Madhuri Devi


Madhuri Devi was a lead actress and in Tamil films from the late 1940s until the 1950s. She has paired opposite leading heroes like M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and M. G. R and known for acting in the films Manthiri Kumari, Marmayogi,, and Devaki opposite MGR.

Early life

Madhuri Devi was born on 19 September 1927, as Clara, at Royapuram, Madras to Soosai Mudhaliyar, Manoranjidham. Prior to acting in cinema, She stayed North Madras and acted in Christian dramas. She has the ability to act in three roles in the same drama. Madhurai avoided her early cinema opportunities, latterly she agreed to act in the film and change her name Clara to Madhuri Devi.

Career

She entered in Tamil film industry in 1938, her debut film as Ambikapathy. In film Pandurangan, in which she played second heroine. Her next film Lakshmi Vijayam, where she played dual role. She played a comedian in 1940's. Marmayogi, was Madhuri first film with M. G. Ramachandran. Then followed her films that included Mohini, En Thangai, Kanniyin Kaadhali, Ponmudi and Manthiri Kumari. She acted not only as heroine but also played as Vamp and she was comedian in the films Vaayadi and Poli Panchali. In Kanniyin Kaadhali, where she played three roles in twins Prince Adithyan and Princess Chandrika, later shipwrecked young lady, who disguised as a young man Kalaimani. In the film Ponmudi starred with P. V. Narasimha Bharathi acted in the film and hired the revdution. She drew applause for her performance as a rich girl in the Sivaji Ganesan starrer Manidhanum Mirugamum. She left cinema around the year 1962, but came back for a guest role in the film Vetri Thirumagal in 1978.

Personal life

Devi married her father's Bengali friend's son Shanti Mukharjee. She died in 1990 after her health suffered a big set back.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNote
1937AmbikapathyDebut film
1938Paandurangan
1940Poli Panchali
1940Vaayaadi
1947Aayiram Thalai Vaangi Apoorva ChinthamaniThampathi
1948Lakshmi VijayamAmutha/Kumutha
1948Mohini
1949Kanniyin KaadhaliPrincess Chandrika/Kalaimani
1950Manthiri KumariAmuthavalli
1950Parijatham
1950Ponmudi
1951DevakiLeela
1951MarmayogiKalavathi
1951RajambalLokasundari
1952En ThangaiRajam
1952Kumari
1952Manavathi
1952Pasiyin Kodumai
1952Rani
1952Thai UllamVasundhara
1952Velaikaran
1952Zamindar
1953Inspector
1953Manithan
1953Manidhanum Mirugamum
1953Rohini
1953Vanjam
1955Asai Anna Arumai ThambiKannamma
1955Nalla Thangai
1955Nalla Thangal
1956Ondre Kulam
1957Pudhu VazhvuSubha
1959Athisaya PennLally
1959Mala Oru Mangala Vilakku
1960Thozhan
1962Konjum SalangaiAparajithacredited as Kumari Madhuri
1978Vetri Thirumagal