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Lalitha of the Travancore Sisters
February 5, 2013 | 9 Comments | Betsy Woodman
We were the new kids on the block in 1953, the block being Edward Elliot Rd (now Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai) and the city being Madras (now Chennai.) It could have been a difficult adjustment–but instead, it was like falling into a warm bath. This was largely because of the kindess of our hospitable next-door neighbors–the mom, Saraswati Amma, her three daughters, Lalitha, Padmini, and Ragini, their brother, Chandran, and their cousins, Ambika and Sukumari. We were still learning the ropes and no doubt made gaffes right and left, but not to worry, they made allowances!
In their publicity photos the three sisters–India’s beloved Travancore Sisters–look breathtakingly glamorous, but in real life they were girl-next-door-wholesome and unaffected, and nice as could be.
Photo credit: Woodman Family Collection
Left to Right, front row: Ambika, Lalitha, Chandran, Ragini, my dad, Padmini, Sukumari. Ragini got stuck holding the camera case.
Photo credit: Woodman family collection
The gentleman on the left is Guru Gopalakrishnan, who sometimes danced with the sisters.
Lalitha (1930-1982) was the oldest of the sisters, in whose pioneering footsteps Padmini and Ragini followed. She got her start in films at age eight. My parents remembered her as quieter than the other two, with her own gentle mystique. My dad liked to recall the time she sat up all night with a sick kitten in her lap, willing it to live after everyone else had written it off for lost; the kitten recovered.
These pictures date from about 1954:
Photo credit: Woodman family collection
Photo credit: Woodman family collection
Photo credit: Woodman family collection
Here are Lalitha (left) and Ragini (right) in their expressive enactment of a dance drama, also in 1954:
Photo credit: Woodman family collection
On Youtube, you have to dig a bit to find Lalitha. In this excerpt from a 1949 Tamil movie, Vazhkai (“Life”) Lalitha and Padmini make a special dance appearance in a “play within a play.” (It starts at about 4:06.) Padmini plays the role of a village lad, complete with moustache and turban, driving fake oxen across a stage and showing off her comic skills. Lalitha is absolutely charming in the role of a fresh-faced country girl. The sisters (then teenagers) loved performing together, and it shows. Pure joy!
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Once again a lovely collection of photos. I checked out a few videos and articles online after having read about them on your blog. Travancore sisters seem to have a great fan following and rightly so. They are very graceful!
hi,
many many thanks
what a lovely collection of photos!!!!
After lalitha’s marriage in 1957 she stopped acting. That was a big loss to south indian films. Since she told goodbye to films very early in 1957, most of the people dont recognize her.
The man standing left of the sisters is guru Gopalakrishnan. He was the companion of guru gopinath. He is mainly kathakali dancer and has also danced with sisters in many stages. He died recently (before a month) in kerala
Aha, so it was Gopalakrishnan after all. Thanks for the positive identification, Muhsin.
Amazing pics as always Betsy. Fashion wise I love the first pic for its varied styles and also because how lovely does the Kerala sarong (cream with golden borders) look with a simple shirt. Of course it helps that all the girls are so pretty.
But of course the clothes are secondary, the posts are wonderful not just for the everyday life of the sisters but also for the warmth your families seem to have shared which comes through. As also its such an interesting glimpse into expat life in the 1950s.
Thanks for the kind words, Anu. I love that first photo, too. And I was wondering about the sarongs! A versatile garment.
Pure nostalgia …. everything you wrote here & posted go right back to my childhood …. we lived in Teynampet those great days & used to drive to the Marina beach thro’ the Edward Elliots Road …. the famous house you refer to was an important landmark for us kids that came up on our left as we drove to the beach …. thanks for these posts, very nicely done Betsy.
Here is a hit song featuring Lalitha.
So classy! And the lyrics are amazing.
http://www.indyarocks.com/video/210803/Unnai-Kan-theduthe-video
Dear Betsy ,
You have just touched the button in my memory about those great dancers and actors. I am still a fan of Lalitha, who performed a beautiful dance in Kanavane Kankanda Deyvam…as Naga Rani ( Queen of Snake Cobra ). My heart was
moving with the sisters who has painted their august es presense in Indian Cinematography and their faces still running on my mind. Really I am overwhelmed.
I thank you Betsy.
God bless.
jeevan
Great dancers and excellent actors south indian film had lost very well talented actors. Lalitha padmini dances always famous. i happened to meet Padmini in New york along with Dr ramachandran.What a silent and noble lady she was.My sisters daughters are the students of Great Padmini Dance school.Of course Lalitha stopped acting after marrying.Their contribution to Film Industry need great applause.