Dr. Banumathi Ramakrishna (September 7, 1925 – December 24, 2005) was a noted Indian film actress, director, music director, singer, and songwriter.^[1]. She was born in Doddavaram village of Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh. She was married to Sri P.S.Ramakrishna Rao, a film producer, director and editor of Telugu and Tamil Films on 8th August 1943. The couple had one son and later launched a Production company "Bharani Pictures" named after him. September 7 is the 250th day of the year (251st in leap years). ... 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... December 24 is the 358th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (359th in leap years). ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... General Doddavaram Village is located in Prakasam District of Andhra Pradesh. ... Map showing Prakasam district Prakasam District is an administrative district in the state of Andhra Pradesh,India. ... Andhra Pradesh : (Telugu: ఆంధ్ర ప్రదేశ్, Urdu: آندھرا پردیش, Hindi: आंध्र प्रदेश; Ä€ndhra Prādesh), is a state in South India but is also debated as Central India as well. ...

Film Career

She entered the film industry at the age of 13 in 1938, and acted in over 200 films in Telugu and Tamil. She made her debut in Telugu cinema in 1939 in Varavikrayam (Telugu), directed by P Pulliah. In 1953, she made her directorial debut with 'Chandi Rani' (made simultaneously in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi).Her last film was made in 2000, entitled Pelli kanuka. Telugu may refer to: TELUGU PORTAL Telugu language Telugu script Telugu people This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ... Tamil (தமிழ் ) is a classical language and one of the major languages of the Dravidian language family. ...

Apart from being an exceptional actress, she was also a very talented musician. Her father Mr. Bommaraju Venkatasubbiah was a staunch lover of classical music and gave her early training in music. She was adept in both Carnatic and Hindustani music. She gave voice to her songs long after it became the norm to use playback singers for actors. Some of her songs are still popular like "Pilichina biguvatara" ,"kila kila navvula","preme nerama". She also provided music to a lot of her films.

During her later years she served on varioud movie related organizations. She was a Member of State Film Awards Committee for two years. She was also a Visiting Professor to the Film Institute for one year. She was Member of Children Film Society for 5 years, from 1965 to 1970.

Literary Career

Bhanumati 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". She was a Member of Lalith Kala Academy for 5 years, and Sahitya Academy, Andhra Pradesh for 10 years. She served as Director and Principal of the Tamil Nadu Government Music College, Chennai, for three years. She also was an accomplished Asthavadhani

Philanthropy

She was also an eminent social worker who was closely associated with a number of Social Service Organizations and was member in Redcross for 40 years. She was the founder member and treasurer of Madras branch of "Altrusa International Inc.", Chicago for life long starting from 1963. She was a life time 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.

Accolades and Recognition

Bhanumati was awarded the Padmabhushan, one of the highest civilian recognitions by the Government of India. She won the best actress awards multiple times. She also won the Best Director award at the state level. For a full listing of all the awards conferred on her, please refer to the Awards section.

Awards

National Award Winner as Best Actress,"Anthastulu" (Telugu), 1965

National Award Winner as Best Actress,"Palnati Yuddham" (Telugu), 1966

National Award Winner as Best Actress,"Annai" (Tamil)

Padma Shri 1969

Honorary Doctorate, Andhra University, 1975

‘Kalai maamani’ (connoisseur of arts), Tamilnadu state award, 1983

Honorary Doctorate, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupathi, 1984

Raghupathi Venkiah Memorial Award, Andhra Pradesh state award, 1986

Best Lady Director, Andhra Pradesh state award, 1986

NTR award in 2001

Padmabhushan 2003

Filmography

• Pelli Kanuka (1998) as Savithramma
• Chamanthi (1992)
• Peddarikam (1992) as Adusumilli Basavapunnamma
• Samrat Ashok (1992)
• Bamma Maata Bangaru Baata (1990)
• Attagaru Swagatham (1988)
• Muddula Manavaraalu (1986)
• Mangamma Gari Manavadu (1984) as Mangamma
• Manavadi Kosam (1977)
• Ammayi Pelli (1974)
• Tatamma Kala (1974)
• Vichitra Vivaham (1973)
• Anta Mana Manchike (1972)
• Mattilo Manikyam (1971)
• Grihalakshmi (1967)
• Palnati Yudham (1966) as Nagamma
• Antastulu (1965)
• Todu Needa (1965)
• Bobbili Yudham (1964) as Mallamma
• Vivaha Bandham (1964) as Bharati
• Penchina Prema (1963)
• Batasari (1961)
• Ambikapathy (1957) as Princess Amaravati
• Nala Damayanti (1957) as Damayanthi
• Sarangadhara (1957) as Chitrangi Devi
• Varudu Kavali (1957)
• Tenali Ramakrishna (1956) as Rangasaani
• Chintamani (1956) as Chintamani
• Madurai Veeran (1956) as Princess Bommi
• Rangoon Radha (1956) as Rangam
• Tenali Raman (1956/I) as Rangasaani
• Alibabhavum Narpathu Thirudargalum (1955) as Marjina
• Kalvanin Kadhali (1955) as Kalyani
• Vipranarayana (1954) as Devadevi
• Aggi Ramudu (1954)
• Chakrapani (1954) as Granddaughter
• Malaikallan (1954) as Poonkothai
• .Chandirani (1953/I) as Chandirani
• Chandirani (1953/II)
• Prema (1952) as Mothi
• Malliswari (1951) as Malliswari
• Mangala (1951) as Mangala
• Maya Rambha (1950)
• Apoorva Sahodaralu (1950) as Ranjana
• Laila Majnu (1949/I) as Laila
• Raksharekha (1949) as Princess Kalavathi
• Nallathambi (1949) as Pushpa
• Ratnamala (1947) as Ratnamala
• Grihapravesham (1946) as Janaki
• Swargaseema (1945) as Subbi/Sujatha Devi
• Tahsildar (1944) as Kamala
• Garuda Garvabhangam (1943)
• Krishna Prema (1943) as Chandravali
• Bhaktimala (1941) as Radha
• Dharmapatni (1941/I)
• Dharmapatni (1941/II)
• Malathi Madhavam (1940)
• Vara Vikrayam (1939) as Kalindi

References

1. ↑ Banumathi. Binarywaves. Retrieved on 2005-12-28.
2. IMDB
3. IdleBrain.com
4. A brief biography

2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 28 is the 362nd day of the year (363rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 3 days remaining. ...

External links

• Obituary
• Songs