The Travancore sisters refers to the trio of Lalitha, Padmini, and Ragini, who were renowned actresses and dancers in Indian cinema. The three sisters performed in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada films.
The Travancore sisters were born into a joint Nair family and grew up at their ancestral tharavadu, Malaya Cottage, in Poojappura, Travancore. They were nieces of the celebrated beauty Narayani Pillai Kunjamma, who declined a marriage proposal from the King of Travancore and instead married the aristocratic landowner Kesava Pillai of Kandamath. Through her, the sisters were related to actress Sukumari's mother, Sathyabhama Amma, and to the Travancore royal family through their cousin Ambika.Kerala Council for Historical research Family History Papers see under Tharishuthala by K. K. N
They trained in classical dance under the renowned Indian dancers Guru Gopinath and T. K. Mahalingam Pillai. Uday Shankar invited them to Chennai (then Madras) to act in a dance-based film he was planning.
The matriarch of the family was Karthyayini Amma, wife of Panankavil Krishna Pillai of Cherthala, also known as Penang Padmanabha Pillai or P. K. Pillai. They had six sons, including Satyapalan Nair, a prominent producer of early Malayalam films. Another son, Raveendran Nair, was the father of Latika Suresh, a leading producer of Malayalam television programmes. The sisters performed at the 1955 Filmfare Awards.
Ragini died from cancer in 1976, Lalitha in 1982, and Padmini in 2006. Few documents related to them have survived, apart from numerous films and articles in Indian newspapers.
Filmography Dance and musical drama performances in films.
Year Film Language Song Singer Music Notes 1947 Kannika Tamil Dance Drama of Lord Siva and Mohini Background Music S. M. Subbaiah Naidu Lalitha & Padmini 1948 Adhithan Kanavu Tamil G. Ramanathan Lalitha & Padmini 1948 Bhaktha Jana Tamil Reema, Narayanan & BNR Lalitha & Padmini 1948 Bhojan Tamil G. Ramanathan Lalitha & Padmini 1948 Gnana Soundari Tamil Dance Background Music S. V. Venkatraman Lalitha & Padmini 1948 Gokuladasi Tamil S. V. Venkatraman & C. N. Pandurangan Lalitha & Padmini 1948 Mohini Tamil Aahaa Ivar Yaaradi K. V. Janaki & P. Leela S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & C. R. Subburaman Lalitha & Padmini1948 Vedhala Ulagam Tamil Vaasam Ulla Poo Parippene T. S. Bagavathi & M. S. Rajeswari R. Sudarsanam Lalitha & Padmini Dance Background Music Lalitha & Padmini Ezhil Annam Vadivaagi Eduthheginen P. A. Periyanayaki Lalitha & Padmini Saantham Kolvaai En Sagodhariye P. A. Periyanayaki Padmini 1949 Deva Manohari Tamil G. Ramanathan Lalitha & Padmini 1949 Kanniyin Kaadhali Tamil S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & C. R. Subburaman Lalitha & Padmini1949 Laila Majnu Telugu Amdala Chinna Daana P. Leela & Jikki C. R. Subburaman Lalitha & Padmini Eenaati Maa Paataa P. Leela & Jikki Lalitha & Padmini1949 Laila Majnu Tamil Kuliridhe Suvai Madhu P. Leela & Jikki C. R. Subburaman Lalitha & Padmini Kannaadi Kanni Neeye P. Leela & Jikki Lalitha & Padmini 1949 Mangayarkarasi Tamil Dance Background Music G. Ramanathan, C. R. Subburaman & Kunnakudi Venkatarama Iyer Lalitha & Padmini 1949 Naattiya Rani Tamil Papanasam Sivan Lalitha & Padmini 1949 Pavalakkodi Tamil Konjum Kiliye C. R. Subburaman Lalitha & Padmini 1949 Vazhkai Tamil Uzhuthundu Vaazhvaar.... Paadupattaale Palan Koodum T. S. Bagavathi & M. S. Rajeswari R. Sudarsanam Lalitha & Padmini 1949 Velaikaari Tamil Oridam Thanile Inaiyilla Ulaginile P. Leela & K. V. Janaki S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & C. R. Subburaman Lalitha & Padmini 1949 Vinothini Tamil Srinivasa Iyengar Lalitha & Padmini 1950 Digambara Samiyar Tamil Kaakka Vendum Kadavule Nee A. G. Rathnamala & U. R. Chandra S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & G. Ramanathan Lalitha & Padmini 1950 Ithaya Geetham Tamil Juma Juma Jum Jum P. A. Periyanayaki & P. Leela S. V. Venkatraman Lalitha & Padmini 1950 Jeevitham Telugu Bhoomi Dunnaloy Mana Desam T. S. Bagavathi & M. S. Rajeswari R. Sudarsanam Lalitha & Padmini 1950 Krishna Vijayam Tamil Ennadi Aniyaayam Idhu T. V. Rathnam & P. Leela C. S. Jayaraman & S. M. Subbaiah Naidu Lalitha & Padmini 1950 Manthiri Kumari Tamil O Raja O Rani Indha Ezhaiyeliya P. Leela, N. Lalitha and U. R. Chandra G. Ramanathan Lalitha, Padmini & Ragini 1950 Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi Tamil Veerathaayai Panivom P. Leela M. S. Gnanmani Lalitha & Padmini 1950 Parijatham Tamil Manamagizh Vasandha Kaalamidhe Jikki & K. V. Janaki S. V. Venkatraman & C. R. Subburaman Lalitha & Padmini 1950 Ponmudi Tamil Vaanam Kumurudhamma K. V. Janaki & N. Lalitha G. Ramanathan Lalitha & Padmini 1950 Vijayakumari Tamil C. R. Subburaman Lalitha & Padmini 1951 Devaki Tamil Tea Tea Soodaana Tea Jikki, A. G. Rathnamala & U. R. Chandra G. Ramanathan Lalitha, Padmini & Ragini 1951 Or Iravu Tamil Arumbu Pol Meesai.... Paartthu Paartthu Kanngal Rendum M. S. Rajeswari, T. S. Bagavathi & V. J. Varma R. Sudarsanam Lalitha & Padmini with A. Nageswara Rao 1951 Singari Tamil Pasum Paalu Virkkum P. A. Periyanayaki & P. Leela S. V. Venkatraman, T. R. Ramanathan& T. A. Kalyanam Lalitha & Padmini1951 Sudharshan Tamil Unnai Kandu Mayamngaadha Pergal Undo P. A. Periyanayaki G. Ramanathan Lalitha Ulagame Sandhai Koottamada.... Paaril Sandhai Koottam P. A. Periyanayaki Lalitha1951 Vanasundari Tamil Deeyo Deeyo Deeyaalo P. A. Periyanayaki, P. Leela & K. V. Janaki S. V. Venkatraman & C. R. Subburaman Lalitha, Padmini & Ragini Pennin Inbam Naadida Vaareer P. A. Periyanayaki & K. V. Janaki Lalitha & Padmini Inbamaaga Paaduvom Anbin Kaadhal Vaazhave P. A. Periyanayaki & K. V. Janaki Lalitha & Padmini1952 Amarakavi Tamil Mookkutthi Minnal Kannile N. L. Ganasaraswathi & P. Leela G. Ramanathan & T. A. Kalyanam Lalitha & Padmini Mullaich Chirippile N. L. Ganasaraswathi & P. Leela Lalitha & Padmini 1952 Andhaman Kaidhi Tamil College Padippukku Goodbye Nam Kaadhal Vaazhvukkini Welcome T. V. Rathnam & A. P. Komala G. Govindarajulu Naidu Lalitha & Padmini1952 Dharma Devatha Telugu Lambadi Lambadi K. Rani C. R. Subburaman Lalitha Pataku Pallavi K. Rani Lalitha K. Rani Lalitha1952 Dharma Devadhai Tamil Lambadi Lambadi K. Rani C. R. Subburaman Lalitha Aananda Leelai Tharum K. Rani Lalitha Paaduven Paarungko K. Rani Lalitha 1953 Anbu Tamil Vendhazhalaai Erikkum Venmadhiye A. P. Komala & N. L. Ganasaraswathi T. R. Pappa Lalitha & Padmini 1953 Marumagal Tamil Aanukkoru Penn Pillai P. A. Periyanayaki, A. G. Rathnamala & A. P. Komala G. Ramanathan, C. R. Subburaman& Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy Padmini & Ragini with T. D. Kusalakumari 1953 Ponni Tamil Aaduvome Oonjal Aaduvome A. P. Komala, P. A. Periyanayaki,Jayalakshmi & C. B. Radha S. M. Subbaiah Naidu Lalitha, Padmini & Ragini with Ambika1956 Amara Deepam Tamil Jalilo Jimkana Jikki G. Ramanathan & T. Chalapathi Rao Padmini with E. V. Saroja Ellorum Koodi Aadi Paadi Jikki Padmini Pachchai Kilipaadudhu Jikki Padmini 1956 Charana Daasi Telugu Yekkadunnadi Dharmamekkadunnadi K. Rani & Jikki S. Rajeswara Rao Ragini with Ambika 1956 Madurai Veeran Tamil Summa Kidanthaa Sotthukku Nashtam Jikki & P. Leela G. Ramanathan Lalitha & Ragini 1956 Sahasa Veerudu Telugu Somarulaithe Thindiki Nashtam P. Susheela & Jikki G. Ramanathan Lalitha & Ragini 1956 Mathar Kula Manickam Tamil Denjaru Aiyaa Denjaru T. V. Rathnam & G. Kasthoori S. Rajeswara Rao Ragini with Rita 1957 Baagyavathi Tamil Paruvam Malarndhu Asaindhu Aadum Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi S. Dakshinamurthy Ragini 1957 Chakravarthi Thirumagal Tamil Kannaalane Vaarunga Jikki G. Ramanathan Ragini 1957 Karpukkarasi Tamil Illaadha Adhisayamaai Irukkudhudhadi A. P. Komala & K. Jamuna Rani G. Ramanathan Ragini with Rita1957 Mallika Tamil Neela Vanna Kannane Unadhu P. Susheela T. R. Pappa Padmini Mangaamal Valarum Singaara Nadanam P. Susheela Padmini 1957 Manamagan Thevai Tamil Kaadhal Kalyaaname Seidha Paappaa P. Leela G. Ramanathan Ragini 1957 Pardesi Hindi Na Dir Dhin Tana Dere Na Lata Mangeshkar Anil Biswas Padmini1957 Payal Hindi Jaa Re Saanwale Salone Lata Mangeshkar Hemanta Mukherjee Padmini Jhuki Jhuki Ankhiya Lata Mangeshkar Padmini 1957 Raja Rajan Tamil Aadum Azhage Azhagu Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi & P. Leela K. V. Mahadevan Lalitha & Padmini1956 Amar Deep Tamil Jali Lo Dim Tana Asha Bhosle C. Ramchandra Padmini & Ragini Lagi Apni Najariya Katar Ban Ke Asha Bhosle Padmini Mere Man Ka Bawra Panchhi Lata Mangeshkar Padmini 1958 Mangalya Bhagyam Tamil Imaya Malaiyai Idadhu Kaiyaal K. Jamuna Rani & A. G. Rathnamala G. Ramanathan Padmini 1958 Manamalai Tamil Nadanam Aadinaar P.Leela & Radha Jayalakshmi Vedha Ragini with Sukumari1958 Neelavukku Neranja Manasu Tamil Kannaikkavarum Baradhakalai Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi K. V. Mahadevan Ragini Otrumaiye Namakku Uyirnaadi Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi & Jikki Ragini with M. N. Rajam 1958 Ragini Hindi Main Bangaali Chhokraa Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar O. P. Nayyar Padmini with Kishore Kumar 1958 Raj Tilak Hindi Aaja To Aaja Asha Bhosle & Sudha Malhotra C. Ramchandra Padmini with Vyjayanthimala1958 Uthama Puthiran Tamil Kaatthiruppaan Kamala Kannan P. Leela G. Ramanathan Padmini & Ragini Kondaattam Manasukkulle Kondaattam P. Leela Padmini & Ragini 1958 Vanjikottai Valiban Tamil Kannum Kannum Kalanthu P. Leela & Jikki C. Ramchandra Padmini with Vyjayanthimala 1958 Vijayakota Veerudu Telugu Kannu Kannu Kalipi P. Leela & Jikki C. Ramchandra Padmini with Vyjayanthimala 1959 Nalla Theerpu Tamil Azhagaana Maaran P. Leela S. M. Subbaiah Naidu Ragini 1959 Ponnu Vilaiyum Boomi Tamil Aangila Naagareegam Nalladhu P. Susheela & K. Jamuna Rani K. H. Reddy Ragini with Sukumari1959 Veerapandiya Kattabomman Tamil Anjatha Singam En Kaalai P. Susheela G. Ramanathan Padmini Takku Takku Takkunu P. Susheela, A. P. Komala & S. Varalakshmi Padmini & Ragini1959 Veerapandya Kattabrahmana Telugu Andala Basavanna S. Janaki G. Ramanathan Padmini Takku Takku Bada Bada S. Janaki, A. P. Komala & S. Varalakshmi Padmini & Ragini 1960 Amar Shaheed Hindi Alhad Jawan Mera Jaage Lata Mangeshkar Jamal Sen Padmini 1960 Kalpana Hindi Tu Hai Mera Prem Devta Mohammed Rafi & Manna Dey O. P. Nayyar Padmini & Ragini 1960 Mannadhi Mannan Tamil Kanniyar Perumai P. Leela Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy Ragini1960 Raja Desingu Tamil Pazhanimalai P. Leela G. Ramanathan Ragini Paarkadal Alaimele M. L. Vasanthakumari Padmini 1961 Punar Jenmam Tamil Manam Aadudhu Paadudhu S. Janaki & Jikki T. Chalapathi Rao Padmini & Ragini 1961 Sabarimala Ayyappan Malayalam Minnal Ente Kannu P. Leela S. M. Subbaiah Naidu Padmini 1961 Sabarimalai Sri Ayyapan Tamil Minnal Endhan Kannu P. Leela S. M. Subbaiah Naidu Padmini 1962 Kavitha Tamil Kannukkulle Onnirukku K. Jamuna Rani & T. M. Soundararajan K. V. Mahadevan Ragini with Harban Lal 1962 Raani Samyuktha Tamil Mullaimalar Kaadu Engal Mananvan Ponnaadu A. P. Komala K. V. Mahadevan Ragini 1962 Vikramaadhithan Tamil Nilaiyaana Kalai Vaahgave P. Leela & T. V. Rathnam S. Rajeswara Rao Padmini & Ragini 1963 Chitor Rani Padmini Tamil Hum Tekaa Mele Shokkaa Aadum S. Janaki G. Ramanathan Ragini 1967 Thiruvarutchelvar Tamil Mannavan Vandhaanadi P. Susheela K. V. Mahadevan Padmini 1968 Thirumal Perumai Tamil Karaiyeri Meen Vilaiyaadum P. Susheela & Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi K. V. Mahadevan Padmini with Rajasulochana1968 Thillana Mohanambal Tamil Maraindhirundhu Paarkkum P. Susheela K. V. Mahadevan Padmini Nalandhaanaa Nalandhaanaa P. Susheela Tillana Nadhaswaram Instrumental
References