Biography

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.