Mahanati - Savitri Jayanthi | The Cinema World

Kommareddy Savitri (Savitri Ganesh) [1935-1981] was a versatile actress who acted in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi and Kannada languages. She was born to Nissankaa Guruviah and Subhadhramma in Chirravur in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. In her childhood she perfomed stage shows, under Sista Purayya Sasthri she learned Indian classical dance and music. Savitri in 1950 entered into film industry with the debut film Samsaram and later in 1953 she got married to Gemini Ganesh. They got married when they were acting together in “Manam Pola Mangalyam”. Savitri and Gemeni Ganesh had two children Sathish Kumar and Vijaya Chamundeswari. Ganesh Savitri has also directed and produced few films in Tamil and Telugu languages.

Savitri had directed films like Vintha Samsaram, Maathru Devatha, Chiranjeevi and Chinnari Papalu in Telugu. In Tamil she directed Praptham and Kuzhanthai Ullam.

She was titled as ‘Nata Siromani’ by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, ‘Kalaimamani’ by the Government of Tamil Nadu,’Nadigayar Thilakam’ for her performance in Tamil Film Industry, Yuvathi Mandali and with an apt title as ‘Maha Nati’. In 1960 she received ‘Rashtrapati Award’ for best acting for the Chivaraku Migiledi. She died at the age of 46 (26 Dec 1981).

She appeared in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada languages and she was acted 318 films in 4 languages.