Leena Sequeira[1] (1937 – 8 December 2023), known mononymously as Leelavathi, was an Indian actress, producer and philanthropist who worked predominantly in Kannada and Tamil films, in addition to few Telugu, Malayalam and Tulu films. After having her stint at the theatre, Leelavathi made her film debut in a small role in Nagakannika (1949). She went on to act in more than 600 films (more than 400 in Kannada alone) throughout her career spanning over five decades.
Leelavathi | |
|---|---|
 Leelavathi at Kalamandira, Mysore | |
| Born | Leena Sequeira 1937 |
| Died | (aged 86) |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, film producer, writer, philanthropist |
| Children | Vinod Raj |
Leelavathi is known for many memorable performances as a lead actress in films such as Rani Honnamma, Bhakta Kumbara, Valar Pirai, Mana Mecchida Madadi and Santha Thukaram. In early 1970s, she switched towards performing character roles and was notable in films such as Gejje Pooje, Upasane, Naagarahaavu, Vasantha Geetha, Shravana Banthu and Eradu Nakshatragalu. She was the recipient of the Dr. Rajkumar Award in 1999 and Filmfare Awards.
Early life
editLeena Sequeira was born in Mura, a village in Belthangady town of Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka which was then a part of Madras Presidency.[1] She lost her parents at the age of 6.[2] Leena and her sister Angelina Sequeira raised under the care of their elder cousin. Both the sisters had passion for dancing and they both earned their living by training people in dance.
Film career
editLeelavathi had a small role in Chanchala Kumari and then in Shanker Singh's film Naga Kannika. She later joined the troupe of Mahalinga Bhagavathar's Sri Sahitya Samrajya Drama Company.[3] She got a chance to act in Subbainaidu's 1958 movie Bhakta Prahlada and in movies like Mangalya Yoga, Dharma Vijaya and Ranadheera Kanteerava. It was from Rani Honnamma that Leelavathi became a full-fledged heroine and went on to act in many films as the leading lady, like Santha Thukaram, Kantheredu Nodu, Kaivara Mahatme, Gaali Gopura, Kanyarathna, Kulavadhu, Veera Kesari and Mana Mecchida Madadi. She has starred in key supporting roles in a large number of films and received the Karnataka State Award for Gejje Pooje and Doctor Krishna.
Leelavathi had the rare distinction of working with Rajkumar in various films as heroine as well as in other roles [4] like daughter (Bhoodana), daughter-in-law (Kittur Chennamma), sister (Vathsalya), sister-in-law (elder brother's wife in Premamayi and younger brother's wife in Kalitharu Henne), paternal aunt (Shravana Banthu), and mother-in-law (Vasantha Geetha, Naa Ninna Mareyalare and Jwaalamukhi).[5]
Death
editLeelavathi died at a private hospital in Nelamangala on the outskirts of Bengaluru, on 8 December 2023, at the age of 86.[6][7]
Awards and recognitions
edit- Dr. Rajkumar Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000 from the Karnataka Government.[8]
- Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada for Kannadada Kanda in 2006[citation needed]
- Leelavathi was conferred with the honorary doctorate from the Tumkur University in the year 2008 for her contribution to the southern cinema.[9]
Partial filmography
editAs actress
edit- First Film in Kannada: Mangalya Yoga
- First Film in Tamil: Pattinathaar
- First Film in Telugu: Marmayogi
- First Film in Malayalam: Pamasiraja
- First Film in Tulu: Saviradoorthi Savitri[citation needed]
As producer
edit| Year | Film |
|---|---|
| 1990 | College Hero |
| 2006 | Kannadada Kanda |
| 2007 | Shukra |
| 2009 | Yaaradhu |
References
edit- ^ a b https://www.udayavani.com/english-news/leena-sequeira-to-leelavati-a-tale-of-talent-and-tenacity [bare URL]
- ^ "Veteran actor Leelavathi no more". The Times of India. 10 December 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
- ^ "ಲೀಲಾವತಿಯವರ ನಿಜವಾದ ಗಂಡ ಯಾರ್ ಗೊತ್ತಾ..? ಕೊನೆಗೂ ಸತ್ಯ ಬಾಯ್ಬಿಟ್ಟ ನಟಿ..!! | Civic News".
- ^ "Southscope July 2010 - Side A".
- ^ "Actor Leelavathi passes away at 86 in Bengaluru hosp". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "Veteran Kannada actress Leelavathi passes away". Deccan Herald. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ "Leelavathi Passes Away: ನಟಿ ಲೀಲಾವತಿ ನಿಧನ: 600ಕ್ಕೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಸಿನಿಮಾಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅಭಿನಯಿಸಿದ್ದ ಕಲಾವಿದೆ ಇನ್ನಿಲ್ಲ". TV9 Kannada. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ The Hindu. 17 December 2007.
- ^ "Leelavathi conferred with doctorate". The New Indian Express. 10 January 2009. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
- ^ "Paduka Pattabhishekam (1966) Telugu Movie: Watch Full HD Movie Online On JioCinema". www.jiocinema.com. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
External links
edit- Leelavathi at IMDb