# Travancore sisters

The Travancore sisters refers to the trio of Lalitha, Padmini, and Ragini, who were renowned actresses and dancers in Indian cinema. They performed in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada films.
The Travancore sisters were born into a joint Nair family and grew up at their ancestral tharavadu, Malaya Cottage, in Poojappura, Travancore. They were nieces of the celebrated beauty Narayani Pillai Kunjamma, who declined a marriage proposal from the King of Travancore and instead married the aristocratic landowner Kesava Pillai of Kandamath. Through her, the sisters were related to actress Sukumari's mother, Sathyabhama Amma, and to the Travancore Royal Family through their cousin Ambika.
They trained in classical dance under the renowned Indian dancers Guru Gopinath and T. K. Mahalingam Pillai. Uday Shankar invited them to Chennai (then Madras) to act in a dance-based film he was planning.
The matriarch of the family was Karthyayini Amma, wife of Panankavil Krishna Pillai of Cherthala, also known as Penang Padmanabha Pillai or P. K. Pillai. They had six sons, including Satyapalan Nair, a prominent producer of early Malayalam films. Another son, Raveendran Nair, was the father of Latika Suresh, a leading producer of Malayalam television programmes. The sisters performed at the 1955 Filmfare Awards.
Ragini passed away from cancer in 1976, Lalitha in 1982, and Padmini in 2006. Few documents related to them have survived, apart from numerous films and articles in Indian newspapers.

## Filmography

Dance and musical drama performances in films.
| Year | Film | Language | Song | Singer | Music | Notes |
| 1947 | Kannika | Tamil | Dance Drama of Lord Siva and Mohini | Background Music | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1948 | Adhithan Kanavu | Tamil | | | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1948 | Bhaktha Jana | Tamil | | | Reema, Narayanan & BNR | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1948 | Bhojan | Tamil | | | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1948 | Gnana Soundari | Tamil | Dance | Background Music | S. V. Venkatraman | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1948 | Gokuladasi | Tamil | | | S. V. Venkatraman & C. N. Pandurangan | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1948 | Mohini | Tamil | Aahaa Ivar Yaaradi | K. V. Janaki & P. Leela | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1948 | Vedhala Ulagam | Tamil | Vaasam Ulla Poo Parippene | T. S. Bagavathi & M. S. Rajeswari | R. Sudarsanam | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1948 | Vedhala Ulagam | Tamil | Dance | Background Music | R. Sudarsanam | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1948 | Vedhala Ulagam | Tamil | Ezhil Annam Vadivaagi Eduthheginen | P. A. Periyanayaki | R. Sudarsanam | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1948 | Vedhala Ulagam | Tamil | Saantham Kolvaai En Sagodhariye | P. A. Periyanayaki | R. Sudarsanam | Padmini |
| 1949 | Deva Manohari | Tamil | | | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1949 | Kanniyin Kaadhali | Tamil | | | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1949 | Laila Majnu | Telugu | Amdala Chinna Daana | P. Leela & Jikki | C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1949 | Laila Majnu | Telugu | Eenaati Maa Paataa | P. Leela & Jikki | C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1949 | Laila Majnu | Tamil | Kuliridhe Suvai Madhu | P. Leela & Jikki | C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1949 | Laila Majnu | Tamil | Kannaadi Kanni Neeye | P. Leela & Jikki | C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1949 | Mangayarkarasi | Tamil | Dance | Background Music | G. Ramanathan, C. R. Subburaman & Kunnakudi Venkatarama Iyer | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1949 | Naattiya Rani | Tamil | | Papanasam Sivan | | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1949 | Pavalakkodi | Tamil | Konjum Kiliye | | C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1949 | Vazhkai | Tamil | Uzhuthundu Vaazhvaar.... Paadupattaale Palan Koodum | T. S. Bagavathi & M. S. Rajeswari | R. Sudarsanam | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1949 | Velaikaari | Tamil | Oridam Thanile Inaiyilla Ulaginile | P. Leela & K. V. Janaki | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1949 | Vinothini | Tamil | | | Srinivasa Iyengar | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1950 | Digambara Samiyar | Tamil | Kaakka Vendum Kadavule Nee | A. G. Rathnamala & U. R. Chandra | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & G. Ramanathan | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1950 | Ithaya Geetham | Tamil | Juma Juma Jum Jum | P. A. Periyanayaki & P. Leela | S. V. Venkatraman | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1950 | Jeevitham | Telugu | Bhoomi Dunnaloy Mana Desam | T. S. Bagavathi & M. S. Rajeswari | R. Sudarsanam | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1950 | Krishna Vijayam | Tamil | Ennadi Aniyaayam Idhu | T. V. Rathnam & P. Leela | C. S. Jayaraman & S. M. Subbaiah Naidu | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1950 | Manthiri Kumari | Tamil | O Raja O Rani Indha Ezhaiyeliya | P. Leela, N. Lalitha and U. R. Chandra | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha, Padmini & Ragini |
| 1950 | Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi | Tamil | Veerathaayai Panivom | P. Leela | M. S. Gnanmani | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1950 | Parijatham | Tamil | Manamagizh Vasandha Kaalamidhe | Jikki & K. V. Janaki | S. V. Venkatraman & C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1950 | Ponmudi | Tamil | Vaanam Kumurudhamma | K. V. Janaki & N. Lalitha | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1950 | Vijayakumari | Tamil | | | C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1951 | Devaki | Tamil | Tea Tea Soodaana Tea | Jikki, A. G. Rathnamala & U. R. Chandra | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha, Padmini & Ragini |
| 1951 | Or Iravu | Tamil | Arumbu Pol Meesai.... Paartthu Paartthu Kanngal Rendum | M. S. Rajeswari, T. S. Bagavathi & V. J. Varma | R. Sudarsanam | Lalitha & Padmini with A. Nageswara Rao |
| 1951 | Singari | Tamil | Pasum Paalu Virkkum | P. A. Periyanayaki & P. Leela | S. V. Venkatraman, T. R. Ramanathan & T. A. Kalyanam | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1951 | Sudharshan | Tamil | Unnai Kandu Mayamngaadha Pergal Undo | P. A. Periyanayaki | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha |
| 1951 | Sudharshan | Tamil | Ulagame Sandhai Koottamada.... Paaril Sandhai Koottam | P. A. Periyanayaki | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha |
| 1951 | Vanasundari | Tamil | Deeyo Deeyo Deeyaalo | P. A. Periyanayaki, P. Leela & K. V. Janaki | S. V. Venkatraman & C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha, Padmini & Ragini |
| 1951 | Vanasundari | Tamil | Pennin Inbam Naadida Vaareer | P. A. Periyanayaki & K. V. Janaki | S. V. Venkatraman & C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1951 | Vanasundari | Tamil | Inbamaaga Paaduvom Anbin Kaadhal Vaazhave | P. A. Periyanayaki & K. V. Janaki | S. V. Venkatraman & C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1952 | Amarakavi | Tamil | Mookkutthi Minnal Kannile | N. L. Ganasaraswathi & P. Leela | G. Ramanathan & T. A. Kalyanam | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1952 | Amarakavi | Tamil | Mullaich Chirippile | N. L. Ganasaraswathi & P. Leela | G. Ramanathan & T. A. Kalyanam | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1952 | Andhaman Kaidhi | Tamil | College Padippukku Goodbye Nam Kaadhal Vaazhvukkini Welcome | T. V. Rathnam & A. P. Komala | G. Govindarajulu Naidu | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1952 | Dharma Devatha | Telugu | Lambadi Lambadi | K. Rani | C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha |
| 1952 | Dharma Devatha | Telugu | Pataku Pallavi | K. Rani | C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha |
| 1952 | Dharma Devatha | Telugu | | K. Rani | C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha |
| 1952 | Dharma Devadhai | Tamil | Lambadi Lambadi | K. Rani | C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha |
| 1952 | Dharma Devadhai | Tamil | Aananda Leelai Tharum | K. Rani | C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha |
| 1952 | Dharma Devadhai | Tamil | Paaduven Paarungko | K. Rani | C. R. Subburaman | Lalitha |
| 1953 | Anbu | Tamil | Vendhazhalaai Erikkum Venmadhiye | A. P. Komala & N. L. Ganasaraswathi | T. R. Pappa | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1953 | Marumagal | Tamil | Aanukkoru Penn Pillai | P. A. Periyanayaki, A. G. Rathnamala & A. P. Komala | G. Ramanathan, C. R. Subburaman & Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | Padmini & Ragini with T. D. Kusalakumari |
| 1953 | Ponni | Tamil | Aaduvome Oonjal Aaduvome | A. P. Komala, P. A. Periyanayaki, Jayalakshmi & C. B. Radha | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu | Lalitha, Padmini & Ragini with Ambika |
| 1956 | Amara Deepam | Tamil | Jalilo Jimkana | Jikki | G. Ramanathan & T. Chalapathi Rao | Padmini with E. V. Saroja |
| 1956 | Amara Deepam | Tamil | Ellorum Koodi Aadi Paadi | Jikki | G. Ramanathan & T. Chalapathi Rao | Padmini |
| 1956 | Amara Deepam | Tamil | Pachchai Kilipaadudhu | Jikki | G. Ramanathan & T. Chalapathi Rao | Padmini |
| 1956 | Charana Daasi | Telugu | Yekkadunnadi Dharmamekkadunnadi | K. Rani & Jikki | S. Rajeswara Rao | Ragini with Ambika |
| 1956 | Madurai Veeran | Tamil | Summa Kidanthaa Sotthukku Nashtam | Jikki & P. Leela | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha & Ragini |
| 1956 | Sahasa Veerudu | Telugu | Somarulaithe Thindiki Nashtam | P. Susheela & Jikki | G. Ramanathan | Lalitha & Ragini |
| 1956 | Mathar Kula Manickam | Tamil | Denjaru Aiyaa Denjaru | T. V. Rathnam & G. Kasthoori | S. Rajeswara Rao | Ragini with Rita |
| 1957 | Baagyavathi | Tamil | Paruvam Malarndhu Asaindhu Aadum | Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi | S. Dakshinamurthy | Ragini |
| 1957 | Chakravarthi Thirumagal | Tamil | Kannaalane Vaarunga | Jikki | G. Ramanathan | Ragini |
| 1957 | Karpukkarasi | Tamil | Illaadha Adhisayamaai Irukkudhudhadi | A. P. Komala & K. Jamuna Rani | G. Ramanathan | Ragini with Rita |
| 1957 | Mallika | Tamil | Neela Vanna Kannane Unadhu | P. Susheela | T. R. Pappa | Padmini |
| 1957 | Mallika | Tamil | Mangaamal Valarum Singaara Nadanam | P. Susheela | T. R. Pappa | Padmini |
| 1957 | Manamagan Thevai | Tamil | Kaadhal Kalyaaname Seidha Paappaa | P. Leela | G. Ramanathan | Ragini |
| 1957 | Pardesi | Hindi | Na Dir Dhin Tana Dere Na | Lata Mangeshkar | Anil Biswas | Padmini |
| 1957 | Payal | Hindi | Jaa Re Saanwale Salone | Lata Mangeshkar | Hemanta Mukherjee | Padmini |
| 1957 | Payal | Hindi | Jhuki Jhuki Ankhiya | Lata Mangeshkar | Hemanta Mukherjee | Padmini |
| 1957 | Raja Rajan | Tamil | Aadum Azhage Azhagu | Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi & P. Leela | K. V. Mahadevan | Lalitha & Padmini |
| 1956 | Amar Deep | Tamil | Jali Lo Dim Tana | Asha Bhosle | C. Ramchandra | Padmini & Ragini |
| 1956 | Amar Deep | Tamil | Lagi Apni Najariya Katar Ban Ke | Asha Bhosle | C. Ramchandra | Padmini |
| 1956 | Amar Deep | Tamil | Mere Man Ka Bawra Panchhi | Lata Mangeshkar | C. Ramchandra | Padmini |
| 1958 | Mangalya Bhagyam | Tamil | Imaya Malaiyai Idadhu Kaiyaal | K. Jamuna Rani & A. G. Rathnamala | G. Ramanathan | Padmini |
| 1958 | Manamalai | Tamil | Nadanam Aadinaar | P.Leela & Radha Jayalakshmi | Vedha | Ragini with Sukumari |
| 1958 | Neelavukku Neranja Manasu | Tamil | Kannaikkavarum Baradhakalai | Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi | K. V. Mahadevan | Ragini |
| 1958 | Neelavukku Neranja Manasu | Tamil | Otrumaiye Namakku Uyirnaadi | Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi & Jikki | K. V. Mahadevan | Ragini with M. N. Rajam |
| 1958 | Ragini | Hindi | Main Bangaali Chhokraa | Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar | O. P. Nayyar | Padmini with Kishore Kumar |
| 1958 | Raj Tilak | Hindi | Aaja To Aaja | Asha Bhosle & Sudha Malhotra | C. Ramchandra | Padmini with Vyjayanthimala |
| 1958 | Uthama Puthiran | Tamil | Kaatthiruppaan Kamala Kannan | P. Leela | G. Ramanathan | Padmini & Ragini |
| 1958 | Uthama Puthiran | Tamil | Kondaattam Manasukkulle Kondaattam | P. Leela | G. Ramanathan | Padmini & Ragini |
| 1958 | Vanjikottai Valiban | Tamil | Kannum Kannum Kalanthu | P. Leela & Jikki | C. Ramchandra | Padmini with Vyjayanthimala |
| 1958 | Vijayakota Veerudu | Telugu | Kannu Kannu Kalipi | P. Leela & Jikki | C. Ramchandra | Padmini with Vyjayanthimala |
| 1959 | Nalla Theerpu | Tamil | Azhagaana Maaran | P. Leela | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu | Ragini |
| 1959 | Ponnu Vilaiyum Boomi | Tamil | Aangila Naagareegam Nalladhu | P. Susheela & K. Jamuna Rani | K. H. Reddy | Ragini with Sukumari |
| 1959 | Veerapandiya Kattabomman | Tamil | Anjatha Singam En Kaalai | P. Susheela | G. Ramanathan | Padmini |
| 1959 | Veerapandiya Kattabomman | Tamil | Takku Takku Takkunu | P. Susheela, A. P. Komala & S. Varalakshmi | G. Ramanathan | Padmini & Ragini |
| 1959 | Veerapandya Kattabrahmana | Telugu | Andala Basavanna | S. Janaki | G. Ramanathan | Padmini |
| 1959 | Veerapandya Kattabrahmana | Telugu | Takku Takku Bada Bada | S. Janaki, A. P. Komala & S. Varalakshmi | G. Ramanathan | Padmini & Ragini |
| 1960 | Amar Shaheed | Hindi | Alhad Jawan Mera Jaage | Lata Mangeshkar | Jamal Sen | Padmini |
| 1960 | Kalpana | Hindi | Tu Hai Mera Prem Devta | Mohammed Rafi & Manna Dey | O. P. Nayyar | Padmini & Ragini |
| 1960 | Mannadhi Mannan | Tamil | Kanniyar Perumai | P. Leela | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | Ragini |
| 1960 | Raja Desingu | Tamil | Pazhanimalai | P. Leela | G. Ramanathan | Ragini |
| 1960 | Raja Desingu | Tamil | Paarkadal Alaimele | M. L. Vasanthakumari | G. Ramanathan | Padmini |
| 1961 | Punar Jenmam | Tamil | Manam Aadudhu Paadudhu | S. Janaki & Jikki | T. Chalapathi Rao | Padmini & Ragini |
| 1961 | Sabarimala Ayyappan | Malayalam | Minnal Ente Kannu | P. Leela | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu | Padmini |
| 1961 | Sabarimalai Sri Ayyapan | Tamil | Minnal Endhan Kannu | P. Leela | S. M. Subbaiah Naidu | Padmini |
| 1962 | Kavitha | Tamil | Kannukkulle Onnirukku | K. Jamuna Rani & T. M. Soundararajan | K. V. Mahadevan | Ragini with Harban Lal |
| 1962 | Raani Samyuktha | Tamil | Mullaimalar Kaadu Engal Mananvan Ponnaadu | A. P. Komala | K. V. Mahadevan | Ragini |
| 1962 | Vikramaadhithan | Tamil | Nilaiyaana Kalai Vaahgave | P. Leela & T. V. Rathnam | S. Rajeswara Rao | Padmini & Ragini |
| 1967 | Thiruvarutchelvar | Tamil | Mannavan Vandhaanadi | P. Susheela | K. V. Mahadevan | Padmini |
| 1968 | Thirumal Perumai | Tamil | Karaiyeri Meen Vilaiyaadum | P. Susheela & Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi | K. V. Mahadevan | Padmini with Rajasulochana |
| 1968 | Thillana Mohanambal | Tamil | Maraindhirundhu Paarkkum | P. Susheela | K. V. Mahadevan | Padmini |
| 1968 | Thillana Mohanambal | Tamil | Nalandhaanaa Nalandhaanaa | P. Susheela | K. V. Mahadevan | Padmini |
| 1968 | Thillana Mohanambal | Tamil | Tillana | Nadhaswaram Instrumental | K. V. Mahadevan | Padmini |