K. Thavamani Devi
K. Thavamani Devi and M. S. Subbulakshmi in the 1940 film Shakuntala
Bornc. 1925
Died10 February 2001 (aged 76)

K. Thavamani Devi (c. 1925 – 10 February 2001)[1] was a Sri Lankan actress who also worked in a number of Tamil films during the 1940s.[2] Born and brought up in a wealthy family in Jaffna, Sri Lanka her father was a successful barrister. Encouraged by parents, Thavamani moved to Madras, India at an early age.[2] She was from Sri Lankan Tamil heritage.

During her time in Madras, she learnt Bharata Natyam and Carnatic music, which helped her sing her own lines in many Tamil films. owing to her singing talents won her the honorific "Ceylon Kuyil" (English: (lit.) Ceylon Cuckoo).[2] She was MGR's heroine in Rajakumaari (1947).[citation needed] Some of the other films that she did in Tamil include Shakuntala, Vana Mohini, Naatiya Rani, Krishna Kumar and Bhakta Kaalathi

Later Years

She married a widower, Kodilinga Sankara Sastry of Rameshwaram, in November 1962 and retired to a spiritual life.[3]

References

  1. ^ மூனா (23 July 2009). "கடந்து வந்த நமது சினிமா - 2". Latest (in Tamil). Manaosai. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  2. ^ a b c Guy, Randor (28 May 2011). "Blast from the Past — Vana Mohini 1941". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 January 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  3. ^ MGR Remembered series by Sachi Sri Kantha, August 2013 Archived 2016-09-08 at the Wayback Machine "I married a widower Kodilinga Sastri in November 1962, and live here now forgetting my past connection to the movie world."
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