(Image source from: Evergreen Beautiful Actress Savithri)
Nadigaiyar Thilakam, Mahanati, Savitri Gemini Ganesan was born on 6th December 1937 in Chirravur a small town near Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. She was the only daughter of Nissankaram - Subhadram couple. She lost her father when she was six years old. She studied till 3rd form (VIII standard) in Kasthuri Bai Memorial School, Vijayawada with her uncle’s support. She learnt dance and music from Sista Purnayya Sastri during her school days. She discontinued her studies and worked in a theatre company run by Nandamni Taraka Rao. She gave stage performances as a child in Vijayawada. She also acted in a play at Mavanchana by Buchi Babu. Later she started her own troupe called Nava Bharata Natya Mandali. She married actor late Shri Gemini Ganesan in 1956. He married her as his third wife. She has two children, daughter Vijaya Chamundeswari and a son Sathishkumar.
She got an offer in the Telugu film Agni Pariksha when she was 12 years old. She merely missed the chance because she looked too young to play the role in that particular film. She did a small role with Actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao in the Telugu film Samsaram through Producer L.V.Prasad. Her inborn talents were recognized through this film. Soon she caught her chances to act in her subsequent Telugu films Sankranthi, Pallethru, etc. She performed a dance number in the legendary film Pathala Bhairavi in 1951. Her big break came through Pelli Chesi Choodu in 1958 in which she played her first lead role. She established her acting credentials in film Ardhangi. She acted along with Akkineni Nageswara Rao in Devadas, which gave her an unreachable star image. Her versatile acting won her the Title Mahanati (Great Actress) in Tollywood film Industry.
She gave memorable performances in Telugu films Palletooru, Chandra Haaram, Devadasu, Donga Ramudu, Maaya Baazar, Appu Chesi Pappu Kodu, Sri Venkateswara Mahanatyam, Aradhana, Gundamma Katha, Raktha Thilakam, Moonga Manasulu, Pooja Phalam, Panda Vanavasam, Prana Mitrulu, Varakatnam, Maro Prapancham, and Jagan Mohini. Apart from her memorable performances, she gave great super hit films like Todikallu, Mangalya Balam, Abhimanam, Muri Pinche, Muvvalu Manchi, Manasulu, Doctor Chakravarthi, Devatha Manase, and Mandram. These movies stand as a Shining testimony to her versatility as an actress.
She made her Tamil film entry through Devadas with actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao. But it was the film Missiamma with actor Gemini Ganesan which took her to great heights. She established her Tamil film career through hit films Kalathur Kannama, Karpagam, Karnan, Yaar Paiyyan, Vananga Mudi, Amara Deepam, etc. She acted with the great thespian actor Nadigar Thilakam Shivaji Ganesan in films Thiruvillaiyadal, Paasamalar, Navarathri, Kai Kodutha Deivam, Padithal Mattum Poduma, etc.
She displayed an excellent acting in film Paasamalar as Shivaji Ganesan’s affectionate sister. She exhibited her versatile dancing style in a Theru Koothu song “Rajathe Rajan Vandaen…†in Navarathri with actor Shivaji Ganesan. She paired with her future husband actor Gemini Ganesan in films Kalathur Kannamma, Missiamma, Manam Pol Mangalyam, etc. She acted along with M.G.R. in films Parisu and Vettaikaran. Her notable character in Paava Mannipu still sways in the mind of the audience. She made her 100th film Konjum Salangai with actor Gemini Ganesan. She acted with Top stars Rajnikanth and Kamal Haasan in Tamil film Alauddinum Arputha Vilakkum. Her Beautiful expressive eyes and Charming smile won the heart of audience. Through her breath taking performances, she was crowned the title Nad
Source: Evergreenstarimages
