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Devika

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Devika
Born
Prameela Devi

(1943-04-25)25 April 1943
Chennai
DiedMay 2, 2002(2002-05-02) (aged 59)
Chennai
OccupationActress
Years active1954-1985
SpouseDevadas (1972-1990) (divorced)
ChildrenKanaka
FamilyRaghupathi Venkaiah (grandfather)

Devika or Prameela Devi (25 April 1943 – 2 May 2002) was a Tamil and Telugu actress. She is regarded[by whom?] as a versatile and graceful heroine of her era. She was cast in mythological films like Karnan, and Thiruvilaiyadal. Her films include Sumaithangi, Nenjil oru Aalayam and Marakka Mudiyuma. She started acting at the age of 12. Her spectacular performances made her a heart throb of many people in those days as expressed by Tamil writer Sujatha in one of his old essays.

Personal life

Devika is the granddaughter of Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu.[1] Ex-mayor of Madras, C.Basudev Naidu, was her paternal uncle.

She married Devadas on 14 April 1972; they divorced in 1990. Her only daughter, Kanaka, is one of the famous Tamil actresses of the 1980s.

Earlier life

Prameela changed her name to Devika, which proved to be lucky. In 1958 she made her debut in Mudhalali paired with veteran film actor S. S. Rajendran. With the big Tilagam adorning her forehead, the movie was a blockbuster. Devika represented the quintessential Indian woman: caring, self-effacing, and sacrificing. Sivaji and Devika appeared in some memorable movies like Karnan, and the hilarious Bale Pandiya and Kulamagal Radhai, Neelavanam, annai Illam, Pavamanippu among others. Devika acted in one film with then powerful Tamil superstar M.G.Ramachandran, in Aananthajothi. Released in 1963, the film was produced by actor P.S. Veerappa.

Neela vanam was one of the best movies featuring her excellent performance. Devika also made an indelible mark in family drama, winning the hearts of the audience, both urban and rural. With producers churning out such films, some tear-jerkers and others light, and no dearth of heroines, it was due to her talent and charm that Devika got the opportunity to play memorable roles in films like Vanambadi, Vazhkai Padagu and Nenjam Marappadhillai. If the song Sonnathu needhana... in C.V.Sridhar's Nenjil or Aalayam attained immortality the credit for making it visually poignant goes to Devika, who rendered it in the landmark film. She had carved a niche for herself with her grace and beauty at a time when other heroines vied for the top slot. She did total justice to whatever character she portrayed never failing to give a wholesome performance. She acted in about 150 films in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam.

Filmography

Tamil

Telugu

Malayalam

Hindi

References

  1. ^ http://ntr.telugudesam.org/paperslides/ntr-rechukka.html
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