T. R. Rajakumari

Biography:

T. R. Rajakumari, born Thanjavur Radhakrishnan Rajayee on 5 May 1922 and concluding her journey on 20 September 1999, was a multifaceted Indian personality recognized as an actress, Carnatic singer, and dancer. Revered as the inaugural “dream girl” of Tamil cinema, Rajakumari made her cinematic debut in “Kumara Kulothungan,” a film produced in 1938–39 but released in 1941 after “Kacha Devayani.” Initially credited as T. R. Rajayee in promotional material, she was later acknowledged as T. R. Rajalakshmi in the actual film. Her second cinematic venture, “Mandharavathi,” directed by D.S. Marconi, also saw release in 1941. “Kacha Devayani” (1941) marked a significant milestone, propelling her into the limelight.

There exists some ambiguity regarding her debut film, as director K. Subramaniam of “Kacha Devayani” later claimed to have introduced her to the film industry. In 1944, Rajakumari achieved acclaim for her role in the record-breaking film “Haridas,” sharing the screen with M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar.

Throughout her Tamil film career, Rajakumari played pivotal roles opposite renowned stars like Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, T. R. Mahalingam, K. R. Ramasamy, P. U. Chinnappa, M. G. Ramachandran, and Sivaji Ganesan. Not confining herself to acting, she co-founded the film production company “R. R. Pictures” with her brother T. R. Ramanna. The company produced notable films, including “Vaazhapirandhavan” (1953), “Koondukkili” (1954), “Gul-E-Bagaavali” (1955), “Paasam” (1962), “Periya Idathu Penn” (1963), “Panam Padaithavan” (1965), and “Parakkum Paavai” (1966). Her final on-screen appearance was in the film “Vanambadi” (1963).