Leelavathi (actress)
Leelavathi | |
|---|---|
 Leelavathi at Kalamandira, Mysore | |
| Born | Leena Sequeira 1937 |
| Died | (aged 86) Nelamangala, Bangalore Rural district, Karnataka, India |
| Occupations | Actress, film producer, writer, philanthropist |
| Children | Vinod Raj |
Leena Sequeira [1] (1937 – 8 December 2023), known mononymously as Leelavathi, was an Indian actress, producer who worked predominantly in Kannada and Tamil films, in addition to few Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, and Tulu films. After having her stint at the theatre, Leelavathi made her film debut in a small role as child artist 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 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
Leena 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
Leelavathi 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
Leelavathi 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
- Dr. Rajkumar Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000 from the Karnataka Government.[8]
- Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada for Kannadada Kanda in 2006
- 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
Kannada films
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | Nagakannika | ||
| 1953 | Chanchala Kumari | ||
| 1958 | Bhakta Prahlada | ||
| 1958 | Mangalya Yoga | ||
| 1959 | Abba Aa Hudugi | ||
| 1959 | Dharma Vijaya | ||
| 1960 | Dashavtara | ||
| 1960 | Ranadheera Kanteerava | ||
| 1960 | Rani Honnamma | ||
| 1961 | Kaiwara Mahathme | ||
| 1961 | Kantheredu Nodu | ||
| 1961 | Kittur Chennamma | Veeravva | |
| 1962 | Gaali Gopura | ||
| 1962 | Karuneye Kutumbada Kannu | ||
| 1962 | Bhoodaana | ||
| 1962 | Mana Mecchida Madadi | ||
| 1962 | Nanda Deepa | ||
| 1962 | Rani Chanamma | ||
| 1962 | Rathna Manjari | ||
| 1962 | Vidhi Vilasa | ||
| 1963 | Kulavadhu | ||
| 1963 | Kanyarathna | ||
| 1963 | Kalitharu Henne | ||
| 1963 | Bevu Bella | ||
| 1963 | Jeevana Tharanga | ||
| 1963 | Malli Maduve | ||
| 1963 | Mana Mecchida Madadi | ||
| 1963 | Santha Thukaram | National Award | |
| 1963 | Valmiki | ||
| 1963 | Veera Kesari | ||
| 1964 | Shivarathri Mahathme | ||
| 1964 | Thumbida Koda | State Award | |
| 1965 | Chandrahasa | ||
| 1965 | Mahasathi Anasuya | ||
| 1965 | Ide Mahasudina | ||
| 1965 | Maduve Madi Nodu | National Award | |
| 1965 | Naga Pooja | ||
| 1965 | Vathsalya | ||
| 1965 | Veera Vikrama | With Udaya Kumar | |
| 1966 | Mohini Bhasmasura | ||
| 1966 | Premamayi | ||
| 1966 | Thoogu Deepa | ||
| 1967 | Gange Gowri | ||
| 1968 | Anna Thamma | ||
| 1968 | Attegondukala Sosegondukala | ||
| 1968 | Bhagya Devathe | ||
| 1968 | Mamathe | ||
| 1969 | Kalpa Vruksha | ||
| 1969 | Brindavana | ||
| 1969 | Gejje Pooje | State Award | |
| 1970 | Aaru Mooru Ombhatthu | ||
| 1970 | Boregowda Bangalorige Banda | ||
| 1970 | Aparajithe | ||
| 1970 | Sukha Samsara | ||
| 1971 | Signalman Siddappa | ||
| 1971 | Sothu Geddavalu | ||
| 1971 | Sharapanjara | ||
| 1972 | Dharmapatni | ||
| 1972 | Naagarahaavu | ||
| 1972 | Sipayi Ramu | State Award | |
| 1972 | Naa Mechida Huduga | ||
| 1973 | Mooroovare Vajragalu | ||
| 1973 | Premapasha | ||
| 1973 | Sahadharmini | ||
| 1974 | Bhakta Kumbara | ||
| 1974 | Devara Gudi | ||
| 1974 | Idu Namma Desha | ||
| 1974 | Maga Mommaga | ||
| 1974 | Maha Thyaga | ||
| 1974 | Professor Huchuraya | ||
| 1974 | Upasane | ||
| 1975 | Bhagya Jyothi | ||
| 1975 | Bili Hendthi | ||
| 1975 | Hennu Samsarada Kannu | ||
| 1975 | Hosilu Mettida Hennu | ||
| 1975 | Koodi Balona | ||
| 1975 | Katha Sangama | Kamala | |
| 1975 | Kalla Kulla | ||
| 1976 | Bangarada Gudi | ||
| 1976 | College Ranga | ||
| 1976 | Makkala Bhagya | ||
| 1976 | Naa Ninna Mareyalare | ||
| 1976 | Phalitamsha | ||
| 1977 | Deepa | ||
| 1977 | Dhanalakshmi | ||
| 1977 | Kumkuma Rakshe | ||
| 1977 | Mugdha Manava | ||
| 1977 | Veera Sindhoora Lakshmana | ||
| 1978 | Devadasi | ||
| 1978 | Kiladi Jodi | ||
| 1978 | Hombisilu | ||
| 1978 | Kiladi Kittu | ||
| 1978 | Maathu Tappada Maga | ||
| 1978 | Vasantha Lakshmi | ||
| 1979 | Naa Ninna Bidalaare | ||
| 1979 | Pakka Kalla | ||
| 1979 | Savathiya Neralu | ||
| 1979 | Vijay Vikram | ||
| 1980 | Kulla Kulli | ||
| 1980 | Nanna Rosha Nooru Varusha | ||
| 1980 | Namma Mane Sose | ||
| 1980 | Nyaya Neethi Dharma | ||
| 1980 | Simha Jodi | ||
| 1980 | Subbi Subakka Suvvalali | ||
| 1980 | Ondu Hennu Aaru Kannu | ||
| 1980 | Vasantha Geethe | ||
| 1981 | Hana Balavo Jana Balavo | ||
| 1981 | Edeyuru Siddhalingeshwara | ||
| 1981 | Kula Puthra | ||
| 1981 | Garjane | ||
| 1981 | Thayiya Madilalli | ||
| 1981 | Mareyada Haadu | ||
| 1982 | Auto Raja | ||
| 1983 | Eradu Nakshatragalu | ||
| 1983 | Mududida Tavare Aralithu | ||
| 1983 | Sididedda Sahodara | ||
| 1983 | Samarpane | ||
| 1984 | Endina Ramayana | ||
| 1984 | Chanakya | ||
| 1984 | Olavu Moodidaga | ||
| 1984 | Shravana Banthu | ||
| 1985 | Ajeya | Ajey's mother | |
| 1985 | Hosa Baalu | ||
| 1985 | Balondu Uyyale | ||
| 1985 | Naanu Nanna Hendthi | ||
| 1986 | Bettada Thayi | ||
| 1986 | Kathanayaka | ||
| 1986 | KD No. 1 | ||
| 1986 | Mrigalaya | ||
| 1986 | Seelu Nakshatra | ||
| 1987 | Huli Hebbuli | Kamala | |
| 1987 | Olavina Udugore | ||
| 1987 | Premaloka | ||
| 1988 | Ramanna Shamanna | ||
| 1989 | Abhimana | ||
| 1989 | Doctor Krishna | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress | |
| 1989 | Yuga Purusha | ||
| 1989 | Gagana | ||
| 1990 | Golmaal Radhakrishna | ||
| 1990 | Tiger Gangu | ||
| 1991 | Golmaal Radhakrishna II | ||
| 1999 | Habba | ||
| 2000 | Chamundi | ||
| 2003 | Swathi Muthu | ||
| 2006 | Kannadada Kanda | ||
| 2007 | Shukra | ||
| 2009 | Yaaradhu |
Other language films
| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Raja Malaya Simha | Telugu/Tamil | ||
| 1962 | Pattinathaar | Tamil | ||
| 1962 | Sumaithaangi | Tamil | ||
| 1962 | Valar Pirai | Tamil | ||
| 1963 | Valmiki | Telugu | ||
| 1963 | Bandipotu | Telugu | ||
| 1964 | Marmayogi | Telugu | ||
| 1965 | Karthigai Deepam | Tamil | ||
| 1966 | Paduka Pattabhishekam[10] | Kaikeyi | Telugu | |
| 1974 | Aval Oru Thodar Kathai | Parvathi | Tamil | |
| 1974 | Naan Avanillai | Chandrabai | Tamil | |
| 1977 | Avargal | Leelavathi | Tamil | |
| 1977 | Solah Shukrawar | Hindi | ||
| 1978 | Gammathu Goodacharulu | Telugu | ||
| 1979 | Karthika Deepam | Telugu | ||
| 1979 | Idi Katha Kaadu | Telugu | ||
| 1980 | Bhumi Par Aaye Bhagwan | Hindi | ||
| 1980 | Jathara | Telugu | ||
| 1982 | Maro Malupu | Telugu | ||
| 1986 | Pudhir | Vijay's mother | Tamil |
As producer
| Year | Film |
|---|---|
| 1990 | College Hero |
| 2006 | Kannadada Kanda |
| 2007 | Shukra |
| 2009 | Yaaradhu |
References
- ^ a b "Leena Sequeira to Leelavati: A tale of talent and tenacity! | Udayavani – ಉದಯವಾಣಿ". Archived from the original on 9 December 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- ^ "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. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Paduka Pattabhishekam (1966) Telugu Movie: Watch Full HD Movie Online On JioCinema". www.jiocinema.com. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
External links
- Leelavathi at IMDb