T. P. Rajalakshmi

Thiruvaiyaru Panchapakesa Rajalakshmi (11 November 1911 – 1964) was the first Tamil and Telugu film heroine, female director and producer in the South Indian cinema industry.

T.P.Rajalakshmi was born on 11 November 1911 in the town of Thiruvaiyaru in the then Tanjore district of the Madras Presidency.

At the age of 20, Rajalakshmi married her co-star T. V. Sundaram. As soon after their wedding, the Couple adopted a female child, in order to save the girl child from "Girl Child Assassination", that was practiced in those days. Also Rajalakshmi acted in several stage plays showing the protest for the British people, who were ruling over the India in those days, which made Rajalakshmi to be imprisoned several times by the British Government. Rajalakshmi was a role model for the people and she initiated the social awareness to fight against the Female Child Assassination and to fight for the Freedom of the Nation through her life style that she led.

Later the couple gave birth to a female child and named the child as "Kamala" in 1936. T.P.Rajalakshmi also directed a film named Miss Kamala' and inaugurated the birth of her daughter Kamala. The movie Miss Kamala turned out to be a blockbuster hit of those days and Rajalakshmi was a leading star of those days, which made the people to expect and wait anxious for Rajalakshmi's upcoming movies. She was the top star of those days and continued her role in several films.

She owned several Properties at Kilpauk and became a wealthy woman. She resided at the Palace house, that she purchased at the very first. TPR also permitted her brothers and their families too to reside at her palace "Raj Mahal" that was located at No.1.Rajarathinam street. Followed by, she owned several Properties in Rajarathinam Street and Professor Subramanian street Vasu Street etc. atKilpauk. As a wealthy woman, she continued her roles in several films and she had a strong welcome by the people for her movies and songs.Indhiya Thaai was her last film. Rajalakshmi fell sick and died by 1964.

In order to support her family, Rajalakshmi joined a drama troupe and acted in stage plays. She learnt dance and music from Sankaradas Swamigal, a popular dramatist. Rajalakshmi got her big break in 1931, when she was cast as the heroine in the first Tamil talkie, Kalidas. Later on, Rajalakshmi turned out to be the star cast of those days. Many directors and producers requested Rajalakshmi to provide her call sheet for the upcoming films.

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