Jayanthi

Kamala Kumari (6 January 1945 – 26 July 2021), known by her stage name Jayanthi, was an Indian actress known for her work in Kannada cinema and Telugu cinema. She was noted for her contributions to different genres of films from the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s. She had appeared in over 500 films in various languages, including Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi and Marathi.

Jayanthi has been recipient of seven Karnataka State Film Awards, four times as Best Actress and twice as Best Supporting Actress, the President's Medal for Best Actress and two Filmfare Awards for Best Actress. She has been cited as Kannada cinema's "most bold and beautiful" actress by various media outlets, a title for which she has received substantial publicity. The Kannada film industry honored her with the title "Abhinaya Sharadhe", (Goddess Sharada in acting).

Early life Jayanthi was born in Bellary, in the erstwhile Madras Presidency of British India on 6 January 1945. Her father Balasubramanyam worked as English professor at the St Joseph's College in Bangalore. Her mother was Santhanalakshmi. Jayanthi was the eldest of three siblings and had two younger brothers. Her parents separated when she was young and her mother took the children and moved to Madras. Jayanthi's mother was keen on making her daughter a classical dancer and hence she joined a dance school. Her friend in dance school was the popular Tamil actress Manorama.

Career

Initial struggle As a child, Jayanthi went to the studios to see her idol N. T. Rama Rao. He called her and made her sit on his lap. Affectionately, he had asked her whether she would agree to become his heroine and the little girl had merely blushed. The pair would go on later in life to produce successful films such as Jagadeka Veeruni Katha, Kula Gowravam, Kondaveeti Simham and Justice Chowdhury. During her teens, she had the chance to act in a few Tamil and Telugu movies in bit parts. Jayanthi was ridiculed most of the time as she was plump and could never dance well. Jayanthi promised herself that one day she would prove her worth.

Jayanthi's life changed when noted film director Y. R. Swamy spotted her during one of her dance rehearsals and cast her in his film Jenu Goodu after persuading her mother. Jayanthi enjoyed a good run in the Kannada Film industry. She has costarred in more than 40 movies with Rajkumar, the doyen of Kannada cinema.

Rise to fame Jenu Goodu, Jayanthi's first Kannada film was commercial success. Her next Kannada film as heroine was T. V. Singh Thakur's Chandavalliya Thota, the first film that paired her with Rajkumar. Based on T. R. Subba Rao's novel the film was a huge success and even won the President's Medal for Best Film in Kannada. The next major film that Jayanthi starred in was the 1965 Miss Leelavathi directed by M. R. Vittal in which she played the title role. Considered a film with a bold theme at the time, Jayanthi was launched as the glamour-diva wearing skirts, T-shirts and nighties which was a first for a Kannada film. The film was a huge success and catapulted Jayanthi to fame. She is credited with being the first Kannada actress to wear swimsuit on screen. She went on to act in over 30 films with Rajkumar.

Jayanthi featured in Tamil films from 1962 to 1979 and acted with all major stars as the leading lady. She costarred with M. G. Ramachandran in Padagotti and Mugaraasi, with Gemini Ganesan in Kanna Nalama, Velli Vizha, Punnagai, Ganga Gowri and Iru Kodugal, with Jaishankar in Nil Gavani Kadhali and Kaadhal Paduthum Paadu and Ethir Neechal with Nagesh. She was director K. Balachander's regular actress and they went on to work in films such as Iru Kodugal, Bama Vijayam, Ethir Neechal, Punnagai, Velli Vizha and Kanna Nalama. She acted with Jayalalithaa and Manorama in Mugaraasi. The song Aadhi Naadan Ketkindraan picturised on her sung by TMS-Janaki was very popular.

During the late 1970s and the 1980s Jayanthi starred in many Kannada movies that required a slightly mature actress, often paired with Srinivasa Murthy and Prabhakar.

Other works In 2009, she gave her voice to an HIV/AIDS education animated software tutorial created by the nonprofit organization TeachAids.

Political stint

In 1998, Jayanthi contested the Lok Sabha election from Chikkaballapur, securing over 3 lakh votes despite her defeat. In 1999, She subsequently contested the Koratagere Assembly constituency and the 2004 Lok Sabha election, but was unsuccessful in both. Following three consecutive electoral defeats, she withdrew from active politics.

Death Jayanthi died on 26 July 2021 at the age of 76, due to age related ailments at her residence in Bengaluru.

Awards Padmabhushan Dr. B. Sarojadevi National Award, 2017

Karnataka State Film Awards 1973–74: Best Actress — Edakallu Guddada Mele 1976–77: Best Actress — Manassinanthe Mangalya (Credited as 'Kamalakumari') (1960) as Sundaravalli Bharya Bhartalu (1961) Jagadeka Veeruni Katha (1961) Swarna Manjari (1962) Madana Kamaraju Katha (1962) as Mandharavalli Gaali Medalu (1962) Vishnu Maya (1963) Doctor Chakravarty (1964) Thotalo Pilla Kotalo Rani (1964) as Raagavathi Bobbili Yuddham (1964) Aggi Pidugu (1964) Dorikithe Dongalu (1965) Sumangali (1965) Paduka Pattabhishekam (1966) as Urmila Rahasyam (1967) Bhakta Prahlada (1967) Bandipotu Dongalu (1968) Devudichchina Bharta (1968) Veeranjaneya (1968) as Satyabhama Bhale Kodallu (1968) Badi Panthulu (1972) Collector Janaki (1972) Kula Gowravam (1972) Mayadari Malligadu (1973) as Pankajam Sarada (1973) Samsaram Sagaram (1973) Gandhi Puttina Desam (1973) Bangaru Babu (1973) Devadasu (1974) Amma Manasu (1974) Devudu Chesina Pelli (1974) Mangalya bhagyam (1974) as Vasanthi Challani Thalli (1975) Bhagasthulu (1975) as Lakshmi Ramayya Thandri (1975) Chinninati Kalalu (1975) Andaroo Manchivare (1975) Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham (1975) Aadavalu Apanindhalu (1976) Bommarillu (1978) Kumara Raja (1978) Bottu Kaatuka (1979) Kamalamma Kamatam (1979) Anthuleni Vintha Katha (1979) as Savithri Talli Badhyatha (1980) Kondaveeti Simham (1981) Parvati Parameshwarulu (1981) Agni Poolu (1981) Justice Chowdary (1982) Rakta Sambandham (1984) Santhi Nivasam (1986) Kutra (1986) as Vyjayanthi Dhairyavanthudu (1986) Kaliyuga Pandavulu (1986) Donga Mogudu (1987) Dongodochadu (1987) as Lakshmi Devi Allari Krishnaiah (1987) Maavoori Magaadu (1987) Aakhari Poratam (1988) Kodama Simham (1990) Muddula Menalludu (1990) Raja Vikramarka (1990) Talli Tandrulu (1991) Vidhata (1991) as Sarada Swati Kiranam (1992) Gharana Bullodu (1995) Mayabazaar (1995) Pedarayudu (1995) Vamshanikokkadu (1996) Nalla Pussalu (1996) Ramudochadu (1996) Rowdy Durbar (1997) Priyamaina Srivaru (1997) Kante Koothurne Kanu (1998) Bala Veerulu (1999) Raghavayya Gari Abbayi (2000) Girl Friend (2002) Neeke Manasichaanu (2003) as Janaki 786 Khaidi Premakatha (2005)

Tamil films This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Yanai Paagan (1960) Mangaiyar Ullam Mangatha Selvam (1962) Ninaipadharku Neramillai (1963) Iruvar Ullam (1963) Manthiri Kumaran (1963) Annai Illam (1963) Padagotti (1964) Vazhi Piranthadu (1964) Karnan (1964) Kalai Kovil (1964) Veeraadhi Veeran (1964) Neerkumizhi (1965) Mugaraasi (1966) as Malliga Karthigai Deepam (1965) Kathal Paduthum Padu (1966) as Maya Bama Vijayam (1967) Bhakta Prahlada (1967) Ethir Neechal (1968) Iru Kodugal (1969) Nil Gavani Kadhali (1969) Punnagai (1971) Nootrukku Nooru (1971) Pudhiya Vazhkai (1971) Kanna Nalama (1972) Velli Vizha (1972) Ganga Gowri (1973) Pennai Nambungal (1973) Manipayal (1973) Nalla Mudivu (1973) Shanmugapriya (1973) Ellorum Nallavare (1975) Kula Gauravam (1976) Devadhai (1979) Komberi Mookan (1984) Mappillai Sir (1988) Naanum Indha Ooruthan (1990) Palaivana Paravaigal (1990) Sir I Love You (1991) Rajadhi Raja Raja Kulothunga Raja Marthanda Raja Gambeera Kathavaraya Krishna Kamarajan (1993) Veettaippaaru Nattaippaaru (1994) Maindhan (1994) Gopala Gopala (1996) Sengottai (1996) Pudhalvan (1997) House Full (1999) Annai Kaligambal (2003)

Malayalam films Palattu Koman (1962) Kattupookkal (1965) Kaliyodam (1965) Lakshaprabhu (1968) Karutha Pournami (1968) Vilakkappetta Kani (1974) Oridathoru Phayalvaan (1981)

Hindi films Lal Bangla (1966) Teen Bahuraniyan (1968) Tumse Achha Kaun Hai (1969) Goonda (1970) Ek Gaon Ki Kahani (1975)

English shows Brown Nation (2016)

TV serials Vasantham (2009–2010) as Mangalam (Tamil) Amrutha Varshini as Janaki Devi (Kannada) Onde Goodina Halligalu (Kannada)