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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Short description|Indian actress, Carnatic singer and dancer}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name              = T. R. Rajakumari
| name              = T. R. Rajakumari
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'''Thanjavur Radhakrishnan Rajayee''' (5 May 1922&nbsp;– 20 September 1999), known by her screen name '''T. R. Rajakumari''', was an Indian actress, [[Carnatic music|Carnatic]] singer and dancer. She has been called the first "dream girl" of Tamil cinema.<ref name="newspaper">{{Cite news |first=Randor |last= Guy |author-link=Randor Guy |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19901117&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |title=T. R. Rajakumari: 'The dream girl' with many-sided talent |date=17 November 1990 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |page=18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.maalaimalar.com/2009/08/04122341/rajakumari.html | title=தமிழ்ப்பட உலகின் முதல் கனவுக்கன்னி டி.ஆர்.ராஜகுமாரி |trans-title=T. R. Rajakumari, the first dream girl of Tamil cinema | work=[[Maalai Malar]] | date=2 August 2009 | access-date=14 March 2010 | language=Tamil}}</ref>
'''Thanjavur Radhakrishnan Rajayee''' (5 May 1922&nbsp;– 20 September 1999), better known by her screen name '''T. R. Rajakumari''', was an Indian actress, [[Carnatic music|Carnatic]] singer and dancer. She has been called the first "dream girl" of Tamil cinema.<ref name="newspaper">{{Cite news |first=Randor |last= Guy |author-link=Randor Guy |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19901117&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |title=T. R. Rajakumari: 'The dream girl' with many-sided talent |date=17 November 1990 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |pages=18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.maalaimalar.com/2009/08/04122341/rajakumari.html | title=தமிழ்ப்பட உலகின் முதல் கனவுக்கன்னி டி.ஆர்.ராஜகுமாரி | trans-title=T. R. Rajakumari, the first dream girl of Tamil cinema | work=[[Maalai Malar]] | date=2 August 2009 | access-date=14 March 2010 | language=Tamil | archive-date=13 August 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813115028/http://www.maalaimalar.com/2009/08/04122341/rajakumari.html | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cscsarchive.org:80/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/698DD498239CE50465256940004C8B17 |title=A Legend in her time - the Hindu |website=www.cscsarchive.org:80 |access-date=30 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014010324/http://www.cscsarchive.org:80/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/698DD498239CE50465256940004C8B17 |archive-date=14 October 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


== Film career ==
== 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 was Mandharavathi directed by D.S. Marconi was also released in 1941.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/kumara-kulothungan-1939/article5818852.ece|title=Kumara Kulothungan (1941)|last=Guy|first=Randor|author-link=Randor Guy|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=22 March 2014|access-date=26 June 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140323040330/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/kumara-kulothungan-1939/article5818852.ece| archive-date=23 March 2014}}</ref> ''Kacha Devayani'' (1941) was a hit and helped launch her career in movies. There is some confusion about in which film she actually made her debut as ''Kacha Devayani's'' director [[K. Subramaniam]] later insisted that he was the one who introduced her to films.<ref>{{cite book|last=Narayanan|first=Aranthai|title=Aramba Kaala Tamil cinema (1931–1941)|publisher=Vijaya Publications|year=2009|pages=107}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2009/10/23/stories/2009102350471600.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129082039/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2009/10/23/stories/2009102350471600.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 November 2010|title= Blast from the Past: Katcha Devayani 1941  |last=Randor Guy  |author-link=Randor Guy  |date=23 October 2009|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=14 March 2010}}</ref> In 1944, Rajakumari starred in the record-breaking film ''[[Haridas (1944 film)|Haridas]]'' alongside [[M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar]] and gained recognition for her glamorous portrayal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/07/11/stories/2008071150391600.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080714042834/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/07/11/stories/2008071150391600.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 July 2008|title=Blast From the Past : Haridas 1944|last=Guy|first=Randor|date=11 July 2008|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=14 March 2010}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/kumara-kulothungan-1939/article5818852.ece|title=Kumara Kulothungan (1941)|last=Guy|first=Randor|author-link=Randor Guy|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=22 March 2014|access-date=26 June 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140323040330/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/kumara-kulothungan-1939/article5818852.ece| archive-date=23 March 2014}}</ref> ''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.<ref>{{cite book|last=Narayanan|first=Aranthai|title=Aramba Kaala Tamil cinema (1931–1941)|publisher=Vijaya Publications|year=2009|pages=107}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2009/10/23/stories/2009102350471600.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129082039/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2009/10/23/stories/2009102350471600.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 November 2010|title= Blast from the Past: Katcha Devayani 1941  |last=Randor Guy  |author-link=Randor Guy  |date=23 October 2009|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=14 March 2010}}</ref> In 1944, Rajakumari starred in the record-breaking film ''[[Haridas (1944 film)|Haridas]]'' alongside [[M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar]] and gained recognition for her glamorous portrayal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/07/11/stories/2008071150391600.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080714042834/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/07/11/stories/2008071150391600.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 July 2008|title=Blast From the Past : Haridas 1944|last=Guy|first=Randor|date=11 July 2008|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=14 March 2010}}</ref>


In her Tamil film career, Rajakumari acted as the female lead to many major film stars including Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, [[T. R. Mahalingam (actor)|T. R. Mahalingam]], [[K. R. Ramaswamy (actor)|K. R. Ramaswamy]], [[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).<ref name="newspaper" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maalaimalar.com/2009/08/04122341/rajakumari.html |title="கனவுக்கன்னி" டி.ஆர்.ராஜகுமாரி 5 சூப்பர் ஸ்டார்களுடன் நடித்தார்  |date=4 August 2009 |work=[[Maalai Malar]] |access-date=14 March 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/2013.01.28-073933/http://www.maalaimalar.com/2009/08/04122341/rajakumari.html |archive-date=28 January 2013}}</ref>
In her Tamil film career, Rajakumari acted as the female lead opposite many major film stars, including Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, [[T. R. Mahalingam (actor)|T. R. Mahalingam]], [[K. R. Ramasamy (actor)|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).<ref name="newspaper" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maalaimalar.com/2009/08/04122341/rajakumari.html |title="கனவுக்கன்னி" டி.ஆர்.ராஜகுமாரி 5 சூப்பர் ஸ்டார்களுடன் நடித்தார்  |date=4 August 2009 |work=[[Maalai Malar]] |access-date=14 March 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128073933/http://www.maalaimalar.com/2009/08/04122341/rajakumari.html |archive-date=28 January 2013}}</ref>


== Later life and death ==
== Later life and death ==
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{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%;"
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%;"
! Year
! Year
! Title<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jointscene.com/artists/Kollywood/T.R.%20Rajakumari%20/6119|title=T. R. Rajakumari filmography|work=Jointscene.com|access-date=14 March 2010}}</ref>
! Title
! Language
! Role
! Role
! Notes
! Notes
|-
|-
|1939 || ''Kumara Kulothungan'' || ||
| rowspan="2" |1935 || rowspan="2" | ''[[Karwan-E-Hayat]]'' || Hindi || rowspan="2" | Princess of Vijaypore || rowspan="2" |
|-
|-
|1941 || ''[[Kacha Devayani]]''  || Devayani ||
|Urdu
|-
|-
|1941 ||''Mandharavathi'' || ||
|1936 || ''[[Devdas (1936 film)|Devdas]]'' || Hindi || [[Chandramukhi (character)|Chandramukhi]] ||
|-
|-
|1941 ||''Soorya Puthiri'' || ||
|1939 || ''[[Kumara Kulothungan]]'' || rowspan="16" | Tamil || Buvaneswari ||
|-
|-
|1942 ||''Sathi Suganya''  || ||
| rowspan="3" |1941 || ''[[Kacha Devayani]]''  || Devayani ||
|-
|-
|1942 ||''[[Manonmani]]'' || Manonmani ||
|''Mandharavathi'' || ||
|-
|-
|1943||''[[Sivakavi]]'' || Vanji ||
|''[[Surya Puthri]]'' || Queen Sulochana ||
|-
|-
|1943 ||''Kubera Kuchela''  || ||
| rowspan="2" |1942 ||''[[Sathi Sukanya (1942 film)|Sathi Sukanya]]''  || ||
|-
|-
|1944 || ''[[Haridas (1944 film)|Haridas]]'' || Haridas' mistress||
|''[[Manonmani]]'' || Manonmani ||
|-
|-
|1944 ||''Prabhavathi''  || ||
| rowspan="2" |1943||''[[Sivakavi]]'' || Vanji ||
|-
|''[[Kubera Kuchela]]''  || Mallika ||
|-
| rowspan="2" |1944 || ''[[Haridas (1944 film)|Haridas]]'' || Ramba (Dasi)||
|-
|''[[Prabhavathi]]''  || Mayavathi ||
|-
|-
| 1945 || ''[[Saalivaahanan]]'' || Chandralekha ||
| 1945 || ''[[Saalivaahanan]]'' || Chandralekha ||
|-
|-
| 1946 || ''[[Valmiki (1946 film)|Valmiki]]'' || ||
| rowspan="2" | 1946 || ''[[Valmiki (1946 film)|Valmiki]]'' || ||
|-
|-
| 1946 || ''Vikatayogi'' || ||
| ''[[Vikatayogi]]'' || ||
|-
|-
| 1947 || ''[[Pankajavalli]]'' || ||
| 1947 || ''[[Pankajavalli]]'' || ||
|-
|-
| 1948 || ''[[Chandralekha (1948 film)|Chandralekha]]'' || Chandralekha ||
| rowspan="3" | 1948 || ''[[:ta:பிரம்மரிஷி விஷ்வாமித்திரா|Brahma Rishi Vishwamitra]]'' || [[Menaka]] ||
|-
|-
| 1949 || ''[[Krishna Bakthi]]'' || Devakumari ||
| rowspan="2" | ''[[Chandralekha (1948 film)|Chandralekha]]''|| rowspan="2" | Chandralekha ||
|-
|-
| 1949 || ''[[Pavalakkodi (1949 film)|Pavalakkodi]]'' || Pavalakkodi ||
| Hindi ||
|-
|-
| 1950 || ''[[Ithaya Geetham]]'' || Thara ||
| rowspan="2" | 1949 || ''[[Krishna Bakthi]]'' || rowspan="6" | Tamil || Devakumari ||
|-
|-
| 1950 || ''[[Vijayakumari (film)|Vijayakumari]]'' || ||
| ''[[Pavalakkodi (1949 film)|Pavalakkodi]]'' || Pavalakkodi ||
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1950 || ''[[Ithaya Geetham]]'' || Thara ||
|-
| ''[[Vijayakumari (film)|Vijayakumari]]'' || ||
|-
|-
| 1951 || ''[[Vanasundari]]'' || Vanasundari ||
| 1951 || ''[[Vanasundari]]'' || Vanasundari ||
|-
|-
| 1952 || ''[[Amarakavi]]'' ||  ||
| rowspan="2" | 1952 || ''[[Amarakavi]]'' || rowspan="2" | Padmini || rowspan="2" |Bilingual film
|-
| ''[[Amarakavi]]'' || Telugu
|-
| rowspan="5" | 1953 || ''[[Anbu (1953 film)|Anbu]]'' || rowspan="2" | Tamil || Thangam ||
|-
| ''[[En Veedu]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Na Illu]]'' || Telugu ||  ||
|-
| ''[[Panakkaari]]'' || rowspan="2" | Tamil ||  ||
|-
| ''[[Vazha Pirandhaval]]'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1954 || ''[[Manohara (film)|Manohara]]'' || Hindi || Vasanthasena || rowspan="3" |Trilingual film
|-
| ''[[Manohara (film)|Manohara]]'' || Tamil || Vasanthasenai
|-
| ''[[Manohara (film)|Manohara]]'' || Telugu || Vasanthasena
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1955 || ''[[Gulebakavali (1955 film)|Gulebagavali]]'' || Tamil || Princess Lakbesha ||
|-
| ''Rajkumari'' || Hindi ||  ||
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1957 || ''[[Pudhumai Pithan (1957 film)|Pudhumai Pithan]]'' || rowspan="2" | Tamil || Inbavalli ||
|-
| ''[[Thangamalai Ragasiyam]]'' || rowspan="2" | Nandhini ||
|-
| ''[[Thangamalai Ragasiyam|Rathnagiri Rahasyam]]'' || rowspan="2" | Telugu ||
|-
| 1957 || ''[[Pudhumai Pithan (1957 film)|Veera Khadgamu]]'' || Inbavalli ||
|-
| 1959 || ''[[Thanga Padhumai]]'' || Tamil || rowspan="2" | Maya Mohini ||
|-
| 1961 || ''[[Thanga Padhumai|Kanyaka Parameswari Mahatmyam]]'' || Telugu ||
|-
| 1962 || ''[[Paasam]]'' || rowspan="3" | Tamil || Shantha ||
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1963 ||''[[Vanambadi]]''|| Parvathi ||
|-
| ''[[Periya Idathu Penn]]''|| Gangamma ||
|}
 
==Discography==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Film !! Language !! Song !! Co-singers !! Music director
|-
| rowspan=9|1941 || rowspan=9|''[[Kacha Devayani]]'' || rowspan="37" |Tamil || Parkka Parkka Thikattuvathumillai || || rowspan=9|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. Venkatraman]]
|-
| rowspan=5|1944 || rowspan=5|''[[Prabhavathi]]'' || Varuvare Varuvare || || rowspan=5|
|-
| 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 ||
|-
| rowspan="6" |1947 || rowspan=2|''[[Pankajavalli (film)|Pankajavalli]]''|| Dheivamum Mandhira Vaal ||  || rowspan=2|[[Papanasam Sivan]]
|-
| Devinin Vadivazhagai ||
|-
| rowspan="4" |''[[Chandralekha (1948 film)|Chandralekha]]'' || Indrae Enathu Kuthukalam || || rowspan=4|[[S. Rajeswara Rao]]
|-
| Manamohana Saaranae ||
|-
| Aaduven Mayilaayi Naan || rowspan="2" | Mayavaram Venu
|-
| Vaanamengume Nirainthu
|-
| 1949 || ''[[Krishna Bhakthi]]''|| Enna Vazhvu ||  || [[S. V. Venkatraman]] & [[Kunnakudi Venkatarama Iyer]]
|-
| rowspan=2|1950 || rowspan=2|''[[Ithaya Geetham]]'' || Vaanulaavum Tharai Nee En Ithaya Geethame || rowspan="2" | [[T. R. Mahalingam (actor)|T. R. Mahalingam]] || rowspan=2|[[S. V. Venkatraman]]
|-
| Odi Vaa Venmugil Poley
|-
|-
| 1953 || ''[[Anbu (1953 film)|Anbu]]'' || Thangam ||
| rowspan=2|1950 || rowspan=2|''[[Vijayakumari (film)|Vijayakumari]]'' || Katchi Yaavaiyum || [[K. R. Ramasamy (actor)|K. R. Ramasamy]] & [[A. L. Raghavan]] || rowspan=2|[[C. R. Subburaman]] & [[C. S. Jayaraman]]
|-
|-
| 1953 || ''[[En Veedu]]'' ||  ||
| Pozhuthu Vidinthaal ||  
|-
|-
| 1953 || ''[[Panakkaari]]'' || ||
| rowspan=3|1948 || rowspan=3|''[[Vanasundari]]'' || Kannile Vilaiyaadum Inba Kaadhal || [[P. U. Chinnappa]] || rowspan=3|[[S. V. Venkataraman]] & [[C. R. Subburaman]]
|-
|-
| 1953 || ''Vazha Pirandavan'' ||  ||
| Mannan Pennaaga Naanum Mann Meedhu ||
|-
|-
| 1954 || ''[[Manohara (film)|Manohara]]'' || Vasanthasenai ||
| Namasthe Namasthe || [[P. U. Chinnappa]]
|-
|-
| 1955 || ''[[Gulebakavali (1955 film)|Gulebagavali]]'' || ||
| rowspan=2|1952 || rowspan=2|''[[Amarakavi]]'' || Pasiyaale Nondhene || || rowspan=2|[[G. Ramanathan]] & [[T. A. Kalyanam]]
|-
|-
| 1957 || ''[[Pudhumai Pithan (1957 film)|Pudhumai Pithan]]'' || ||
| Thoondi Mullu Pole...Paarunga Thinnu ||  
|-
|-
| 1957 || ''[[Thangamalai Ragasiyam]]'' || Nandhini ||
| rowspan=3|1953 || rowspan=3|''[[Anbu (1953 film)|Anbu]]'' || Anbe Dheiveegam.... Anbaale Ulagil ||  || rowspan=3|[[T. R. Pappa]]
|-
|-
| 1959 || ''[[Thanga Padhumai]]'' || ||
| Kappadhu Un Paramamma ||
|-
|-
| 1962 || ''[[Paasam]]'' || ||
| Manadhu Magizhave Manamum ||
|-
|-
| 1963 ||''[[Vanambadi]]''|| ||
| rowspan=2|1953 || rowspan=2|''[[Vazha Pirandhaval]]'' || Chandiranai Polirukkumaa || || rowspan=2|[[G. Ramanathan]] & [[S. Rajeswara Rao]]
|-
|-
| 1963 || ''[[Periya Idathu Penn]]''|| Gangamma, Murugappan's elder sister ||
| Vaazha Pirandhaval Naan || T. A. Mothi & [[P. Leela]]
|-
|-
| 1954 || ''[[Manohara (film)|Manohara]]''|| Pozhudhu Pularndhadhe ||  || [[S. V. Venkatraman]] & T. R. Ramanathan
|}
|}


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[[Category:1999 deaths]]
[[Category:1999 deaths]]
[[Category:Tamil actresses]]
[[Category:Tamil actresses]]
[[Category:People from Thanjavur district]]
[[Category:Musicians from Thanjavur district]]
[[Category:Actors from Thanjavur district]]
[[Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:Singers from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Singers from Tamil Nadu]]
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[[Category:Indian women classical singers]]
[[Category:Indian women classical singers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women singers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women singers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian singers]]
[[Category:Women musicians from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Women musicians from Tamil Nadu]]

Latest revision as of 13:29, 25 December 2025


T. R. Rajakumari
T. R. Rajakumari in Sivakavi (1943).
Born
Thanjavur Radhakrishnan Rajayee

5 May 1922
Thanjavur, Madras Presidency, British India
Died20 September 1999 (age 77)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Years active1936–1963
Parent(s)Father: Radhakrishnan
Mother: Ranganayaki
FamilyT. S. Damayanthi (Sister),
T. D. Kusalakumari (niece),
T. R. Ramanna (brother)

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.[1][2][3]

Film career[edit | edit source]

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.[4] 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.[5][6] In 1944, Rajakumari starred in the record-breaking film Haridas alongside M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and gained recognition for her glamorous portrayal.[7]

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).[1][8]

Later life and death[edit | edit source]

Rajakumari died on 20 September 1999 after a prolonged illness.[9]

Partial filmography[edit | edit source]

Year Title Language Role Notes
1935 Karwan-E-Hayat Hindi Princess of Vijaypore
Urdu
1936 Devdas Hindi Chandramukhi
1939 Kumara Kulothungan Tamil Buvaneswari
1941 Kacha Devayani Devayani
Mandharavathi
Surya Puthri Queen Sulochana
1942 Sathi Sukanya
Manonmani Manonmani
1943 Sivakavi Vanji
Kubera Kuchela Mallika
1944 Haridas Ramba (Dasi)
Prabhavathi Mayavathi
1945 Saalivaahanan Chandralekha
1946 Valmiki
Vikatayogi
1947 Pankajavalli
1948 Brahma Rishi Vishwamitra Menaka
Chandralekha Chandralekha
Hindi
1949 Krishna Bakthi Tamil Devakumari
Pavalakkodi Pavalakkodi
1950 Ithaya Geetham Thara
Vijayakumari
1951 Vanasundari Vanasundari
1952 Amarakavi Padmini Bilingual film
Amarakavi Telugu
1953 Anbu Tamil Thangam
En Veedu
Na Illu Telugu
Panakkaari Tamil
Vazha Pirandhaval
1954 Manohara Hindi Vasanthasena Trilingual film
Manohara Tamil Vasanthasenai
Manohara Telugu Vasanthasena
1955 Gulebagavali Tamil Princess Lakbesha
Rajkumari Hindi
1957 Pudhumai Pithan Tamil Inbavalli
Thangamalai Ragasiyam Nandhini
Rathnagiri Rahasyam Telugu
1957 Veera Khadgamu Inbavalli
1959 Thanga Padhumai Tamil Maya Mohini
1961 Kanyaka Parameswari Mahatmyam Telugu
1962 Paasam Tamil Shantha
1963 Vanambadi Parvathi
Periya Idathu Penn Gangamma

Discography[edit | edit source]

Year Film Language Song Co-singers Music director
1941 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. Venkatraman
1944 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 Iyer
1950 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. Chinnappa
1952 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

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Guy, Randor (17 November 1990). "T. R. Rajakumari: 'The dream girl' with many-sided talent". The Indian Express. p. 18.
  2. ↑ "தமிழ்ப்பட உலகின் முதல் கனவுக்கன்னி டி.ஆர்.ராஜகுமாரி" [T. R. Rajakumari, the first dream girl of Tamil cinema]. Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 2 August 2009. Archived from the original on 13 August 2009. Retrieved 14 March 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  3. ↑ "A Legend in her time - the Hindu". www.cscsarchive.org:80. Archived from the original on 14 October 2007. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  4. ↑ Guy, Randor (22 March 2014). "Kumara Kulothungan (1941)". The Hindu. Retrieved 26 June 2018.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. ↑ Narayanan, Aranthai (2009). Aramba Kaala Tamil cinema (1931–1941). Vijaya Publications. p. 107.
  6. ↑ Randor Guy (23 October 2009). "Blast from the Past: Katcha Devayani 1941". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 29 November 2010. Retrieved 14 March 2010.
  7. ↑ Guy, Randor (11 July 2008). "Blast From the Past : Haridas 1944". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 14 July 2008. Retrieved 14 March 2010.
  8. ↑ ""கனவுக்கன்னி" டி.ஆர்.ராஜகுமாரி 5 சூப்பர் ஸ்டார்களுடன் நடித்தார்". Maalai Malar. 4 August 2009. Retrieved 14 March 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  9. ↑ "Actress Rajkumari dies at 79". The Indian Express. 21 September 1999. Retrieved 30 November 2016.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)

External links[edit | edit source]

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