A poignant beauty

Chennai: Veteran actress Savitri’s 75th birth anniversary was celebrated in Chennai at 6 December which is her birthday. Governor of Tamilnadu K Rosaiah, speaking during the celebrations, said that Savitri was a born actor in whom the abilities to portray various roles were naturally imbibed.

She had all the qualities required to make a person a good actor. Only a few really work hard to show their skills, but when it came to this actress, immersing herself into any character was a job she could do within a wink of an eye. Ardhangi (Telugu) and Namminabantu (Telugu) were the films that made her popular.

Recollecting an incident in the past, the Governor said Savitri was at Karamchedu, a village in Andhra Pradesh, for shooting a film where she had to don the role of a rural girl who would ride a bullock cart. The way actress dressed herself as a traditional girl made many feel they could take lessons from her when it came to imbibing a girl who adheres to customs and traditions, he said.

MLC of Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, Vakati Narayana Reddy said Savitri was an actress who played myriad roles in films of various languages. Member-secretary of Tamilnadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram Sachu said the veteran actress had carved a niche for herself in cinema. Veteran actors Rajasri, Rajasulochana, yesteryear playback singer P B Srinivos and artiste Ghantasala Ratnakumar were among those who were honoured on the occasion. President of TANA Thotakura Prasad launched a DVD on Savitri.

Rosaiah received its first copy. Entrepreneur Lagadapati Padmasri, wife of Lagadapati Rajagopal, MP from Vijayawada, received ‘Mahanati Savithri’ Award for Excellence from the Governor of Tamilnadu.The function was organised by Mahanati Savitri Kala Peetham, Vijayawada, in association with Telugu Association of North America (TANA). Paruchuri Vijayalakshmi of the Kalapeetham, film producer Ambika Krishna and Vijaya Chamundeswari, daughter of Savitri, were among the others present at the function.

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