Cherthala alias 'Penang Padmanabha Pillai'or P K Pillai, who had six sons of whom Satyapalan Nair was a leading producer of many early Malayalam films. Another son, Raveendran Nair's daughter Latika Suresh, is a leading producer of Malayalam TV programs. They performed at the 1955 Filmfare Awards.[6]

Ragini died from cancer in 1976, Lalitha in 1982, and Padmini died in 2006. Few documents relating to them have survived, except for dozens of films and articles in Indian newspapers.

## Filmography

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Dance and musical drama performances in films.

Year | Film | Language | Song | Singer | Music | Notes

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1947 | Kannika | Tamil | Dance Drama of Lord Siva and Mohini | Background Music | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu | Lalitha & Padmini
1948 | Adhithan Kanavu | Tamil |  |  | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha & Padmini
1948 | Bhaktha Jana | Tamil |  |  | Reema, Narayanan & BNR | Lalitha & Padmini
1948 | Bhojan | Tamil |  |  | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha & Padmini
1948 | Gnana Soundari | Tamil | Dance | Background Music | S. V. Venkatraman | Lalitha & Padmini
1948 | Gokuladasi | Tamil |  |  | S. V. Venkatraman & C. N. Pandurangan | Lalitha & Padmini
1948 | Mohini | Tamil | Aahaa Ivar Yaaradi | K. V. Janaki & P. Leela | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini
1948 | Vedhala Ulagam | Tamil | Vaasam Ulla Poo Parippene | T. S. Bagavathi & M. S. Rajeswari | R. Sudarsanam | Lalitha & Padmini
Dance | Background Music | Lalitha & Padmini
Ezhil Annam Vadivaagi Eduthheginen | P. A. Periyanayaki | Lalitha & Padmini
Saantham Kolvaai En Sagodhariye | P. A. Periyanayaki | Padmini
1949 | Deva Manohari | Tamil |  |  | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha & Padmini
1949 | Kanniyin Kaadhali | Tamil |  |  | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini
1949 | Laila Majnu | Telugu | Amdala Chinna Daana | P. Leela & Jikki | C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini
Eenaati Maa Paataa | P. Leela & Jikki | Lalitha & Padmini
1949 | Laila Majnu | Tamil | Kuliridhe Suvai Madhu | P. Leela & Jikki | C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini
Kannaadi Kanni Neeye | P. Leela & Jikki | Lalitha & Padmini
1949 | Mangayarkarasi | Tamil | Dance | Background Music | G. Ramanathan, C. R. Subburaman
& Kunnakudi Venkatarama Iyer | Lalitha & Padmini
1949 | Naattiya Rani | Tamil |  | Papanasam Sivan |  | Lalitha & Padmini
1949 | Pavalakkodi | Tamil | Konjum Kiliye |  | C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini
1949 | Vazhkai | Tamil | Uzhuthundu Vaazhvaar.... Paadupattaale Palan Koodum | T. S. Bagavathi & M. S. Rajeswari | R. Sudarsanam | Lalitha & Padmini
1949 | Velaikaari | Tamil | Oridam Thanile Inaiyilla Ulaginile | P. Leela & K. V. Janaki | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini
1949 | Vinothini | Tamil |  |  | Srinivasa Iyengar | Lalitha & Padmini
1950 | Digambara Samiyar | Tamil | Kaakka Vendum Kadavule Nee | A. G. Rathnamala & U. R. Chandra | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & G. Ramanathan | Lalitha & Padmini
1950 | Ithaya Geetham | Tamil | Juma Juma Jum Jum | P. A. Periyanayaki & P. Leela | S. V. Venkatraman | Lalitha & Padmini
1950 | Jeevitham | Telugu | Bhoomi Dunnaloy Mana Desam | T. S. Bagavathi & M. S. Rajeswari | R. Sudarsanam | Lalitha & Padmini
1950 | Krishna Vijayam | Tamil | Ennadi Aniyaayam Idhu | T. V. Rathnam & P. Leela | C. S. Jayaraman & S. M. Subbaiah Naidu | Lalitha & Padmini
1950 | Manthiri Kumari | Tamil | O Raja O Rani Indha Ezhaiyeliya | P. Leela, N. Lalitha and U. R. Chandra | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha, Padmini & Ragini
1950 | Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi | Tamil | Veerathaayai Panivom | P. Leela | M. S. Gnanmani | Lalitha & Padmini
1950 | Parijatham | Tamil | Manamagizh Vasandha Kaalamidhe | Jikki & K. V. Janaki | S. V. Venkatraman & C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini
1950 | Ponmudi | Tamil | Vaanam Kumurudhamma | K. V. Janaki & N. Lalitha | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha & Padmini
1950 | Vijayakumari | Tamil |  |  | C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini
1951 | Devaki | Tamil | Tea Tea Soodaana Tea | Jikki, A. G. Rathnamala & U. R. Chandra | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha, Padmini & Ragini
1951 | Or Iravu | Tamil | Arumbu Pol Meesai.... Paartthu Paartthu Kanngal Rendum | M. S. Rajeswari, T. S. Bagavathi & V. J. Varma | R. Sudarsanam | Lalitha & Padmini with A. Nageswara Rao
1951 | Singari | Tamil | Pasum Paalu Virkkum | P. A. Periyanayaki & P. Leela | S. V. Venkatraman, T. R. Ramanathan
& T. A. Kalyanam | Lalitha & Padmini
1951 | Sudharshan | Tamil | Unnai Kandu Mayamngaadha Pergal Undo | P. A. Periyanayaki | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha
Ulagame Sandhai Koottamada.... Paaril Sandhai Koottam | P. A. Periyanayaki | Lalitha
1951 | Vanasundari | Tamil | Deeyo Deeyo Deeyaalo | P. A. Periyanayaki, P. Leela & K. V. Janaki | S. V. Venkatraman & C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha, Padmini & Ragini
Pennin Inbam Naadida Vaareer | P. A. Periyanayaki & K. V. Janaki | Lalitha & Padmini
Inbamaaga Paaduvom Anbin Kaadhal Vaazhave | P. A. Periyanayaki & K. V. Janaki | Lalitha & Padmini
1952 | Amarakavi | Tamil | Mookkutthi Minnal Kannile | N. L. Ganasaraswathi & P. Leela | G. Ramanathan & T. A. Kalyanam | Lalitha & Padmini
Mullaich Chirippile | N. L. Ganasaraswathi & P. Leela | Lalitha & Padmini
1952 | Andhaman Kaidhi | Tamil | College Padippukku Goodbye Nam Kaadhal Vaazhvukkini Welcome | T. V. Rathnam & A. P. Komala | G. Govindarajulu Naidu | Lalitha & Padmini
1952 | Dharma Devatha | Telugu | Lambadi Lambadi | K. Rani | C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha
Pataku Pallavi | K. Rani | Lalitha
| K. Rani | Lalitha
1952 | Dharma Devadhai | Tamil | Lambadi Lambadi | K. Rani | C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha
Aananda Leelai Tharum | K. Rani | Lalitha
Paaduven Paarungko | K. Rani | Lalitha
1953 | Anbu | Tamil | Vendhazhalaai Erikkum Venmadhiye | A. P. Komala & N. L. Ganasaraswathi | T. R. Pappa | Lalitha & Padmini
1953 | Marumagal | Tamil | Aanukkoru Penn Pillai | P. A. Periyanayaki, A. G. Rathnamala & A. P. Komala | G. Ramanathan, C. R. Subburaman
& Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | Padmini & Ragini with T. D. Kusalakumari
1953 | Ponni | Tamil | Aaduvome Oonjal Aaduvome | A. P. Komala, P. A. Periyanayaki,
Jayalakshmi & C. B. Radha | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu | Lalitha, Padmini & Ragini with Ambika
1956 | Amara Deepam | Tamil | Jalilo Jimkana | Jikki | G. Ramanathan & T. Chalapathi Rao | Padmini with E. V. Saroja
Ellorum Koodi Aadi Paadi | Jikki | Padmini
Pachchai Kilipaadudhu | Jikki | Padmini
1956 | Charana Daasi | Telugu | Yekkadunnadi Dharmamekkadunnadi | K. Rani & Jikki | S. Rajeswara Rao | Ragini with Ambika
1956 | Madurai Veeran | Tamil | Summa Kidanthaa Sotthukku Nashtam | Jikki & P. Leela | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha & Ragini
1956 | Sahasa Veerudu | Telugu | Somarulaithe Thindiki Nashtam | P. Susheela & Jikki | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha & Ragini
1956 | Mathar Kula Manickam | Tamil | Denjaru Aiyaa Denjaru | T. V. Rathnam & G. Kasthoori | S. Rajeswara Rao | Ragini with Rita
1957 | Baagyavathi | Tamil | Paruvam Malarndhu Asaindhu Aadum | Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi | S. Dakshinamurthy | Ragini
1957 | Chakravarthi Thirumagal | Tamil | Kannaalane Vaarunga | Jikki | G. Ramanathan | Ragini
1957 | Karpukkarasi | Tamil | Illaadha Adhisayamaai Irukkudhudhadi | A. P. Komala & K. Jamuna Rani | G. Ramanathan | Ragini with Rita
1957 | Mallika | Tamil | Neela Vanna Kannane Unadhu | P. Susheela | T. R. Pappa | Padmini
Mangaamal Valarum Singaara Nadanam | P. Susheela | Padmini
1957 | Manamagan Thevai | Tamil | Kaadhal Kalyaaname Seidha Paappaa | P. Leela | G. Ramanathan | Ragini
1957 | Pardesi | Hindi | Na Dir Dhin Tana Dere Na | Lata Mangeshkar | Anil Biswas | Padmini
1957 | Payal | Hindi | Jaa Re Saanwale Salone | Lata Mangeshkar | Hemanta Mukherjee | Padmini
Jhuki Jhuki Ankhiya | Lata Mangeshkar | Padmini
1957 | Raja Rajan | Tamil | Aadum Azhage Azhagu | Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi & P. Leela | K. V. Mahadevan | Lalitha & Padmini
1956 | Amar Deep | Tamil | Jali Lo Dim Tana | Asha Bhosle | C. Ramchandra | Padmini & Ragini
Lagi Apni Najariya Katar Ban Ke | Asha Bhosle | Padmini
Mere Man Ka Bawra Panchhi | Lata Mangeshkar | Padmini
1958 | Mangalya Bhagyam | Tamil | Imaya Malaiyai Idadhu Kaiyaal | K. Jamuna Rani & A. G. Rathnamala | G. Ramanathan | Padmini
1958 | Manamalai | Tamil | Nadanam Aadinaar | P.Leela & Radha Jayalakshmi | Vedha | Ragini with Sukumari
1958 | Neelavukku Neranja Manasu | Tamil | Kannaikkavarum Baradhakalai | Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi | K. V. Mahadevan | Ragini
Otrumaiye Namakku Uyirnaadi | Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi & Jikki | Ragini with M. N. Rajam
1958 | Ragini | Hindi | Main Bangaali Chhokraa | Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar | O. P. Nayyar | Padmini with Kishore Kumar
1958 | Raj Tilak | Hindi | Aaja To Aaja | Asha Bhosle & Sudha Malhotra | C. Ramchandra | Padmini with Vyjayanthimala
1958 | Uthama Puthiran | Tamil | Kaatthiruppaan Kamala Kannan | P. Leela | G. Ramanathan | Padmini & Ragini
Kondaattam Manasukkulle Kondaattam | P. Leela | Padmini & Ragini
1958 | Vanjikottai Valiban | Tamil | Kannum Kannum Kalanthu | P. Leela & Jikki | C. Ramchandra | Padmini with Vyjayanthimala
1958 | Vijayakota Veerudu | Telugu | Kannu Kannu Kalipi | P. Leela & Jikki | C. Ramchandra | Padmini with Vyjayanthimala
1959 | Nalla Theerpu | Tamil | Azhagaana Maaran | P. Leela | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu | Ragini
1959 | Ponnu Vilaiyum Boomi | Tamil | Aangila Naagareegam Nalladhu | P. Susheela & K. Jamuna Rani | K. H. Reddy | Ragini with Sukumari
1959 | Veerapandiya Kattabomman | Tamil | Anjatha Singam En Kaalai | P. Susheela | G. Ramanathan | Padmini
Takku Takku Takkunu | P. Susheela, A. P. Komala & S. Varalakshmi | Padmini & Ragini
1959 | Veerapandya Kattabrahmana | Telugu | Andala Basavanna | S. Janaki | G. Ramanathan | Padmini
Takku Takku Bada Bada | S. Janaki, A. P. Komala & S. Varalakshmi | Padmini & Ragini
1960 | Amar Shaheed | Hindi | Alhad Jawan Mera Jaage | Lata Mangeshkar | Jamal Sen | Padmini
1960 | Kalpana | Hindi | Tu Hai Mera Prem Devta | Mohammed Rafi & Manna Dey | O. P. Nayyar | Padmini & Ragini
1960 | Mannadhi Mannan | Tamil | Kanniyar Perumai | P. Leela | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | Ragini
1960 | Raja Desingu | Tamil | Pazhanimalai | P. Leela | G. Ramanathan | Ragini
Paarkadal Alaimele | M. L. Vasanthakumari | Padmini
1961 | Punar Jenmam | Tamil | Manam Aadudhu Paadudhu | S. Janaki & Jikki | T. Chalapathi Rao | Padmini & Ragini
1961 | Sabarimala Ayyappan | Malayalam | Minnal Ente Kannu | P. Leela | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu | Padmini
1961 | Sabarimalai Sri Ayyapan | Tamil | Minnal Endhan Kannu | P. Leela | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu | Padmini
1962 | Kavitha | Tamil | Kannukkulle Onnirukku | K. Jamuna Rani & T. M. Soundararajan | K. V. Mahadevan | Ragini with Harban Lal
1962 | Raani Samyuktha | Tamil | Mullaimalar Kaadu Engal Mananvan Ponnaadu | A. P. Komala | K. V. Mahadevan | Ragini
1962 | Vikramaadhithan | Tamil | Nilaiyaana Kalai Vaahgave | P. Leela & T. V. Rathnam | S. Rajeswara Rao | Padmini & Ragini
1967 | Thiruvarutchelvar | Tamil | Mannavan Vandhaanadi | P. Susheela | K. V. Mahadevan | Padmini
1968 | Thirumal Perumai | Tamil | Karaiyeri Meen Vilaiyaadum | P. Susheela & Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi | K. V. Mahadevan | Padmini with Rajasulochana
1968 | Thillana Mohanambal | Tamil | Maraindhirundhu Paarkkum | P. Susheela | K. V. Mahadevan | Padmini
Nalandhaanaa Nalandhaanaa | P. Susheela
Tillana | Nadhaswaram Instrumental

## References

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1. ^ Gulzar; Nihalani, Govind; Chatterjee, Saibal (2008). Encyclopaedia of Hindi cinema. Encyclopædia Britannica (India) Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 9788179910665.
2. ^ "Malaya Cottage was their grooming ground : The Travancore Sisters, Lalitha, Padmini and Ragini, were the pride of Malaya Cottage". The Hindu. 30 September 2006. Archived from the original on 16 June 2010.
3. ^ "When the stars shone in Malaya Cottage". The Hindu. 30 September 2006. Archived from the original on 29 October 2010.
4. ^ Kerala Council for Historical research Family History Papers see under Tharishuthala by K. K. N "keralahistory.ac.in". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
5. ^ "Life dedicated to dance". The Hindu. 3 January 2003. Archived from the original on 6 December 2003.
6. ^ "From year to eternity". Filmfare Print Edition. April 2002. Archived from the original on 2 January 2004. Retrieved 3 August 2010.