# G. Varalakshmi

Garikapati Varalakshmi (27 September 1926 – 26 November 2006) was an Indian actress, stage artist, singer, and director who worked in Telugu and Tamil films.

## Biography

Varalakshmi was born in 1926 in Ongole, Andhra Pradesh, India. Her father was a pehelwan. She started acting on stage in Vijayawada when she was 11 years old. She acted along with stage actors Thungala Chalapathi and Dasari Kotiratnam and became popular for her roles in plays like Sakkubai and Rangoon Rowdy.
Her first two movie roles aged 14 were in Barrister Parvatheesam, produced by Raghupathy Prakash, and Bondam Pelli, produced by H. M. Reddy. These two movies were released together as a two-in-one movie. She then moved to Bombay to sing in the chorus for Naushad in 1942. As her career as a singer was not successful, she returned to Madras in 1946. She married the filmmaker and studio-owner K. S. Prakash Rao. Her husband and she acted in and produced a controversial and popular movie, Drohi in which she played the part of an arrogant daughter.
Drohi was followed by popular movies like Kula Gotralu, Kanna Talli and Pelli Chesi Choodu in which she acted with all the top heroes of Indian films of the 1940s and 1950s in Telugu and Tamil, playing roles ranging from the loving woman and arrogant sister to the mother-in-law. She also directed a social movie, Moogajeevulu. She got involved in politics and supported M.G.R for a short time and was an active member of Andhra Pradesh Praja Natya Mandali. She was the mother of two children, one daughter Kovelamudi Kanaka Durga and a son Kovelamudi Siva Prakash who became a famous cameraman. She is also the step-mother of the famous director Kovelamudi Raghavendra Rao.

## Filmography

Note: The list is not comprehensive.

### Actress

| Year | Film | Language | Character |
| 1940 | Barrister Parvateesam | Telugu | |
| 1940 | Bondam Pelli | Telugu | |
| 1941 | Dakshayagnam | Telugu | |
| 1942 | Bhakta Prahlada | Telugu | |
| 1946 | Vanarani | Telugu | |
| 1948 | Vindhyarani | Telugu | |
| 1948 | Drohi | Telugu | Saroja |
| 1950 | Maaya Rambha | Tamil | Rambha |
| 1950 | Maaya Rambha | Telugu | Rambha |
| 1950 | Modati Rathri | Telugu | |
| 1950 | Lakshmamma | Tamil | |
| 1950 | Sri Lakshmamma Katha | Telugu | Pichamma |
| 1950 | Swapna Sundari | Tamil | Rani |
| 1950 | Swapna Sundari | Telugu | Rani |
| 1951 | Anni | Tamil | |
| 1951 | Deeksha | Telugu | |
| 1951 | Niraparadhi | Tamil | Tara |
| 1951 | Nirdoshi | Telugu | Tara |
| 1952 | Manavathi | Tamil | |
| 1952 | Manavathi | Telugu | |
| 1952 | Kalyanam Panni Paar | Tamil | |
| 1952 | Pelli Chesi Choodu | Telugu | Ammadu |
| 1953 | Naa Chellelu | Telugu | |
| 1953 | Kanna Talli | Telugu | Shanta |
| 1953 | Petra Thai | Tamil | Santa |
| 1953 | Prapancham | Telugu | |
| 1953 | Paropakaram | Tamil | |
| 1953 | Paropakaram | Telugu | |
| 1954 | Jyoti | Telugu | |
| 1954 | Kudumbam | Tamil | Seetha |
| 1954 | Menarikam | Telugu | Seetha |
| 1954 | Maa Gopi | Telugu | |
| 1954 | Palle Paduchu | Telugu | |
| 1955 | Ante Kavali | Telugu | |
| 1955 | Gulebakavali | Tamil | Queen Bakavali |
| 1955 | Jaya Gopi | Tamil | |
| 1955 | Pasupu Kunkuma | Telugu | |
| 1956 | Balasanyasamma Katha | Telugu | |
| 1956 | Marumalarchi | Tamil | |
| 1956 | Melukolupu | Telugu | |
| 1956 | Naan Petra Selvam | Tamil | Gowri |
| 1956 | Paasavalai | Tamil | |
| 1956 | Vazhvile Oru Naal | Tamil | Janaki/Kaladevi |
| 1957 | Dhampathyam | Telugu | |
| 1957 | Dongallo Dora | Telugu | Kamini |
| 1957 | Pakka Thirudan | Tamil | Kamini |
| 1957 | Aravalli | Tamil | Queen Aravalli |
| 1957 | Karpurakarasi | Tamil | Chandrika |
| 1957 | Uthama Illalu | Telugu | Chandrika |
| 1957 | Pathini Deivam | Tamil | Sivagami |
| 1958 | Raja Nandini | Telugu | Vimala |
| 1958 | Sampoorna Ramayanam | Tamil | Kaikeyi |
| 1958 | Dongalunnaru Jagratha | Telugu | |
| 1958 | Thirudargal Jakkirathai | Tamil | |
| 1958 | Mangalya Balam | Telugu | Seeta |
| 1958 | Manjal Mahimai | Tamil | Seeta |
| 1959 | Mamiyar Mechina Marumagal | Tamil | Seeta |
| 1960 | Renukadevi Mahatyam | Telugu | |
| 1960 | Sivagami | Tamil | Sivagami |
| 1961 | Bikari Ramadu | Telugu | |
| 1961 | Iddaru Mitrulu | Telugu | |
| 1961 | Nagarjuna | Kannada | Uluchi |
| 1962 | Bhishma | Telugu | |
| 1962 | Kalimi Lemulu | Telugu | Manikyamba |
| 1962 | Kula Gothralu | Telugu | |
| 1962 | Padandi Munduku | Telugu | |
| 1962 | Nagarjuna | Telugu | |
| 1963 | Anuragam | Telugu | |
| 1965 | Aavadhellaam Pennaale | Tamil | |
| 1965 | Antastulu | Telugu | Roopa Devi |
| 1965 | Sumangali | Telugu | |
| 1965 | Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum | Tamil | Alamelu |
| 1965 | Paditha Manaivi | Tamil | |
| 1965 | Veera Abhimanyu | Tamil | Draupadi |
| 1965 | Veerabhimanyu | Telugu | Draupadi |
| 1966 | Aata Bommalu | Telugu | |
| 1966 | Aastiparulu | Telugu | Rajyalakshmi |
| 1966 | Letha Manasulu | Telugu | Kanaka Durgamma |
| 1967 | Pattathu Rani | Tamil | |
| 1967 | Rahasyam | Telugu | Chandramma |
| 1968 | Amayakudu | Telugu | |
| 1968 | Harichandra | Tamil | |
| 1968 | Bangaru Sankelu | Telugu | |
| 1968 | Mooga Jeevulu | Telugu | |
| 1968 | Veeranjaneya | Telugu | Mandodari |
| 1969 | Jagath Kiladeelu | Telugu | |
| 1971 | Mooga Prema | Telugu | |
| 1971 | Pavitra Bandham | Telugu | Durgamma |
| 1971 | Anuradha | Telugu | Rukmini |
| 1971 | Veettukoru Pillai | Tamil | |
| 1972 | Vazhaiyadi Vazhai | Tamil | |
| 1973 | Doctor Babu | Telugu | Parvathi |
| 1973 | Samsaram Sagaram | Telugu | |
| 1973 | Veettukku Vandha Marumagal | Tamil | |
| 1974 | Chakravakam | Telugu | |
| 1974 | Premalu Pellillu | Telugu | |
| 1974 | Tulasi | Telugu | |
| 1974 | Vani Rani | Tamil | |
| 1975 | Babu | Telugu | |
| 1975 | Kathanayakuni Katha | Telugu | Pulatla Tayaramma |
| 1975 | Rajyanlo Rabandulu | Telugu | |
| 1975 | Vayasochina Pilla | Telugu | |
| 1976 | Athavarillu | Telugu | |
| 1976 | Ee Kalapu Pillalu | Telugu | |
| 1976 | Mahatmudu | Telugu | Parvathamma |
| 1976 | Manchiki Maro Peru | Telugu | |
| 1976 | Sri Rajeswari Vilas Coffee Club | Telugu | |
| 1977 | Unnai Suttrum Ulagam | Tamil | |
| 1978 | Gorantha Deepam | Telugu | |
| 1978 | Nindu Manishi | Telugu | |
| 1980 | Kiladi Krishnudu | Telugu | |
| 1980 | Sirimalle Navvindi | Telugu | |
| 1986 | Sirivennela | Telugu | |

### Director

* Moogajeevulu (1968)

## Discography

| Year | Film | Language | Song | Co-singers | Music Director |
| 1940 | Barrister Parvateesam | Telugu | Premaye Jagathi Demudu | | Kopparapu Subba Rao |
| 1940 | Barrister Parvateesam | Telugu | Poyira Priyuda London Poyira | | Kopparapu Subba Rao |
| 1948 | Drohi | Telugu | Nede Theere Naa Vaancha | | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1948 | Drohi | Telugu | Premaye Kaadha Sadha Vilaasi | M. S. Rama Rao | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1948 | Drohi | Telugu | Chakkaligintalu Leva Leva | | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1948 | Drohi | Telugu | Poovu Cheri Palumaaru | Ghantasala | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1948 | Drohi | Telugu | Nee Tetalenide Chitraniki Geetu | | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1948 | Drohi | Telugu | Trinamo Panamo Veyyandi | Pithapuram Nageswara Rao | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1948 | Drohi | Telugu | Padandira Padandira Padandira | Pithapuram Nageswara Rao | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1948 | Drohi | Telugu | Manovanchalu Eenaati Koolipoye | | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1948 | Drohi | Telugu | Cakkaru Kottuku Vachava | Kasturi Siva Rao | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1948 | Drohi | Telugu | Sari Sari Matala Mootha | | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1950 | Maaya Rambha | Tamil | | | Ogirala Ramachandra Rao |
| 1950 | Maaya Rambha | Telugu | Ragamutho Nanu Kanuma | | Ogirala Ramachandra Rao |
| 1950 | Maaya Rambha | Telugu | Veera Rasikulu Kalarasikulu | | Ogirala Ramachandra Rao |
| 1950 | Modhati Rathri | Telugu | Cheliya Ee Sumamu Ye Rangu | | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1950 | Modhati Rathri | Telugu | Taguna Pagaboona Penchina | | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1950 | Modhati Rathri | Telugu | Mamatho Yemo Chandrudela | M. S. Rama Rao & R. Balasaraswathi Devi | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1950 | Modhati Rathri | Telugu | Oyi Naa Raja Oyyaree Raja | | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1950 | Modhati Rathri | Telugu | Sannagaa Tinnagaa Raraa | Kasturi Siva Rao | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1950 | Modhati Rathri | Telugu | Oho Bava Oyi Bava | Madhavapeddi Satyam | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1950 | Modhati Rathri | Telugu | Eduru Ledika Naakeduru Ledika | | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1950 | Modhati Rathri | Telugu | Aasalu Baasi Naa Aasalu Baasi | | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1950 | Modhati Rathri | Telugu | Manasidemo Ooyalalooge | M. S. Rama Rao & Kasturi Siva Rao | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1950 | Swapna Sundari | Tamil | Sagasam Therinthathaiya Un | | C. R. Subburaman & Ghantasala |
| 1950 | Swapna Sundari | Tamil | Ullam Magizhnthu Ennaiye | | C. R. Subburaman & Ghantasala |
| 1950 | Swapna Sundari | Tamil | Maranthatheno Manathu | | C. R. Subburaman & Ghantasala |
| 1950 | Swapna Sundari | Telugu | Nee Sari Neevele | | C. R. Subburaman & Ghantasala |
| 1950 | Swapna Sundari | Telugu | Ullam Magizhnthu Ennaiye | | C. R. Subburaman & Ghantasala |
| 1950 | Swapna Sundari | Telugu | Marali Ravo Manasu Ledo | | C. R. Subburaman & Ghantasala |
| 1950 | Vaali Sugreeva | Telugu | Ahaha Mohana Prema Pooje | | S. Rajeswara Rao, Pendyala Nageswara Rao, Master Venu, Galipenchala Narasimha Rao & Ghantasala |
| 1950 | Vaali Sugreeva | Telugu | Naa Aashaajyothiye Aaripovunaa | | S. Rajeswara Rao, Pendyala Nageswara Rao, Master Venu, Galipenchala Narasimha Rao & Ghantasala |
| 1950 | Vaali Sugreeva | Telugu | Priyatama Naa Hrdaya Mandara | | S. Rajeswara Rao, Pendyala Nageswara Rao, Master Venu, Galipenchala Narasimha Rao & Ghantasala |
| 1951 | Anni | Tamil | Pon Vilaindhathu Jai Enboam | Pithapuram Nageswara Rao | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1951 | Anni | Tamil | Enna Aambule Nee Enna Aambule | Pithapuram Nageswara Rao | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1951 | Anni | Tamil | Pongalo Pongal Pongi Varudhamma | Pithapuram Nageswara Rao | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1951 | Anni | Tamil | Ennamma Ennamma Kanne | Pithapuram Nageswara Rao | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1951 | Anni | Tamil | Kanne Paapaa Kaniye Paapaa | | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1951 | Anni | Tamil | Rama Harae Jaya Rama Harae | | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1951 | Anni | Tamil | Anbu Kanindhaal Poodevi | | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1951 | Dheeksha | Telugu | Pasidi Pantaku Jai Anara | Pithapuram Nageswara Rao | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1951 | Dheeksha | Telugu | Chalnathalli Bhudevi | Pithapuram Nageswara Rao | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1951 | Dheeksha | Telugu | | Pithapuram Nageswara Rao | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1951 | Dheeksha | Telugu | | Pithapuram Nageswara Rao | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1951 | Dheeksha | Telugu | Chinninanna Chittinanna | | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1951 | Dheeksha | Telugu | Sri Ramasitaramakapadarava | | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1951 | Dheeksha | Telugu | Ammagari Illu Dharmalogillu | | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1951 | Niraparadhi | Tamil | Sarasa Sangeethamadhe | | H. R. Padmanabha Sastry & Ghantasala |
| 1951 | Niraparadhi | Tamil | Naane Raaniye | | H. R. Padmanabha Sastry & Ghantasala |
| 1951 | Nirdoshi | Telugu | Nene Janaga Nerajanaga | | H. R. Padmanabha Sastry & Ghantasala |
| 1951 | Nirdoshi | Telugu | Sakha Naa Raju | | H. R. Padmanabha Sastry & Ghantasala |
| 1952 | Manavathi | Telugu | Melukolipega Thane Melukolipega | | H. R. Padmanabha Sastry & Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao |
| 1952 | Manavathi | Telugu | Rao Elaravo Etannunavo | | H. R. Padmanabha Sastry & Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao |
| 1952 | Manavathi | Telugu | O Na Sakhi Pona Sakhi | | H. R. Padmanabha Sastry & Balantrapu Rajanikanta Rao |
| 1953 | Pelli Chesi Choodu | Telugu | Raadhanuraayedavaku | Ghantasala, Joga Rao & P. Leela | Ghantasala |
| 1953 | Kanna Talli | Telugu | Sirikin Cheppadu Shangkacahkra | | Pendyala Nageshwara Rao |
| 1953 | Manjari | Telugu | Paripalayam Janani Karunamayi Bhavani | | H. R. Padmanabha Sastry |
| 1953 | Rohini | Tamil | | | G. Ramanathan, K. V. Mahadevan & D. C. Dutt |
| 1953 | Rohini | Telugu | Bratuke Shidhilamai Poye | | G. Ramanathan, K. V. Mahadevan & D. C. Dutt |
| 1954 | Jyothi | Telugu | Chitti Potti Papallara | | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1954 | Jyothi | Telugu | Deshmunu Premichumanna | | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1955 | Ante Kaavali | Telugu | O Vedalipoye Premika | | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1955 | Ante Kaavali | Telugu | Nijamena Nijamena Nee | | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |
| 1955 | Ante Kaavali | Telugu | Raoyi Itu Raoyi | M. S. Rama Rao | Pendyala Nageswara Rao |