Sharada

Thadiparthi Saraswati Devi (born 12 June 1945), better known by her stage name Sarada, is an Indian actress and politician. Though known for her work predominantly in Telugu and Malayalam cinema, she has also appeared in Tamil, Hindi and Kannada language films.

Sarada is a three-time recipient of the National Film Award for Best Actress for her roles in Thulabharam (1968), Swayamvaram (1972), and Nimajjanam (1977). She is also known as Urvasi Sarada – the National Film Award for Best Actress was officially designated the Urvasi Award. Sarada also won the NTR National Award by the Government of Andhra Pradesh for her contributions to Indian cinema. In 2024, she was honoured with the J. C. Daniel Award by the Government of Kerala, for her contributions to Malayalam cinema.

Early life Sarada was born on 12 June 1945 as Saraswati Devi in Tenali, Madras Presidency, British India (in present-day Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India). Her parents Venkateswar Rao and Satyavathi Devi were farmers. She has a brother, Mohan Rao. Sarada was sent to Madras in her childhood to live with her grandmother Kanakamma. Sarada describes her grandmother as a "strict disciplinarian" who in the later days "wouldn't even let the heroes touch her" and allowed "rehearsals only on Sundays". Sarada started to learn dance when she was six. She used to perform during Dasara and other temple festivals. Because of her mother's desire, she learnt dancing. Her mother wanted her to be a "big star in cine field". Though Sarada's father was not too interested in the idea, he did not stop her.

Sarada married Telugu actor Chalam, and the couple later divorced. Currently, Sarada resides with her brother's family in Chennai.

Awards

National Film Awards 1968 - National Film Award for Best Actress : Thulabharam (Malayalam) 1972 - National Film Award for Best Actress : Swayamvaram (Malayalam) 1977 - National Film Award for Best Actress : Nimajjanam (Telugu)

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards 2013 - Kalaimamani for contributions to Tamil cinema

Kerala State Film Awards 1970 - Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress – Thriveni & Thara 2024 - J. C. Daniel Award for outstanding contributions to Malayalam cinema 1996 – Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award - South

Nandi Awards 1984 - Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actress - Bobbili Brahmanna 2010 - NTR National Award for Lifetime Achievement

Other awards 1970 - Bengal Film Journalists' Association (BFJA) Award for Best Actress in Hindi – Samaj Ko Badal Dalo 2017 - Prem Nazir Award 1999 - Honorary doctorate from Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University 2020 - Vanitha Film Awards - Lifetime Achievement Award

Notable filmography

Telugu Year Film Character Remarks 1955 Kanyasulkam Minor role Debut film 1961 Iddaru Mitrulu Meena Tandrulu Kodukulu 1962 Atma Bandhuvu 1963 Valmiki Thobuttuvulu Rukmini 1964 Dagudu Moothalu Mairavana Murali Krishna Srilatha 1965 Chaduvukonna Bharya 1966 Shrimati Bhakta Potana 1968 Mana Samsaram 1969 Sri Rama Katha Sita and Mahalakshmi Manushulu Marali 1970 Sambarala Rambabu Pasidi Manasulu Sisindri Chittibabu 1971 Chelleli Kapuram Jeevitha Chakram Kamala Sati Ansuya Pagabattina Paduchu Amayakuralu 1972 Kalam Marindi Manavudu Danavudu 1973 Devudu Chesina Manushulu Sarada Insane Woman Vishali Mayadari Malligadu Mallamma Katha Ida Lokam Abhimanavanthulu 1974 Urvasi Radhamma Pelli Premalu Pellilu Palle Paduchu Harathi Devudu Chesina Pelli TulabharamRadha/Roja Adambaralu Anubhandalu 1975 Balipeetam Aruna Zamindarugari Ammayi Parvathi Vykunthapalli Saubhagyavati Bharati 1976 Suprabhatam Mahatmudu Nimajjanam Brahmin housewife National Film Award for Best Actress Nominated - Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu 1977 Daana Veera Soora Karna Draupadi Swarganiki Nitchenalu Bhale Alludu 1978Indra Dhanussu Shanti and LathaDouble Role Navodayam Shivamettina Satyam 1979 Gorintaku Karthika Deepam Priya Bandhavi Captain Krishna 1980 Sardar Papa Rayudu Seeta Sannayi Appanna Ramudu Parashuramudu Rajadhi Raju Mangala Gauri Sivamethina Satyam Radha Kodallu Vasthunaru Jagratha Janaki Kaliyuga Ravana Surudu Alludu Pattina Bharatham Alayam 1981 Nyayam Kavali Lawyer Shakuntala O Amma Katha Prema Natakam Sarada Alludugaru Zindabad 1982 Nipputho Chelagatam Mrs. Ganga Kumar Justice Chowdary RadhaPrathikaramLakshmi Jagannatha Rathachakralu 1983 Swarajyam Raghu Ramudu Poratam Kumkuma Tilakam Kaliyuga Daivam Kala Yamudu Durga Devi Chanda Sasanudu Bhuvaneswari Devi Bandhipottu Rudramma Bahudoorapu Batasari Aalaya Sikharam 1984 Bobbili Brahmanna Savitri wife of Brahmanna Ugra Roopam Rowdy Shantha Raaraju Marchandi Mana Chattalu Katha Nayakudu Janani Janmabhoomi Kachyayani Iddaru Dongalu Sardar Bharati Chadarangam Swathi Saraswathi Bharyamani Bharatamlo Sankharavam 1985 Adavi Donga Vasundhara Vijetha Saraswathi Pattabhishekham Palnati Simham Nagamani Devi Maha Sangramam Intiko Rudramma Illaliko Pariksha Devalayam Bhale Tammudu Bebbuli Veta Agni Parvatam Janaki Raktha Sindhuram 1986 Anasuyamma Gari Alludu Anasuyamma Apoorva Sahodarulu Prathidwani Deshoddharakudu Dharma Peetam Daddarillindi Krishna Garadi Jailu Pakshi Mister Bharath Khaidi Rudrayya Kondaveeti Raja Muddula Krishnayya Kaliyuga Krishnudu Ravana Brahma 1987 Sardar Krishnama Naidu Agni Putrudu Brahmaramba Collector Gari Abbai Laxmi Devi Bhargava Ramudu Kulala Kurukshetram Lawyer Bharti Devi Muddayi Presidentgari Abbayi Saradamba Ramu Gayatri Devi Ajeyudu Tulasi Repati Swarajyam Rotation Chakravarthi Samrat RajyalakshmiPrajaswamyam Rajeshwari Sankharavam 1988 Brahma Puthrudu Dharma Teja Donga Ramudu Illu Illalu Priyuralu Chattamtho Chadarangam Lalitha Maa Telugu Talli Prajaswayam Rakthabishekam Raktha Tilakam Nagamani Rowdy No.1 Agni Keratalu Rajeshwari Devi Samsaram Lakshmi 1989 Bhale Donga SP Indrani Dhruva Nakshatram Bharathi Devi Goonda Rajyam Manchi Kutumbam Savithri Parthudu Soubhagya Raktha Kanneeru Sarojini State Rowdy SP Laajmani M. Rao 1990 Kadapa Reddamma Nari Nari Naduma Murari Sesha Rathnam Adadhi Acchamamba Kondaveeti Donga Sambhavi Dr. Bhavani Lorry Driver Collector Lalitha Devi Aggiramudu Justice Janaki Devi Dagudumuthala Dampathyam Lalitha Prema Khaidi Jailor 1991 Amma Rajinama Amma (Mother) Nominated - Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu Coolie No.1 Jagannatakam Manikyamma Prayathnam Killer Malavika Nayakuralu 1992 Mother India Rajyalakshmi Pellante Noorella Panta Vasanthi 1993 Major Chandrakanth Savitri Mechanic Alludu Lakshmi Pelli Gola Evandi Aavida Vachindi Janaki 1994 Bobbili Simham Atha Kodallu President Gari Alludu Prabhavati Srivari Priyuralu 1995 Leader Kausalya 1996 Nayanamma 1998 Anthahpuram Narasimha's wife 2003 Tholi Choopulone 2005 Sankranthi Mother 2006 Stalin Stalin's mother 2007 Aata Narasimha's wife Yogi Shantamma 2013 Sukumarudu Vardanamma

Malayalam Year Title Role Notes 1965 Shakuntala Priyamvadha Kaliyodam Rani 1966 Inapraavugal Rahel Pareeksha Yamuna Kattuthulasi Lalitha Murappennu Bhagiradhi Rajamalli Rajamalli 1966 Thilothama Vimala Jail Valsala Pakalkkinavu Malathy Manikyakottaram Thankam Karuna Sharadha Kanmanikal Shantha Archana Malathi 1967 Kavalam Chundan Sarada Kasavuthattam Jameela Chithramela Sarassu Segment: "Apaswarangal" Iruttinte Athmavu Ammukutty Udhyogastha Vimala Thalirukal Omana Mulkireedam Jancy Arakkillam Geetha Pareeksha Yamuna 1968 Karthika Karthika Agni Pareeksha Hemalatha Kadal Mary Kaliyalla Kalyanam Saraswathy Karutha Pournami Kunjumol Manaswini Malathi Yakshi Ragini Hotel High Range Nalini Midumidukki Radha Punnapra Vayalar Malathi Aparadhini Meenu Asuravithu Meenakshi Thulabharam Vijaya National Film Award for Best Actress 1969 Nadi Stella Janmabhoomi Jaya Aalmaram Adimakal Ponnamma Jwala Kunjomana, Kunjammini double role Koottukudumbam Shyamala Vilakuranja Manushyan Devi Vilakkapetta Bendhangal Indhu Kattukurangu Minikutty Mooladhanam Sarada Sandhya Sandhya Soosi Susie Veettumrugam Radhika Velliyazhcha Radha 1970 Ammayenna Sthree Vijaya Thriveni Thankamma Stree Savithri Mindapennu Kunjulakshmi Kakkathamburatti Janamma Kuttavali Ponnamma Cross Belt Ammu Ambalapravu Adv. Indhulekha Pearl View Stella Thara Vasanthi/Thara 1971 Inqulab Zindabbad Aabhijathyam Malathy Panchavan Kaadu Minnukutty Vilakku Vangiya Veena Sarada Navavadhu Sreedevi 1972 Theerthayathra Savithri/Thaathrikkutty Anweshanam Valsala Brahmachari Sreedevi/Vasanthy Maaya Gomathi Gandharavakshetram Lakshmi Professor Lakshmi Swayamvaram Seeta National Film Award for Best Actress Sree Guruvayoorappan Snehadeepame Mizhi Thurakku Reena 1973 Veendum Prabhatham Lakshmi Udayam Geetha Jeevitham Enippadikal Thankamma Thekkan Kattu Shoshamma Bhadradeepam Rajani Divyadharsanam 1974 Oru Pidi Ari 1975 Raagam Priyamvada Thiruvonam Radhika Abhimaanam Indu 1976 Paalkkadal Sujatha Amrithavaahini Geetha Kanyaadaanam Chennai Valarthiya Kutty Chellamma 1977 Nurayum Pathayum Hridayame Sakshi Kamala Aparaajitha Amme Anupame Aaraadhana Sharadha Anjali Itha Ivide Vare Janu Vishukkani Rajani Randu Lokam Shanta Sreedevi Sreedevi Taxi Driver 1978 Mannu Paru Asthamayam Shanthi Ithaanente Vazhi Malathi Sundarimaarude Swapnangal Society Lady Rowdy Ramu Santhi Raghuvamsham Onappudava Manoradham Maattoly Malathi Anubhoothikalude Nimisham Thacholi Ambu Guest role 1979 Indradhanussu Ward No. 7 Pushyaraagam Saraswathi Pichathy Kuttappan Thankamma Ente Sneham Ninakku Mathram 1980 Akalangalil Abhayam Bharghavi aka Ammini Ivar Savithri/Margaret Swarga Devatha Adhikaram Vimala 1982 Elippathayam Rajamma Ponmudy Madhavi Anguram Malini 1983 Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback Geetha Anantham Ajnatham Nizhal Moodiya Nirangal Shoshamma 1987 Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam Saraswathi Teacher Filmfare Award for Best Actress 1994 Kashmeeram Justice Usha Varma 2002 Mazhathullikkilukkam Anna John 2005 Rappakal Saraswathiyamma 2011 Naayika Older Gracy 2012 Kalikaalam Devaki Teacher 2015 Ammakkoru Tharattu Sulakshana

Tamil Year Title Role Notes 1963 Kunkhumam Susila Debut in Tamil Thulasi Maadam 1964 Arunagirinathar Gnanavalli Vazhkai Vazhvadarke Chandra 1969 Thulabaram Vijaya 1972 Gnana Oli Mary 1974 Thayi Pirandhal Lakshmi 1975 Ninaithadhai Mudippavan Seetha 1976 Mazhai Megam Aruna / Suguna Ennai Pol Oruvan Laxmi 1977 Aval Thandha Uravu Chakravarthi Shanthi 1978 Pudhu Seruppu Kadikkum 1984 Sarithira Nayagan Varalakshmi 1986 Mr. Bharath Shanti 1998 Anthapuram Narasimha's wife

Hindi Year Title Role Notes 1970 Samaj Ko Badal Dalo Chhaya 1973 Agni Rekha Nirmala Thakur 1980 Pratishodh 1982 Sindoor Bane Jwala Main Intequam Loonga Mrs.Ganga Kumar 1984 Sardar 1996 Sabse Bada Mawali Malvika 2008 Yaar Meri Zindagi Radha Started in 1971

Kannada Year Title Role Notes 1963 Valmiki 1978 Maathu Tappada Maga Latha 1983Simha GharjaneSharada 1984 Thayi Mamathe Pralaya Rudra