T. R. Rajakumari

Thanjavur Radhakrishnan Rajayee (5 May 1922 – 20 September 1999), better known by her screen name T. R. Rajakumari, was an Indian actress, Carnatic singer and dancer. She has been called the first "dream girl" of Tamil cinema.

Film career Rajayee made her film debut in Kumara Kulothungan, which was produced in 1938–39 but was released in 1941, after Kacha Devayani. In the initial ads, her name appeared as T. R. Rajayee, but later in the film, she was credited as T. R. Rajalakshmi. Her second film, Mandharavathi, directed by D.S. Marconi, was also released in 1941. Kacha Devayani (1941) was a hit and helped launch her career in movies. There is some confusion about which film she actually made her debut in, as the director of Kacha Devayani K. Subramaniam, later insisted that he was the one who introduced her to films. In 1944, Rajakumari starred in the record-breaking film Haridas alongside M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and gained recognition for her glamorous portrayal.

In her Tamil film career, Rajakumari acted as the female lead opposite many major film stars, including Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, T. R. Mahalingam, K. R. Ramasamy, P. U. Chinnappa, M. G. Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan. She also started a film production company (with her brother T. R. Ramanna) called "R. R. Pictures" and produced films like Vaazhapirandhavan (1953), Koondukkili (1954), Gul-E-Bagaavali (1955), Paasam (1962), Periya Idathu Penn (1963), Panam Padaithavan (1965) and Parakkum Paavai (1966). Her last film as an actress was Vanambadi (1963).

Later life and death Rajakumari died on 20 September 1999 after a prolonged illness.

Partial filmography

Discography Year Film Language Song Co-singers Music director1941 Kacha Devayani Tamil Parkka Parkka Thikattuvathumillai Vidwan V. S. Parthasarathy Iyengar Bhoomiyinezhil Pukalavu Medharama Kothamangalam Seenu & Kothamangalam Subbu Premaiye Jagam Kothamangalam Seenu Irunda Vazhvil Kuthuhalam Narumana Mikumalare Unadhu Sarasam Seiyave Vanthanai Kothamangalam Seenu Parama Kripanidhe Anbariya Aadavar Irumbu Kothamangalam Seenu Avanaiyiladavar Ullame Vairamadho Kothamangalam Seenu 1943 Kubera Kuchela Ennai Vittu Engey Sentreer Kunnakudi Venkatarama Iyer & S. V. Venkatraman1944 Prabhavathi Varuvare Varuvare Engum Eppozhutham Vilaiyatta C. Honnappa Bhagavathar & K. Mahadevan Iyer Ododi Vasantham Poovodu Sambandam C. Honnappa Bhagavathar Gomatha Neeye Adharame Shri Gomatha Marumalithai Soodumthirumal Magan Enge 1947 Pankajavalli Dheivamum Mandhira Vaal Papanasam Sivan Devinin Vadivazhagai Chandralekha Indrae Enathu Kuthukalam S. Rajeswara Rao Manamohana Saaranae Aaduven Mayilaayi Naan Mayavaram Venu Vaanamengume Nirainthu 1949 Krishna Bhakthi Enna Vazhvu S. V. Venkatraman & Kunnakudi Venkatarama Iyer1950 Ithaya Geetham Vaanulaavum Tharai Nee En Ithaya Geethame T. R. Mahalingam S. V. Venkatraman Odi Vaa Venmugil Poley 1950 Vijayakumari Katchi Yaavaiyum K. R. Ramasamy & A. L. Raghavan C. R. Subburaman & C. S. Jayaraman Pozhuthu Vidinthaal 1948 Vanasundari Kannile Vilaiyaadum Inba Kaadhal P. U. Chinnappa S. V. Venkataraman & C. R. Subburaman Mannan Pennaaga Naanum Mann Meedhu Namasthe Namasthe P. U. Chinnappa1952 Amarakavi Pasiyaale Nondhene G. Ramanathan & T. A. Kalyanam Thoondi Mullu Pole...Paarunga Thinnu 1953 Anbu Anbe Dheiveegam.... Anbaale Ulagil T. R. Pappa Kappadhu Un Paramamma Manadhu Magizhave Manamum 1953 Vazha Pirandhaval Chandiranai Polirukkumaa G. Ramanathan & S. Rajeswara Rao Vaazha Pirandhaval Naan T. A. Mothi & P. Leela 1954 Manohara Pozhudhu Pularndhadhe S. V. Venkatraman & T. R. Ramanathan