Thadiparthi Saraswati Devi (born 12 June 1945), better known by her stage name Sarada, is an Indian actress and politician. Though known for her work predominantly in Telugu and Malayalam cinema, she has also appeared in Tamil, Hindi and Kannada language films.
Sarada is a three-time recipient of the National Film Award for Best Actress for her roles in Thulabharam (1968), Swayamvaram (1972), and Nimajjanam (1977). She is also known as Urvasi Sarada – the National Film Award for Best Actress was officially designated the Urvasi Award. Sarada also won the NTR National Award by the Government of Andhra Pradesh for her contributions to Indian cinema. In 2024, she was honoured with the J. C. Daniel Award by the Government of Kerala, for her contributions to Malayalam cinema.
Early life Sarada was born on 12 June 1945 as Saraswati Devi in Tenali, Madras Presidency, British India (in present-day Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India). Her parents Venkateswar Rao and Satyavathi Devi were farmers. She has a brother, Mohan Rao. Sarada was sent to Madras in her childhood to live with her grandmother Kanakamma. Sarada describes her grandmother as a "strict disciplinarian" who in the later days "wouldn't even let the heroes touch her" and allowed "rehearsals only on Sundays". Sarada started to learn dance when she was six. She used to perform during Dasara and other temple festivals. Because of her mother's desire, she learnt dancing. Her mother wanted her to be a "big star in cine field". Though Sarada's father was not too interested in the idea, he did not stop her.
Sarada married Telugu actor Chalam, and the couple later divorced. Currently, Sarada resides with her brother's family in Chennai.
Early career
When she grew up, she started acting in Telugu theatre. Her debut in cinema was with a minor role in the Telugu film Kanyasulkam. However, she returned to theatre after that and did a major role in the Telugu version of Ratha Kanneer, a Tamil drama. The play went on to be staged over 100 times in Tamil Nadu.
Film career
In 1959, she began her career as Sarada. The change in name was attributed to the presence of a few other actors in the industry with the name Saraswati, after a Hindu goddess. She came under contract to L.V. Prasad, a Telugu producer. Though she didn't get to act in any of his films, she got her formal training in acting under him, including the Navarasa lessons. She largely attributes her performances and growth in the field to this training. Her first break came with the Akkineni Nageswara Rao-starrer Iddaru Mitrulu, which was a major hit. Noted for the role in the film, she got acting offers from Tamil and Malayalam films as well.
The year 1965 changed her career as Sarada carved her niche for herself in the Malayalam film industry with her performances in Shakuntala, Murappennu, Udhyogastha by P. Venu, Kattu Thulasi and Inapravukal. After that, she focused in Malayalam films, acting only a few roles in other languages. Recognition came in 1967 in the form of a national honorary award for her performances in various films of 1966 including Iruttinte Athmavu. The award was the predecessor to the National Film Award for Best Actress, which was instituted in 1968. In 1969, she won her first National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in Thulabharam. She went on to win the award 2 more times, for Swayamvaram (1972, Malayalam) and Nimajjanam (1978, Telugu). She also won the Kerala State Film Awards for Best Actress one time. After 1993, she became choosy and accepted only a few films. Her major films of late were Mazhathullikkilukkam (2002, Malayalam), Rappakal (2005, Malayalam), Nayika (2011, Malayalam) and Stalin (2006, Telugu).
She owns a chocolate factory named Lotus Chocolates. She was elected as a Member of Parliament on Telugu Desam Party ticket from her native town of Tenali. She was one of WCC members of Hema Committee report.
Awards
National Film Awards 1968 - National Film Award for Best Actress : Thulabharam (Malayalam) 1972 - National Film Award for Best Actress : Swayamvaram (Malayalam) 1977 - National Film Award for Best Actress : Nimajjanam (Telugu)
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards 2013 - Kalaimamani for contributions to Tamil cinema
Kerala State Film Awards 1970 - Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress – Thriveni & Thara 2024 - J. C. Daniel Award for outstanding contributions to Malayalam cinema
Filmfare Awards South 1987 - Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam : Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam 1996 – Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award - South
Nandi Awards 1984 - Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actress - Bobbili Brahmanna(in Telugu) 2010 - NTR National Award for Lifetime Achievement
Other awards 1970 - Bengal Film Journalists' Association (BFJA) Award for Best Actress in Hindi – Samaj Ko Badal Dalo 2017 - Prem Nazir Award 1999 - Honorary doctorate from Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University 2020 - Vanitha Film Awards - Lifetime Achievement Award
Notable filmography
Telugu Year Film Character Remarks 1955 Kanyasulkam Minor role Debut film 1961 Iddaru Mitrulu Meena Tandrulu Kodukulu 1962 Atma Bandhuvu 1963 Valmiki Thobuttuvulu Rukmini 1964 Dagudu Moothalu Mairavana Murali Krishna Srilatha 1965 Chaduvukonna Bharya 1966 Shrimati Bhakta Potana 1968 Mana Samsaram 1969 Sri Rama Katha Sita and Mahalakshmi Manushulu Marali 1970 Sambarala Rambabu Pasidi Manasulu Sisindri Chittibabu 1971 Chelleli Kapuram Jeevitha Chakram Kamala Sati Ansuya Pagabattina Paduchu Amayakuralu 1972 Kalam Marindi Manavudu Danavudu 1973 Devudu Chesina Manushulu Sarada Insane Woman Vishali Mayadari Malligadu Mallamma Katha Ida Lokam Abhimanavanthulu 1974 Urvasi Radhamma Pelli Premalu Pellilu Palle Paduchu Harathi Devudu Chesina Pelli TulabharamRadha/Roja Adambaralu Anubhandalu 1975 Balipeetam Aruna Zamindarugari Ammayi Parvathi Vykunthapalli Saubhagyavati Bharati 1976 Suprabhatam Mahatmudu Nimajjanam Brahmin housewife National Film Award for Best Actress Nominated - Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu 1977 Daana Veera Soora Karna Draupadi Swarganiki Nitchenalu Bhale Alludu 1978Indra DhanussuShanti and LathaDouble Role Navodayam Shivamettina Satyam 1979 Gorintaku Karthika Deepam Priya Bandhavi Captain Krishna 1980 Sardar Papa Rayudu Seeta Sannayi Appanna Ramudu Parashuramudu Rajadhi Raju Mangala Gauri Sivamethina SatyamRadha Kodallu Vasthunaru Jagratha Janaki Kaliyuga Ravana Surudu Alludu Pattina Bharatham Alayam 1981 Nyayam Kavali Lawyer Shakuntala O Amma Katha Prema Natakam Sarada Alludugaru Zindabad 1982 Nipputho Chelagatam Mrs. Ganga Kumar Justice Chowdary RadhaPrathikaramLakshmi Jagannatha Rathachakralu 1983 Swarajyam Raghu Ramudu Poratam Kumkuma Tilakam Kaliyuga Daivam Kala Yamudu Durga Devi Chanda Sasanudu Bhuvaneswari Devi Bandhipottu Rudramma Bahudoorapu Batasari Aalaya Sikharam 1984 Bobbili Brahmanna Savitri wife of Brahmanna Ugra Roopam Rowdy Shantha Raaraju Marchandi Mana Chattalu Katha Nayakudu Janani Janmabhoomi Kachyayani Iddaru Dongalu Sardar Bharati Chadarangam Swathi Saraswathi Bharyamani Bharatamlo Sankharavam 1985 Adavi Donga Vasundhara Vijetha Saraswathi Pattabhishekham Palnati Simham Nagamani Devi Maha Sangramam Intiko Rudramma Illaliko Pariksha Devalayam Bhale Tammudu Bebbuli Veta Agni Parvatam Janaki Raktha Sindhuram 1986 Anasuyamma Gari Alludu Anasuyamma Apoorva Sahodarulu Prathidwani Deshoddharakudu Dharma Peetam Daddarillindi Krishna Garadi Jailu Pakshi Mister Bharath Khaidi Rudrayya Kondaveeti Raja Muddula Krishnayya Kaliyuga Krishnudu Ravana Brahma 1987 Sardar Krishnama Naidu Agni Putrudu Brahmaramba Collector Gari Abbai Laxmi Devi Bhargava Ramudu Kulala Kurukshetram Lawyer Bharti Devi Muddayi Presidentgari Abbayi Saradamba Ramu Gayatri Devi Ajeyudu Tulasi Repati Swarajyam Rotation Chakravarthi Samrat RajyalakshmiPrajaswamyamRajeshwari Sankharavam 1988 Brahma Puthrudu Dharma Teja Donga Ramudu Illu Illalu Priyuralu Chattamtho ChadarangamLalitha Maa Telugu Talli Prajaswayam Rakthabishekam Raktha Tilakam Nagamani Rowdy No.1 Agni KerataluRajeshwari Devi Samsaram Lakshmi 1989 Bhale Donga SP Indrani Dhruva Nakshatram Bharathi Devi Goonda Rajyam Manchi Kutumbam Savithri Parthudu Soubhagya Raktha Kanneeru Sarojini State Rowdy SP Laajmani M. Rao 1990 Kadapa Reddamma Nari Nari Naduma Murari Sesha Rathnam Adadhi Acchamamba Kondaveeti Donga Sambhavi Dr. Bhavani Lorry Driver Collector Lalitha Devi Aggiramudu Justice Janaki Devi Dagudumuthala Dampathyam Lalitha Prema Khaidi Jailor 1991 Amma Rajinama Amma (Mother) Nominated - Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu Coolie No.1 Jagannatakam Manikyamma Prayathnam Killer Malavika Nayakuralu 1992 Mother India Rajyalakshmi Pellante Noorella Panta Vasanthi 1993 Major Chandrakanth Savitri Mechanic Alludu Lakshmi Pelli Gola Evandi Aavida Vachindi Janaki 1994 Bobbili Simham Atha Kodallu President Gari Alludu Prabhavati Srivari Priyuralu 1995 Leader Kausalya 1996 Nayanamma 1998 Anthahpuram Narasimha's wife 2003 Tholi Choopulone 2005 Sankranthi Mother 2006 Stalin Stalin's mother 2007 Aata Narasimha's wife Yogi Shantamma 2013 Sukumarudu Vardanamma
Malayalam