Saridey Varalakshmi (13 August 1925 – 22 September 2009) was an Indian actress and singer who worked in Telugu and Tamil-language films. She was popular for her roles and songs in Telugu films like Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam (1960) and Mahamantri Timmarasu (1962) and Tamil films like Veerapandiya Kattabomman (1959) and Poova Thalaiya (1969).
Life Varalakshmi was born in Jaggampeta, Andhra Pradesh, India. She started her career as a child artist portraying a saint in Balayogini (1937), when she was nine years old. Gudavalli Ramabrahmam was engaged by the pioneer filmmaker K. Subramanyam to direct the Telugu version of this movie. He spotted young Varalakshmi in Kurnool. Subramanyam later cast her in his classic Seva Sadanam (1938) with M. S. Subbulakshmi.Melody-filled screen presence by Randor Guy in The Hindu, 2009 She played a young friend of the heroine (M.S.), and they became close friends. She played a young girl in Parasuraman (Tamil, 1940) along with T. R. Mahalingam. T. R. Sundaram, cast her in a major role in his box office hit 'Aayiram Thalai Vaangi Apoorva Chinthamani' (1947). 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' (1948). 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 (Veerapandiya Kattabbomman), M. G. Ramachandran (Chakravarthi Thirumagal, Maattukara Velan, Needhikku Thalaivanangu), Gemini Ganesan (Poova Thalaiya, Panama Pasama), N. T. Rama Rao (Satya Harischandra), A. Nageswara Rao (ANR) (Balaraju), V. Nagayya (Naga Panchami), Ranjan (En Magan) and R. S. Manohar (Maamiyaar). She was also famous for her voice, and sung her songs in all movies she acted. Her roles as Sivaji's wife 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 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: Sivaji Ganesan Memorial Award Presented by the Sivaji Family in October 2007 Kavignar Kannadasan Award presented by the Tamil Nadu Government in 2004
Filmography Note: The lists are not comprehensive.
Year Film Language Character 1937 Balayogini Telugu Child Saint 1938 Sevasadanam Tamil 1939 Raithu Bidda Telugu Beggar Girl 1940 Illalu Telugu 1940 Parasuramar Tamil 1942 Aaraichimani Tamil 1940 Sathi Murali Tamil 1944 Jagathalapratapan Tamil 1945 Mayalokam Telugu 1947 Palnati Yudham Telugu Maanchala 1947 Aayiram Thalai Vaangi Apoorva Chinthamani Tamil 1947 Thulasi Jalandar Tamil 1948 Balaraju Telugu Seetha 1948 Bhojan Tamil 1948 Chakradhari Tamil 1948 Kaamavalli Tamil 1949 Navajeevanam Tamil 1950 Jeevitham Telugu Lakshmi 1950 Macha Rekai Tamil 1950 Swapna Sundari Telugu 1950 Vaali Sugreeva Telugu 1951 Saudamini Tamil Hemavathi 1951 Soudamini Telugu Hemavathi 1951 Vanasundari Tamil 1951 Mohana Sundaram Tamil Visalakshi 1952 Chinna Durai Tamil Indramani 1952 Velaikaran Tamil 1953 Kodarikam Telugu 1953 Mamiyar Tamil 1953 Shyamala Tamil Shyamala 1953 Tingu Ranga Telugu Shyamala 1953 Vayyari Bhama Telugu Sudha 1954 Ammaiyappan Tamil Poongavanam 1954 Edhir Paradhathu Tamil Nalini 1954 En Magal Tamil Vasantha 1954 Sati Sakkubai Telugu Sakkubai 1955 Nam Kuzhandai Tamil 1956 Mangala Gauri Tamil 1956 Naga Panchami Telugu 1956 Naga Panjami Tamil 1956 Sri Gauri Mahatyam Telugu 1956 Verum Pechu Alla Tamil 1957 Chakravarthi Thirumagal Tamil Dhurga 1957 Rajaputhri Rahasyamu Telugu Dhurga 1957 Sati Savitri Telugu Savithri 1957 Sathiyavan Savithri Tamil Savithri 1959 Sati Tulasi Telugu 1959 Raja Sevai Tamil Gowri 1959 Rechukka Pagatichukka Telugu Gowri 1959 Veerapandiya Kattabomman Tamil Queen Jakkamma 1959 Veerapandya Kattabrahmana Telugu Queen Jakkamma 1959 Sivagangai Seemai Tamil 1960 Abhimanam Telugu 1960 Deepavali Telugu Vasumathi 1960 Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam Telugu Mahalakshmi 1961 Krishna Prema Telugu 1961 Yodhana Yodhulu Telugu 1962 Mahamantri Timmarusu Telugu 1962 Vadivukku Valai Kappu Tamil Rajeswari 1963 Lava Kusha Telugu Bhoodevi 1963 Lava Kusha Tamil Bhoodevi 1963 Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddhamu Telugu Satyabhama 1964 Babruvahana Telugu Chitrangada 1964 Babruvahana Tamil Chitrangada 1964 Karuppu Panam Tamil Kamala 1964 Ullasa Payanam Tamil 1965 Raja Drohi Telugu 1965 Satya Harishchandra Telugu Chandramathi 1965 Veera Abhimanyu Tamil Subhadra 1965 Veerabhimanyu Telugu Subhadra 1965 Vijayasimha Telugu 1966 Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam Telugu Kunti 1966 Sri Krishna Tulabharam Telugu Shachi Devi 1967 Apoorva Piravaigal Tamil 1967 Bhama Vijayam Telugu Queen 1967 Kandan Karunai Tamil Indrani 1967 Sri Krishnavataram Telugu Draupadi 1967 Ummadi Kutumbam Telugu Kantham 1968 Nindu Samsaram Telugu Tulasamma 1968 Panama Pasama Tamil Meenakshi 1968 Uyira Maanama Tamil 1969 Aadarsa Kutumbam Telugu Jaya 1969 Aasthulu Anthasthulu Telugu 1969 Avare En Deivam Tamil 1969 Poova Thalaiya Tamil Paruvathamma 1969 Sattekalapu Satteya Telugu 1969 Thanga Surangam Tamil Kamakshi 1970 Bhayangkara Guḍhachari Telugu Kamakshi 1970 Kaaviya Thalaivi Tamil 1970 Drohi Telugu 1970 Maattukara Velan Tamil Annapurna 1970 Malathi Tamil Gowri 1971 Aathi Parasakthi Tamil Aathi Parasakthi 1971 Aathi Parasakthi Telugu Aathi Parasakthi 1971 Bhagyavanthudu Telugu 1971 Bomma Borusa Telugu Parvathamma 1971 Ilangeswaran Tamil 1971 Kannan Karunai Tamil 1971 Meendum Vazhven Tamil Shantha Lakshmi 1971 Prem Nagar Telugu 1971 Savaale Samali Tamil Alamelu 1971 Sri Krishna Satya Telugu 1971 Thirumagal Tamil Maragatham 1971 Veguli Penn Tamil Doctor S. V. Lakshmi 1972 Attanu Diddina Koḍalu Telugu 1972 Bullet Bullodu Telugu Shantha Lakshmi 1972 Bala Bharatam Telugu Gandhari 1972 Deiva Sankalpam Tamil 1972 Delhi To Madras Tamil 1972 Pillaiyo Pillai Tamil 1972 Sri Krishna Satya Telugu Draupadi 1972 Velli Vizha Tamil Sivakami 1973 Bangaru Babu Telugu 1973 Devudu Chesina Manushulu Telugu Varalakshmi 1973 Karaikkal Ammaiyar Tamil 1973 Meena Telugu Krishnaveni 1973 Nathayil Muthu Tamil 1973 Pedda Koduku Telugu 1973 Rajaraja Cholan Tamil Kundavai Pirāttiyār 1973 Srivaru Mavaru Telugu Lakshmi w/o Jagapathi 1973 Thirumalai Deivam Tamil 1974 Inti Kodalu Telugu 1974 Thaai Tamil Karpagam 1974 Devi Sri Karumari Amman Tamil Meenakshi 1975 Abhimanavathi Telugu 1975 Cinema Paithiyam Tamil 1975 Ee Kaalam Dampatulu Telugu 1975 Yashoda Krishna Telugu 1975 Ramuni Minchina Ramudu Telugu 1975 Uravu Solla Oruvan Tamil 1976 Dasavatharam Tamil Aathi Parasakthi 1976 Doralu Dongalu Telugu 1976 Raja Raja Choludu Telugu Kundavai Pirāttiyār 1976 Mamanchi Thalli Telugu Karpagam 1976 Needhikku Thalaivanangu Tamil Maragadham 1976 Pichimaraju Telugu 1976 Rojavin Raja Tamil 1976 Vayilla Poochi Tamil 1976 Vazhvu En Pakkam Tamil Vijayalakshmi 1977 Chanakya Chandragupta Telugu Muradevi 1977 Daana Veera Soora Karna Telugu Kunti 1977 Navarathinam Tamil 1977 Sri Krishna Leela Tamil Yasodha 1977 Svarganiki Nichenalu Telugu 1977 Unnai Suttrum Ulagam Tamil 1979 Kavari Maan Tamil 1979 Samajaniki Sawal Telugu 1979 Suvarilladha Chiththirangal Tamil Parvathy 1979 Viyyalavari Kayyalu Telugu 1980 Bangaru Bava Telugu 1980 Ketugadu Telugu 1980 Madanamanjari Telugu 1980 Mogudu Kavali Telugu 1980 Sarada Ramudu Telugu Suvrchala 1980 Sardar Papa Rayudu Telugu Urmila Devi 1981 47 Natkal Tamil 1981 47 Rojulu Telugu 1981 Aggi Ravva Telugu Meenakshi 1981 Guru Sishyulu Telugu Meenakshi 1981 Prema Simhasanam Telugu Anasuya Devi 1982 Dheviyin Thiruvilaiyadal Tamil 1982 Eeshwara Kataksam Telugu 1982 Kaliyuga Ramudu Telugu Jayamma & Suramma 1982 Vayyari Bhamalu Vagalamari Bhartalu Telugu Seetamma 1983 Adutha Varisu Tamil Rani Amma 1983 Muddula Mogudu Telugu Varam 1983 Neti Bharatam Telugu 1983 Sri Ranga Neethulu Telugu Raja Rajeswari Devi 1983 Thoongatha Kannindru Ondru Tamil 1984 Ingeyum Oru Gangai Tamil 1984 Tharaasu Tamil 1984 Thiruppam Tamil 1984Bangaru KapuramTeluguMahalakshmi1984Punyam Koddi PurushuduTeluguGayathri Devi1984DevanthakuduTelugu 1985 Bullet Telugu 1985 Ooriki Soggadu Telugu Manikyam 1985 Srivaru Telugu Santana Lakshmi 1986 Muddula Krishnayya Telugu Mangalagiri Ramanamma 1986Sri Vemana CharithraTelugu 1986 Tatayya Kankanam Telugu 1987 Lawyer Suhasini Telugu 1988ChuttalabbayiTeluguKanakadurgamma1989Praja TheerpuTelugu 1991 Guna Tamil Manonmani 1995 Sankalpam Telugu Mathaji
Discography