Jayabharathi

{{short description|Indian actress}}

{{About|the Malayam film actress|the Indian film director|Jayabharathi (director)}}

{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Jayabharathi

| image = Jayabharathi kollam.png

| caption = Jayabharathi at a function

| birth_name = Lakshmi Bharathi

| other names =

| birth_date =

| birth_place = Kollam, Kerala {{Cite web |title=19ാം വയസ്സിൽ 100 സിനിമകൾ; 'ചിരിക്കുമ്പോഴും കരയുമ്പോഴും വായ് പൊത്താത്ത നടി': ജയഭാരതിക്ക് ഇന്ന് സപ്തതി |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2024/06/28/seventieth-birthday-of-jayabharathi.html |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=www.manoramaonline.com |language=ml}}

| nationality = Indian

| parents = {{ubl|Shivasankaran Pillai|Sharada}}

| spouse = {{Marriage|Sathaar|1979|1987|end=Divorced}}

| children = Krish J. Sathaar

| relatives = Jayan (cousin)

}}

Jayabharathi (born 28 June 1954 as Lekshmi Bharathi{{cite web |title=അണയാതെ, അസ്തമിക്കാതെ ഒരുകാലം... - articles, womaninnews - Mathrubhumi Eves |url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/mb4eves/online/malayalam/kerala/women/articles/womaninnews-article-430097 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140217044523/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/mb4eves/online/malayalam/kerala/women/articles/womaninnews-article-430097 |archivedate=17 February 2014 |accessdate=16 February 2014}}) is an Indian actress and two-time recipient of the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress and National Film Award by Special Jury Award - Special Mention.{{cite web |url=http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/stateawares.htm |title=Kerala State Film Awards |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232254/http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/stateawares.htm |archivedate=3 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}

Jayabharathi's first leading role was given by director P. Bhaskaran for his movie Kattukurangu in 1969. Later, she became one of the most successful Malayalam film actresses and performed with notable leading men such as Prem Nazir, Madhu, Vincent, Jayan, M. G. Soman, Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth. Jayabharathi-MG Soman was a popular on-screen pair of the 1970s and early 1980s. She won the Kerala State Film Awards for her performances in various films in 1972 and Madhavikutty in 1973.{{cite web |url=http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=15344835&programId=7940855&channelId=-1073750705&BV_ID=@@@&tabId=3 |title=Manorama Online Latest Malayalam News. Breaking News Events. News Updates from Kerala India |website=manoramaonline.com |accessdate=22 March 2018 |archive-date=18 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418132704/http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=15344835&programId=7940855&channelId=-1073750705&BV_ID=@@@&tabId=3 |url-status=dead}} One of her famous films was Rathinirvedam, directed by Bharathan, which became one of the biggest box office hits in Kerala's history. It inspires similar productions all over South India, even decades after its release.{{cite web |url=http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=May2006&file=Local_News2006052033716.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090809193527/http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=May2006&file=Local_News2006052033716.xml |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 August 2009 |title=Nilolsavam to be staged on Thursday |publisher=The Peninsula On-line: Qatar's leading English Daily |accessdate=25 July 2009}}{{Cite news |date=2011-02-17 |title=Summer of '78 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Summer-of-78/article15448171.ece |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite news |date=2011-06-17 |title=Re-exploring 'Rathinirvedam' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/reexploring-rathinirvedam/article2112896.ece |access-date=2024-05-17 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}

After undergoing training since the age of five under Kalamandalam Natarajan, Rajaram (a student of Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai), and Vazhuvoor Samraj Pillai, Jayabharathi entered films as a teenager. Her life revolved around film studios, dance rehearsals, and stage performances. The actress is currently busy with her dance school, Aswathi Arts Academy, which she runs from home. She is also starting another one in Coimbatore. In 2003, Jayabharathi performed in nine temples in and around Kerala.{{cite news |work=The Hindu |title=Back to her first love |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2005/03/07/stories/2005030700570200.htm |date=7 March 2005 |accessdate=25 July 2009 |archive-date=29 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091129133009/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2005/03/07/stories/2005030700570200.htm |url-status=live}}