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S. Janaki
Janaki in 2007
Background information
Born	(1938-04-23) April 23, 1938 (age 74) Guntur, Madras Presidency, British India
Genres	Playback singing, Indian classical
Occupations	Singer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1957–present

Sishta Sreeramamurthy Janaki, popularly known as S. Janaki (Telugu: స. జానకి , born April 23, 1938) is an Indian playback singer. She is a recipient of Honorary doctorate^[1] and Kalaimamani from Tamil Nadu State Government. Renowned for her voice modulation abilities, she has sung in many Indian languages, most frequently in Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, and Hindi.^[2]

Throughout a career spanning more than five decades, she has recorded over 20,000 songs, won four National Film Awards and 31 different State Film Awards.^[3] Her association with singer S. P. Balasubramanyam and composer Ilaiyaraaja is among the most popular musical combinations in South India.^[4] She is fondly better known as, "The Nightingale of the South".^[5][6]

Early life[link]

S. Janaki was born into a Telugu Brahmin family in Pallapatla, Repalle village, in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.^[7] Her father Sishta Sreeramamurthy was an Ayurveda doctor. She was interested in music from early age and started performing at the age of three. She learned music from Sree Paidiswamy, a Nadaswaram Vidwan for only one year.She was inspired from film music and used to render songs of Lata Mangeshkar ,P Leela,Jikki and P Susheela on stage before entering film world .

Singing career[link]

S Janaki^[8] started singing in movies at the age of 19.^[9] She later moved to Chennai on the advice of her uncle Chandrashekar and joined AVM Studios as a singer. She started her career in movies by singing songs composed by T. Chalapati Rao in the Tamil movie Vidhiyin Vilayattu in 1957. Subsequently, she performed in the Telugu movie MLA. "Singara velane deva" made her singing star over night. She sang several memorable duets with P B Srinivas and rarely with T M Soundarrajan, A M Rajah & Ghantasala during 60's. Janaki became one of the most preferred female singers of south India from 1970s. Janaki went on to become one of the most favorite singers of Ilayaraja, and a phase ensued when she sang at least 2 to 3 songs per movie in all the four South Indian languages.

She sang in almost every major South Indian movie in the 1980s and 1990s. From late 1970s, for more than two decades, she was the top female singer in south Indian films. She won several awards from government and private institutions during this period. She has a record of maximum singing compared to any other female singer in the Malayalam and Kannada film industry and she also holds the record of singing the most difficult song in South Films i.e. Shiva Shiva Ennada from the Kannada movie Hemavathi.^[10]

S Janaki started being noticed by all in Malayalam industry from early 60's. M S Baburaj reserved his best compositions to her and made her a house hold name in Kerala. Their combination brought great melodies which stood test of time. She went on to record hits for M B Srinivasan, M S Viswanathan, Ilayaraja, Johnson, Ravindran, Dakshinamurthy, M K Arjunan, A T Ummer, Shyam and many others. Her duets with K J Yesudas, P Jayachandran topped the charts and remained as all time hits. She won awards almost every year for a decade in Malayalam. She remained as undisputed melody queen of Malayalam film industry from late 60's to late 80's.

Her career in Kannada industry was equally, if not more successful. She reigned the Kannada music till late eighties. She continued to give some hits in 90's as well. She was present in almost every album of G K Venkatesh and Rajan nagendran. M Rangarao, Upendrakumar, Vijayabhaskar also gave her excellent melodies. Hamslekha used her singing talent in several albums, which were huge hits. Her duets with S P Balasubramanium, PBS and Rajkumar are immensely popular till date. Rajan Nagendra-SPB-Janaki is considered to be most successful team to produce several unforgettable duets.

While speaking about her career, her contribution to Telugu and Tamil cinema cannot be ignored. Though she was singing from late 50's and delivering rare hits in these languages, popular songs in combination of Ilayaraja brought her lot of fame in these two languages in mid 70's. Her vocal skills were tested to core and she won every time in songs of Ilayaraja. Her smile/laugh, sensuous notes, alaaps/humming were used to a major extent. Other music directors like Chakravarthy, Sathyam, Ramesh Naidu, M S Viswanathan, K V Mahadevan, Shankar Ganesh joined Ilayajaja in 80's to give some of their career best melodies to Janaki. She rendered several semi-classical numbers also with lot of ease during this period. She delivered several hits with SP Balasubramanyam, Malaysia Vasudevan, K J Yesudas, Jayachandran, Mano, Arunmozhi etc in Tamil. She also sang super hit duets with actors like Kamal hasan, Rajni Kanth etc. Her duets were very popular and some of them were major reasons for success of several movies. She continued to deliver hits with younger generation of music directors like Madhavapeddi Suresh, Vandemataram Srinivas, Raj-Koti, Deva, S A Rajkumar, Yuvan Shankar Raja etc. She also sang few songs in music of A R Rahman and they were very popular.

She was invited to Hindi film industry by Bappi Lahri for Saheb movie, where she delivered super hit "Yaar bina chain kahare". She sang around 100 songs in music of Jaidev, Lakshmikanth pyarelal, R D Burman, Ravindra Jain, O P Nayyar, Bappi Lahri, Anu Malik and others. She recorded duets with Mhd Rafi(in Telugu movies), Kishore Kumar, Mannadey, Bhupinder, Manhar Udas, Amit Kumar, Suresh Wadkar, Mohd Aziz, Udit Narayan, Shankar Mahadevan and others. But she personally preferred singing south Indian songs as she was getting them with better quality at that time .

She also penned many songs for Tamil and Telugu albums as she was extremely good in both the languages.^[11] She has also sung in Sinhalese, Bengali, Oriya, English, Sanskrit, Konkani, Tulu, Saurashtra, Baduga, Japanese and German.^[12]

As a devotee of Lord Krishna and Shirdi Sai Baba, she has also recorded Hindu devotional music of Meera.^[12] She released albums with songs of Meera, Tulsidas, Surdas & Kabir Das. She released 3 classical albums with songs of Thyagaraja Swamy, Muthuswamy Deekshithar and Swathi Thirunal. She has sung Devaranamas of Purandara Dasa and worked for restoring Ramadasa Keertanalu. She worked with Balakrishna Prasad and sang some of the finest anamacharya keerthanas for him. She rendered several devotional albums apart from these classical albums. She has sung for television and radio programs as well and won awards for best play back from Andhra Pradesh state government for TV Serials .

Her contemporaries include Malaysia Vasudevan, S.P.Balasubramanyam, P B Srinivas, Rajkumar, Ghantasala, T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela, Vani Jayaram, K J Yesudas, L R Eeswari, P. Jayachandran, P. Leela, K. S. Chithra, Uma Ramanan, Swarnalatha, Sujatha, Hariharan, Unni Krishnan, Srinivas, Unni Menon and Jency

Telugu Partial Discography[link]

She has rendered magical melodies like Nee leela padeda (Muripinche muvvalu), Pagale vennala (Pooja Phalam), Naravara Kuruvara (Narthanasala), Pagalaithe doravera (Bangaru panjaram), Gunaamamidi komma meeda (Bala mithrula katha), Meghama dehama (Manchu pallaki), Kallalo unnadedo (Anthu leni katha), Mansasa thulli padake (Srivariki premalekha), Ee Duryodhana (Prathighatana), Jabilli kosam (Manchi manasulu), Sirmalle poova (Padaharella vayasu), Nemaliki nerpina nadakalivi (Sapthapadi), Sree Sharadhamba (Sruthilayalu), Mavayya Vasathadanta (Ramachilaka), sinni sinni korikaladaga (Swayam Krushi) and many more . Her duet hits include Nadireyi ye jamulo, Okasari kalaloki ravayya, Ee Pagalu reyiga , Nee Aasa Adiyasa , Emo Emo idi (with Ghnatasala); Andala oh chandamama ravoyi, Andamaina bava, Entha madhura seema (with P B Srinivas); Veena venuvaina, Ravi Varmake andani, Rasanu premalekhelanno, Sirimalle poovalle navvu, Mounamelanoyi , Aliveni animuthayama and many more (with SPB) ; Jivvumani konda gali , Mila Mila merisina thara (with Mano); Sari leru neekevaaru , Aaara neekuma ii deepam, Nallavaade amma allari pillavade (with P Susheela); Gudilona naa swamy (with LR Eswari) and many more hits . Some of the movies which has hits that brought her very close to new generation are listed here...

Personal life[link]

S. Janaki was married to V. Ramprasad. She is now settled in Chennai with her son Murali Krishna, who acted in a few films and has an audio business of his own, and his wife Uma Murali Krishna, a classical dancer (Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi); they have two daughters named Amruthavarshini and Apsara. She is known for her simplicity and down to earth behaviour.

She is also a close relative of Carnatic classical vocalist Garimella Balakrishna Prasad.^[13]

Major awards[link]

State Awards[link]

• Nandi Award for Best Female Playback Singer - 10 times
• Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback - 7 times
• Oriya State Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer - 1 time
• Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer - 13 times

National Film Awards[link]

• 1977 - Best Female Playback Singer - (Song: "Senthoora Poove") 16 Vayathinile, Tamil Film
• 1981 - Best Female Playback Singer - (Song: "Ettumanoorambalathil") Oppol, Malayalam Film
• 1984 - Best Female Playback Singer - (Song: "Vennello godari andham") Sithara, Telugu Film
• 1992 - Best Female Playback Singer - (Song: "Inji Iduppazhagha") Devar Magan, Tamil Film

Other awards[link]

• 1986 - Kalaimamani from the Government of Tamil Nadu
• 1997 - Filmfare South Life time achievement award
• 2002 - Cinema 'Achiever Award' from the Government of Kerala
• 2005 - Special Jury Swaralaya Yesudas Award for outstanding performance in music
• 2009 - Honorary doctorate from the University of Mysore for contributions to Kannada Cinema
• 2011 - "Basava Bhushan" Award from Karnataka

References[link]

External links[link]

• S. Janaki at the Internet Movie Database

Further reading[link]

• An exclusive website on S. Janaki www.sjanaki.net
• A website on S. Janaki (unofficial)
• An article on S. Janaki
• Listen to Janaki and others Tamil/Hindi/Telugu Songs
• 729 malayalam solos of S Janaki
• All 1256 malayalam songs of S Janaki
• S Janaki at MSI

Ramaswamy Ganesan^[2] (November 17, 1920 - March 22, 2005), better known by his stage name Gemini Ganesan, was an Indian film actor who worked mainly in Tamil cinema. He was nicknamed "Kadhal Mannan" (King of Romance) for the romantic roles he played in films.^[3] Ganesan was one among the "three biggest names of Tamil cinema", the other two being M. G. Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan.^[4] While Sivaji Ganesan excelled in films with drama, and MGR dominated films with fight sequences, Gemini Ganesan held his own with sensitive portrayals of the yearning lover.^[5] A recipient of the Padmashree in 1971, he had also won several other prestigious awards such as the "Kalaimamani", "MGR Gold Medal" and "Screen Lifetime Achievement Award". He came from an orthodox Brahmin family, and was one of the few graduates to enter the film industry at that time.^[6]

Gemini Ganesan made his debut with Miss Malini in 1947, but was noticed only after his villainous performance in Thai Ullam in 1953.^[7] After playing the lead role in Manam Pola Mangalyam (1954), he finally acquired star status.^[8] However unlike Sivaji Ganesan or MGR, Gemini Ganesan was not originally a stage performer, and was never involved in politics. Also, he had not won any National Award for his performances in films.^[9] In his long film career spanning over five decades, Ganesan acted in more than 200 films mainly in Tamil, and a few in Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.^[10] His performances on the screen were enhanced by successful playback singers like A. M. Rajah and P. B. Sreenivas.^[5][11] In spite of his celebrated film career, Ganesan's personal life - particularly his marriage to multiple women over the years, has often been a subject of criticism.^[12]

Early life[link]

Born on 17 November 1920 to Ramaswamy and Gangamma, Ganesan belonged to a middle class Tamil Brahmin family residing at Pudukottai district, Tamil Nadu. He was highly inspired by his grandfather Narayanaswami, who took care of the family when he was a child. His grandfather died when he was in the sixth class and later on, he lost his father as well. After the death of his father, Ganesan, along with his grandmother Bagirathi and mother Gangamma, moved to his aunt Muthulakshmi’s residence, in Madras (now known as Chennai). Life in the city did not suit Gangamma, and she decided to go back to Pudukkottai.^[5] His birth name is widely accepted as Ramaswamy Ganesan, though it is also rumoured to have been Ganapati Subramanian Sarma.^[13]

Education[link]

Since Gemini Ganesan’s aunt Muthulakshmi was an ardent follower of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, she later decided to enroll him into Ramakrishna Mission Home. There, he was taught yoga and sanskrit and made to read Upanishads, Vedas and Bhagavad Gita as well. He spent a disciplined life at the Home and became an expert in Yoga. However, he could not bear the agony of being separated from his mother, who was residing at Pudhukkottai. Therefore, he returned to his native place and joined a high-school there. Later on, he joined Maharajah's College, located in the same place. However, he completed his graduation at Madras Christian College, Chennai.^[5]

Early work[link]

Ganesan’s dream was to become a doctor.^[14] In April 1940 he went to Trichy to see T.R. Alamelu. Alamelu’s father proposed his daughter in marriage and promised him a medical seat after graduation. Ganesan immediately agreed and married Alamelu in June 1940. Alamelu lost her father and her elder sister within one month of her marriage. Ganesan's dreams of becoming a doctor shattered. There was no choice left for him but to find a job immediately as he was the only person to support his family. He got an interview from Indian Air Force. Much against Alamelu’s wishes Ganesan went to Delhi. In Delhi he met his uncle Narayanaswami who advised him to become a teacher. Finally, Ganesan worked as a lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, at Madras Christian College. Later on, he took up the job of a production executive in Gemini Studios in 1947, from where the title “Gemini” was added to his name. He received an entry to films from the casting department of the Studio itself.^[5]

Career[link]

Initial years[link]

From the casting department, Ganesan made his film debut in 1947 with the social satire film Miss Malini, in a minor role. The film, which was based on the story Mr. Sampath by R. K. Narayan^[15] and cast him alongside his future wife Pushpavalli, was a box office failure as it was considered "ahead of it's time", but was well received by intellectuals. Currently, no print of that film exists, making it a lost film.^[16] This was followed by Chakradhari, in which he played another minor role as Lord Krishna. The film was a box-office success, but his performance went unnoticed. It was not until 1953, when he played a villainous role in the film Thai Ullam opposite R. S. Manohar, did people take notice of him as an actor. The next year, he appeared in a supporting role in the Gemini Studios production Moondru Pillaigal, which was unsuccessful. He was then cast as a hero for the first time with Manampol Mangalyam. The film paired him with his future wife Savitri, and became a "milestone in his life".^[17] From then on, he carved out a niche for himself in Tamil cinema with films that required a lot of romance but little action.

Stardom in south[link]

In his career spanning nearly 50 years, Ganesan played a variety of roles, from Abhimanyu in Maya Bazaar (1957) to freedom fighter Madasamy in Kappalotiya Thamizhan (1961), and in Pennin Perumai (1960), he played a non-assertive imbecile morphing into a well-moulded human being. Ganesan also starred in Kalathur Kannamma (1959), which was also the debut for Kamal Haasan, who would later become one of the leading actors in Tamil cinema. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil - Certificate of Merit for the Third Best Feature Film in 1961.^[9] Ganesan also starred in Veerapandiya Kattabomman (1959) alongside Sivaji Ganesan. The film was selected for the Afro-Asian Film Festival in 1960.^[18] It was also nominated for the National Film Award in in 1960, along with Gemini Ganesan's Kalyana Parisu, but both lost to Bhaaga Pirivinai. The ruritanian romance film Vanjikottai Valiban (1958) was a high budget film and became a huge commercial success due to much hype.^[19] The historical fiction film Parthiban Kanavu (1960) won the President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film,^[20] but failed commercially.^[21] His 1961 film Then Nilavu was the first Tamil film to be shot extensively in Jammu and Kashmir, and became a great success at the box office.^[22][23] He co-starred with rival actor M. G. Ramachandran in Muharasi (1966), which was their only film together.^[1] Ganesan's best performance is considered to be in his home production, Naan Avan Illai (1974) in which he played many roles as seducer of women. Directed by K. Balachandar, this film won high critical praise for Ganesan's performance but according to Ganesan, the film did not succeed commercially.^[17] Some of his other best works include Missiamma, a remake of the same-titled Telugu film, the multi-lingual School Master, Konjum Salangai, Kanavane Kan Kanda Deivam, Meenda Sorgam, Shanti Nilayam, Vaazhkai Padagu, Katpaham, Ramu, Thamarai Nenjam, and Punnagai. Ganesan had paired with several leading actresses like Anjali Devi, Pushpavalli, Padmini, Vyjayanthimala, Savithri, Devika, Vijayakumari, Saroja Devi, Rajasree, Kanchana, Jayanthi, K. R. Vijaya and Jayalalithaa.^[1]

Bollywood career[link]

Gemini Ganesan acted in a few Hindi films, though without much success. Notably, he played the lead role in Raj Tilak (1958), which was the Hindi remake of his own Vanjikottai Valiban. The film was a box office failure, and collapsed within a week of release.^[24] He also did a guest role in Nazrana (1961), the Hindi remake of his own Kalyana Parisu, that had him in the lead.^[25] Though the film was an average grosser, it was the 12th highest-grossing film of the year.^[26]

Later years[link]

Later in his career, he switched to little different character roles. Notable among these was the Telugu film Rudraveena (remade in Tamil as Unnal Mudiyum Thambi), considered one of his best films in Telugu. Another notable film was Avvai Shanmughi (1996), in which he characteristically played the role of an old man longing for an old maid, portrayed by Kamal Haasan. Towards the end of his acting career he kept himself busy with elegant roles in television serials, one notable serial was Krishnadasi.^[27] Ganesan also appeared in Mettukudi (1996), Kaalamellam Kadhal Vaazhga (1997),^[28] Thodarum^[29] (1998), and his acting career ended the same year with Naam Iruvar Namakku Iruvar,^[30] followed by a special appearance in Gemini (2002).^[31]

Other work[link]

Unlike the other two leading Tamil actors of that time - Sivaji Ganesan and M. G. Ramachandran, Gemini Ganesan did not come from a stage background. This made his screen presence refreshingly credible and his acting was not stylised. He sustained his film career without the support of any fan club or backing of a political party. He stayed away from politics, even declining a Rajya Sabha MP offer by Rajiv Gandhi.^[1] The only time he got anywhere near politics was, when he organised a function for poet Subramania Bharathi at Ettayapuram in 1963.^[9] Apart from acting, Ganesan was also a shrewd businessman and invested heavily in real estate and property development.^[7] He was a good sportsman, having captained his College Cricket team and was successful in various sports like Tennis, Golf, and Badminton.^[32] Ganesan also worked as director for the film Idhaya Malar (1976), that starred Kamal Haasan and Y. G. Mahendran.^[33]

Criticism[link]

Despite being one of the most successful actors of Tamil cinema during his time, Gemini Ganesan's talents were not properly exploited and were mostly confined to "boy meets girl" romantic films.^[34] Because of his portrayal of soft roles and him not doing action roles, he was informally nicknamed "Sambhar" by colleagues Sivaji Ganesan and M. G. Ramachandran.^[7] His marriages to multiple women, led to him being labelled a "womanizer".^[12] His hostile relationship with daughter Rekha was also a major criticism. He did not acknowledge Rekha's paternity during her childhood. It was in the early 1970s, when Rekha was looking for a footing in Bollywood, that she revealed her origins. Later, at the peak of her career, Rekha told a magazine interviewer that her father's neglect still rankled and that she had ignored his efforts at reconciliation.^[35][36] She did not even attend her father's funeral in 2005, and once when asked about their relationship in a televised interview, she paused with silence and revealed nothing.^[2]

Personal life[link]

Gemini Ganesan, at 19, was first married to Alamelu, who he fondly called as "Bopji". She is considered his first and only legal wife. He later married actresses Pushpavalli and Savitri. He is survived by seven daughters and a son. Alamelu and Ganesan have four daughters: Three of them - Revathy, Kamala and Jeya are medical doctors, the fourth Narayani is a journalist at The Times of India. Ganesan has two daughters by Pushpavalli - Bollywood actress Rekha, and Radha. The latter acted in a few Tamil films, but then opted for marriage and migration to the United States. Savithri and Ganesan have two children: a daughter Vijayasamundeeswari who is a Physiotherapist, and acted in films as a child artiste “Baby Savithri”, and Ganesan’s only son Satheesh Kumar. Ganesan's fourth and last wife, whom he married at the age of 78 was a then 36-year old Julianna. According to one report, "Juliana left her job and people, to be near her husband, who said he needed a younger wife to attend on him, as first-wife Babji too was advancing in years."^[1][37] He however publicly admitted that he was closest to his first wife Bopji, than Pushpavalli or Savithri. The actor had noted in his autobiography Vaazhkai Padagu, "Somehow, I seemed to attract women who were in distress."^[38]

Death[link]

After a prolonged illness caused by renal failure and multiple organ failure, Gemini Ganesan was found dead at his residence on 22 March 2005, 13:30 IST. He was cremated with full state honours. Prominent personalities including Tamil Nadu's chief ministers M. Karunanidhi and Jayalalitha paid their last respects to the veteran actor.^[39] Ganesan's funeral was not attended by daughter Rekha, with whom his relationship was hostile.^[2]

Accolades[link]

• 1970 – Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor for Kaaviya Thalaivi
• 1971 – Padma Shri Award^[10]
• 1974 – Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actor for Naan Avanillai
• 1993 – Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South
• MGR Gold Medal^[6]
• Screen Lifetime Achievement Award^[6]
• Kalaimamani Award

Notable filmography[link]

Gallery[link]

• Gemini ganesan stamp.jpg

  A postage stamp of Gemini Ganesan, issued in 2006
  

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• Gemini-ganesan-phone.jpg

  Ganesan as Lord Krishna, in an undated photograph
  

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• Sivaji Gemini Sport.jpg

  With actor Sivaji Ganesan at a Hockey match
  

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References[link]

External links[link]

• Gemini Ganesan at the Internet Movie Database
• Article about Gemini Ganesan by his daughter Jaya Shreedhar
• Star and a versatile actor
• Gemini Ganesan - Romance King of Tamil Films: By D.B.S. Jeyaraj

Anjali Devi (Telugu: అంజలీదేవి)  pronunciation (help·info) (born 24 August 1927) is a veteran Telugu actress and producer. She is well known for her mythological role as Sita in Lava Kusha and roles in movies like Suvarna Sundari and Anarkali.

Biography[link]

This biographical section of an article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (December 2011)

She hails from Peddapuram, East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh, India, and later settled in Chennai. She was a theater artist before entering into movies. Her film debut was as Lohitasya in Raja Harishchandra in 1936. Her first movie as heroine was Kashtajeevi by L. V. Prasad 1n 1940 but that movie was abandoned after three reels shooting.Later C.Pullayya found her given opportunity hevenly beauty Mohini in Gollabhama. With her expressions and looks, she became a star overnight in 1947. After that she never looked back. She eventually acted in more than 350 Telugu films^{[citation needed]} and also in a few Tamil and Kannada films as the heroine.

She married P. Adinarayana Rao, a music director, in 1940. They have two sons. Together they produced many Telugu films under the banner of Anjali Pictures. She acted in Lava Kusha, a milestone film and the first color film in the Telugu film industry in 1963. She acted in various roles like damsel, angel, dancer, demon, goddess, traditional woman and later in mother characters. Her granddaughter Saila Rao is also an actress.

Career[link]

As actress[link]

In 1936 she appeared in a minor role in Raja Harishchandra and then played the lead role in L. V. Prasad's Kashtajeevi. She is well known for playing Sita in Lava Kusha and her performances in films like Suvarna Sundari and Anarkali were also appreciated. She has acted in more than 350 films, which includes Telugu, Tamil and Kannada language films. Brundavanam (1992), Anna Vadina (1993) and Police Alludu (1994) were the last few films of her career. In Balaiah's Police Alludu and Anna Vadina she appeared alongside Brahmanandam.

As producer[link]

In 1955 she produced the film Anarkali, in which she herself played the lead role of Anarkali, with Akkineni Nageswara Rao as Salim. Then she produced V. Madhusudan Rao's Bhakta Tukaram and Chandipriya. Bollywood and Tollywood actress Jayapradha played the lead role in her film Chandipriya alongside Shobhan Babu and Chiranjeevi.

Awards[link]

• She received the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award in 2005 for her lifetime service to the Telugu film industry.
• She was conferred the Ramineni Award in 2006 in the fine arts category.
• She received the prestigious ANR National Award in 2008.

Filmography[link]

• Gollabhama
• Kashtajivi
• Chandipriya
• Bhale Krishnudu
• Sati Sakkubai
• Mayalamaari

Tamil movies[link]

• Annai Oru Alayam
• Adutha Veetu Penn
• Manalanae Mangayin Baghyam
• Sarvadhikari (with MGR)
• Kanavane Kankanda Theivam (with Gemini Ganesan)
• Penn (with Vyjayanthimala)
• Mangayarkarasi (with P. U. Chinnappa)
• Marmayogi (with MGR as hero)
• Eezai Uzavan
• Adiththan Kanavu (producer: T. R. Sundaram)
• Sorgavasal (as K.R. Ramasamy's sister "Thilagavathy")

As producer[link]

• Paradesi
• Suvarna Sundari
• Swarnamanjari
• Chandi Priya
• Sati Sakkubai
• Shirdi Sai Sathya Sai Divya Katha (television series)

See also[link]

• Krishnaveni
• Bhanumathi

References[link]

• Anjali Devi at Chakpak.com

External links[link]

• Anjali Devi at the Internet Movie Database
• Golden Nandi for Krishnaveni

This article about an Indian actor or actress is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

Kishore Kumar (4 August 1929 – 13 October 1987), born Abhas Kumar Kanjilal Ganguly was an Indian film playback singer and an actor who also worked as lyricist, composer, producer, director, screenwriter and scriptwriter. Kishore Kumar sang in many Indian languages including Bengali, Hindi, Marathi, Assamese, Gujarati, Kannada, Bhojpuri, Malayalam and Oriya. He won 8 Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer and holds the record for most number of Filmfare Awards won in that category. He was awarded the "Lata Mangeshkar Award" by the Madhya Pradesh government and from that year onwards, the Madhya Pradesh Government initiated a new award called the "Kishore Kumar Award" for contributions to Hindi cinema.

Early life[link]

Kishore Kumar was born into the Ganguly family in Khandwa, Central Provinces and Berar (now in Madhya Pradesh) as Abhas Kumar Ganguly.^[1] His father Kunjalal Ganguly (Gangopadhya) was a lawyer. His mother Gouri Devi came from a wealthy Bengali family. Kishore was the youngest of four siblings, the other three being Ashok Kumar (the eldest), Sati Devi, and Anoop Kumar. The composer Bappi Lahiri is also related to Kishore Kumar on his mother's side.

While Kishore was still a child, Ashok Kumar became a Bollywood actor. (Later, Anoop Kumar also ventured into cinema with the help of Ashok Kumar). Spending time with his brothers, Kishore also started to take a keen interest in movies and music. He became a fan of singer-actor Kundan Lal Saigal, whom he considered his guru, and tried to follow Saigal's singing style.

Career[link]

After Ashok Kumar became a Bollywood star, the Ganguly family used to visit Bombay regularly. Abhas Kumar changed his name to Kishore Kumar and started his cinema career as a chorus singer at Bombay Talkies, where his brother worked. Kishore Kumar's first film as an actor was Shikari (1946), in which Ashok Kumar played the lead role. Music director Khemchand Prakash gave Kishore Kumar a chance to sing "Marne ki duayen kyon mangu" for the film Ziddi (1948). After this, Kishore Kumar got many other assignments, but he was not very serious about a film career.^[2] In 1949, he decided to settle in Mumbai.

Kishore Kumar played hero in the Bombay Talkies film Andolan (1951), directed by Phani Majumdar. Although Kishore Kumar got some assignments as an actor with help of his brother, he was more interested in becoming a singer. He was not interested in acting, but his elder brother Ashok Kumar wanted him to be an actor like himself.^[3]

He starred in Bimal Roy's Naukri (1954) and Hrishikesh Mukherjee's directorial debut Musafir (1957). Salil Chowdhury, the music director for Naukri was initially dismissive of him as a singer, when he came to know that Kishore Kumar didn't have any formal training in music.^[4] However, after hearing his voice, he gave him the song Chhota sa ghar hoga, which was supposed to be sung by Hemant Kumar.

Kishore Kumar starred in films New Delhi (1957), Aasha (1957), Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Half Ticket (1962), and Padosan (1968). Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, his home production, starred the three Ganguly brothers and Madhubala. The film is about romance between a city girl (Madhubala) and a car mechanic (Kishore Kumar), with a subplot involving the brothers.

Music director S. D. Burman is credited with spotting Kishore Kumar's talent as a singer, and advancing his singing career. During the making of Mashaal (1950), Burman visited Ashok Kumar's house, where he heard Kishore imitating K. L. Saigal. He complimented Kishore and told him that he should develop a style of his own, instead of copying Saigal.^[3] Kishore Kumar did not have a formal training in music.^[5] He kept Burman's advice in mind and eventually developed his own style of singing, which featured the yodeling that he had heard on the gramophone records of Tex Morton and Jimmie Rodgers bought by his brother Anoop Kumar.^[6]

S. D. Burman recorded with Kishore for Dev Anand's Munimji (1954), Taxi Driver (1954), House No. 44 (1955), Funtoosh (1956), Nau Do Gyarah (1957), Paying Guest (1957), Guide (1965), Jewel Thief (1967), Prem Pujari (1970), and Tere Mere Sapne (1971). He also composed music for Kishore Kumar's home production Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958). Some of their initial films included the songs "Maana Janaab Ne Pukara Nahin" from Paying Guest, "Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke" from Nau Do Gyarah (1957), "Ai Meri Topi Palat Ke Aa" from Funtoosh, and "Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si" and "Haal Kaisa Hai Janaab Ka" from Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958).^[7] Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar performed duets composed by S. D. Burman including "Chhod Do Aanchal" from Paying Guest (1957), "Ankhon Mein Kya Ji" from Nau Do Gyarah (1957), "Haal Kaisa Hai Janaab Ka" and "Paanch Rupaiya Baara Aana" from Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), "Chhedo Na Meri Zulfein" from Ganga Ki Lahren (1964), and "Arre Yaar Meri Tum Bhi Ho Gajab" from [Teen Devian|Teen Deviyan] (1965).

C. Ramchandra was another music director who recognized Kishore Kumar's talent as a singer.^[4] Their collaborations include "Eena Meena Deeka" from Aasha (1957). Kishore Kumar's work includes "Nakhrewaali" from New Delhi (1956) by Shankar Jaikishan, and "C.A.T. Cat Maane Billi" and "Hum To Mohabbat Karega" from Dilli Ka Thug (1958) by Ravi.

Kishore Kumar produced, directed, and acted in Jhumroo (1961). He wrote the lyrics for the title song, "Main Hoon Jhumroo," and composed music for all the songs in the film. Later, he produced and directed Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (1964). He wrote the script and composed music for the film. Its based on the relationship between a father (Kishore Kumar) and his deaf and mute son (played by his real-life son, Amit Kumar). He made another two films called Door Ka Rahi (1971) and Door Waadiyon Mein Kahin (1980).

In the 1960s, as an actor, Kishore Kumar built up a notoriety for coming late for the shootings, or bunking them altogether.^[8] His films flopped frequently, and he landed in income tax trouble.^[3] As a singer, his work in this period includes "Zaroorat Hai Zaroorat Hai" from Manmauji (1961), "Gaata Rahe Mera Dil" from Guide (1965), and "Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechara" from Jewel Thief (1967).

In the late 1960s, Rahul Dev Burman worked together on the soundtrack of the film Padosan (1968), in which Kishore Kumar sang the songs "Mere Saamne Wali Khidki Mein" and "Kehna Hai." Padosan was a comedy film starring Kishore Kumar as a dramatist-musician, Mehmood as a Carnatic music and dance teacher, and Sunil Dutt as a simpleton named Bhola. Kishore Kumar's character in was inspired by the personality of his uncle, Dhananjay Bannerjee (a classical singer).^[2] The highlight of the film was a musical, comical duel between Kishore Kumar-Sunil Dutt and Mehmood: "Ek Chatur Nar Karke Singaar."

In 1969, Shakti Samanta produced and directed the film Aradhana, for which the music was composed by S. D. Burman. Burman fell ill after recording some duet songs with Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar. Afterwards, his son and assistant Rahul Dev Burman took over the recording. R. D. Burman got Kishore Kumar to solo sing the songs "Mere Sapno Ki Rani" and "Roop Tera Mastana". Kishore Kumar won his first Filmfare award for the song "Roop Tera Mastana." It is widely believed that this film established Kishore Kumar as a leading playback singer in Bollywood.

1970s and 1980s[link]

In 1970s and 1980s Kishore Kumar sang for Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Jeetendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Dev Anand, Shashi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Mithun Chakraborty, Sanjay Dutt, Sunny Deol, Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff.

S. D. Burman and Kishore Kumar continued to work together, including "Phoolon Ke Rang Se" and "Shokhiyon Mein Ghola Jaaye" from Prem Pujari (1969), "Aaj Madhosh Hua Jaaye Re," "Khilte Hain Gul Yahan" and "O Meri Sharmilee" from Sharmilee (1971), "Meet na mila" from Abhimaan (1973), "Pyaar Ke Is Khel Mein" from Jugnu, "Phoolon Ke Dere Hain" from Zameer (1974}. In 1975, S. D. Burman composed his last song for Kishore Kumar. S. D. Burman went into a coma for the second time, soon after Kishore recorded the song "Badi Sooni Sooni Hai Zindagi" for the film Mili.^[4]

R. D. Burman frequently used Kishore Kumar as the male singer and recorded several songs with him in the 1970s. Some Kishore Kumar-R. D. Burman songs include "O Maajhi Re" from Khushboo, "Yeh Shaam Mastaani" and "Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai" from Kati Patang (1971), "Chingari Koi Bhadke" and "Kuchh To Log Kahenge" from Amar Prem (1972), "Raat Kali Ek Khwab Mein Aayi" from Buddha Mil Gaya (1971), "Musafir Hoon Yaaron" from Parichay (1972), "Diye Jalte Hain" from Namak Haraam (1973), "Meri Bheegi Bheegi Si" from Anamika (1973), "Zindagi Ke Safar Mein" from Aap Ki Kasam (1974), "Agar Tum Na Hote" and "Humein Tum Se Pyaar Kitna" from Kudrat, "Mere Naina Saawan Bhadon" from Mehbooba, and "Chingari Koi Bhadke (Amar Prem)" and "Jab Bhi Koi Kangana" from Shaukeen (1986).

R. D. Burman recorded several duets pairing Kishore Kumar with Asha Bhosle and with Lata Mangeshkar. Some of these duets include "Panna Ki Tamanna" from Heera Panna (1973), "Neend Chura Ke Raaton Mein" from the film Shareef Budmaash, "Kya Yehi Pyaar Hai" from Sanjay Dutt's debut film Rocky (1981), "Sagar Kinare" from Sagar in [1985], "Aap Ki Aankhon Mein Kuchh" from Ghar, "Jaane Ja Dhoondta" and "Nahi Nahi" from Jawani Diwani, "Kharoshoo" from Harjai (1982).

Apart from the Burmans, Kishore Kumar worked with other music directors as well. The composer duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal (L-P) composed many songs sung by him. Some of their songs include "Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi" from Mr. X In Bombay, "Mere Naseeb Mein Aye Dost" from Do Raaste, "Yeh Jeevan Hai" from Piya Ka Ghar, "Mere Dil Mein Aaj Kya Hai" from Daag: A Poem of Love, "Nahi Mai Nahi Dekh Sakta" from Majboor, "Mere diwanepan ki bhi" from Mehboob Ki Mehndi, "Naach Meri Bulbul" from Roti, "Chal Chal Mere Haathi" from Haathi Mere Saathi, "Gaadi Bula Rahi Hai" from Dost, "Ruk Jaana Nahi" from Imtihaan, "Ek Ritu Aaye" from Gautam Govinda, "My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves" from Amar Akbar Anthony, "Bahut Khoobsurat Jawan Ek Ladki" from Dostana and "Om Shanti Om" as well as "Paisa Yeh Paisa" from Karz. Laxmikant-Pyarelal composed several Kishore-Lata duets, including "Achchha To Hum Chalte Hain" from Aan Milo Sajna, "Gore Rang Pe Na Itna" from Roti, "Main Solah Baras Ki" from Karz, and "Din Mahine Saal" from Avtaar, "Tu Kitne Baras Ki" from Karz. L-P also got Kishore Kumar and Mohammed Rafi to sing duets for the films Dostana, Ram Balram and Deedaar-E-Yaar. L-P composed a duet with Kishore Kumar and Alisha Chinoy, "I love you (Kaate Nahin Katate Yeh Din Yeh Raat)" from Mr. India in (1987). Salil Chowdhury recorded songs like "Koi Hota Jisko Apna" from Mere Apne and "Gujar Gaye Din Din" from Annadata. Ravindra Jain recorded "Ghungroo Ki Tarah" and the duet "Le Jaayenge Le Jaayenge" from Chor Machaye Shor and the duet "Tota Maina Ki Kahani" from Fakira. Khaiyyaam recorded beautiful duets with Lata Mangeshkar such as "Hazar Rahein" from Thodisi Bewafai, Aankhon Mein Humne Aapke Sapne Sajaye Hain, Chandani Raat Mein Ek Bar. Hridaynath Mangeshkar recorded Zindagi Aa Raha Hoon Main from Mashaal. Kalyanji-Anandji recorded several songs with Kishore Kumar including Zindagi Ka Safar and Jeevan Se Bhari Teri Aankhein, from Safar, Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas from Black Mail, Apne Jeevan Ki Uljhan from Uljhan, Mera Jeevan Kora Kagaz from Kora Kagaz, O Saathi Re from Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Khaike Paan Banaraswala from Don, Neele Neele Ambar Par from Kalakar and Pal Bhar Ke Liye from Johny Mera Naam.

Other composers including Rajesh Roshan, Sapan Chakravarty, Jaidev, Chitragupta (composer), Usha Khanna, Sohnik Omi, Prem Dhawan, Vanraj Bhatia and Bappi Lahiri also worked with Kishore Kumar. Rajesh Roshan's film Julie featured songs sung by Kishore Kumar, Bhool Gaya Saab Kuchh (duet with Lata Mangeshkar) and Dil Kya Kare Jab Kisise. Their other songs include Yaadon Mein Woh from Swami, Chhookar mere man ko from Yaarana, Tune Abhi Dekha Nahin from Do Aur Do Paanch and Kahan Tak Ye Man Ko Andhere Chhalenge as well as Kahiye, Suniye (duet with Asha Bhosle) from Baaton Baaton Mein. Bappi Lahiri also recorded many songs with Kishore Kumar, including Pag Ghunghroo Bandh from Namak Halal (1982), Manzilen Apni Jagah Hai from Sharaabi (1984) and Chalte Chalte Mere Ye Geet from Chalte Chalte (1976), Saason Se Nahi Kadmose Nahi from Mohabbat in (1987) and duets with (Lata Mangeshkar)) like Taa thaiya from Himmatwala in (1984), Albela Mausam from Tohfa in (1985) and another duet Pyar Ka Tohfa from the same film.

During the Indian Emergency (1975–1977), Sanjay Gandhi asked Kishore Kumar to sing for an Indian National Congress rally in Mumbai, but he refused.^[9] As a result, Information and broadcasting minister Vidya Charan Shukla (1975-1977) put an unofficial ban on playing Kishore Kumar songs on the All India Radio and Doordarshan from 4th May, 1976 till the end of the Emergency.^[10][11]

Later years[link]

Kishore Kumar produced and directed some movies in the late 1970s and early 1980s, such as Badhti Ka Naam Daadhi (1978), Zindagi (1981) and Door Wadiyon Mein Kahin (1980): His last appearance as an actor.

With patronage from R. D. Burman and Rajesh Roshan, Kishore Kumar's son Amit Kumar became a Bollywood singer in the 1980s. Kishore Kumar also continued singing for several actors. He also did some stage shows, apparently to earn money to pay his income tax arrears.^[8] Kishore Kumar stopped singing for Amitabh Bachchan in the mid-1980s, after Bachchan did not do a guest appearance in a film produced by him but called a truce with him by singing for him in Toofan.^[12] He also temporarily stopped singing for Mithun Chakraborty, after Yogeeta Bali divorced him and married Chakraborty.^[13] However, later Kumar sang for him in many films like Disco Dancer, Muddat, and Pyar Ka Mandir.

In the mid-1980s, Kishore Kumar sang for Anil Kapoor in Kapoor's debut film as a leading man, Woh Saat Din and also recorded Mr. India. He sang a duet with Alka Yagnik, "Tumse Badhkar Duniya Mein Na Dekha" for Kaamchor in (1986). He also recorded some songs for the film Saagar with R. D. Burman. By this time, he had decided to retire and was planning to go back to his birthplace, Khandwa.^[8]

On 13 October 1987, his brother Ashok's 76th birthday, he died of a heart attack in Mumbai at 4:45 pm. His body was taken to Khandwa for cremation. He had recorded his last song a day before he died. The song was Guru Guru, a duet with Asha Bhosle, for the film Waqt Ki Aawaz (1988) composed by Bappi Lahiri for Mithun Chakraborty and Sridevi.

Kishore Kumar's song Pal Bhar Ke Liye from the film Johny Mera Naam (1970) was used in an episode of The Simpsons titled "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bangalore."^[14] His songs have been featured in several films, including Such a Long Journey (1998) and Side Streets (1998).^[15] Sony TV organised the television singing contest K for Kishore to search for a singer like Kishore Kumar.

Personal life[link]

Kishore Kumar married four times. His first wife was Bengali singer and actress Ruma Guha Thakurta aka Ruma Ghosh. Their marriage lasted from 1950 to 1958.

Kishore's second wife was actress Madhubala, who had worked with him on many films including his home production Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958) and Jhumroo (1961). When Kishore Kumar proposed to her, Madhubala was sick and was planning to go to London for treatment. At this time, she didn't know that she had a ventricular septal defect, and her father wanted her to wait and consult the London doctors first. Furthermore, at the time he was married to Ruma. After his divorce, because Kishore Kumar was Bengali Hindu and Madhubala Muslim, they had a civil wedding ceremony in 1960. His parents refused to attend. The couple also had a Hindu ceremony to please Kumar's parents, but Madhubala was never truly accepted as his wife. Within a month of her wedding she moved back to her bungalow in Bandra because of tension in the Kishore Kumar household. They remained married but under great strain for the remainder of Madhubala's life. The doctors in London told Madhubala that she would not live for long. The marriage lasted for nine years, and ended with Madhubala's death on 23 February 1969.

Kishore Kumar's third marriage was to Yogeeta Bali, and lasted from 1976 to 4 August 1978. Kishore was married to Leena Chandavarkar from 1980 until his death. Kishore Kumar sired two sons, Amit Kumar (playback singer) with Ruma, and Sumit Kumar with Leena Chandavarkar.

Kumar is said to have been paranoid about not being paid.^[2] During recordings, he would sing only after his secretary confirmed that the producer had made the payment.^[16] Once, when he discovered that his dues hadn't been fully paid, he landed up for shooting with make-up on only one side of his face. When the director questioned him, he replied "Aadha paisa to aadha make-up." (Half make-up for half payment).^[2] On the sets of Bhai Bhai, Kishore Kumar refused to act because the director M V Raman owed him five thousand rupees. Ashok Kumar persuaded him to do the scene. But, when the shooting started, he walked across the floor and, each time he walked a few places, he said, Paanch Hazzar Rupaiya (five thousand rupees) and did a somersault. After he reached the end of the floor, he went out of the studio, jumped into his car, and ordered his driver Abdul to drive away.^[17] On another occasion, when producer R. C. Talwar did not pay his dues in spite of repeated reminders, Kishore turned up at Talwar's residence one morning and started shouting "Hey Talwar, de de mere aath hazaar" ("Hey Talwar, give me my eight thousand"). He did this every morning until Talwar paid him.^[16]

The film Anand (1971) was originally supposed to star Kishore Kumar and Mehmood Ali in the lead.^[18] Hrishikesh Mukherjee, the director of the film, was asked to meet Kishore Kumar to discuss the project. However, when he went to Kishore Kumar's house, he was driven away by the gatekeeper due to a misunderstanding. Kishore Kumar (himself a Bengali) hadn't been paid for a stage show organized by another Bengali man, and had instructed his gatekeeper to drive away this "Bengali", if he ever visited the house. When Hrishikesh Mukherjee (also a Bengali) went to Kishore Kumar's house, the gatekeeper drove him away, mistaking him for the "Bengali" that Kishore Kumar had asked him to drive away. Consequently, Mehmood had to leave the film as well, and new actors (Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan) were signed up for the film.^[18]

In spite of his "no money, no work" principle, sometimes Kishore Kumar recorded for free even when the producers were willing to pay. Such films include those produced by Rajesh Khanna and Danny Denzongpa.^[19] On one occasion, Kishore Kumar helped actor-turned-producer Bipin Gupta, by giving him Rs. 20,000 for the film Dal Mein Kala (1964). When actor Arun Kumar Mukherjee died, Kishore Kumar regularly sent money to his family in Bhagalpur.^[17] Mukherjee was one of the first persons to appreciate Kishore's singing talent.^[17]

Many journalists and writers have written about Kishore Kumar's seemingly eccentric behavior.^[20][21] Kishore Kumar had put a "Beware of Kishore" sign at the door of his Warden Road flat, where he stayed for some time while his bungalow was being done up. Once, producer-director H. S. Rawail, who owed him some money, visited his flat to pay the dues. Kishore Kumar took the money, and when Rawail offered to shake hands with him, he reportedly put Rawail's hand in his mouth, bit it, and asked "Didn’t you see the sign?". Rawail laughed off the incident and left quickly.^[17] Kishore Kumar was a loner, and in an interview with Pritish Nandy (1985), he said that he had no friends – he preferred talking to his trees instead.^[22] Once, when a reporter made a comment about how lonely he must be, Kishore Kumar took her to his garden. He then named some of the trees in his garden, and introduced them to the reporter as his closest friends.^[17]