Jayalalitha

Jayalalitha- Biography

Komalavalli Jeyaram alias Jayalalitha was born on 24th February 1948 in Mysore, Karnataka. Her father Jeyaram died when she was 2 years old. Her mother Sandhya was a popular Tamil actress. She did her schooling in Bishop Cotton Girls High School, Bangalore and Presentation Church Park Convent, Chennai. She started to learn dance at the age of 4. She is an excellent dancer and has proficiency in Bharathanatyam, Kathak, Mohiniyatam and Manipuri. She has performed more than 100 stage programs. Upon completion of her matriculation in 1964, she won a scholarship for higher studies but did not accept it as her mother advised her to pursue a career in film Industry. With her slim and lissome physique, this ravishing beauty entered the celluloid world through her debut Kannada film Chinnada Gombe. The film was a big hit and she became a star overnight.

She made her entry into Tollywood film Industry through Manushula Mamathulu. Her career graph lifted to extreme heights with the big success of this film and she ultimately became the dream girl of Telugu audience. She made a stunning entry to Tamil Film Industry through the film Vennira Aadai through Director Sridhar. The film was a big hit. Her role as a mentally disturbed woman who falls in love with the doctor won the heart of the audience. She was the first Tamil Heroine who appeared in Skirts. She established her film career with hit film like Savale Samali, Suryakanthi, Yaar Nee, Naan, Deiva Magan, Bhagdad Perazhagi, Nee, Major Chandrakanth, Kandan Karunai, Thedi Vandha Maapillai, etc.


She acted along with Top star M.G.R. in super hit films like Aayirathil Oruvan, Kavalkaran, Adimai Pen, Nam Naadu, Kudiyiruntha Koil, Olivilaku, Thalaivan, Kanavan, and more. She played the role of a politician in the film Neenga Naala Erukkanum. She gave memorable films like Pattikada Pattanama, Galatta Kalyanam, Sumathi En Sundari, Enga Mama, etc. with the thespian actor Shivaji Ganesan.

She ruled the Tinsel world during the 60’s and 70’s.With her Enchanting beauty and Fascinating smile and was the dream girl of Tamil audience.

She established her popularity in Telugu films Nayakudu Vinayakudu, Aadarsa Kutumbam, Akka Thamudu, Bharya Biddalu, Shri Krishna Vijayam, Brahmachari, Goodachari 116, Navarathri, etc. Her best - known Hindi film Izaat with actor Dharmendra gave her a star image. Her second Kannada film Nana Karthavya was a huge success. She gave an excellent acting in the English film Epistle.


From an Alluring actress she turned a powerful politician. Her association with politics grew from her relationship with M.G.R.-Movie Star and then Chief Minister. In 1981, she joined the A.I.A.D.M.K. and was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1984. In 1982, she gave her maiden speech in Lok Sabha about Pennin Perumai, which was applauded by late Dr. M.G.R. Her maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha impressed the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. On M.G.R.’s death, with her massive popularity and image, she won the elections to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly incidentally and became the first woman to be elected as the leader of the opposition in 1989. She is the general secretary of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. She became the first woman Chief Minister in 1991-1996. She returned to power with a huge majority in 2001. She is popularly called as Amma and Puratchi Thalaivi.

An interesting fact about her is that she has a large private library with a huge collection of books. Her close friends call her by the name Ammu.

She is bestowed with Honorable awards like Degree of Doctor of Letters from Bharathidasan University in 2003, Degree of Doctor of Letters from Madurai Kamaraj University in 1993, Degree of Doctor of Literature from University of Madras in 1991, Degree of Doctor of Science from Dr. M.G.R Medical University in 1992, Degree of Doctor of Science in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in 2003.

She received Kalaimamani Award from Tamil Nadu Government in 1977.