Padmini, the only surviving and the most famed member of the "Travancore Sisters" is still an endearing screen image for the fans of Malayalam cinema

'Natya Peroli' Padmini

Born in Poojappura in Thiruvanthapuram on 12 June 1932.

Parents: Thankappan Pillai and Saraswathi Amma

Siblings: Elder sister Lalitha and younger sister Ragini. All three were called Travancore Sisters. Brother Chandrasekhar, father of Shobana.

Began acting at the age of 17 and had done more than 250 movies.

Legendary film is Tillana Mohanambal.

Got married to Dr. K. T. Ramachandran in 1961. She left India and settled in USA and 1977 she started Padmini School of Fine Arts. Her husband died at the age of 48 in 1981. Their only son Premanand is an official with the Warner Brothers. They have one son.

Best actress award of the Film Fans Association in 1954,'59,'61 and '66.
The Kalai Mamany Award from Tamil Nadu Government in 1958.
The Best Classical Dancer Award from Moscow Youth Festival in 1957.
The Filmfare Award in 1985.
The erstwhile Soviet Union released a postal stamp in her honor.

During the Indian-Pakistan war in 1965, she went to the war front and performed for the wounded Indian soldiers. She also performed for the sick in hospitals in Madras.

Famous Dance Presentations

She has given dance performances at:

Madras Music Academy
Shanmukhananda Sabha,
Indian Fine Arts Society
Tamil Sangam, Madras

She has given performances at the Rashtrapathy Bhavan, New Delhi and on the stage in front of personalities like Queen Elizabeth, Pandit Nehru, Sardar Patel, President Rajendra Prasad, President Radhakrishnan, Lady Mountbatten, and Premier Bulganin of Russia.

Padmini today

We carry all of Padmini's movies. Complete List -- under construction
My Memories

Padmini akka was the Chief Guest for my dance school, Kalairani Natya Saalai, in 1993. Seen in this picture are Rani, Mark Allen of Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Natya Peroli Padmini, Ambassador Lalit Mansingh.

Over the years, she is now one of my closest friends.

1993 -- 1995 -- 1996 - 1998