Paluvayi Bhanumathi Ramakrishna was a multilingual Indian film actress, director, music director, singer, producer, book writer and songs writer, showed her talent in Indian Cinema.
Early Life of Paluvayi Bhanumathi Ramakrishna
Paluvayi Bhanumathi Ramakrishna was born on 7th September in the year 1925. She was born as third child to Saraswatamma and Bommaraju Venkata Subbaiah, in Doddavaram village of Prakasm district, near Ongole, Andhra Pradesh. Paluvayi Bhanumathi Ramakrishna grew up watching her father perform in various stage shows. Her father, Venkata subbiah, was the lover of classical music and trained her in music from an early age.
Career of Paluvayi Bhanumathi Ramakrishna
Paluvayi Bhanumathi Ramakrishna entered in the film industry in the year 1935, and acted in over 200 films in Telugu language and Tamil language. She was also called "Ashtavadhani" by the film industry people as she was a writer, actor, director, producer, singer, music director, editor and studio owner. She also had a good knowledge of Astrology and philosophy. Most of her works are in Telugu and Tamil languages.
Film Career of Paluvayi Bhanumathi Ramakrishna
Paluvayi Bhanumathi Ramakrishna made her debut in Telugu cinema in the year 1939 as Kalindi in Vara Vikrayam, directed by C. Pullaiah. She had acted in Malathi Madhavam, Dharma Patni and Bhaktimala. Her first popular film was Krishna Prema. Her next popular film was Swargaseema, a milestone film in her career. She later acted in many memorable movies like Chakrapani, Laila Majnu, Vipranarayana, Malliswari, Batasari and Anthastulu. Her first film in Tamil was Ratnakumar in the year 1949. This film was directed by Krishnan-Panju .In 1953 she made her directorial debut with Chandirani (made simultaneously in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi). Her last film was made in 1998, entitled Pelli Kanuka. C. N. Annadurai gave her a title "Nadippukku Ilakkanam" (Grammar for acting) that suits her aptly. Even veteran actors Sivaji Ganesan and the later on Chief minister of Tamil Nadu M.G.Ramachandran who acted with her were afraid on the sets of her bold and prolific versatility. One of her memorable movie in Tamil was "Annai" in the year 1962 directed by Krishnan-Panju, where her acting was appreciated by all and also got the National Award for the film.
Musical Career of Paluvayi Bhanumathi Ramakrishna
Paluvayi Bhanumathi Ramakrishna was also a very talented musician. She is one of the fine actresses of Telugu film industry. She was adept in both Carnatic and Hindustani music. She gave voice to her songs despite it being the norm to use playback singers for actors. Some of her songs are still popular like Pilichina biguvatara, Kila Kila Navvulu, Oh Pavurama, Preme Nerama. She also provided music to a lot of her films. During her later years she served on various cinema related organizations. She was a Member of State Film Awards Committee for two years. She was also a Visiting Professor at the Film Institute for one year. She was Member of Children Film Society for 5 years, from 1965 to 1970.
Writing Career of Paluvayi Bhanumathi Ramakrishna
Paluvayi Bhanumathi Ramakrishna was also a talented writer with a number of short stories to her credit. Her autobiography Nalo Nenu was published in Telugu and later, released in English as Musings. Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Academy awarded her the best short story writer for her popular short stories "Attagari Kathalu".
Social Work of Paluvayi Bhanumathi Ramakrishna
Paluvayi Bhanumathi Ramakrishna was an eminent social worker who was closely associated with a number of Social Service Organizations. She was the founder member and treasurer of Madras branch of Altrusa International Inc., Chicago for lifelong starting from 1963. She was a lifetime member of the `Red Cross Society`. She established an educational institution named as "Dr. Bhanumathi Ramakrishna Matriculation School" at Saligramam, Chennai providing free education to the poor.
Personal Life of Paluvayi Bhanumathi Ramakrishna
Paluvayi Bhanumathi Ramakrishna met P. S. Ramakrishna Rao, an assistant director for that film. He was a film producer, director and editor of Telugu and Tamil Films. The couple later married on 8th August 1943 and later launched a popular production company, Bharani Pictures on their son`s name. She died at the age of 80 years in Chennai. She died on 24th December 2005.