Thiruvaiyaru Panchapakesa Rajalakshmi (11 November 1911 – 1964) fondly called as 'Cinema Rani T.P.R' was an Indian actress, first female director of South India, filmmaker, singer, producer & social reformist. She is the first Tamil and Telugu film heroine, the first South Indian female director, screenplay writer, singer, music director and producer. She supported Dravidian movement and was closely associated with Dravidian leaders.
Her work Miss Kamala was a revolutionary movie that conveyed a strong woman equality message to society. It was the first Tamil feature film to be directed by a woman film director. The film made Rajalakshmi the first female director in South India and the second in India. In addition to producing and directing the film, she wrote, edited and composed the music for the film. Miss Kamala movie was based upon T.P.R's novel- Kamalavalli allathu Doctor Chandrasekaran. This novel book was re-released recently by K.Balachandar.
Rajalakshmi was the first heroine in the South Indian Cinemas to have had a Rasigar Manram (Fans Association) that was formed by Rajalakshmi's core Fans.
Rajalakshmi was awarded the Kalaimamani award in 1964. Dr.MGR sent his own car to Rajalakshmi's home & picked her up to felicitate her to the awarding venue.
Family
T.P. Rajalakshmi has only one biological daughter named Mrs. Kamala Mony. T.P. Rajalakshmi inaugurated the birth year of her daughter- Kamala by naming the movie Miss Kamala
T. Rajalakshmi's grandson is Mr.S.Raghavan and daughter-in-law is Vijayalakshmi Raghavan.
T.P.Rajalakshmi's great-grandsons & great daughter-in-law are Mrs. Suma Subramanian, Mr. Subramanian Raghavan and Dr. Harish Raghavan.
Rajalakshmi also saved a girl child named Mallika from female infanticide, which was practiced in those days. Rajalakshmi took care of the girl, educated her & brought her up.
Early life
T. P. Rajalakshmi was born on 11 November 1911 in the town of Saliyamangalam in the then Tanjore district of the Madras Presidency. As a child, she was married at the age of 11, but the child marriage did not last. As her family was unable to pay dowry, Rajalakshmi was sent back to her mother's house in very few days after the child marriage commenced. Rajalakshmi along with her parents moved to Trichy in poverty. Rajalakshmi, as a child, had an excellent singing talent & acting talent. Rajalakshmi used to sing any kinds of songs as soon as hearing and act instantly upon seeing & observing the story. This special quality of Rajalakshmi was recognized by 'Sankaradas Swamigal' and Rajalakshmi joined in Sankaradas Swamigal's Drama Atriste troupe & performed the lead role in Pavalakkodi & all stage plays of Sankaradas Swamigal.
At the age of 20, Rajalakshmi fell in love and married her co-star T. V. Sundaram. T.P. Rajalakshmi gave birth to her only biological daughter in 1936 named "Kamala". T. P. Rajalakshmi also directed a film named Miss Kamala and inaugurated the birth year of her daughter Kamala. The movie Miss Kamala turned out to be a hit of those days and Rajalakshmi was a leading star of those days, which made the people to expect and wait anxiously for her upcoming movies. Rajalakshmi established her own production company named "Sri Rajam Talkies" and she produced her films from her own production company- Rajam Talkies.
Rajalakshmi acted in several stage plays showing protest against the British government, who were ruling over India in those days, which made Rajalakshmi to be imprisoned several times by the British Government.
In addition, Rajalakshmi supported & took care of several people who came seeking help. Rajalakshmi's house were always filled with people who came in search of help. Rajalakshmi encouraged everyone to stay with her in her house as a family. Rajalakshmi was a role model for the people of those days and she initiated social awareness to fight against the Female Child Assassination and to fight for the Freedom of the Nation through her lifestyle that she led.
Rajalakshmi was well appreciated by Dravidian Leaders. EVR Periyaar visited Rajalakshmi at her home in Rajarathinam street & appreciated Rajalakshmi's contributions to the society. It is also notable that Periyaar addresses Rajalakshmi as Thangachi (meaning Sister in Tamil)- says Mrs.Kamala- daughter of T.P.Rajalakshmi in one of the press interviews.