- Full Name: Savitri Ganesan
- Stage Name: Savitri
- Born: December 6, 1936
- Died: December 26, 1981
- Place of Birth: Chandrapur, Hyderabad State (now in Telangana, India)
- Occupation: Actress, Singer, and Producer
- Active Years: 1950s–1970s
Early Life and Family
Savitri was born on December 6, 1936, in a small village near Hyderabad, which was part of the erstwhile Hyderabad State. Her full name was Savitri Ganesan, but she is famously known by her first name in the film industry. Savitri’s father was a talented musician, but her early life was marked by poverty and hardship, as her father passed away when she was young. Savitri, alongside her mother and siblings, struggled to make ends meet, and she later moved to Chennai (then Madras) to pursue a career in acting.
Entry into the Film Industry
Savitri began her film career in the early 1950s, and her first film appearance was in the Tamil film “Kaalam Maari Pochu” (1953). She initially worked in Tamil films before gaining prominence in Telugu cinema. Her early roles were often small and uncredited, but she soon became a popular actress in both Tamil and Telugu film industries.
Her breakthrough came with the 1956 film “Samsaram” in Tamil, which established her as a leading lady. Over the next decade, she became one of the most iconic and beloved actresses of South Indian cinema.
Rise to Stardom
Savitri’s entry into the Telugu film industry was marked by her powerful performances in both commercial and artistic films. She became a major star with films like “Kaviratna Kanta Rao” (1959), “Pelli Sandadi” (1957), “Maya Bazaar” (1957), and “Kavalan” (1960).
Her pairing with prominent Telugu actors like Akkineni Nageswara Rao, N.T. Rama Rao (NTR), and others made her one of the most sought-after actresses. She also worked with leading stars of Tamil cinema, including M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Sivaji Ganesan, establishing herself as one of the most versatile and powerful performers of her time.
Acting Style and Legacy
Savitri was known for her natural acting style, emotional depth, and the ability to perform in a wide range of roles, from mythological heroines to complex dramatic characters. She was praised for her ability to portray both strength and vulnerability, and she became renowned for her exceptional screen presence.
Her performances in movies like “Dr. Chakravarthy”, “Jeevitha Chakram”, “Bhala Manchi Roju” and “Gundamma Katha” are particularly notable for her depth and versatility. She excelled in roles where she portrayed women struggling with societal pressures, family expectations, and personal dilemmas. She often took on roles that combined both strength and tenderness, earning her the love of audiences across multiple generations.
She acted in over 250 films across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, and Malayalam
filmography:
| Year | Film Title | Language | Role / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | Pathala Bhairavi | Telugu | Dancer in a sequence |
| Roopavati | Telugu | ||
| Vampa Kokila | Telugu | ||
| 1952 | Aadarsaam | Telugu | |
| Pelli Chesi Choodu | Telugu | Lead role debut | |
| Kalyanam Panni Paar | Tamil | First Tamil film, color sequence | |
| Palletooru | Telugu | Suguna | |
| Priyuraalu | Telugu | ||
| Santhi | Telugu | ||
| Sankranthi | Telugu | ||
| 1953 | Manam Pola Mangalyam | Tamil | Kalyani |
| Devadasu | Telugu | Parvathi | |
| Devadas | Tamil | Paarvathi | |
| Paropakaram | Telugu | ||
| Vanjam | Tamil | ||
| Pratigna | Telugu | ||
| Bratuku Theruvu | Telugu | Zamindar’s daughter | |
| Bale Raman | Tamil | ||
| Pempudu Koduku | Telugu | ||
| 1954 | Kodarikam | Telugu | |
| Sugam Enge | Tamil | Veni | |
| Chandraharam | Telugu | ||
| Menarikam | Telugu | ||
| Jyothi | Telugu | ||
| Kudumbam | Tamil | ||
| Parivartana | Telugu | Sundaramma | |
| Bahut Din Huye | Hindi | Mohini (First Hindi film) |
| Year | Film Title | Language | Role / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Missamma | Telugu | Mary / Mahalakshmi |
| Missiyamma | Tamil | Mary | |
| Ardhangi | Telugu | Padma | |
| Kanyasulkam | Telugu | Buchamma | |
| Santosham | Telugu | ||
| Santosham | Tamil | ||
| Chintamani | Telugu | ||
| Donga Ramudu | Telugu | ||
| 1956 | Tenali Ramakrishna | Telugu | Krishnasani |
| Mathar Kula Manikkam | Tamil | ||
| Thodi Kodallu | Telugu | ||
| Kanakabaram | Telugu | ||
| Bhale Ramudu | Telugu | ||
| 1957 | Mayabazar | Telugu | Sasirekha |
| Maya Bazar | Tamil | Sasirekha | |
| Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu | Telugu | ||
| Manchi Manasulu | Telugu | ||
| Edi Nijam | Telugu | ||
| Bhagyarekha | Telugu | ||
| Raja Rani | Tamil | ||
| 1958 | Mangalya Balam | Telugu | |
| Usha Parinayam | Telugu | ||
| Annapurna | Telugu | ||
| School Master | Kannada | ||
| Vazhkai Oppandham | Tamil | ||
| 1959 | Daiva Balam | Telugu | |
| Iddaru Mitrulu | Telugu | ||
| Iruvar Ullam | Tamil | ||
| Jagadeka Veeruni Katha | Telugu | ||
| Kalathur Kannamma | Tamil | Guest appearance | |
| Manchi Kutumbam | Telugu |
| Year | Film Title | Language | Role / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Bhakta Sabari | Telugu | |
| Chivaraku Migiledi | Telugu | ||
| Gundamma Katha | Telugu | Lakshmi | |
| Kulamagal Radhai | Tamil | ||
| Mahakavi Kalidasu | Telugu | ||
| Paigham | Hindi | ||
| 1961 | Velugu Needalu | Telugu | |
| Bharya Bhartalu | Telugu | ||
| Kaanal Neer | Tamil | ||
| Iruvar Ullam | Tamil | ||
| Vagdanam | Telugu | ||
| 1962 | Mahamantri Timmarusu | Telugu | Krishnadevaraya’s Queen |
| Manchi Manasulu | Telugu | ||
| Aatma Bandhuvu | Telugu | ||
| Bandipotu | Telugu | ||
| Kalathur Kannamma | Tamil | Guest appearance | |
| Nenjil Or Aalayam | Tamil | ||
| Rakta Tilakam | Telugu | ||
| 1963 | Narthanasala | Telugu | Draupadi |
| Lava Kusa | Telugu | Sita | |
| Doctor Chakravarthy | Telugu | ||
| Kai Kodutha Deivam | Tamil | ||
| Koduthu Vaithaval | Tamil | ||
| 1964 | Karnan | Tamil | Bhanumati |
| Gudi Gantalu | Telugu | ||
| Thayin Madiyil | Tamil | ||
| Ramudu Bheemudu | Telugu | ||
| Vipranarayana | Telugu | Andal | |
| 1965 | Thiruvilaiyadal | Tamil | Avvaiyar (Cameo in song) |
| Sumangali | Telugu | ||
| Chinnari Papalu | Telugu | ||
| Naanum Oru Penn | Tamil |
| Year | Film Title | Language | Role / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Aastiparulu | Telugu | |
| Chadarangam | Telugu | ||
| Saraswati Sabatham | Tamil | ||
| Palnati Yuddham | Telugu | ||
| 1967 | Bhakta Prahlada | Telugu | Kayadu (Prahlada’s mother) |
| Thirumalai Thenkumari | Tamil | ||
| Navarathri | Tamil | Guest role | |
| Rahasyam | Telugu | ||
| 1968 | Bandhavyalu | Telugu | |
| Engalukkum Kalam Varum | Tamil | ||
| Bagyadevatha | Tamil | ||
| Lakshmi Nivasam | Telugu | ||
| Sumathi En Sundari | Tamil | ||
| 1969 | Ekaveera | Telugu | |
| Marapurani Katha | Telugu | ||
| Kuzhandai Ullam | Tamil | ||
| Anbu Thangai | Tamil | ||
| 1970 | Sampoorna Ramayanam | Telugu | Kaikeyi |
| Enga Mama | Tamil | ||
| Nootrukku Nooru | Tamil | ||
| Vasantha Maligai | Tamil | Cameo | |
| 1971 | Jeevitha Chakram | Telugu | |
| Then Sindhudhe Vaanam | Tamil | ||
| Oorukku Uzhaippavan | Tamil | ||
| 1972 | Bala Bharatam | Telugu | Devaki |
| Pandanti Kapuram | Telugu | ||
| Dheivam | Tamil | ||
| Idhaya Veenai | Tamil | ||
| 1973 | Kanna Koduku | Telugu | |
| Rajaraja Cholan | Tamil | ||
| Rajapart Rangadurai | Tamil | ||
| 1974 | Parivartana | Telugu | |
| Idhayakkani | Tamil | ||
| 1975 | Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddham | Telugu | |
| Seethamma Santhanam | Telugu | ||
| 1976 | Manushulu Chesina Dongalu | Telugu | |
| Moguda Pellama | Telugu | ||
| 1977 | Andame Anandam | Telugu | |
| 1978 | Gorantha Deepam | Telugu | |
| Ammayi Mogudu Mamaku Yamudu | Telugu |
| Year | Film Title | Language | Role / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Gorintaku | Telugu | |
| Aatmiyudu | Telugu | ||
| Kalyani | Telugu | ||
| 1980 | Mogudu Kaavali | Telugu | |
| Devude Gelichadu | Telugu | ||
| Gharana Donga | Telugu | ||
| Pilot Premnath | Telugu | ||
| Ram Robert Rahim | Telugu | ||
| 1981 | Prema Tarangalu | Telugu | |
| Srungara Ramudu | Telugu | ||
| 1982 | Krishnarjuna Yuddhamu | Telugu | |
| Krishnavataram | Telugu | ||
| 1983 | Kalyani | Telugu | |
| Justice Chowdary | Telugu | ||
| 1984 | Bobbili Brahmanna | Telugu | |
| 1985 | Yamudiki Mogudu | Telugu | Final screen appearance (posthumous release) |
Personal Life
Savitri’s personal life was marked by both success and tragedy. She married actor and producer Ghattamaneni Raghava Rao (who later became known as Gemini Ganesan) in 1952, and they had three children. However, her marriage was troubled, and her personal struggles affected her career and personal life in the later years. She had a difficult relationship with alcohol, which contributed to her declining health and career.
Despite the challenges in her personal life, she maintained her position as a top star in the industry and remained a favorite among fans.
Decline and Health Issues
As Savitri reached the peak of her career, her personal life and health began to deteriorate. She struggled with alcoholism and emotional turmoil, which affected her professional commitments. The pressures of stardom, combined with the personal struggles she faced, caused her health to decline rapidly. She was only 45 years old when she passed away on December 26, 1981.
Death and Legacy
Savitri’s untimely death was a huge shock to the film industry and her fans, as she was still in her prime. She was remembered not only for her acting prowess but also for her contributions to South Indian cinema, particularly Telugu and Tamil cinema.
Her legacy lives on through the films she left behind, her unique acting style, and her unforgettable screen presence. She was posthumously honored by the film industry for her immense contribution to South Indian cinema.
Savitri’s life story was the subject of the 2018 biographical film “Mahanati”, in which actress Keerthy Suresh portrayed the iconic star. The film was a huge success and helped introduce Savitri’s legacy to a new generation of viewers.
Honors and Recognition
- Savitri received numerous awards during her career, including the prestigious Raghupathi Venkaiah Award for her contributions to Telugu cinema.
- She was one of the first actresses to be recognized as a “superstar” in both Tamil and Telugu cinema, leaving behind an indelible mark on the industry.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS :
Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x663-R09wZU&pp=ygURc2F2aXRyaSBpbnRlcnZpZXc%3D
