Leelavathi (actress)

{{Infobox person

| name = Leelavathi

| image = Dr. Leelavati.jpg

| caption = Leelavathi at Kalamandira, Mysore

| birth_name = Leena Sequeira

| birth_date = 1937

| birth_place = Mangalore, Madras Province, British India

| children = Vinod Raj

| death_date = {{death date and given age|df=y|2023|12|08|86}}

| death_place = Nelamangala, Bangalore Rural district, Karnataka, India

| occupation = Actress, film producer, writer, philanthropist

}}

Leena Sequeira (1937 – 8 December 2023), known mononymously as Leelavathi, was an Indian actress, producer who worked predominantly in Kannada and Tamil films, in addition to few Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, and Tulu films. After having her stint at the theatre, Leelavathi made her film debut in a small role as child artist in Nagakannika (1949). She went on to act in more than 600 films (more than 400 in Kannada alone) throughout her career spanning over five decades.

Leelavathi is known for many memorable performances as a lead actress in films such as Rani Honnamma, Bhakta Kumbara, Valar Pirai, Mana Mecchida Madadi and Santha Thukaram. In early 1970s, she switched towards performing character roles and was notable in films such as Gejje Pooje, Upasane, Naagarahaavu, Vasantha Geetha, Shravana Banthu and Eradu Nakshatragalu. She was the recipient of the Dr. Rajkumar Award in 1999 and Filmfare Awards.

Early life

Leena Sequeira was born in Mura, a village in Belthangady town of Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka which was then a part of Madras Presidency.https://www.udayavani.com/english-news/leena-sequeira-to-leelavati-a-tale-of-talent-and-tenacity {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}} She lost her parents at the age of 6.{{Cite news |date=2023-12-10 |title=Veteran actor Leelavathi no more |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/veteran-actor-leelavathi-no-more/articleshow/105862076.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-12-19 |issn=0971-8257}} Leena and her sister Angelina Sequeira raised under the care of their elder cousin. Both the sisters had passion for dancing and they both earned their living by training people in dance.

Film career

Leelavathi had a small role in Chanchala Kumari and then in Shanker Singh's film Naga Kannika. She later joined the troupe of Mahalinga Bhagavathar's Sri Sahitya Samrajya Drama Company.{{Cite web |url=https://www.civicnews.in/news/karnataka/entertainment/29020-do-you-know-who-is-the-real-husband-of-lelavathi |title=ಲೀಲಾವತಿಯವರ ನಿಜವಾದ ಗಂಡ ಯಾರ್ ಗೊತ್ತಾ..? ಕೊನೆಗೂ ಸತ್ಯ ಬಾಯ್ಬಿಟ್ಟ ನಟಿ..!! | Civic News}} She got a chance to act in Subbainaidu's 1958 movie Bhakta Prahlada and in movies like Mangalya Yoga, Dharma Vijaya and Ranadheera Kanteerava. It was from Rani Honnamma that Leelavathi became a full-fledged heroine and went on to act in many films as the leading lady, like Santha Thukaram, Kantheredu Nodu, Kaivara Mahatme, Gaali Gopura, Kanyarathna, Kulavadhu, Veera Kesari and Mana Mecchida Madadi. She has starred in key supporting roles in a large number of films and received the Karnataka State Award for Gejje Pooje and Doctor Krishna.

Leelavathi had the rare distinction of working with Rajkumar in various films as heroine as well as in other roles {{cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XDiv2uFwbIwC&dq=rajkumar+movies+remade+50+times&pg=PA13 | title=Southscope July 2010 - Side A }} like daughter (Bhoodana), daughter-in-law (Kittur Chennamma), sister (Vathsalya), sister-in-law (elder brother's wife in Premamayi and younger brother's wife in Kalitharu Henne), paternal aunt (Shravana Banthu), and mother-in-law (Vasantha Geetha, Naa Ninna Mareyalare and Jwaalamukhi).{{Cite news |title=Actor Leelavathi passes away at 86 in Bengaluru hosp |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/actor-leelavathi-passes-away-at-86-in-bengaluru-hosp/articleshow/105852042.cms |access-date=2024-03-04 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}

Death

Leelavathi died at a private hospital in Nelamangala on the outskirts of Bengaluru, on 8 December 2023, at the age of 86.{{cite news |title=Veteran Kannada actress Leelavathi passes away |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/veteran-kannada-actress-leelavathi-passes-away-2803199 |access-date=8 December 2023 |publisher=Deccan Herald |date=8 December 2023}}{{cite news |title=Leelavathi Passes Away: ನಟಿ ಲೀಲಾವತಿ ನಿಧನ: 600ಕ್ಕೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಸಿನಿಮಾಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅಭಿನಯಿಸಿದ್ದ ಕಲಾವಿದೆ ಇನ್ನಿಲ್ಲ |url=https://tv9kannada.com/entertainment/sandalwood/leelavathi-passes-away-veteran-actress-suffering-from-multiple-diseases-she-was-86-mdn-731333.html |access-date=8 December 2023 |publisher=TV9 Kannada |date=8 December 2023}}

Awards and recognitions

Dr. Rajkumar Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000 from the Karnataka Government.[https://www.thehindu.com/archive/print/2001/12/17/ The Hindu]. 17 December 2007.
Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannada for Kannadada Kanda in 2006{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}
Leelavathi was conferred with the honorary doctorate from the Tumkur University in the year 2008 for her contribution to the southern cinema.{{cite web |url=http://newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/article22009.ece |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630000825/http://newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/article22009.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 June 2013 |title=Leelavathi conferred with doctorate |work=The New Indian Express |date=10 January 2009 |access-date=16 August 2013}}

Partial filmography

=As actress=

class="wikitable sortable"
Year !Film ! !Language !class=unsortable\|Notes
1949 \| Nagakannika \| \|Kannada \|
1953 \| Chanchala Kumari \| \|Kannada \|
1958 \| Bhakta Prahlada \| \| Kannada \|
1958 \| Mangalya Yoga \| \|Kannada \| First Film
1959 \| Raja Malaya Simha \| \|Telugu/Tamil \|
1959 \| Abba Aa Hudugi \| \|Kannada \|
1959 \| Dharma Vijaya \| \|Kannada \|
1960 \| Dashavtara \| \|Kannada \|
1960 \| Ranadheera Kanteerava \| \|Kannada \|
1960 \| Rani Honnamma \| \|Kannada \|
1961 \| Kaiwara Mahathme \| \|Kannada \|
1961 \| Kantheredu Nodu \| \|Kannada \|
1961 \| Kittur Chennamma \|Veeravva \| Kannada \|
1962 \| Gaali Gopura \| \|Kannada \|
1962 \| Karuneye Kutumbada Kannu \| \|Kannada \|
1962 \| Bhoodaana \| \|Kannada \|
1962 \| Mana Mecchida Madadi \| \|Kannada \|
1962 \| Nanda Deepa \| \| Kannada \|
1962 \| Pattinathaar \| \| Tamil \| First Tamil Film
1962 \| Rani Chanamma \| \|Kannada \|
1962 \| Rathna Manjari \| \|Kannada \|
1962 \| Sumaithaangi \| \| Tamil \|
1962 \| Valar Pirai \| \| Tamil \|
1962 \| Vidhi Vilasa \| \|Kannada \|
1963 \| Kulavadhu \| \|Kannada \|
1963 \| Kanyarathna \| \|Kannada \|
1963 \| Kalitharu Henne \| \|Kannada \|
1963 \| Bevu Bella \| \|Kannada \|
1963 \| Jeevana Tharanga \| \|Kannada \|
1963 \| Malli Maduve \| \|Kannada \|
1963 \| Mana Mecchida Madadi \| \|Kannada \|
1963 \| Santha Thukaram \| \|Kannada \| National Award
1963 \| Valmiki \| \| Telugu \|
1963 \| Valmiki \| \|Kannada \|
1963 \| Veera Kesari \| \|Kannada \|
1963 \| Bandipotu \| \|Telugu \|
1964 \| Marmayogi \| \| Telugu \|
1964 \| Shivarathri Mahathme \| \|Kannada \|
1964 \| Thumbida Koda \| \|Kannada \| State Award
1965 \| Chandrahasa \| \|Kannada \|
1965 \| Mahasathi Anasuya \| \|Kannada \|
1965 \| Ide Mahasudina \| \|Kannada \|
1965 \| Karthigai Deepam \| \| Tamil \|
1965 \| Maduve Madi Nodu \| \|Kannada \| National Award
1965 \| Naga Pooja \| \|Kannada \|
1965 \| Vathsalya \| \|Kannada \|
1965 \| Veera Vikrama \| \|Kannada \| With Udaya Kumar
1966 \| Mohini Bhasmasura \| \| Kannada \|
1966 \| Premamayi \| \|Kannada \|
1966 \| Paduka Pattabhishekam{{Cite web \|title=Paduka Pattabhishekam (1966) Telugu Movie: Watch Full HD Movie Online On JioCinema \|url=https://www.jiocinema.com/movies/paduka-pattabhishekam/3500787 \|access-date=2024-01-10 \|website=www.jiocinema.com \|language=en}} \|Kaikeyi \|Telugu \|
1966 \| Thoogu Deepa \| \|Kannada \|
1967 \| Gange Gowri \| \| Kannada \|
1968 \| Anna Thamma \| \|Kannada \|
1968 \| Attegondukala Sosegondukala \| \| Kannada \|
1968 \| Bhagya Devathe \| \| Kannada \|
1968 \| Mamathe \| \|Kannada \|
1969 \| Kalpa Vruksha \| \|Kannada \|
1969 \| Brindavana \| \|Kannada \|
1969 \| Gejje Pooje \| \|Kannada \| State Award
1970 \| Aaru Mooru Ombhatthu \| \|Kannada \|
1970 \| Boregowda Bangalorige Banda \| \| Kannada \|
1970 \| Aparajithe \| \|Kannada \|
1970 \| Sukha Samsara \| \|Kannada \|
1971 \| Signalman Siddappa \| \|Kannada \|
1971 \| Sothu Geddavalu \| \|Kannada \|
1971 \| Sharapanjara \| \|Kannada \|
1972 \| Dharmapatni \| \|Kannada \|
1972 \| Naagarahaavu \| \|Kannada \|
1972 \| Sipayi Ramu \| \|Kannada \| State Award
1972 \| Naa Mechida Huduga \| \|Kannada \|
1973 \| Mooroovare Vajragalu \| \|Kannada \|
1973 \| Premapasha \| \|Kannada \|
1973 \| Sahadharmini \| \|Kannada \|
1974 \| Bhakta Kumbara \| \| Kannada \|
1974 \| Devara Gudi \| \|Kannada \|
1974 \| Aval Oru Thodar Kathai \| \| Tamil \|
1974 \| Idu Namma Desha \| \|Kannada \|
1974 \| Maga Mommaga \| \|Kannada \|
1974 \| Maha Thyaga \| \|Kannada \|
1974 \| Naan Avanillai \| \| Tamil \|
1974 \| Professor Huchuraya \| \|Kannada \|
1974 \| Upasane \| \|Kannada \|
1975 \| Bhagya Jyothi \| \|Kannada \|
1975 \| Bili Hendthi \| \|Kannada \|
1975 \| Hennu Samsarada Kannu \| \|Kannada \|
1975 \| Hosilu Mettida Hennu \| \|Kannada \|
1975 \| Koodi Balona \| \|Kannada \|
1975 \| Katha Sangama \|Kamala \|Kannada \|
1975 \| Kalla Kulla \| \|Kannada \|
1976 \| Bangarada Gudi \| \|Kannada \|
1976 \| College Ranga \| \|Kannada \|
1976 \| Makkala Bhagya \| \|Kannada \|
1976 \| Naa Ninna Mareyalare \| \|Kannada \|
1976 \| Phalitamsha \| \|Kannada \|
1977 \| Deepa \| \|Kannada \|
1977 \| Avargal \| \| Tamil \|
1977 \| Dhanalakshmi \| \|Kannada \|
1977 \| Kumkuma Rakshe \| \|Kannada \|
1977 \| Mugdha Manava \| \|Kannada \|
1977 \| Solah Shukrawar \| \|Hindi \|
1977 \| Veera Sindhoora Lakshmana \| \|Kannada \|
1978 \| Devadasi \| \|Kannada \|
1978 \| Kiladi Jodi \| \|Kannada \|
1978 \| Gammathu Goodacharulu \| \|Telugu
1978 \| Hombisilu \| \|Kannada
1978 \| Kiladi Kittu \| \|Kannada \|
1978 \| Maathu Tappada Maga \| \|Kannada \|
1978 \| Vasantha Lakshmi \| \|Kannada \|
1979 \| Karthika Deepam \| \| Telugu \|
1979 \| Idi Katha Kaadu \| \| Telugu \|
1979 \| Naa Ninna Bidalaare \| \|Kannada \|
1979 \| Pakka Kalla \| \|Kannada \|
1979 \| Savathiya Neralu \| \|Kannada \|
1979 \| Vijay Vikram \| \|Kannada \|
1980 \| Bhumi Par Aaye Bhagwan \| \|Hindi \|
1980 \| Jathara \| \|Telugu \|
1980 \| Kulla Kulli \| \|Kannada \|
1980 \| Nanna Rosha Nooru Varusha \| \|Kannada \|
1980 \| Namma Mane Sose \| \|Kannada \|
1980 \| Nyaya Neethi Dharma \| \|Kannada \|
1980 \| Simha Jodi \| \|Kannada \|
1980 \| Subbi Subakka Suvvalali \| \|Kannada \|
1980 \|Ondu Hennu Aaru Kannu \| \|Kannada \|
1980 \| Vasantha Geethe \| \|Kannada \|
1981 \| Hana Balavo Jana Balavo \| \|Kannada \|
1981 \| Edeyuru Siddhalingeshwara \| \|Kannada \|
1981 \| Kula Puthra \| \|Kannada \|
1981 \|Garjanai \| \|Tamil \|
1981 \|Garjanam \| \|Malayalam \|
1981 \|Garjane \| \|Kannada \|
1981 \| Thayiya Madilalli \| \|Kannada \|
1981 \| Mareyada Haadu \| \|Kannada \|
1982 \| Auto Raja \| \| Kannada \|
1982 \| Maro Malupu \| \| Telugu \|
1983 \| Eradu Nakshatragalu \| \| Kannada \|
1983 \| Mududida Tavare Aralithu \| \|Kannada \|
1983 \| Sididedda Sahodara \| \|Kannada \|
1983 \| Samarpane \| \|Kannada \|
1984 \| Endina Ramayana \| \|Kannada \|
1984 \| Chanakya \| \|Kannada \|
1984 \| Olavu Moodidaga \| \|Kannada \|
1984 \| Shravana Banthu \| \|Kannada \|
1985 \| Ajeya \| \|Kannada \|
1985 \| Hosa Baalu \| \|Kannada \|
1985 \| Balondu Uyyale \| \|Kannada \|
1985 \| Naanu Nanna Hendthi \| \|Kannada \|
1986 \| Bettada Thayi \| \|Kannada \|
1986 \| Kathanayaka \| \|Kannada \|
1986 \| KD No. 1 \| \|Kannada \|
1986 \| Mrigalaya \| \|Kannada \|
1986 \| Pudhir \| \| Tamil Film \|
1986 \| Seelu Nakshatra \| \|Kannada \|
1987 \| Huli Hebbuli \|Kamala, Vijay and Ajay's mother \|Kannada \|
1987 \| Olavina Udugore \| \|Kannada \|
1987 \| Premaloka \| \|Kannada \|
1988 \| Ramanna Shamanna \| \|Kannada \|
1989 \|Abhimana \| \|Kannada \|
1989 \| Doctor Krishna \| \|Kannada \| Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress
1989 \| Yuga Purusha \| \|Kannada \|
1989 \|Gagana \| \|Kannada \|
1990 \| Golmaal Radhakrishna \| \|Kannada \|
1990 \| Tiger Gangu \| \|Kannada \|
1991 \|Golmaal Radhakrishna II \| \|Kannada \|
1999 \|Habba \| \|Kannada \|
2000 \|Chamundi \| \|Kannada \|
2003 \|Swathi Muthu \| \|Kannada \|
2006 \| Kannadada Kanda \| \|Kannada \|
2007 \| Shukra \| \|Kannada \|
2009 \| Yaaradhu \| \|Kannada \|

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

!Film

!Language

!class=unsortable|Notes

1949

| Nagakannika

|Kannada

1953

| Chanchala Kumari

|Kannada

1958

| Bhakta Prahlada

| Kannada

1958

| Mangalya Yoga

|Kannada

| First Film

1959

| Raja Malaya Simha

|Telugu/Tamil

1959

| Abba Aa Hudugi

|Kannada

1959

| Dharma Vijaya

|Kannada

1960

| Dashavtara

|Kannada

1960

| Ranadheera Kanteerava

|Kannada

1960

| Rani Honnamma

|Kannada

1961

| Kaiwara Mahathme

|Kannada

1961

| Kantheredu Nodu

|Kannada

1961

| Kittur Chennamma

|Veeravva

| Kannada

1962

| Gaali Gopura

|Kannada

1962

| Karuneye Kutumbada Kannu

|Kannada

1962

| Bhoodaana

|Kannada

1962

| Mana Mecchida Madadi

|Kannada

1962

| Nanda Deepa

| Kannada

1962

| Pattinathaar

| Tamil

| First Tamil Film

1962

| Rani Chanamma

|Kannada

1962

| Rathna Manjari

|Kannada

1962

| Sumaithaangi

| Tamil

1962

| Valar Pirai

| Tamil

1962

| Vidhi Vilasa

|Kannada

1963

| Kulavadhu

|Kannada

1963

| Kanyarathna

|Kannada

1963

| Kalitharu Henne

|Kannada

1963

| Bevu Bella

|Kannada

1963

| Jeevana Tharanga

|Kannada

1963

| Malli Maduve

|Kannada

1963

| Mana Mecchida Madadi

|Kannada

1963

| Santha Thukaram

|Kannada

| National Award

1963

| Valmiki

| Telugu

1963

| Valmiki

|Kannada

1963

| Veera Kesari

|Kannada

1963

| Bandipotu

|Telugu

1964

| Marmayogi

| Telugu

1964

| Shivarathri Mahathme

|Kannada

1964

| Thumbida Koda

|Kannada

| State Award

1965

| Chandrahasa

|Kannada

1965

| Mahasathi Anasuya

|Kannada

1965

| Ide Mahasudina

|Kannada

1965

| Karthigai Deepam

| Tamil

1965

| Maduve Madi Nodu

|Kannada

| National Award

1965

| Naga Pooja

|Kannada

1965

| Vathsalya

|Kannada

1965

| Veera Vikrama

|Kannada

| With Udaya Kumar

1966

| Mohini Bhasmasura

| Kannada

1966

| Premamayi

|Kannada

1966

| Paduka Pattabhishekam{{Cite web |title=Paduka Pattabhishekam (1966) Telugu Movie: Watch Full HD Movie Online On JioCinema |url=https://www.jiocinema.com/movies/paduka-pattabhishekam/3500787 |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=www.jiocinema.com |language=en}}

|Kaikeyi

|Telugu

1966

| Thoogu Deepa

|Kannada

1967

| Gange Gowri

| Kannada

1968

| Anna Thamma

|Kannada

1968