MALAYALI GIRLS

Silk Smitha

noreply@blogger.com (Manju Soman) — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 08:25:00 -0700

Silk Smitha—born Vijayalakshmi Vadlapati (2 Dec 1960 – 23 Sep 1996)—was one of South India’s most iconic actresses and dancers, often referred to as the “queen of sensuality.” She appeared in over 450 films across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi cinema, primarily during the 1980s and 1990s telugucinema.com+12en.wikipedia.org+12timesofindia.indiatimes.com+12.

🎬 Early Life & Entry into Cinema

Born in Kovvali (or Denduluru), Andhra Pradesh, into a poor Telugu family. Her parents were Ramallu and Sarasamma bollywoodshaadis.com+1bollywoodshaadis.com+1.
Left school after the 4th standard (around age 10) due to family financial struggles timesofindia.indiatimes.com+3bollywoodshaadis.com+3bollywoodshaadis.com+3.
Married at age 14 in a forced alliance, later escaped from the abusive marriage with her aunt to Chennai imdb.com+5bollywoodshaadis.com+5timesofindia.indiatimes.com+5.
Began working as a touch-up artist and took small uncredited film roles misskyra.com+9bollywoodshaadis.com+9bollywoodshaadis.com+9.

🌟 Rise to Stardom

Discovered at a flour mill near AVM Studios by actor-director Vinu Chakravarthy timesofindia.indiatimes.com+3keralakaumudi.com+3bollywoodshaadis.com+3.
Made her breakthrough in Vandichakkaram (1980), playing a bar dancer named "Silk"—a role that gave her the iconic screen name timesofindia.indiatimes.com+12keralakaumudi.com+12timesofindia.indiatimes.com+12.
Gained popularity with glamorous roles and dance numbers; her presence often boosted a film’s commercial potential. In the 80s and 90s, adding a song featuring Smitha would help movies secure theater bookings bollywoodshaadis.com+1timesofindia.indiatimes.com+1.
Despite being typecast as the vamp or dancer, she aspired to be a serious character actor like Venus-era saviour Savitri hindustantimes.com+1hindustantimes.com+1.
Notable dramatic roles include:
- Elissy in Alaigal Oivathillai (1981)
- A crucial part in Moondram Pirai (1982), later remade as Sadma with Sridevi and Kamal Haasan imdb.com+10hindustantimes.com+10hindustantimes.com+10.

🎥 Filmography & Legacy

Acted in over 450 films across multiple languages—roughly 200 in Tamil and 100+ in Telugu moneycontrol.com+2hindustantimes.com+2timesofindia.indiatimes.com+2.
Starred in the soft-core cult classic Layanam, showcasing her sensual presence and latent vulnerability en.wikipedia.org.
Became a cultural phenomenon—akin to a South Indian “Marilyn Monroe”—with even brief item numbers guaranteeing box-office returns en.wikipedia.org+6bollywoodshaadis.com+6hubpages.com+6.

💔 Personal Struggle & Tragic End

Despite fame, she dealt with alcoholism, heartbreak, financial pressure, and depression reddit.com+8bollywoodshaadis.com+8bollywoodshaadis.com+8.
She tragically committed suicide by hanging at age 35 on 23 September 1996 in Chennai. Uncertainty still surrounds the final reasons behind her death en.wikipedia.org.
In one suicide letter, she revealed intense pain from a boyfriend named Babu, who betrayed her—taking both her money and possessions keralakaumudi.com.

🎞️ On‑Screen Influence & Biopics

The Dirty Picture (2011), starring Vidya Balan, was loosely inspired by her life, becoming a major nationwide hit telugucinema.com+3bollywoodshaadis.com+3timesofindia.indiatimes.com+3.
Multiple regional interpretations followed:
- ** Kannada – Dirty Picture: Silk Sakkath Hot (2013)**
- ** Malayalam – Climax (2013)** starring Sana Khan timesofindia.indiatimes.com+2bollywoodshaadis.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2.
An official biopic titled Silk Smitha – Queen of the South, featuring Chandrika Ravi, is set to begin filming in 2025 timesofindia.indiatimes.com+13moneycontrol.com+13telugucinema.com+13.

🧭 Reflection

Silk Smitha’s life remains a poignant mix of glitz and gloom. A figure celebrated for her bold screen presence, she also struggled against exploitation, typecasting, and emotional despair. Her legacy lives on both through her unforgettable performances and as a tragic emblem of how fame can overshadow personal well‑being.

🔍 Want to know more?

Ask about:

Her top films and performances
How The Dirty Picture parallels her life
Details about the new biopic
Or anything else that piques your interest 😊

Saritha Nair New videos

noreply@blogger.com (Manju Soman) — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 07:11:00 -0800

Sarita Nair hails from a middle class family. He was born and brought up in Central Kerala. She is the daughter of Somasekharan Nair and Indira Nair. She has a younger sister Viji Chandersekar, a model and actress. His father was a clerk at the Nair Service Society office headquarters at Perunna. Her mother Indira is a housewife. Saritha lost her father when she was in school. She did her schooling from St. Antony’s Higher Secondary School. She was very intelligent during her school days. She was the topper in the final examination held in 1994.

Karthika hot

noreply@blogger.com (Manju Soman) — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 21:27:00 -0800

Karthika is a previous Indian performer in Malayalam film, where she worked from 1985 to 1989. Karthika's introduction motion picture was Manicheppu Thurannappol.

Karthika was brought into films by the Malayalam chief Balachandra Menon. She went to the Malayalam motion picture industry as a lesser craftsman, She was one of the gathering dance lovers of the film Oru painkilikadha. At that point she was noted by that motion picture chief Balachandra Menon and he give her a role as the courageous woman in his film " Manicheppu Thurannappol". She was most as often as possible matched with Mohan Lal. She additionally showed up in the Tamil film Nayagan as the girl of Velu Naykar, played by Kamal Haasan. She exited filmdom for marriage while at top of her profession.

Geetha hot

noreply@blogger.com (Manju Soman) — Tue, 2 Sep 2014 06:43:00 -0700

Geetha is an Indian actress who has performed in Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi films. She debuted in the Tamil language film Bairavi as Rajinikanth's sister. Since then she has acted in over 200 films in all South Indian languages, and in a few Hindi films.

Geetha made her cinematic debut through the 1978 Tamil film Bairavi as the titular character in which she played Rajinikanth's sister. She was a student of class seven when she was cast for the film. Her performance as Indira in the 1986 Malayalam film Panchagni, based on the true life story of a Naxalite revolutionary Ajitha was well acclaimed and described by The Hindu as "one of Malayalam cinema’s landmark heroines". The same year she had more Malayalam releases such as Sukhamo Devi, Kshamichu Ennoru Vakku, Aavanazhi and Geetham, which made her a popular actress in Malayalam cinema. She won the State award for the second best actress in 1989 for Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha

Roma hot

noreply@blogger.com (Manju Soman) — Sun, 23 Feb 2014 07:09:00 -0800

Roma Asrani (born August 25, 1984) is an Indian model-turned-actress who works mainly in Malayalam-language films. She made her début in the Telugu film Mr. Errababu in 2005. She has also acted in Tamil and Kannada movies.
Roma Asrani was born to a family from Delhi, who later settled in Chennai. Her father Muralidhar and mother Madhu run a wholesale jewellery shop in Chennai.
She made her entry into Malayalam films with the movie Notebook, directed by Roshan Andrews and became very popular after the success of the film. For her performance in Notebook she was adjudged best newcomer by Kerala Film Critics Association, Asianet, Amrita TV and Kalakeralam. Her second film July 4 (2007),directed by Joshiy however, was a flop.But it was a notable one. Her movie Chocolate (2007) with Prithviraj was a big hit, and this movie was a turning point in her career. She has also acted in a music album by the band Team Malayalee with popular singer Vineeth Sreenivasan and actor Prithviraj for the number Minnel Azhake which was a big hit in south India.
Roma has also acted in the Telugu movie Mr. Errababu (2005) and the Tamil movie Kathale En Kathale (2006). She made her Kannada début with Aramane (2007), starring Ganesh in the lead. Further, she reappeared in the Telugu industry after a break in the movie Chalaki in 2010.She has acted in some advertisements.

Reena hot

noreply@blogger.com (Manju Soman) — Thu, 5 Dec 2013 04:06:00 -0800

Reena is an Indian film actress best known for her work in Malayalam cinema. She was one of the lead actress during late 1970s. She has acted in more than 100 films. She has acted in few Tamil, Kannada, Telugu movies as well.

Reena was born as Peter Reskyuna and Jessy's daughter in 1958 at Mangalore. She started her career at 14, in Chukku movie as Sheela's daughter. She got bachelor's degree from Madras Presentation College, Perumbavoor.She started production company, V.I.C and produced movies Druvasankamam and Ente Kadha. Now she is acting in Tele films and soap operas.

Filmography

Sahodaran Sahadevan (2003)
Sadanandante Samayam (2003)
Kunjikoonan (2002)
Kalyanaraman (2002)
The Gift of God (2001)
Sathyameva Jayathe (2000)
Sparsham (1999)
Life is Beautiful (2000)
Snehapoorvam Anna (2000)
Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal (1999)
Vaazhunnor (1999)
Gaandhiyan (1999)
Gloria Fernandes From U.S.A. (1998)
Summer in Bethlehem (1998)
Chandralekha (1997)
Ishtamaanu Nooru Vattam (1996)
Ee Puzhayum Kadannu (1996)
Minnaram (1994)
Ulppathi (1984)
Ente Kadha (1983)
Ivan Oru Simham (1982)
Ankuram (1982)
Agnisaram (1981)
Poochasanyaasi (1981)
Dhruvasangamam (1981)
Karimbana (1980)
Pralayam (1980)
Puzha (1980)
Pavizhamuthu (1980)
Ezham Kadalinakkare (1979)
Oru Raagam Pala Thaalam (1979)
Pathivritha (1979)
Ajnaatha Theerangal (1979)
Aniyara (1978)
Beena (1978) .... Betty Fernandez
Praarthana (1978)
Thamburaatti (1978)
Aanappaachan (1978)
Aasramam (1978)
Urakkam Varaatha Raathrikal (1978)
Snehikkan Samayamilla (1978)
Bhrashtu (1978)
Vadakakku Oru Hridayam (1978)
Varadakshina (1977)
Vezhambal (Ahalyamoksham) (1977)
Oonjaal (1977).... Sharada
Yudhakaandam (1977)
Raajaparampara (1977)
Minimol (1977)
Aaraadhana (1977)
Kaayamkulam Kochunniyude Makan (1976)
Prasaadam (1976)
Agnipushpam (1976)
Yudhabhoomi (1976)
Pravaaham (1975) .... Ragini
Chief Guest (1975)
Priyamulla Sophia (1975)
Chandanachola (1975)
Love Letter (1975)
Love Marriage (1975)
Penpada (1975) .... Latha
Boy Friend (1975)
Velicham Akale (1975)
Chukku (1973)

Charmila hot

noreply@blogger.com (Manju Soman) — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 07:14:00 -0700

Charmila may be a film role player in South Dravidian cinema. except for movies in South Dravidian lanuguage, she conjointly acted in Tamil, Telugu and Kanarese movies. She completed virtually thirty eight films in South Dravidian screenland, that is usually stated as Mollywood.
She studied in Holy Angels Convent and Ethiraj faculty for girls.
Charmila created her debut on the silver screen with Oyilattam and went on to act during a few movies as well as Kizhakke Varum Pattu. She created her debut within the South Dravidian film Dhanam, directed by Sibi Malayil.
She hosted a show Jillunu Oru Sandhippu on Vijay TV, and took part in Jodi darling on a similar TV station.

Sumalatha hot

noreply@blogger.com (Manju Soman) — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 00:18:00 -0700

Sumalatha born twenty seven August 1963) may be a widespread Indian film role player. She has acted in additional than two hundred films in Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil and Hindi.
Born and raised during a Telugu family in Madras, Tamil Nadu, She gained quality in Malayalam cinema and later married South Dravidian actor Ambarish and settled in urban center.
Sumalatha began performing at age fifteen, once winning associate province beauty contest in 1979. She created her debut entry through South Dravidian film Ravichandra opposite to Dr. Rajkumar. She appeared in several South Dravidian, Tamil and Telugu films early in her career. She was Rajinikanth's second heroine besides Rati Agnihotri in films like Murattu Kaalai and Kazhugu. Most of her Telugu films square measure with Chiranjeevi. Her most unforgettable Malayalam films embrace Thazhvaram, Isabella, Nirakkoottu, Thoovanathumbikal, Parampara and capital of India. She has acted in several South Dravidian movies like Aahuti, Avatara Purusha, Tayi Kanasu, Karna, Tayiya Hone, Kallarali Hoovagi, Ravichandra within which she acted with legendary actor Dr. Rajkumar. She has additionally acted in several Telugu films.
She received the most effective role player Nandi Award for her role in Shrutilayalu in 1987. She may be a shut friend of role player Suhasini Maniratnam, her co-star during a Telugu flick. The friendly relationship between the 2 provided the fabric for a candid scene within the film, once director Kodandarami Reddy noticed Suhasini haircare Sumalatha's long hair on the train journey to the film set. Reddy asked his lensman, Ashok Reddy, to film the 2 and adscititious the scene to the movie's picture show.
Sumalatha reportedly speaks six languages, and has acted in four.
She married South Dravidian actor and politician Ambareesh on eight Dec 1991 and that they have a son named Abhishek. She acted with Ambareesh in movies like Aahuti, Avatara Purusha, Sri Manjunatha and Kallarali Hoovagi that went on to win a National Award. They purportedly met on the sets of a flick, and he or she was interested in his daring and bindas temperament. In associate interview with TV9 South Dravidian she mentioned she was substantially interested in his rebellious angle. It looks she accustomed be terribly silent and be to herself on the sets; he inspired her to be talkative and mingle with the crew and also the folks round her

Chitra hot photos and videos

noreply@blogger.com (Manju Soman) — Sat, 19 May 2012 01:03:00 -0700

Chitra is a Malayalam Actress. She played many character role in number of Malayalam movies in 1990s. Right now she is not getting any good role from Malayalam movie industry.

Unni Mary hot videos

noreply@blogger.com (Manju Soman) — Tue, 7 Feb 2012 07:00:00 -0800

Unni Mary (born 12 March 1962) is a film actress and producer who works mainly in Malayalam films. She has also worked in Telugu, Tamil films, where she acted under the screen name Deepa.
Partial filmography

Year	Film	Role	Language
1975	Picnic		Malayalam
1976	Dheere Sameere Yamuna Theere	Roshini	Malayalam
1977	Acharam Ammini Osaram Omana		Malayalam
1977	Kannapanunni		Malayalam
1977	Minimol		Malayalam
1977	Penpuli		Malayalam
1978	Thacholi Ambu		Malayalam
1978	Mukkuvane Snehicha Bhootam		Malayalam
1978	Aval Vishosthyayirunnu		Malayalam
1978	Sootrakari		Malayalam
1978	Satrusamharam		Malayalam
1978	Anakalari		Malayalam
1979	Jeevitham Oru Gaanam		Malayalam
1979	Mochanam		Malayalam
1979	Hridayathinte Nirangal		Malayalam
1980	Palattu Kunjikannan		Malayalam
1981	Sanchari		Malayalam
1982	Nagamadathu Thamburatti	Naga Queen	Malayalam
1982	Oru Thira Pinnayum Thira		Malayalam
1982	Innalenkil Nale		Malayalam
1983	Belt Mathai		Malayalam
1984	Unaru		Malayalam
1984	April-18		Malayalam
1984	Kanamarayathu		Malayalam
1985	Pattham Udayam		Malayalam
1985	Thinkelazhcha nalla divasham		Malayalam
1986	Arappatta Kettiya Gramathil	Devaki	Malayalam
1988	Chitram		Malayalam
1991	Godfather		Malayalam
1991	Keli		Malayalam
1991	Kizhakunarum Pakshi		Malayalam
1992	Grihapravesham		Malayalam
1980	Johnny		Tamil
1980	Ullasa Paravaigal		Tamil
1981	Meendum Kokila	Kamini	Tamil
1979	Akbar Saleem Anarkali	Anarkali	Telugu
1985	Ladies Tailor	Nurse	Telugu

Sreevidya

noreply@blogger.com (Manju Soman) — Sat, 3 Dec 2011 01:33:00 -0800

Srividya (24 July 1953 - 19 October 2006) was a leading Indian film actress of the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s in the Tamil film Industry, in addition to being a good singer. In the latter part of her career, she concentrated on Malayalam films. Her brilliant portrayals as a mother in many films were highly acclaimed. Srividya's personal life was full of tragedies. She fought against all odds with dedication in her work until she died of breast cancer.

Srividya was born on 24 July 1953 at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India to Tamil film comedian Krishnamurthy and Carnatic classical singer M. L. Vasanthakumari. She had a brother, Sankararaman. Her mother tongue is Tamil. Her father had to stop acting in the year when she was born because of a disease which affected his facial muscles.[1] Her family fell into financial crisis. Her mother worked long hours to meet the family's financial needs. Srividya once reportedly said that her mother didn't even have time to breastfeed her.[1] Srividya debuted in acting at a very early age. When her parent's marriage faced problems due to financial difficulties, Srividya's youth was blighted. She got a marriage proposal from a scientist based in the U.S., but the marriage did not materialize due to financial problems faced by her family.

Srividya launched her career as a child artist in the 1966 Tamil film Thiruvarutchelvar (1966) alongside legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan. Later she entered Malayalam films with a dance scene in Kumara Sambhavam (1969), directed by P.Subramanyan and in Telugu film Tata Manavadu (1972) directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. However, her first major role was that of a college student falling in love with her professor in the 1971 Tamil film Nootrukku Nooru, directed by K. Balachander. Her first film as heroine was Delhi to Madras (1972) in which she was paired opposite Jaishankar. In mid-1970s, she became busy in the Tamil film industry. She acted in films such as Velli Vizha, Sollathaan Ninaikkiren and Apoorva Raagangal, all directed by K. Balachander. She was Rajinikanth's first heroine in Apoorva Raagangal (1975). She played a heroine in the film Chattambikkavala opposite Sathyan. She gained public attention in Chenda, directed by A. Vincent. Actress Lakshmi is her very close friend.

Srividya acted in Apoorva Raagangal opposite Kamal Haasan which virtually changed her life. In the film she acted as the wife of Rajinikanth and as the lover of Kamal Haasan. She fell in love with Kamal Haasan during the making of the film. They had the support of their families, but they broke up. Later she fell in love with George Thomas, an assistant director in her Malayalam film Teekkanal. She married him on 9 January 1978 despite opposition from her family. As George wished, she was baptised before the marriage. She wanted to stay as a housewife, but had to return to acting, when George forced her to, citing financial issues. She soon realised that she made a wrong decision in marrying him. Her family life became miserable and the marriage ended in divorce. It was followed by a prolonged legal battle to settle financial issues between the two. The case went up to the Supreme Court of India, where she won the final decision. After the divorce, she left Chennai and settled in Thiruvananthapuram.

Sheela

noreply@blogger.com (Manju Soman) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 04:33:00 -0700

Sheela (born 24 March 1948), Malayalam: ഷീല), is a Malayalam film actress from India. She, along with Prem Nazir, holds the world record for acting in the largest number of films (107) together as heroine and hero.[1] In 2005 she won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Malayalam film Akale.[2] She has also acted in numerous films with Madhu, Sathyan, Jayan and [[M. G. Soman] and several film stars].
Sheela was born in a Syrian Catholic Christian family in Trissur.
Sheela made her debut in Paasom opposite MGR. Her first film in Malayalam was Bhagyajathakom, with Sathyan. The next two decades saw her essay roles in more than 475 films totally in various languages such as Tamil, telungu and Kannada and Malayalam. Very Famous Films such as Chemmeen, Kallichellama, Velutha Kathreena, and Vazhve Mayamwere a few among them. She has won many awards such as Kerala State Film Awards, the Lux award and the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement award.

Her name, along with Prem Nazir's name figures in the Guinness Book of World Records, for acting together consecutively in 107 films. In the 70s and 80s, Sheela's tried her hand at directing as well. She directed two films, Yakshaganom and Shikarangal. She wrote the story, script, and screenplay for Shikharangaland Yakshaganom, which was also remade in Tamil. Besides films, she has directed a tele-film Ninaivukale neengividu in which Jayabharathi acted. She acted with Kamal Hassan in films like Vishnu Vijayam and eeetta as heroine. She acted as Akhilandeswary in the 2005 blockbuster Chandramukhi alongside Rajinikanth. She has also authored a book, titled Kuilinte Kooduand many short stories. She is a very good painter and her oil paintings and portraits were commendable.

Sheela returned to acting, playing main role in Sathyan Anthikkad's Manassinakkare. The film was a huge hit, and her performance was critically acclaimed. Sheela bagged the Kerala State Film Award for best supporting actress in the film Akale.

Seema

noreply@blogger.com (Manju Soman) — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 03:32:00 -0700

Seema (Malayalam: :സീമ) is an Indian actress.[1] She has performed in approximately 250 films in Malayalam, nine in Tamil, seven in Telugu, three in Kannada and one in Hindi. Seema is still active in the movie industry.

She began her career in Tamil film at fourteen as a dancer. At the age of 19, she starred as the heroine in her first movie in Malayalam titled Avalude Ravukal (Her Nights), directed by I. V. Sasi. She continued acting till 1988 when she took a break after the Malayalam movie Mahayaanam. Seema became active again in 1998 in Olympiyan Anthony Adam. Seema won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress in 1984 and in 1985, and is known for her versatility.

Seema is married to I. V. Sasi, the veteran South Indian director, with whom she has a daughter and son.
Seema was born in Ernakulam, Kerala, in 1957 as an only child. At the age of twelve, she learned to dance from Kamal Hassan, who was the assistant of her dance master, Thankappan.

She entered the movies at age 14 as a normal group dancer, under dance master Chopra. Later, she became a dance master and worked in the film industry as a composer and dancer for almost five years. At the age of 17, she was asked to act in a Kannada movie as a second heroine with Kannada actor Ambarish. I. V. Sasi spotted her and gave her the opportunity to act in his film Avalude Raavukal (Her Nights) as the heroine, which was released on 3 March 1978. The movie, with Sherif's script and I. V. Sasi's direction, created waves among Malayali audiences because of its soft porn nature and its challenging subject. Seema's extra glamourous attire in the movie created ripples among the Malayali youth and she became an instant hit among the youth.

During that time, the Malayalam film industry was ruled by actresses Sheela, Sharada, Jayabharathi, K. R. Vijaya, and Srividya. Seema received roles from many directors. Things changed when her movies with the star Jayan proved popular. The Jayan and Seema pair attracted people to theatres. This made her an independent heroine in films such as Angaadi, Kaanthavalayam, Sakthi, Manushyamrugam, Benz Vasu, Meen, Karimpana, Thadavara, and Anupallavi. The hit pair acted together for eighteen movies in a very short span of time, but the unexpected demise of Jayan ended the partnership.

Seema was always at ease with both western and south indian attire as she had a very well maintained physique throughout her career as a mainstream actress. She did do a lot of glamour roles at the peak of her career and all were very well received by the public.

She also branched out to Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films. She was Rajinikanth's heroine in films like Kaali and Ellam Un Kairasi.

Directors wanted to find another star to fill the gap left by Jayan. Many movies were planned for Jayan, such as Sphodanam directed by P. G. Viswambaran. He gave the chance to Mammooty to take the role of Jayan. Later Ratheesh came, also paired with Seema.

Jayabharathi

noreply@blogger.com (Manju Soman) — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 04:08:00 -0800

Jayabharathi (Malayalam: ജയഭാരതി) (Tamil: ஜயபாரதி) is a popular Malayalam film actress who started her career in late 1960s. She is a two-time winner of the Kerala State Film Award for best actress.[1] She was born in 1953.

Jayabharathi became one of the most successful Malayalam film actresses and performed with such notable leading men as Prem Nazir, Madhu, Jayan, M. G. Soman, Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth. She won the Kerala State Film Awards for her performances in various films in 1972 and Madhavikutty in 1973. One of her famous films was Rathinirvedam, directed by Bharathan, in which she played the role of a woman who fell in love with a boy younger than her.[2] She also directed few films in Malayalam.

After being trained since the age of five under Kalamandalam Natarajan, Rajaram (a student of Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai) and Vazhuvoor Samraj Pillai, Jayabharathi entered films as a teenager. Life revolved around film studios, dance rehearsals and stage performances. The actress is busy these days with her dance school, Aswathi Arts Academy, which she runs from home. She is also starting another one in Coimbatore. In 2003, Jayabharathi performed in nine temples in and around Kerala.[3] She is married to Malayalam actor Sathar with whom she has a son named AKS Unni.

Sugathakumari

noreply@blogger.com (Manju Soman) — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 04:02:00 -0800

Sugathakumari is an Indian poet - activist, born in 1934, who has been at the forefront of environmental and feminist movements in Kerala, South India. She played a big role in the Save Silent Valley protest. She formed Abhayagrama, aka Abhayagramam, a home for destitute women (Athani) and a day-care centre for the mentally ill. She was the former chairperson of the Kerala State Women's Commission.
Her father is Shribotheshvaran and her mother is V.K.Karthiyayini. Her husband is Dr K.Velayudhan Nair and her daughter is Lakshmi. She was the Principal of Jawahar Balabhavan. She was the Editor of a Magazine Thaliru. She has won several awards.
Kumari was inspired by her father's poetry as well as his strong beliefs: 'He was a freedom fighter filled with the all too rare ideals of patriotism and sacrifice.' His example influenced her deeply and led her eventually to the conviction that the writer has an important obligation as a social conscience. Although she is best known as a poet environmentalist, Kumari is also the founder of Abhaya (refuge) -- an organization which gives shelter and hope to female mental patients. Her work to launch Abhaya was prompted by an off-chance visit to the government-run Mental Hospital in the capital, Thiruvananthapuram. There women were housed in 19th century conditions, sexually abused and regularly prostituted to men in the neighboring police camp. When she visited the hospital she saw 'women's bodies covered with sores and stark naked. They were emaciated and their hair was matted. They didn't even look like human beings.' The horror of this experience was embedded in her mind and she decided on the spot to do something about it, despite opposition to interventions from ngos by professionals in the field. However, recent news reports

paint a totally different picture of the poet-activist and cast doubt on her credentials. The recent expose of alleged rape

of a lower caste woman by Abhaya office bearers within the center premises as reported in a leading political magazine - PATHRAM - and efforts to cover up the act have raised questions over the center which was originally constituted to treat and rehabilitate victims of such acts.

The Malayali people

noreply@blogger.com (Manju Soman) — Mon, 8 Sep 2008 05:58:00 -0700

The Malayali people (also spelled Malayalee; Malayalam: മലയാളി) are the inhabitants of Kerala or their descendants. They are not a homogenous group; but are defined by their use of Malayalam. While the majority of Malayalis belong to Kerala, significant populations also exist in other parts of India, the Middle East, Europe and North America. According to the Indian census of 1991, there were 28,096,376 speakers of Malayalam in Kerala, making up 96.6% of the total population of that state. Hence the word Keralite is often used in the same context, though a proper definition is ambiguous.

Women in Kerala

noreply@blogger.com (Manju Soman) — Mon, 8 Sep 2008 05:46:00 -0700

Women in Kerala are able to be educated and have the opportunities that education affords them such as participating in politics, keeping up to date on news, reading religious texts, etc. Every Kerala girl or woman above the age of six can read and write. Women are largely educated and daughters are thought to be as prized as sons. Christian missionaries also influenced Malayali women in that they started schools available to girls from poor families.
Kerala has been praised for its treatment of women because of characteristics such as these. Kerala's women have become doctors and pilots, Supreme Court justices, ambassadors of India; they have shone in sport, in politics, in the armed forces

Malayalee wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Manju Soman) — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 11:06:00 -0700

Malayalee wedding is full of excitement and fun. In a traditional wedding, a search for the right candidate is initiated as soon as girl and boy attain the marriageable age. Horoscope matching is of prime importance. Compatibility for the couple is seen by calculation done by some astrologer. If the horoscope matches, then an auspicious date is selected.
Close relatives and friends participate enthusiastically in every ceremony and share joyous moments. There are no rigidities in the Malayalee wedding.
An engagement ceremony is held where elders make the announcement to the family members and relatives about their ward?s engagement. It is popularly called ?Nishayam?. The prospective bride and groom are not part of this ceremony.
After this, various preparation are started in the house of boy and girl. Special sweets are prepared and decorations are done to give a new face to the house.
On the wedding day, a special feast is organized and served to the guests at the bride?s house. Bride is made to sit facing the east and served a traditional five course vegetarian meal.

The success of the Sari

noreply@blogger.com (Manju Soman) — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 10:35:00 -0700

The success of the Sari is attributed to its total simplicity, practical comfort, and sense of luxury a woman experiences when she wears one. A sari is an outfit which reveals as much as it hides. How to wear a sari is an art which require practice. A Sari properly draped transforms a woman to become graceful, stylish, elegant and sensuous. But a clumsily draped Sari brings down the look of the Sari and spoils the whole appearance of the woman.

The pavada

noreply@blogger.com (Manju Soman) — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 10:28:00 -0700

The pavada has almost vanished from the Malayali girl's wardrobe. This traditional pleated dress has been replaced by jeans, trousers and salwar kurtas.

IF THE songs, `Pavada prayathil' and `Pavadai davaniyil', were to be written today, the lyrics would not be the same.
For, the pavada has almost vanished from the Malayali girl's wardrobe.
This pleated traditional dress has been replaced by jeans, trousers, salwar kurtas, midis and skirts.
In Kerala, only the `bold' wore the salwar kurta two decades ago. And then came the invasion of the electronic media and salwar kurtas found their way into the hearts of Malayali girls.
If you want to see Malayali girls in pattu pavada-blouse sets today, then you have to be invited to a wedding. Or you should visit a temple or wait for November 1 (Kerala Piravi Day).
The pavada has its western counterpart: the skirt. What had flowed down over the ankles during the Victorian era has, over the years, transformed itself to the midi, the mini and the micro skirts, all of progressively decreasing length. Micros and minis may be the rage in Indian metros, but Thiruvananthapuram is yet to catch up with this trend.
Traditionalists, however, need not worry. A few still prefer the pavada. "I wear jeans, skirts and salwar kurtas to college," says Saumya, a student of Engineering "But I do wear pavada and half-sari (davani) occasionally. I recently got a pavada stitched. But it's unrealistic to think that pavada will be worn as it used to be 15 to 20 years ago. But things have improved from the way it was five years ago, when the pavada or the half sari was hardly seen."
On a whim, Saumya's mother bought her a Kancheevaram pavada recently.
"Wearing pavada and blouse to college is very uncomfortable and inconvenient. Getting on and off buses, in heavy pavada, is very difficult. It is a decorative outfit, and not a functional one. Hence, it is best to wear it on select occasions. I buy it only once a year, during Onam, and that's the only time I wear it; that is, if there are no marriages to attend," says Siddhi Devi, a B.Com student .
She prefers jeans and salwar kurta, as they are "very convenient to wear". But she is quick to add, "This does not mean I dislike pavada and blouse."
Even mothers don't want to force the pavada on their daughters. Says Usha, mother of 14-year-old Sharada, who studies in Holy Angels Convent, "Of course, the pavada is very beautiful and traditional, but I don't compel my daughter to wear it. And it is not like she never wears the pavada. We get her one for Onam, weddings or other occasions. At times, she herself demands that she wants to wear it to some function."

half sari

noreply@blogger.com (Manju Soman) — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 06:13:00 -0700

The woman wears a half sari, which was an inevitable part of traditional south Indian fashion. These days it is seldom worn by Kerala girls. It comprises of a long skirt and a blouse with the upper covering of a davani (a shawl).

Sari From very ancient times

noreply@blogger.com (Manju Soman) — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 06:05:00 -0700

Sari From very ancient times sari has been closely associated with the women of kerala and it still forms the major mode of dress even today. A 5 meter long cloth, It is worn together with a small blouse .It is however a tough job to learn to wear a sari in a proper manner and one needs to practice a lot. Sari is the official dress in various ceremonies like wedding, engagement and during various festivals in kerala. Kerala's sari market is now flooded with sari like Kancheepuram Silk, Banaras Silk. Sari decorated with traditional works, zardosi work, ariwork, Lukhnow work, sequins work, thread work, embroidery work.

Set-Saree A Keralite Malayali woman

noreply@blogger.com (Manju Soman) — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 06:03:00 -0700

Set-Saree A Keralite Malayali woman dressed in a set-saree which is worn as a "Quasi" - mundum neriyathumThe set-sari is worn as a garment that closely resembles the mundum neriyathum though it is not considered as a true mundum neriyathum by classic definition. This is because the setu-sari consists of a single piece of cloth while a traditional mundum neriyathum consists of a two piece cloth. Otherwise, the set saree closely resembles the mundum neriyathum and is often worn by Malayali women as a quasi mundum neriyathum.

Mundum neriyathum

noreply@blogger.com (Manju Soman) — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 05:46:00 -0700

Mundum neriyathum is the traditional clothing of women in Kerala, South India. It is the oldest remnant of the ancient form of the saree which covered only the lower part of the body . In the mundum neriyathum, the most basic traditional piece is the mundu or lower garment which is the ancient form of the saree denoted in malayalam s 'Thuni' (meaning cloth), while the neriyathu forms the upper garment added very recently to the mundu.The mundum neryathum consists of two pieces of cloth, and could be worn in either the traditional style with the neriyathu tucked inside the blouse, or in the modern style with the neriyathu worn over the left shoulder.

Kerala Sex Ratio

noreply@blogger.com (Manju Soman) — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 05:21:00 -0700

Kerala Sex RatioKerala is the state with highest Female sex ratio. Kerala has 1036 females per 1000 males. All India average is 933 females per 1000 males. (Source: 1991 Census of India)