S. Varalakshmi


Saridey Varalakshmi, popularly known as S. Varalakshmi, was a veteran Telugu and Tamil actress, and singer. She was popular for her roles and songs in Telugu movies like Mahamantri Timmarasu and Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam and Tamil movies like Veerapandiya Kattabomman and in Poova Thalaiya.

Life

Varalakshmi was born in Jaggampeta, Andhra Pradesh, India. She started her career as child artist in saint role in Balayogini, when she was nine years old. Gudavalli Ramabrahmam was engaged by the pioneer filmmaker K. Subrahmanyam to direct the Telugu version of this movie. He spotted young Varalakshmi in Kurnool. Subramanyam later cast her in his classic Seva Sadanam with M. S. Subbulakshmi. She played a young friend of the heroine, and they became close friends. She played a young girl's role in Parasuraman along with T. R. Mahalingam. T. R. Sundaram, cast her in a major role in his box office hit 'Aayiram Thalai Vaangi Apoorva Chinthamani'. The title role was played by V. N. Janaki. The film was a major success and Govindan and Varalakshmi made an attractive pair. T. R. Sundaram cast her again in the lead role in 'Bhojan'. Her first successful movie was Balaraju in 1948 produced and directed by Ghantasala Balaramaiah. She later acted with all top heroes in Telugu and Tamil industries including M K Tyagaraja Bhagavatar in the classic Tamil film by B A Subba Rao called 'Syamala' in 1953; Sivaji Ganesan, M. G. Ramachandran, Gemini Ganesan, N. T. Rama Rao, A. Nageswara Rao, Chittor V. Nagaiah, Ranjan and R. S. Manohar. She was also famous for her voice, and sung her songs in all movies she acted. Her roles as Sivaji's sister in Veerapandiya Kattabomman, and important roles in Poova Thalaiya, Savale Samali, Maattukkara Velan, Shivaji's sister in Raja Raja Chozhan and Neethikku thalaivanangu won her critical acclaim as a talented singer and actress in Tamil movies. In her later career, she acted in mother and aunt roles. She married film producer A. L. Srinivasan, an elder brother of Kavignar Kannadasan; they had two children named Nalini and Muruga She continued to act after marriage in senior roles in Telugu and Tamil cinema. She sang many beautiful songs in Telugu and Tamil films.
Her son, S. Muruga, died after suffering cardiac arrest in Chennai on 22 October 2013. He lived for 48 years.
Her daughter Nalini is a homemaker with 2 children.

Death

Varalakshmi was bedridden during the last 6 months of her life after she fell and injured her back. She died on 22 September 2009.

Honors and awards

She has received several awards commending her service to Tamil cinema. The most recent ones were:
  1. Sivaji Ganesan Memorial Award Presented by the Sivaji Family in Oct 2007
  2. Kavignar Kannadasan Award presented by the Tamil Nadu Government in 2004

    Filmography

Note: The lists are not comprehensive.
YearFilmLanguageCharacterSongsMusic Director
1937BalayoginiTeluguChild Saint
1938SevasadanamTamil
1939Raithu BiddaTeluguBeggar Girl
1940IllaluTelugu* Koyilokasari Vachi Koosi Poyane
  • Neepai Mohamuno Krishna Nilupagalemoyi Krishna
S. Rajeswara Rao
1940ParasuramarTamilG. Ramanathan
1942AaraichimaniTamil*Srinivasa Rao Shinde
1940Sathi MuraliTamil
1944JagathalaprathapanTamilG. Ramanathan
1945MayalokamTeluguGalipenchala Narasimha Rao
1947Palnati YudhamTeluguMaanchala* Chandamama O Chandamama Jaalirada Neeku Naameeda
  • Oho Charusheela Oho Veerabala
    		• Galipenchala Narasimha Rao
    1947Aayiram Thalai Vaangi Apoorva ChinthamaniTamil* Kaadhal AaginenG. Ramanathan
    1947Thulasi JalandarTamilM. D. Parthasarathi
    1948BalarajuTeluguSeetha* Evarine Nenevarine Vagavagala Nenevarine
  • O Balaraja Jaalileda Balaraja
  • Roopama Neeyaraya Nijaroopamu Neeyaraya
    		• C. R. Subburaman, Galipenchala Narasimha Rao and Ghantasala
    1948:ta:போஜன்_|BhojanTamil* Bhagyasali Puvimel NaaneC. R. Subburaman
    1948ChakradhariTamilM. D. Parthasarathi
    1948KaamavalliTamilC. N. Pandurangan
    1949JeevithamTeluguLakshmi* Anandamouga Palleseema Daanadharmakillu Maa PalleseemaR. Sudharsanam
    1949NavajeevanamTamil* Eedilla Kathalar Name
  • Jeeva Sugitha Anbe
  • Aananda Manoharaa
  • Nalla Vaazhvu
  • Sri Raamaa Raghugula Naayagaa
    		• S. V. Venkataraman
    1950Macha RekaiTamil* Odaadhe C. R. Subburaman
    1950Swapna SundariTeluguC. R. Subburaman
    1950Vaali SugreevaTelugu
    1951SaudaminiTamilHemavathi*S. V. Venkatraman
    1951SoudaminiTeluguHemavathi*S. V. Venkatraman
    1951VanasundariTamil* Azhagana Thadi Raja
  • Nane Rani
    		• C. R. Subburaman
    1951Mohana SundaramTamilVisalakshi* Avarthane
  • Vinmugil Kaana
  • Oh Jegamathil Inbam Kanbathellam
  • Pulli Maanai Pole
  • Kanneerthano
  • Kanavilum Unai Maraven
    		• T. G. Linggappa
    1952Chinna DuraiTamilIndramani*T. G. Lingappa
    1952VelaikaranTamil* Naane Raani En Maname
  • Ezhil Vaan Mugam Thannaiye
  • Kaadhalum Poi Aagume
    		• R. Sudharsanam
    1952ManavathiTamil* O Saratha
  • Vaaraai En Inba Vaazhve
    		• Balantrapu Rajinikantha Rao
    1953KodarikamTeluguC. N. Pandurangan
    1953MamiyarTamil* Arul Purivay
  • Vazviniley Nannalithuve
  • Aiyirandu Thingalaayi
  • Devi Eswari Jagathamba
  • Singara Roopa Karunaa
    		• C. N. Pandurangan
    1953ShyamalaTamilShyamala* Pudhu Vaazhvu Kanden Naan Poovil
  • Thaye Sangari
  • Aha, Ahaa Naan Bhaagyasaali
    		• G. Ramanathan, T. V. Raju & S. B. Dinakar Rao
    1953Vayyari BhamaTeluguSudha*S. Rajeswara Rao
    1954AmmaiyappanTamilPoongavanam*T. R. Pappa
    1954Edhir ParadhathuTamilNalini-C. N. Pandurangan
    1954En MagalTamilVasantha* Engal Vaazhvum Engal
  • Pennaaga Pirandhorku
  • Vaazhvinile Aanandam
  • Konden Arum Perum
  • Ulaginil Vaazhvu Tharum Kalvi
    		• C. N. Pandurangan
    1954Sati SakkubaiTeluguSakkubai
    1955Nam KuzhandaiTamil* Ulagam Pora Thinusai
  • Kadhaiyaa Alladhu Karpanaiyaa
  • O! Mariyaadhai Ariyaadha Podhu
  • Idhayathile Pugundha
    		• M. D. Parthasarathy
    1956KanakataraTeluguBalantrapu Rajanikanta Rao
    1956Mangala GauriTamil-Ogirala Ramachandra Rao & T. V. Raju
    1956Naga PanchamiTelugu
    1956Naga PanjamiTamil* Om Namasivaaya
  • Sambo Maha Devaa
    • 1956Sri Gauri MahatyamTelugu-Ogirala Ramachandra Rao & T. V. Raju
    1956Verum Pechu AllaTamilC. N. Pandurangan
    1957Chakravarthi ThirumagalTamilDhurga* Ematramthana En Vazhvile
  • Nalangittu Parpomadi
  • Sollaley Vilakka Theriyale
    		• G. Ramanathan
    1957Sati SavitriTeluguSavithri* Enduko Ohoho Vilasala
  • Raavelano
  • Nammithine Janani
  • Amma Kaavave Amma
  • Maataa Idena
  • Navaratnanchita
  • Pati Bhakti
  • Praananaatha
  • Thaguna Idi Janaka
    		• S. V. Venkatraman
    1957Sathiyavan SavithriTamilSavithri* Edhuko Indraanandham
  • Raavelano
  • Ambigaiye Kadhi Nee Endhan
  • Ammaa.... Katharulvaai Ammaa
  • Anbbarin Innuyir Vandhida
  • Navaratnanchita
  • Pati Bhakti
  • Naan Vaanagum
  • Thaguna Idi Janaka
    		• S. Rajeswara Rao & Babu Rao
    1959Raja SevaiTamilGowri-T. V. Raju
    1959Rechukka PagatichukkaTeluguGowri-T. V. Raju
    1959Veerapandiya KattabommanTamilQueen Jakkamma* Singara Kanne Un Thenoorum Sollale
  • Vetrri Vadivelane.... Manam Kanintharul Vel Muruga
  • Takku Takku Ena Adikkadi Thudikkum
    		• G. Ramanathan
    1959Veerapandya KattabrahmanaTeluguQueen Jakkamma* Chinnari Thalli
  • Vijaya Varadayaka.... Prabho Krupakara
  • Takku Takku Bada Bada
    		• G. Ramanathan
    1959Sivagangai SeemaiTamil* Thanimai Serndhadho
  • Muthu Pugazh Padaitha
  • Thendral Vanthu Veesatho
    		• Viswanathan Ramamoorthy
    1960AbhimanamTelugu* Rama Idhi YemiGhantasala
    1960DeepavaliTeluguVasumathi* Mahadeva Deva Mahaneeya
  • Agni Sakshiga
  • Haye Haye Andala Raja
    		• Ghantasala
    1960Sri Venkateswara MahatyamTeluguMahalakshmi* Sri Devini Needu Deverini Sarisaatileni Sowbhagyavatini
  • Varala Beramaya Vanaram Beramaya
    		• Pendyala Nageswara Rao
    1961Krishna PremaTelugu* Repe Vasthadanta Gopaludu
  • Cheliyalu Muddaraalu
  • Krishnaa Radhamano Vihari
  • Navaneetha Chorudu Nandha Kishorudu
  • Navaneetha Chorudu Nandha Kishorudu
    		• Pendyala Nageswara Rao
    1962Mahamantri TimmarusuTeluguTirumala Devi* Leela Krishna Nee Leelalu Ne Leelaganaina Teliyanuga
  • Tirumala Tirupati Venkateswara
    		• Pendyala Nageswara Rao
    1962Vadivukku Valai KappuTamilRajeswari* Thaamadham Seiyathe ThozhiK. V. Mahadevan
    1963Lava KushaTeluguBhoodevi-Ghantasala
    1963Lava KushaTamilBhoodevi-Ghantasala
    1963Sri Krishnarjuna YuddhamuTeluguSatyabhama* Veyi Shubhamulu Kalugu NeekuPendyala Nageswara Rao
    1964BabruvahanaTeluguChitrangada* Maa Saati Vaaru
  • Yemani Thaanaaduno
  • Nee Sari Manohari
  • Vardillu Papa
    		• Paamarthi
    1964BabruvahanaTamilChitrangadaPaamarthi
    1964Karuppu PanamTamilKamala-Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy
    1965Satya HarishchandraTeluguChandramathi* He Chandrachooda Madanantaka Shoolapane Pendyala Nageswara Rao
    1965Veera AbhimanyuTamilSubhadra-K. V. Mahadevan
    1965VeerabhimanyuTeluguSubhadra-K. V. Mahadevan
    1966Sri Krishna PandaveeyamTeluguKunti-T. V. Raju
    1966Sri Krishna TulabharamTeluguShachi Devi* Vidhudu Nee MaataPendyala Nageswara Rao
    1967Apoorva PiravaigalTamil
    1967Bhama VijayamTeluguQueen-T. V. Raju
    1967Kandan KarunaiTamilIndrani* Velli Malai MannavaK. V. Mahadevan
    1967Shri KrishnavataramTeluguDraupadiT. V. Raju
    1967Ummadi KutumbamTeluguKantham-T. V. Raju
    1968Nindu SamsaramTeluguTulasamma-Master Venu
    1968Panama PasamaTamilMeenakshi-K. V. Mahadevan
    1969Aadarsa KutumbamTeluguJaya-S. Rajeswara Rao
    1969Poova ThalaiyaTamilParuvathamma-M. S. Viswanathan
    1969Sattekalapu SatteyaTelugu-M. S. Viswanathan
    1969Thanga SurangamTamilKamakshi* Petramanam Sirayile T. K. Ramamoorthy
    1970Kaaviya ThalaiviTamil* Kavidhaiyil Ezhudhiya Eduthnatharadi Kaviya Thalaivi K. V. Mahadevan
    1970DrohiTelugu
    1970Maattukara VelanTamilAnnapurna-K. V. Mahadevan
    1971Aathi ParasakthiTamilAathi Parasakthi-K. V. Mahadevan
    1971Bomma BorusaTeluguParvathamma-R. Govardhanam
    1971IlangeswaranTamil* JothimayamanaS. M. Subbaiah Naidu
    1971Kannan KarunaiTamilS. V. Venkatraman
    1971Meendum VazhvenTamilShantha Lakshmi-M. S. Viswanathan
    1971Prem NagarTelugu-K. V. Mahadevan
    1971Sri Krishna SatyaTelugu-Pendyala Nageswara Rao
    1971ThirumagalTamilMaragatham-K. V. Mahadevan
    1971Veguli PennTamilDoctor S. V. LakshmiV. Kumar
    1972Bala BharatamTeluguGandhariS. Rajeswara Rao
    1972Pillaiyo PillaiTamil-M. S. Viswanathan
    1972Sri Krishna Satya TeluguDraupadi-Pendyala Nageswara Rao
    1972Velli VizhaTamilSivakami-V. Kumar
    1973Bangaru BabuTelugu-K. V. Mahadevan
    1973Devudu Chesina ManushuluTeluguVaralakshmi-Ramesh Naidu
    1973Karaikkal AmmaiyarTamil* Anbe Sivam Endru PaduvomeKunnakkudi Vaidyanathan
    1973Nathayil MuthuTamil-Sankar Ganesh
    1973Rajaraja CholanTamilKundavai Pirāttiyār* Eduthandhanadi Thillayile
  • Thanjai Preiya Koyil Pallandu Vaazhgave
    		• Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan
    1974ThaaiTamilKarpagam* Mangalam Kaappaal SivasakthiM. S. Viswanathan
    1973Thirumalai DeivamTamil* Neela Nira Megamellaam Neeye KannaKunnakkudi Vaidyanathan
    1974Devi Sri Karumari AmmanTamilMeenakshi* Kanne Kanmainiye KarumaariShankar-Ganesh
    1975AbhimanavathiTelugu
    1975Cinema PaithiyamTamil-Sankar Ganesh
    1975Yashoda KrishnaTelugu-S. Rajeswara Rao
    1975Ramuni Minchina RamuduTelugu-T. Chalapathi Rao
    1976DasavatharamTamilAathi Parasakthi-S. Rajeswara Rao
    1976Needhikku ThalaivananguTamilMaragadham* Intha Pachai KillikoruM. S. Viswanathan
    1976Rojavin RajaTamil--M. S. Viswanathan
    1976Vazhvu En PakkamTamilVijayalakshmi-M. S. Viswanathan
    1977Chanakya ChandraguptaTeluguMuradevi-Pendyala Nageswara Rao
    1977Daana Veera Soora KarnaTeluguKunti-Pendyala Nageswara Rao
    1977NavarathinamTamil-Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan
    1977Sri Krishna LeelaTamilYasodha* Nalla NaalK. V. Mahadevan
    1977Unnai Suttrum Ulagam Tamil-Shankar Ganesh
    1979Kavari MaanTamil* Sollavallaayo KiliyeIlaiyaraaja
    1979Suvarilladha ChiththirangalTamilParvathyGangai Amaran
    1980Sarada RamuduTeluguSuvrchala-K. Chakravarthy
    1980Sardar Papa RayuduTeluguUrmila Devi-K. Chakravarthy
    1981Aggi RavvaTeluguMeenakshi-K. V. Mahadevan
    1981Guru SishyuluTeluguMeenakshi-K. V. Mahadevan
    1981Prema SimhasanamTeluguAnasuya Devi-K. Chakravarthy
    1982Dheviyin ThiruvilaiyadalTamilM. S. Viswanathan
    1982Kaliyuga RamuduTeluguJayamma & Suramma-K. V. Mahadevan
    1982Vayyari Bhamalu Vagalamari BhartaluTeluguSeetamma-Rajan–Nagendra
    1983Adutha VarisuTamilRani Amma-Ilaiyaraaja
    1983Muddula MoguduTelugu-S. Rajeswara Rao
    1983Neti BharatamTelugu-K. Chakravarthi
    1983Sri Ranga NeethuluTeluguRaja Rajeswari Devi-K. Chakravarthy
    1984TharaasuTamil-M. S. Viswanathan
    1984ThiruppamTamil-M. S. Viswanathan
    1985BulletTelugu-K. V. Mahadevan
    1986Muddula KrishnaiahTeluguMangalagiri Ramanamma-K. V. Mahadevan
    1987Lawyer SuhasiniTelugu-S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
    1991GunaTamilManonmani* Unnai Naan ArivenIlaiyaraja
    1995SankalpamTeluguMathaji-Koti