Srividya

For A Hindu system of worship dedicated to the Goddess, see Shri Vidya.

Sreevidya
File:Srividya.jpg
Born	(1953-07-24)July 24, 1953 Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Died	Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
Other names	Sreevidya
Years active	1966–2006
Spouse(s)	George Thomas (1976-1980) (divorced)
Parent(s)	Vikatam R. Krishnamurthy M. L. Vasanthakumari

Sreevidya, also known as Srividya, was an Indian film actress who appeared in films in the Tamil and Malayalam film industries for 40 years. In the latter part of her career, she concentrated on Malayalam films. Her portrayals as a mother in many films were highly acclaimed. In addition to acting, she occasionally worked as a playback singer as well. Srividya's personal life was full of tragedies. In 2006, she died of spine cancer, aged 53.

Early life

Srividya was born on 24 July 1953 at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India to Tamil film comedian Krishnamurthy and Carnatic classical singer M. L. Vasanthakumari. She had a brother, Sankararaman. Her mother tongue is Tamil. Her father had to stop acting in the year when she was born because of a disease which affected his facial muscles. Her family fell into financial crisis. Her mother worked long hours to meet the family's financial needs. Srividya once reportedly said that her mother didn't even have time to breastfeed her. Srividya debuted in acting at a very early age. When her parent's marriage faced problems due to financial difficulties, Srividya's youth was blighted. She got a marriage proposal from a scientist based in the U.S., but the marriage did not materialize due to financial problems faced by her family.

Acting career

Srividya launched her career as a child artist in the 1966 Tamil film Thiruvarutchelvar (1966) alongside legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan. Later she entered Malayalam films with a dance scene in Kumara Sambhavam (1969), directed by P.Subramanyan and in Telugu film Tata Manavadu (1972) directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. However, her first major role was that of a college student falling in love with her professor in the 1971 Tamil film Nootrukku Nooru, directed by K. Balachander. Her first film as heroine was Delhi to Madras (1972) in which she was paired opposite Jaishankar. In mid-1970s, she became busy in the Tamil film industry. She acted in films such as Velli Vizha, Sollathaan Ninaikkiren and Apoorva Raagangal, all directed by K. Balachander. She was Rajinikanth's first heroine in Apoorva Raagangal (1975).

She started acting in Malayalam in 1969. Her first movie was Chattambikkavala directed by N.Sankaran Nair, in which she acted as the heroine opposite to Sathyan. She gained public attention in Chenda, directed by A. Vincent. Among the south Indian language movies she acted in, the maximum number of movies was in Malayalam (1969 to 2003) - see full list here

Playback singing

Srividya was a playback singer as well. She first sang for films in the Tamil film Amaran and then for Malayalam film Ayalathe Sundari. She later sang in several films, such as Oru Painkilikkadha and Nakshathra tharattu.

She was an expert classical vocalist as well. She used to sing in functions such as the Soorya Festival.

Personal life

Srividya acted in Apoorva Raagangal opposite Kamal Haasan which virtually changed her life. In the film she acted as lover of Kamal Haasan. She fell in love with Kamal Haasan during the making of the film. They had the support of their families, but they broke up. Their relationship was the inspiration of a Malayalam film Thirakkatha as well, released in 2008.

Later she fell in love with George Thomas, an assistant director in her Malayalam film Teekkanal. She married him on 9 January 1976 despite opposition from her family. As George wished, she was baptised before the marriage. She wanted to stay as a housewife, but had to return to acting, when George forced her to, citing financial issues. She soon realised that she made a wrong decision in marrying him. Her life became miserable and the marriage ended in divorce in 1980. It was followed by a prolonged legal battle to settle financial issues between the two. The case went up to the Supreme Court of India, where she won the final decision. After the divorce, she left Chennai and settled in Thiruvananthapuram.

Death

In 2003, she underwent a biopsy test following physical problems and was tested positive for spine cancer. She underwent treatment for three years .Two months before her death on October 10, 2006, Ms. Srividya had executed a will and entrusted Mr. Ganesh Kumar, cine actor and MLA, to register a charitable society to ‘start a music and dance school for efficient students who could not get ample opportunities due to lack of money or to give away scholarship to such students to continue their studies and to extend financial assistance to deserving ailing artistes.’

“I am bequeathing all my properties except some payments mentioned elsewhere in this bill. An appropriate body with eminent persons, registered under Charitable Societies Act should be formed and the realised value of all my assets should be transferred as a nucleus fund,” she said in the will entrusting Mr. Ganesh Kumar to register the society.

She had also left Rs 5 lakh each to her brother’s children and Rs One lakh each to her servants in the will, executed on August 17, 2006.. In October 2006, she underwent chemotherapy, but cancer had already spread throughout her body. She died on 19 October 2006.

Awards

Kerala State Film Awards

• 1979: Best Actress - Edavazhiyile poocha mindapoocha,Jeevitham oru gaanam
• 1983: Best Actress - Rachana
• 1992: Best Actress - Daivathinte Vikrithikal
• 1985: Second Best Actress - Irakal
• 1986: Second Best Actress - Ennennum Kannettante

Kerala State TV Awards

• 2004:Best Actress : Avicharithum

Filmfare Awards South

• 1980: Best Actress Malayalam - Puzha
• 1981 : Best Actress Malayalam - Edavazhiyile poocha mindapoocha

Filmography

Malayalam

Year	Film	Role
2006	Chacko Randaman
2003	Swapnam Kondu Thulabharam	Prabhavathi
2003	Mullavalliyum Thenmavum	Kanakambal
2003	Malsaram	Kannan Bhai's Mother
2002	Malayalimamanu Vanakkam	Anandakuttan's Mother
2001	Randam Bhaavam	Parvathi
2001	Nagaravadhu	Amrita Thripati
2001	Jeevan Masai
2001	Ponnu
2001	Ennu Sambhavaami Yude Yuge
2000	Ingane Oru Nilapakshi	Subhadra Thampuratti
2000	Naadan Pennum Nattu Pramaniyum
2000	Dreams
2000	Ee Mazha Thenmazha
1999	Gandhian
1999	Agni Sakshi
1999	Sangamam
1999	Vazhunnor	Kochammini
1998	Sidhartha	Sridevi
1998	Ayal Kadha Ezhuthukayanu	Padmini
1998	Aayushmaan Bava
1998	Achaamakuttide Achaayan
1998	Sooryaputhran
1998	Nakshathra Thaaraattu
1997	Innalakalillathe
1997	Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalathu	Mrs. Nair
1997	Maanasam	Rajalakshmi
1997	Poonilamazha
1997	Oru Mutham Mani Mutham
1997	Masmaram	Maria
1997	Aaram Thamburan	Subhadra
1997	Aniyathi Pravu	Chandrika
1996	The Prince	Jeeva's Mother
1996	Dilliwala Rajakumaran	Padmini
1996	Kaanchanam	Arundathi Devi
1996	King Solomon
1995	Rajakeeyam	Kannamma
1995	Indian Military Intelligence
1994	Gandeevam
1994	Pavam Ia Ivachan
1994	Pavithram	Devakiamma
1994	Ezhuthachan
1994	Daivathinte Vikrithikal
1994	Bharanakoodam
1994	Palayam	Susan Fernandez
1994	Kabuliwala	Sreedevi
1993	O' Faby
1993	Kudumbasneham
1992	Rajasilpi	Lakshibhai Thampuraatti
1992	Cheppadividya	Ammachi
1992	Kudumbasammetham
1992	Daivathinte Vikrithikal	Maggie
1991	Neelagiri	Radha
1991	Advaitham	Saraswathy
1991	Ente Sooryaputhrikku	K.S. Vasundhara Devi
1990	Samrajyam	Lakshmi
1990	Vachanam	Aryadevi
1990	Innale	Dr. Sandhya
1990	Guest House
1990	Manju Peyyunna Raathri
1989	Njagalude Kochu Doctor
1989	Nakshtra Deepangal
1989	Njattuvela
1988	Suprabhatha
1988	Athirthikkal
1987	Jaalakam	Lakshmi
1987	Swathi Thirunal	Gowri Parvati Bayi
1987	Kanikaanum Neram
1986	Pranamam
1986	Geetham	Aparna's Mother
1986	Kshamichu Ennoru Vakku	Sasikala
1986	Ennennum Kannettante	Kannan's mother
1986	Poomukhappadiyil Ninneyum Kathu
1986	Sayam Sandhya	Geetha
1986	Vivahitare Itihile	Music Teacher
1986	Ashtabandham
1986	Oru Yuga Sandhya	Kathamma
1986	Udayam Padinjaaru	Seethalakshmi
1985	Ayanam (1985)	Saramma
1985	Azhiyatha Bandhangal (1985)	Vasundhara Menon
1985	Janakeeya Kodathi (1985)	Suma
1985	Thinkalazhcha Nalla Divasam	Ambika
1985	Orikkal Oridathu
1985	Ivide Ee Theerathu
1985	Mukya Manthri	Lakshmi
1985	Vellam
1985	Daivatheorthu
1985	Kannaram Pothi Pothi	Bhavani
1985	Upahaaram	Sarojini Chandran
1985	Onathumbikkoroonjal
1985	Irakal	Annie
1985	Chillukottaram
1985	Ozhivukaalam
1984	Arante Mulla Kochu Mulla	Thankamani Kunjamma
1984	Shapadham	Srividya
1984	Panchavadi Palam	Mandodhari Amma
1984	Raajavembaala
1984	Oru Painkilikkadha
1984	Nethavu
1984	Kurishuyudham	Rosamma
1984	Amme Narayana
1984	Alakadalinakkare
1984	Oru Thettinte Kadha
1984	Kadamattathachan	Kaliyankattu Neeli
1984	Krishna Guruvaayoorappa	Kururamma
1984	Chakkarayumma	Zeenath
1984	Vellam	Dinamma
1984	Idavelakku Shesham
1983	Adaminte Vaariyellu	Alice
1983	Bhookambam	Aswathi
1983	Mortuary	Justice Lakshmi Menon
1983	Kattathe Kilikkoodu	Sarada
1983	Pinnilavu	Sreevidya
1983	Prathigna	Lakshmi
1983	Rachana	Sharada
1983	Naanayam	Sumathi
1983	Paalam
1983	Arabikkadal
1983	Rathilayam	Nabisu
1983	Kaikeyi
1983	Prem Nazirne Kaanamanilla
1983	Aana	Umatha
1983	Passport
1983	Kodumkattu
1983	Ankam	Thresia
1982	Chilanthivala	School teacher
1982	Saram
1982	Dheera
1981	Aakkramanam
1981	Attimari	Geetha
1981	Ithihaasam
1981	Kathayariyathe
1981	Raktham	Malathi
1981	Itha Oru Dhikkari	Ammini
1981	Thaaraattu
1981	Enne Snehikku Enne Maathrem
1981	Swarangal Swapnagal	Ramani
1981	Grihalakshmi	Janaki
1981	Thaaraavu	Kakkamma
1981	Ellam Ninakku Vendi	Jayalakshmi
1981	Sankarsham	Priyadarshini
1981	Dantha Gopuram
1981	Paathiraasooryan	Joly
1981	Sambhavam
1981	Visham
1981	Sreeman Sreemathi
1981	Dhanya
1981	Rajani
1980	Vilkkanundu Swapnangal	Malathi
1980	Shakthi
1980	Theekkadal	Sreedevi
1980	Deepam	Padmini
1980	Aswaaradham
1980	Muthuchippikal	Vijayalakshmi
1980	Agnikshetram
1980	Aagamanam
1980	Meen
1980	Vaiki Vanna Vasatham	Vimala
1980	Aagamanam	Thulasi
1980	Chaakara	Nimmy
1980	Puzha
1980	Raagam Thaanam Pallavi	Nandini
1980	Ormakale Vida Tharoo
1980	Ambalavilakku	Sumathi
1980	Digvijayam	Soumini
1980	Swantham Enna Padham	Usha
1979	Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum
1979	Edavazhiyile Poocha Minda Poocha
1979	Jeevitham Oru Gaanam	Thresiamma
1979	Anupallavi	Radha
1979	Venalil Oru Mazha	Kamalakshi
1979	Puthiya Velicham	Lakshmi
1979	Thenthulli
1979	Agniparvatham
1979	Krishnaparunthu
1979	Prabhaasandhya	Usha
1979	Ivide Kattinu Sugantham
1979	Pushyaraagam
1979	Oru Raagam Pala Thaalam
1979	Sudhikalasam	Sridevi Menon
1979	Ini Yaathra
1979	Ward No 7
1979	Swapnangal Swanthamalla
1978	Ottakam
1977	Sri Krishna Leela
1977	Sreemad Bhagavathgeetha
1977	Velankanni Maathavu
1977	Muhurthangal
1977	Parivarthanam
1976	Hridayam Oru Kshethram	Prema
1976	Kamadhenu	Sathi
1976	Amba Ambika Ambalika	Amba
1976	Chottanikkara Amma
1976	Theekkanal
1976	Samasya
1976	Pushpasharam
1976	Amma
1975	Swami Ayappan
1975	Babumon	Sharada
1975	Ulsavam	Sumathi
1975	Aaranyakaandam
1975	Akkaldaama
1975	Maanishaada
1974	Rajahamsam	Sarasa
1974	Ayalathe Sundari	Malini
1974	Sapthaswarangal	Saraswathy
1974	Arakallan Mukkalkallan
1974	Thumbolarcha	Kunjuneeli
1974	Thacholi Marumakan Chandu	Kanni
1974	Vrindavanam
1973	Chenda
1973	Dharmayudham	Sreedevi
1970	Swapnangal	Radha
1970	Ambalapravu
1969	Kumara Sambhavam	Menaka
1969	Chattambikkavala

Tamil

Year	Film	Role
1967	Thiruvarutselvar
1970	Manippoor Maamiyaar
1970	Jill Jill Rojamani
1970	Kasthuri Thilakam
1971	Thanga Gopuram
1971	Nootrukku Nooru
1971	Annai Velankanni
1972	Delhi to Madras
1972	Velli Vizha
1973	Sollathan Ninaikiren
1973	Karaikkal Ammaiyar
1974	Sisubalan
1974	Nalla Penmani
1975	Apoorva Raagangal	M. R. Bhairavi
1975	Athirshtam Azhaikkirathu
1976	Athirshtam Azhaikirathu
1977	Aaru Pushpangal
1977	Durgadevi
1978	Thangarangan
1978	Thirukalyanam
1978	Radhai Ketra Kannan
1978	Ilayarani Rajalakshmi
1978	Uravugal Enrum Vazhga
1979	Imayam
1979	Kadamai Nenjam
1981	Dharmangal Sirikindrana
1982	Kelviyum Naaney Badhilum Naaney
1983	Dowry Kalyanam
1984	Ezhuthatha Sattangal
1985	Oonjalaadum Uravugal
1985	Panam Pattum Seiyum
1985	Thiramai
1985	Navagrha Nayagi
1986	Punnagai Mannan	Padmini
1986	Mythili Ennaik Kadali
1986	Amman Kovil Kizhakkale
1986	Murugane Thunai
1986	Needhiku Thandanai
1987	Ninaive Oru Sangeetham
1987	Manithan
1987	Ananda Aradhanai
1987	Oru Thaayin Shabadham
1987	Navagraha Nayagi
1989	Raaja Raajathaan
1989	Mappillai	Rajarajeswari
1989	Apoorva Sagodharargal	Sethupathy's wife
1989	Penn Puthi Munnputhi
1989	Enna Petha Rasa
1989	Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai
1989	Dravidan
1989	Thai Nadu
1990	Ulagam Piranthathu Enakkaga
1990	Inaindha Kaigal
1991	Thalapathi	Kalyani
1991	En Rasavin Manasile
1991	Nee Paadhi Naan Paadhi
1991	Amma Pillai
1991	Archana IAS
1991	Eeramana Rojave
1991	Vetri Padigal
1992	Naalaya Theerpu
1992	Naangal
1992	Neenga Nalla Irukkanum
1992	Mappillai Vanthachu
1992	Deiva Vaakku
1992	Thirumathi Pazhanisamy
1992	Idhu Namma Bhoomi
1992	Oor Mariyathai
1993	Kattabomman
1993	Thangakkili
1993	Band Master
1993	Uzhaippaali
1993	Karuppu Vellai
1993	Purusha Lakshanam
1993	Moondravathu Kann
1994	Paasamalargal
1994	Rasigan
1994	Raasa Magan
1994	Aranmanai Kaavalan
1995	Kadhal Desam	Divya's mother
1995	Thamizhachi
1995	Nammavar	Kamal's Sister
1995	Kattumarakaran
1996	Minor Mappillai
1996	Senathipathi
1996	Katta Panchayatu
1996	Vetri Vinayagar
1997	Kaadhalukku Mariyaadai
1997	Aaha
1997	Kalamellam Kathirupaen
1997	Ullaasam	Ajith's Mother
1998	Kadhala Kadhala	Janaki's Mother
1998	Kannedhirey Thondrinal
1998	En Uyir Nee Thaane
1999	Uyirode Uyiraha
1999	Nilavey Mugam Kaattu
1999	Unnai Thedi
1999	Jodi
2000	Kandukondain Kandukondain	Aishwarya Rai & Tabu's Mother
2000	Kannukkul Nilavu	Gautham' mother
2000	Ilaiyavan
2000	Thenkasi Pattanam
2001	Aanandham
2001	Star
2002	Shree
2002	Kamarasu
2004	Jana	Jana's mother
2005	London

Telugu

Year	Film	Role
1972	Tata Manavadu
1974	Bantrotu Bharya
1975	Ramuni Minchina Ramudu
1975	Yashoda Krishna
1976	Toorpu Padamara
1989	Vicky Daada	Rekha
1989	Dance Master
1989	Indrudu Chandrudu
1989	Hatya
1990	Kondaveeti Donga
1992	Balarama Krishnulu
1993	Amma Koduku
1993	Paruvu Pratishta
1993	Bangaru Bullodu
1993	Inspector Ashwini
1993	Rajadhani
1994	Gandeevam
1994	Mugguru Monagallu
1996	Dharma Chakram
1997	Chinnabbayi
1999	Arundhati
2008	Vijay IPS (Shooting was completed in 2005)

Hindi

Year	Film	Role
1973	Jaise Ko Taisa	Radha (as Sri Vidya)
1976	Arjun Pandit
1990	Aakhri Sangam	Dr. Chandralekha
1996	Ek Anari Do Khiladi
1996	Cha Cha Charlee

Kannada

Year	Film	Role
1988	Suprabhatha
1990	Ashwamedha
1997	Lady Commissioner
1999	A.K. 47
2002	Sainika	Shanta

TV serials

• Penn (1991) - 1st episode
• Ammathamburatti
• Vasundhara Medicals(asianet)
• Omanathingal Pakshi(asianet)
• Avicharitham(asianet)

Links

• Srividya at the Internet Movie Database