Leelavathi (actress)
Encyclopedia
Leelavathi (born 1938) is a Kannada film actress who predominantly worked in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu. She has acted with legends such as Rajkumar
Rajkumar
Rajkumar , born as Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju was a popular actor and singer in the Kannada film industry...

, M. G. Ramachandran
M. G. Ramachandran
Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran , popularly known by his initials , was an Indian film actor, director, producer and politician....

, N. T. Rama Rao
N. T. Rama Rao
Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao , also known as NTR and fondly referred to as Anna Garu, was an Indian film actor, director, producer, and a politician...

, Sivaji Ganeshan, Shankar Nag
Shankar Nag
Shankar Nagarkatte , 9 November 1954 - 30 September 1990) popularly known as Shankar Nag was a popular actor and director of Kannada cinema. He also directed and acted in the teleserial, Malgudi days, based on celebrated novelist R.K.Narayan's short stories. Besides these, he was actively involved...

, Kamal Hassan, Vishnuvardhan
Vishnuvardhan
Sampath Kumar , popularly known as Vishnuvardhan , was a prominent Indian film actor. He has acted in Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Tamil films. He has acted in over 220 movies in total that includes 200 Kannada movies, 5 Hindi movies, 5 Telugu movies, 3 Malayalam movies and 6 Tamil movies...

, Rajinikanth, Chiranjeevi
Chiranjeevi
Chiranjeevi is a Telugu film actor and a politician. He has appeared primarily in Telugu Cinema along with a few Tamil, Kannada and Hindi films. He made his acting debut in Punadhirallu . However, Pranam Khareedu released at the box office earlier...

 and various popular artists in her films. She has acted in more than 600 films (in that 300 are Kannada films) throughout career of more than 50 years. Her performance in Nagarahavu
Nagarahavu
Naagara Havu is a Kannada film released in 2002 starring Superstar Upendra, Jyotika. It was a remake of The Hindi film Baazigar directed by Abbas-Mustan.It was a super hit movie of the year.-Plot:...

 - (Devre Devre), Avargal
Avargal
Avargal is a 1977 Tamil film made by K. Balachander starring Sujatha, Kamal Hassan and Rajinikanth. The film had a reputation of being one of most sensitive movies on women’s lib. The same director later remade it into the Telugu film Idi Katha Kaadu with Kamal Hassan repeating his role...

 are very remembered and prominent among the people.

She is the only Kannada actress to receive Doctorate. She has won various awards throughout her career, including prestigious Rajkumar award in 1999, State awards and National Awards.

Early life

Born in Belthangady
Belthangady
Belthangady is the headquarters of Belthangady taluk of the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka state in India. Belthangady taluk is mostly covered by forests. Western ghats provide scenic beauty, especially during the monsoon season that usually lasts from the month of June to September...

 village in Dakshin Kannada Leelavathi came with hope to Mysore. She used to wash vessels for her livelihood, until she got a comfortable standing as the top heroine Dr Leelavathi. She underwent many pains during that time. Some of them are tucked even today in her memory. For Ranadheera Kanteerava film she was booked for Rs.1500 as remuneration. She says ‘Life is like a train. You expect delays from time to time but not a derailment’. That is in a nutshell the life of Leelavathi. The winner against all odds! Despite of derailment she managed to come on the tracks to continue the life. In that way she is a torchbearer to others.

Film career

After moving to Mysore, she got a small role in Shanker Singh film Naga Kannika. She joined the Mahalinga Bhagavathar team Sri Sahitya Samrajya Drama troupe. She got a chance to act in Subbainaidu ‘Bhakta Prahallada. Mangalya Yoga, Dharma Vijaya, Ranadheera Kanteerava she got paltry roles. It was from ‘Rani Honnamma’ Leelavathi became the heroine and did not turn back. Santha Thukaram, Kantheradhu Nodu, Kaivara Mahatme, Gali Gopura, Kanyarathna, Kulavadhu, Veera Kesari, Mana Mechchida Madadhi etc. she proved her mettle as a competitive heroine. Even when started accepting the supporting actress the power of acting was more graduated. Gejje Pooje, Sipayi Ramu, Doctor Krishna she received the state award. Because of her oddity in acting, she had sometimes received the double the remuneration of heroes in her films.

As Actress

Year Film Language Notes
1958 Bhakta Prahlada Kannada With Rajkumar
Rajkumar
Rajkumar , born as Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju was a popular actor and singer in the Kannada film industry...

1958 Mangalya Yoga First Film
1958 Raja Malaya Simhan
1959 Abba! A Hudgi Kannada
1959 Dharma Vijaya Kannada
1960 Dashavtara
1960 Ranadheera Kanteerava
1960 Rani Honamma
1961 Kaivara Mahatme Kannada
1961 Kantheredu Nodu Kannada
1962 Galli Gopura Kannada
1962 Karuneye Kutumbada Kannu Kannada
1962 Bhoodana Kannada With Udaya Kumar, Rajkumar
Rajkumar
Rajkumar , born as Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju was a popular actor and singer in the Kannada film industry...

, Kalyan Kumar
Kalyan Kumar
Kalyan Kumar was a Kannada film actor. During 60s and 70s there were three prominent Kannada Film actors and among them Kalyan Kumar was one; the others being Rajkumar and Udayakumar. He was the protagonist in the first ever full length Kannada film in colour. Kalyan Kumar along with Udaykumar,...

1962 Mana Mechhida Madadi
1962 Nanda-Deepa
1962 Pattinathaar Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...

 Film
First Tamil Film
1962 Rani Chanamma
1962 Ratnamanjari
1962 Sumaithangal
1962 Valar Pirai Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...

 Film
With Sivaji Ganesan
Sivaji Ganesan
Viluppuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan Manrayar , commonly known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan , was an Indian stage and film actor active during the latter half of the 20th century. He is one of the most respected film actors in India. He is well known for his versatility and acting skills with...

1962 Vidhi Vilasa
1963 Kulavadhu Kannada
1963 Kanya Ratna Kannada
1963 Kalitharu Henne Kannada
1963 Bevu Bella Kannada
1963 Jeevana Taranga Kannada
1963 Malli Madhuve Kannada
1963 Mana Mechhida Madadi
1963 Santa Tukaram National Award, With Rajkumar
Rajkumar
Rajkumar , born as Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju was a popular actor and singer in the Kannada film industry...

1963 Valmiki Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...

 Film
With N. T. Rama Rao
N. T. Rama Rao
Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao , also known as NTR and fondly referred to as Anna Garu, was an Indian film actor, director, producer, and a politician...

1963 Veera Kesari With Rajkumar
Rajkumar
Rajkumar , born as Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju was a popular actor and singer in the Kannada film industry...

1964 Marmayogi Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...

First Telugu Film
1964 Shivarathri Mahatme
1964 Thumbida Koda State Award
1965 Chandrahasa Kannada
1965 Ide Mahasudina Kannada
1965 Maduve Maadi Nodu National Award, With Rajkumar
Rajkumar
Rajkumar , born as Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju was a popular actor and singer in the Kannada film industry...

1965 Naga Pooja
1965 Vatsalya
1965 Veera Vikrama With Udaya Kumar
1966 Mohini Bhasmasura Kannada
1966 Prema Mayi
1966 Paduka Pattabhishekhamu
1966 Thoogu Deepa
1967 Gange Gowri Kannada
1968 Anna Thamma Kannada
1968 Attegondukala Sosegondukala Kannada
1968 Bhagya Devathe Kannada
1968 Mammathe
1969 Kalpa Vruksha Kannada
1969 Brindavana Kannada
1969 Gejje Pooje Kannada State Award
1970 Aaru Mooru Ombattu Kannada
1970 Boregowda Bangaloruge Banda Kannada With Rajesh
Rajesh (Kannada Actor)
Rajesh was a popular hero of Kannada films in the yesteryears. Known as ‘Kala Thapswi’ Rajesh five feet 10 inches is an ardent fan of literature. Vidyasagar is the original name of Rajesh. He acted in many movies as a hero in the late 60's and 70's but later on started acting in character roles....

1970 Aparajithe Kannada
1970 Sukha Samsara
1971 Signalman Siddappa
1971 Sipayi Ramu State Award
1971 Sothu Geddavalu
1971 Sharapanjara
1972 Dharmapatni Kannada
1972 Naagarahavu With Vishnuvardhan
Vishnuvardhan
Sampath Kumar , popularly known as Vishnuvardhan , was a prominent Indian film actor. He has acted in Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Tamil films. He has acted in over 220 movies in total that includes 200 Kannada movies, 5 Hindi movies, 5 Telugu movies, 3 Malayalam movies and 6 Tamil movies...

1972 Naa Mechida Huduga Kannada With Kalpana
Kalpana (Kannada actress)
Kalpana was a very popular Kannada cinema actress. Her epithet was Minugu taare . A versatile actress, she dominated the Kannada film industry during the late 1960s and 1970s and was critically acclaimed for her roles in movies like Sharapanjara, Gejje Pooje, Belli moda, Eradu Kanasu, Kappu Bilupu,...

1973 Muruvare Vajragalu
1973 Premapasha
1973 Sahadharmini
1974 Bhakta Kumbhara Kannada
1974 Devara Gudi Kannada
1974 Aval Oru Thodar Kathai Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...

With Kamal Hassan
1974 Idu Namma Desha Kannada
1974 Maga Mommaga
1974 Maha Thyaga
1974 Naan Avanillai Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...

With Gemini Ganesan
Gemini Ganesan
Ramaswami Ganesan , popularly known as Gemini Ganesan , was an Indian actor. He was nicknamed "Kadhal Mannan" of Tamil cinema for the romantic roles he played in movies....

1974 Professor Huchuraya
1974 Upasane With Aarathi
Aarathi
Aarathi is an Indian actress and producer of Kannada movies.She first became popular during the late 1970s and 1980s, and was recognised for her roles in movies such as Naagarahaavu, Edakallu Guddada Mele, Bili Hendthi, Dharmasere, Paduvaaralli Pandavaru, Ranganayaki, Hombisilu, Upaasane and...

1975 Bhagya Jyothi Kannada
1975 Bili Hendthi Kannada
1975 Hennu Samsarada Kannu Kannada
1975 Hosilu Mettida Hennu Kannada
1975 Koodi Balona Kannada
1975 Katha Sangama Kannada With Rajinikanth
1975 Kalla Kulla Kannada
1976 Bangarada Gudi Kannada
1976 College Ranga Kannada
1976 Makkala Bhagya
1976 Na Ninna Mareyalare
1976 Phalithamsha
1977 Deepa Kannada
1977 Avargal Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...

With Rajinikanth
1977 Dhanalakshmi Kannada
1977 Kumkuma Rakshe
1977 Mugdha Manava
1977 Solah Shukrawar
1977 Veera Sindhoora Lakshmana
1978 Devadasi Kannada
1978 Kiladi Jodi Kannada
1978 Gammathu Goodacharulu
1978 Kiladi Kittu Kannada
1978 Maathu Thappadha Maga
1978 Matu Tappada Maga
1978 Vasanthalakshmi
1979 Karthika Deepam
1979 Idi Kathakadu Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...

1979 Na Ninna Bidalare
1979 Pakka Kalla
1979 Savathiya Neralu
1979 Vijaya Vikram
1980 Bhumi Par Aaye Bhagwan
1980 Jathara
1980 Kulla Kulli Kannada
1980 Nanna Rosha Nooru Varusha
1980 Namma Mane Sose
1980 Nyaya Nithi Dharma
1980 Simha Jodi
1980 Subbi Subakka Suvvalali
1980 Vasantha Geethe
1981 Hana Balavo Jana Balavo Kannada
1981 Edeyuru Siddhalingeshwara Kannada
1981 Kulaputra
1981 Thayiya Madilalli
1982 Auto Raja Kannada Shankar Nag
Shankar Nag
Shankar Nagarkatte , 9 November 1954 - 30 September 1990) popularly known as Shankar Nag was a popular actor and director of Kannada cinema. He also directed and acted in the teleserial, Malgudi days, based on celebrated novelist R.K.Narayan's short stories. Besides these, he was actively involved...

1982 Maro Malupu Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...

1983 Eradu Nakshatragalu Kannada
1983 Mududida Tavare Aralitu
1983 Sididedda Sahodara
1983 Samarpane
1984 Endina Ramayana Kannada
1984 Chanakya Kannada
1984 Olavu Moodidaga
1984 Shravana Banthu
1985 Ajeya Kannada
1985 Hosa Baalu Kannada
1985 Balondu Uyyale Kannada
1985 Nanu Nanna Hendthi
1986 Bettada Thayi Kannada
1986 Katha Nayaka Kannada
1986 KD No. 1
1986 Mrigalaya
1986 Pudhir Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...

 Film
1986 Seelu Nakshatra
1987 Huli Hebbuli Kannada
1987 Olavina Udugore
1987 Premaloka
1989 Abhimana Kannada
1989 Doctor Krishna Kannada
1989 Yuga Purusha Kannada
1989 Gagana Kannada
1990 Golmaal Radhakrishna Kannada With Anant Nag
Anant Nag
Anant Nagarkatte popularly known as Anant Nag is an actor and politician from Karnataka, India. He is considered to be one of the all time greatest actors in the Kannada film industry with a vast number of commercially successful movies. As a result, he is popularly known as an actor with...

1990 Tiger Gangu
1991 Golmaal Radhakrishna II Kannada
1999 Habba Kannada
2006 Kannadada Kanda Kannada
2007 Shukra
2009 Yaaradhu With son Vinod Raj
Vinod Raj
Vinod Raj is a Kannada film actor, who is widely recognized and illustrious for his dancing skills. He has acted along with various major co-stars like Arjun Sarja, Ramesh Arvind, Srinivas Murthy in his short film career and is choosy in selecting films, he also likes to experiment in his...

Unknown Pamasiraja Malayalam Film First Malayalam Film
Unknown Saviradoorthi Savitri Tulu
Tulu language
The Tulu language |?]]]) is a Dravidian language spoken by 1.95 million native speakers mainly in the southwest part of Indian state Karnataka known as Tulu Nadu. In India, 1.72 million people speak it as their mother tongue , increased by 10 percent over the 1991 census...

 Film
First Tulu Film
First Film in Kannada: Mangalya Yoga
First Film in Tamil: Pattinathaar
First Film in Telugu: Marmayogi
First Film in Malayalam: Pamasiraja
First Film in Tulu: Saviradoorthi Savitri

As Producer

Year Film
1990 College Hero
2006 Kannadada Kanda
2007 Shukra
2009 Yaaradhu

Awards and recognitions

Rashtrapati Award
  1. Maduve Maddi Nodu
  2. Santha Thukaram


Karnataka State Film Awards
  1. Thumbida Koda
  2. Mahatyaga
  3. Bhakta Kumbara
  4. Sipayi Ramu
  5. Gejje Pooje


Filmfare Awards South
  1. Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada
    Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada
    The Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards South for Kannada films.-External links:*...

     for Kannadada Kanda in 2006

Health

She was hospitalised on 15th of Oct 2011, and had sustained heart problem. An operation was carried on, and she recovered from it. Her reports of hospitalization was concealed by his son Vinod Raj
Vinod Raj
Vinod Raj is a Kannada film actor, who is widely recognized and illustrious for his dancing skills. He has acted along with various major co-stars like Arjun Sarja, Ramesh Arvind, Srinivas Murthy in his short film career and is choosy in selecting films, he also likes to experiment in his...

, but later it came into light by TV9 News report telecasted on 25th Oct.

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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