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1-5 of 5
- Actress
- Music Department
Jayalalithaa Jayaram, an iconic figure in Indian politics, seamlessly transitioned from a celebrated actress to a dynamic politician. Born in Melukote, Mysore, Karnataka, she hailed from a Tamil Iyengar family. Tragedy struck early in her life when her father, Jayaram, a lawyer, passed away when she was just two years old. Following this, Jayalalithaa and her brother found themselves relocating to Bengaluru with their mother, Vedavathi, who later ventured into Tamil cinema using the screen name 'Sandhya.'
Jayalalithaa received her early education from Bishop Cotton Girls' High School and Sacred Heart Matriculation School in Chennai. Recognized as a bright student, she excelled in her studies and earned a scholarship for higher education from the Government of India after completing her matriculation in 1964.
Fueled by her passion for the arts, Jayalalithaa ventured into the world of cinema shortly after her studies. Her journey in the film industry began in 1961, and she went on to become a prominent South Indian film star. Over the span of two decades, from 1961 to 1980, she graced the screens in 140 films, showcasing her versatility in Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu languages.
Beyond her acting prowess, Jayalalithaa was a trained Bharatnatyam dancer, displaying proficiency in various dance forms, including Kathak, Mohiniyattam, and Manipuri. Her multifaceted talents extended to her being a singer, lending her voice to songs in some of her films.
In 1982, Jayalalithaa made a significant shift in her career, entering the realm of politics. She joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party and quickly ascended through the ranks. Her political journey reached its pinnacle when she became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, a position she held six times. Notably, her sixth term began on May 23, 2016, setting a record for the most sworn-in terms.
Known affectionately as "Amma," meaning mother, and "Puratchi Thalaivi," meaning revolutionary leader, Jayalalithaa left an indelible mark on Indian politics. Her charismatic leadership and unwavering dedication to public service endeared her to the people of Tamil Nadu, making her a revered figure in the history of Indian politics. Jayalalithaa's legacy continues to inspire and resonate with many, transcending the realms of both cinema and politics.- Ambarish was born on 30 November 1951 in Malavalli, Mandya district, Karnataka, India. He was an actor, known for Bul Bul (2013), Veera Parampare (2010) and Chakravyuha (1983). He was married to Sumalatha. He died on 24 November 2018 in Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Roopashree (Roopa) Jeevaji is an actress and writer who has recently appeared in NCIS (2003) and 9-1-1 (2018). Jeevaji's screenplay "In the Face of Courage" was a Semi- finalist at "The Writers Lab - 2019" which is supported by Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman. She is also a Quarter- finalist at the Academy Nicholl Fellowship 2021.
Born in India, Jeevaji became involved with acting early on. At a young age, she started her training in Bharatanatyam (classical south Indian dance), giving her first performance on stage at the age of six and finished her 'Arangetram' (graduation concert / performance ) soon after. Her acting career took off after her debut in a national commercial for Bru Coffee (India's largest instant coffee brand) which led to other national TV spots.
Growing up in Bangalore, South India in a family that revered education, Jeevaji excelled in school and is also fluent in six Indian languages. She was the youngest participant in the country to be selected to compete in the international quiz competition "Exploration to Mars" held by renowned astrophysicist Carl Sagan.
After moving to the US, Jeevaji enrolled in Theatre Arts at Temple University, PA and continued her studies at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, Los Angeles where she was awarded a scholarship. In 2012, she performed at the CBS Diversity Showcase after being selected as one of the top twenty two actors from the thousands that auditioned. She has also been a part of the Producers Mentoring Program at 'Women in Film'.
In 2015, Jeevaji won the "Best Actress Award" at the 'California Women's Film Festival' and received "Best Actress/ Honorable Mention Award" at 'Asians on Film Festival' for her lead role in the film In Search of America, Inshallah (2014) which she also produced.
Philanthropically, Ms. Jeevaji is on the Board of Advisors for "Women's Voices Now" (WVN) and "Girls' Voices Now". WVN is a non profit organization which advocates women's rights by using the power of films to influence and impact society. "Girls' Voices Now" is the youth development program of WVN and it features films that amplify voices of young women from underrepresented communities.
Girls' Voices Now (2019) won Daytime Emmy Award 2021 in "Outstanding Short Form Children's Program" category.- Director
- Producer
- Cinematographer
Ranga B.S. was born on 11 November 1917 in Nagamangala, Mandya, Mysore, British India [now Nagamangala, Mandya, Karnataka, India]. He was a director and producer, known for Mahishasura Mardini (1959), Hasyarathna Ramakrishna (1982) and Chandrahasa (1965). He died on 12 December 2010 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.- Actor
- Editor
Sughosh was born on 28 May 1994 in Mandya, Karnataka, India. He is an actor and editor, known for Aparoopa (2023) and Athiratha (2017).