Actress Kanchana
Write-up Courtesy : Rajesh Kumar.
Magnificent Kanchana aka Vasundhara devi.
Glamour & Talent doesn’t go hand in hand except for some rare people like Sarojadevi, Bharathi, JAyalalitha & KAnchana. (jaya is little odd because in glamour the feminine quotient will be less). So there we go. Another request from Chitralaya sriram anna to write about this evergreen beauty Kanchana. Quite understandable his affection for her because she was introduced in Sridhar’s film and Dad Gopu sir’s dialouges and from then on their association continued. So the request was natural and I’m indeed happy to write about Kanchana.
Born on 16’th August 1939 at Vijayawada (the place which has given many artists like Ghantasala, P.Suseela & many more) she was working as Air hostess and of course many cine professionals flying would have noticed this beauty. Creators look for sharp features (in today’s world the meaning of features is completely different) while then it was height, sharp nose, photogenic face etc and Kanchana had everything in her but she was not ready for cinema then. Sometimes the statue waits for the creator to find it and that’s exactly what happened in her case. Creator Genius C.V.Sridhar found this charming airhostess and offered her a role in his comic film “Kadhalikka neramillai “ in 1964. Thus she landed ground into the tinsel world. People might think Kanchana’s debut was Kadhalikka neramillai but that’s not true. She appeared as Devi Kaali or durga in a telugu film which was released before.
She started her innings with a great movie directed by the great Sridhar. Along with her there were other new comers too , charming ravichandran, bubbly Rajasree . I wrote at length in kothai notes about the moving completing 50 yrs. The movie opens up with Kanchana & Muthuraman singing the evergreen duet “Enna Paarvai undhan paarvai “ . Movie became a huge hit and all the new comers became stars overnight. First film for her was just a casual rich girl who is in love and she did justice to what was given to her.
Slowly many films came her way in tamil & telugu. She started to pair with top heroes at that time mostly in telugu first (with ANR in Aathma gowravam, PReminchi choodu(kadhalikka neramillai in telugu) etc) , but it was the role of Uthara she played in Veera abhimanyu that got noticed by many.
She was natural as uthara both in acting and dance sequences and charmed her way in the screen with AVMrajan in tamil, Shoban babu in Telugu. (how can we forget Paarthen sirithen pakkam vara thudithen song)
Next she acted as the elder daughter of NAdigar thilagam in Motor sundaram pillai. That’s the first in Shivaji film probably stepping stone for her to act as his pair in the coming days. Though it was a small role still it was noticeable. She paired with Sivakumar in this movie.
But when the same movie was made in Telugu she was offered Manimala’s role & she did it finely.She voiced for the evergreen telugu song MAnase andala brundavanam (maname muruganin mayilvaganam in telugu) sung by P.Susheela.
Kanchana was fluent in Tamil and Telugu. During this time she started in Malayalam films as well. Next to KRVijaya Kanchana was the other heroine who did movies in all the 4 languages (Tamil, Telugu,Kananda & Malayalam) and few hindi movies too.
She also had a chance to act with MAkkal thilagam in Parakkum Paavai where she portrayed once sided love.
She continued glamour roles in movies like Marakka mudiyuma etc. She also played as a bold and caring sister in Kodi Malar. Kodi malar gave her additional scope to better as an actress. The movie deals with a dumb woman and kanchana her sister join hands with her lover to bring justice to her sister. Definitely improvement from being a glamour girl to a performer. That too equation with veteran actresss M.V.Rajamma
1967 is a special year for Kanchana. Yes there were many super hit movies this year. The main film was AVM’s thriller Adhey Kangal/Avey Kallu.
Adhe kangal – Kanchana had Glamour role and paired up with Ravichandran/Krishna but this film gave her scope to prove a variety of dances including folk, western and many more (whatever was famous then like rock & roll, twist etc). Oh oh Ethanai azhagu 20 vayathinile shot in Mysore brindavan gardens is a visual treat to watch even now. Adhey kangal was a top grosser and KAnchana became a sought after heroine.
1967 also saw her feature in K.BAlachander’s comic family drama “Bhama Vijayam”. She was one of the 3 daughter-in-laws who ruin their lives due to their interest in their actress neighbor Bhama. Amidst a big star cast Kanchana was noticeable with her glasses and the scene where in she considers the thief to be her husband the conversation which follows is hilarious. She also put up quite a show in the song “Ninaithal sirippu varum “
During the same year she also entered Hindi films with the movie FArz.
It was in 1967 she also paired up with legendary N.T.R as well and of course in 1967 she got the elevation of one sided lover for Nadigar thilagam in Thangai.
So 1967 was definitely a better year for Kanchana.
She was constantly doing films in tamil & telugu
During this time she also acted in notable Malayalam films like Priyathama, Azhagulla saleena, Kodungallooramma,Thirichad
She also acted with Makkal thilagam in Parakkum paavai & NAan yen pirandhen. 2 movies with makkal thilagam but prominent roles.(thanks vijayakrishnan for pointing out the miss)
1969 is another noticeable year in Kanchana’s career. The main film of Kanchana in 1969 was “shanti nilayam” where in she elevated from heroine to artist. Yes this is her best character portrayed in tamil film. She was attractive with Gemini, compassionate with both the kids and Pandari bhai and showed every kind of emotion in this movie.
Shanti nilayam was inspired from Sound of music. Originally kannada folks got inspired from Sound of music and made Bedi bandhavalu in 1968 with Kalyan kumar & Chandrakala in lead. Tamil version was a year later.
KAnchana was absolutely brilliant as Malathi in Shanti nilayam. Her acting, Marcus bartley’s photography and MSV’s scintillating music made this movie a grand success.
Yet another notable film in 1969 was the telugu film Natakala Rayudu where in veteran actor NAgabushanam played the lead role and Kanchana played the female lead. This film was based on the hindi movie Albela . Kanchana plays the drama company owner who identifies Nagabushanam’s talent and makes him an actor. The movie was appreciated well and Kanchana’s role was also noticeable.
When Thulabaram was made in tamil she got Sheela’s role- friend of the female lead sharada. Kanchana did justice to whatever the character asked for. She paired up with muthuraman
1970 marked the year when her mentor Sridhar paired her with NAdigar thilagam in the magnum opus “Sivandha mann” . Excellent songs and her “pattathu rani “ dance number is remembered even now. Kanchana was brilliant as Chitralekha. This was the first movie to shoot outside india. Inspite of the film’s failure it’s remembered for NAdigar thilagam’s acting, foreign locations and Kanchana’s pattathu rani dance as well.
1971 saw 2 brilliant characters from KAnchana.
One was the telugu movie Kalyana mandapam. I would rate this as her career best. When Puttanna kanagal’s Gejje pooje was remade in telugu as Kalyana mandapam KAnchana was selected to play the role originally played brilliantly by minugu thare kalpana. Kanchana portrayed the role of a devdasi girl and she matched kalpana’s performance and got many accolades as well.
In the same year she played a soft wife who cares for her friend and at the same time need to take care of family’s name in Avalukkenru oru manam. Kanchana played female lead Bharathi’s friend . Even though bharathi’s role is the powerful one Kanchana scored with softer role as well , playing Gemini’s wife , at the same time a very caring friend who tries hard to bring her friend to right track. Mangayaril maharani picturised on Kanchana & Gemini is even memorable now.
1971 also had the comic entertainer “Utharavindri Ulle va” directed by N.C.chakravarthy. Kanchana played the girl who escapes from villain group and seeks shelter at a bachelor’s house where in all the bachelors fall for her.. nice comedy movie and kanchana played her role well in the movie
From then on she was seen doing second heroine role or character role mostly In telugu.
Her dance sequences in Nageswararao’s bhakta tukaram are mind blowing but the career of the heroine suddenly vanished and she was reduced to do character roles. Times were changing and slowly she faded away.
She was seen again with Nadigar thilagam in Avan oru sarithiram (Vanakkam pala murai sonnen)but not as his pair.
She did elderly characters (mother roles) in sigappu rojakkal,pagadai pannirendu, babruvahana in kannada (she had a powerful role than sarojadevi in this movie) and many more and she slowly quit acting.
During that time she also dealt with personal issues she went and settled with her sister in Bangalore.
Unlike Kumudham reported she wasn’t living in any temple or any such sort. She was living with her sister and turned her life into spiritual world.
After years of fight she got back all her assets and donated 5crore worth property to Thirupathi Devasthanam, a generous act indeed.
Am happy that she is actively seen at many events in Chennai. I was surprised when actor ARS during UAA 60 years ,mentioned that Kanchana has acted in stage plays as well.
Kanchana was awarded MGR award by the govt of tamilnadu in 2005.
In a career span of 10 years she saw the peak for atleast 5-6 years did variety of roles and still her name is remembered by film lovers. That is Kanchana for us.
I pray the almighty for her long and healthy life.
Thanks @chitralaya sriram anna for asking me to write about this charming beauty.
P.Susheela sang the maximum number of songs in her Career. Most of them were hit. P.Susheela might have rendered more than 200 songs for her in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam Languages.
List of Songs..
| Year | Language | Movie | Songs | ||||||||
| 1964 | Tamil | kaadhalikka neramillai | enna paarvai undan paarvai | ||||||||
| 1964 | Tamil | kaadhalikka neramillai | naaLaam naaLaam thirunaaLaam | ||||||||
| 1964 | Tamil | kaadhalikka neramillai | nenjathai alli konjam thaa thaa | ||||||||
| 1964 | Telugu | ramadasu | maa baava manchivadu | ||||||||
| 1965 | Tamil | veera abhimanyu | neeyum oru pennanaal | ||||||||
| 1965 | Tamil | veera abhimanyu | paarthEn sirithEn pakkam vara | ||||||||
| 1965 | Tamil | veera abhimanyu | povom pudhu ulagam | ||||||||
| 1965 | Tamil | veera abhimanyu | thotta idam kulirudhu | ||||||||
| 1965 | Tamil | veera abhimanyu | vElum villum viLaiyaada | ||||||||
| 1965 | Telugu | atmagowravam | Andhenu nede andhani jabili | ||||||||
| 1965 | Telugu | atmagowravam | Brathuke netitho | ||||||||
| 1965 | Telugu | atmagowravam | maa rajulocharu | ||||||||
| 1965 | Telugu | atmagowravam | munthati vale | ||||||||
| 1965 | Telugu | AtmaGowravam | Raanani Raalenani oorike | ||||||||
| 1965 | Telugu | atmagowravam | Oka poola banam virisindhi | ||||||||
| 1965 | Telugu | atmagowravam | valapulu virisina | ||||||||
| 1965 | Telugu | preminchi choodu | Andhale thongi choose | ||||||||
| 1965 | Telugu | preminchi choodu | Dorikeru doragaru | ||||||||
| 1965 | Telugu | preminchi choodu | Andhale pongi chese hayy | ||||||||
| 1965 | Telugu | veerabhimanyu | droupati avesha padyam | ||||||||
| 1965 | Telugu | veerabhimanyu | Adhigo navalokam | ||||||||
| 1965 | Telugu | veerabhimanyu | Challani samivi neevaithe | ||||||||
| 1965 | Telugu | veerabhimanyu | choochi valachi | ||||||||
| 1965 | Telugu | veerabhimanyu | Rambha oorvasi thala | ||||||||
| 1965 | Telugu | veerabhimanyu | Thakina chota | ||||||||
| 1966 | Tamil | kodi malar | chittaaga thuLLi thuLLi vaa | ||||||||
| 1966 | Tamil | kodimalar | kannaadi mEniyadi thaNNeeril | kanchana | |||||||
| 1966 | Tamil | marakka mudiyuma | onnu kodutha onbathu | ||||||||
| 1966 | Tamil | thedi vandha thirumagal | chinna chinna idhazh | ||||||||
| 1966 | Tamil | thedi vandha thirumagal | kEttal ontru tharavendum | ||||||||
| 1966 | Telugu | doctor anand | neela mohana rara | ||||||||
| 1966 | Telugu | doctor anand | neelala kannulatho | ||||||||
| 1966 | Telugu | maroseethakatha | kalyana vaibogame | ||||||||
| 1966 | Telugu | maroseethakatha | hello nilu nilu | ||||||||
| 1966 | Telugu | srisrisrimaryada ramanna | neeve neeve naa | ||||||||
| 1966 | Telugu | srisrisrimaryada ramanna | Yemi ee vintha | ||||||||
| 1967 | Tamil | adhe kangal | boom boom boom maattukkaran | ||||||||
| 1967 | Tamil | adhe kangal | chinnap peN oruthi sirikkindraaL | ||||||||
| 1967 | Tamil | adhe kangal | O O ethanai azhagu | ||||||||
| 1967 | Tamil | adhe kangal | vaa arugil vaa thaa uyirai thaa | ||||||||
| 1967 | Telugu | ave kallu | Dum dum gangiredhu | ||||||||
| 1967 | Telugu | ave kallu | Oh priyathama | ||||||||
| 1967 | Telugu | ave kallu | Mudduloluku chinnadhi | ||||||||
| 1967 | Telugu | ave kallu | Oho yenthati andham verise kalam lo | ||||||||
| 1967 | Telugu | manchi kutumbam | Manase aandhala Brindavanam | ||||||||
| 1967 | Telugu | manchi kutumbam | Tulli tulli paduthundhi | ||||||||
| 1967 | Telugu | Piravate Master | adhamlo kanipitchedi | ||||||||
| 1967 | Telugu | Piravate Master | theravaku theravaku | ||||||||
| 1967 | Telugu | Piravate Master | siru siru jallula | ||||||||
| 1967 | Telugu | Piravate Master | siru siru jallula (sad) | ||||||||
| 1967 | Telugu | pirivate Master | ekkadikellave pilla | ||||||||
| 1967 | Telugu | prana mithrulu | Gunde jhallu mannadi | ||||||||
| 1967 | Telugu | sathi sumathi | dora vayasu manasu[1] | ||||||||
| 1968 | Tamil | bhama vijayam | ninaithal sirippu varum | ||||||||
| 1968 | Tamil | naalum therinthavan | poopoova poothirukudi[2] | ||||||||
| 1968 | Tamil | nalum therinthavan | nilavukke pogalam | ||||||||
| 1968 | Tamil | nalum therinthavan | poova poova uthiruthadi | ||||||||
| 1968 | Telugu | amayakudu | chandamama rammandhi | ||||||||
| 1968 | Telugu | amayakudu | Bommanu geesevu | ||||||||
| 1968 | Telugu | amayakudu | Polevu Neevu | ||||||||
| 1968 | Telugu | amayakudu | Poovulalo | ||||||||
| 1968 | Telugu | amayakudu | Anukona Idhi nijamanukona | ||||||||
| 1968 | Telugu | bandhipotu dongalu | Kanniah puttinaroju | ||||||||
| 1968 | Telugu | deva kanya | kalalanni pulakinchu | ||||||||
| 1968 | Telugu | deva kanya | Yedho pilichinadhi | ||||||||
| 1968 | Telugu | deva kanya | dharina poye | ||||||||
| 1968 | Telugu | deva kanya | aiyah puvulu kontara | ||||||||
| 1968 | Telugu | deva kanya | na kanule neenu | ||||||||
| 1968 | Telugu | deva kanya | Manasantha | ||||||||
| 1968 | Telugu | kalasi vachina adrushtam | pachcha pachchani | ||||||||
| 1968 | Telugu | kalasi vachina adrushtam | vandanaalu | ||||||||
| 1968 | Telugu | nenante nene | oke oka gulabikkai | ||||||||
| 1968 | Telugu | nenante nene | chaaladhaa ee chotu | ||||||||
| 1968 | Telugu | thalli prema | ninna munna | ||||||||
| 1968 | Telugu | thalli prema | komma meedhi koyilamma | ||||||||
| 1968 | Telugu | thalli prema | letha letha | ||||||||
| 1968 | Telugu | thalli prema | kalalo ilalo | ||||||||
| 1968 | Telugu | veeranjaneya | Inthakanna madhuramaina | ||||||||
| 1968 | Telugu | vintha kaapuram | atu panupu etu | ||||||||
| 1968 | Telugu | vintha kaapuram | choodu thamasha kadhu | ||||||||
| 1968 | Telugu | vintha kapuram | entavallu entavallu | ||||||||
| 1969 | Tamil | ponnu mapillai | naaLaa naaLaa thirunaaLaa | ||||||||
| 1969 | Tamil | ponnu mapillai | sirithamugam sivanthathenna | ||||||||
| 1969 | Tamil | shanthi nilayam | Iraivan varuvan avan entrum | ||||||||
| 1969 | Tamil | shanthi nilayam | Iraivan varuvan avan -ver2 | ||||||||
| 1969 | Tamil | shanthi nilayam | Iyarkai ennum ilaya kanni | ||||||||
| 1969 | Tamil | shanthi nilayam | kadavul oru naal ulagai kaana | ||||||||
| 1969 | Tamil | shanthi nilayam | selvangale deivangal vaazhum | ||||||||
| 1969 | Tamil | sivantha mann | Oru naalile ennavam | ||||||||
| 1969 | Tamil | sivantha mann | Oru Raja Raniyidam | ||||||||
| 1969 | Tamil | sivantha mann | sollavO sughamaana kadhai | ||||||||
| 1969 | Tamil | thulaabaram | sangam vaLartha thamizh | ||||||||
| 1969 | Telugu | bhale master | Nenu neeve neevu nene | ||||||||
| 1969 | Telugu | bhale master | adhamlo | ||||||||
| 1969 | Telugu | bhale master | Theravakku kallu | ||||||||
| 1969 | Telugu | bhale master | nalona yemaya | ||||||||
| 1969 | Telugu | jarigina katha | yenatikaina Ee mooga | ||||||||
| 1969 | Telugu | jarigina katha | Thoduga neevunte | ||||||||
| 1969 | Telugu | manushulu maaraali | thooruppu mandhaarapu | ||||||||
| 1969 | Telugu | natakalarayudu | vela chooda vechanaye | ||||||||
| 1969 | Telugu | natakalarayudu | Ithe naa ethir choosina | ||||||||
| 1969 | Telugu | natakalarayudu | chinnavada vanne kada | ||||||||
| 1969 | Telugu | natakalarayudu | pattu panpuna vennela | ||||||||
| 1969 | Telugu | natakalarayudu | rathamu siddhamu | ||||||||
| 1969 | Telugu | natakalarayudu | padya natakam | ||||||||
| 1970 | Tamil | noorandu kalam vazhga | kalaignarkal uLLam kalai | ||||||||
| 1970 | Tamil | noorandu kalam vazhga | maangalyam thirumaangalyam | ||||||||
| 1970 | Tamil | noorandu kalam vazhga | naLinak kalaiyadi nadikkum | ||||||||
| 1970 | Tamil | noorandu kalam vazhga | piRandha pOdhu azhudhadangu | ||||||||
| 1970 | Telugu | dharmadhata | Hello Engineer | ||||||||
| 1970 | Telugu | dharmadhata | Parameswari Jagadeeswari | ||||||||
| 1971 | Tamil | avalukkentor manam | mangayaril maharani (movie version) | ||||||||
| 1971 | Tamil | avalukkentor manam | mangayaril maharani maankani | ||||||||
| 1971 | Tamil | utharavinti ulle va | kaadhal kaadhal entru | ||||||||
| 1971 | Tamil | utharavinti ulle va | unnaith thoduvathu | ||||||||
| 1971 | Tamil | utharavinti ulle va | utharavintri ulle vaa | ||||||||
| 1971 | Tamil | utharavintri ulle va | Madhamo aavanai Mangayo | ||||||||
| 1971 | Telugu | amayakuralu | Hello saaru bhale vaaru | ||||||||
| 1971 | Telugu | amayakuralu | Sannajaji poovulu | ||||||||
| 1971 | Telugu | amayakuralu | bhramachari vanta enti | ||||||||
| 1971 | Telugu | amayakuralu | chirunavvula kulike | ||||||||
| 1971 | Telugu | andham kosam pandhem | Naaloni swapnala andhale | ||||||||
| 1971 | Telugu | andham kosam pandhem | kannu chethare | ||||||||
| 1971 | Telugu | andham kosam pandhem | ganame Kalalanthu Kadu | ||||||||
| 1971 | Telugu | kalyana mantapam | palike vaarunte-solo | ||||||||
| 1971 | Telugu | kalyana mantapam | piliche vaarunte | ||||||||
| 1971 | Telugu | kalyana mantapam | kalyana mantapam | ||||||||
| 1971 | Telugu | kalyana mantapam | palike vaarunte-ver2 | ||||||||
| 1971 | Telugu | kalyana mantapam | balamunathani | ||||||||
| 1971 | Telugu | kalyana mantapam | chukkalu paade | ||||||||
| 1971 | Telugu | raithukutumbam | manase ponkenu | ||||||||
| 1971 | Telugu | raithukutumbam | amma challani maayamma | ||||||||
| 1971 | Telugu | rangeli raja | alasina muddu | ||||||||
| 1971 | Telugu | rangeli raja | Gothariki ee vodayyna | ||||||||
| 1971 | Telugu | Rangeli raja | maastaaru maastaaru | ||||||||
| 1971 | Telugu | thalli koothullu | ganame pranamai | ||||||||
| 1971 | Telugu | thallina minchina thalli | rava bhagavan | ||||||||
| 1971 | Telugu | thallina minchina thalli | eswarude ee lokaniki | ||||||||
| 1971 | Telugu | thallina minchina thalli | Chinnari seethamma | ||||||||
| 1971 | Telugu | thallina minchina thalli | Inthamathramerugava | ||||||||
| 1972 | Tamil | naan en piranthen | ennamma chinna ponnu | ||||||||
| 1972 | Telugu | manchirojulu vacchayi | egirE guvva Emandi | ||||||||
| 1972 | Telugu | manchirojulu vacchayi | manchi Rojulochayi Padara | ||||||||
| 1972 | Telugu | manchirojulu vacchayi | yendhuke Pirikithanam | ||||||||
| 1972 | Telugu | neethi nijayithi | jagela madana | ||||||||
| 1972 | Telugu | neethi nijayithi | Maatalakandhani baavalu | ||||||||
| 1972 | Telugu | pedda koduku | cheppalenamma | ||||||||
| 1972 | Telugu | vamsadharakudu | murali loludu yevadamma | ||||||||
| 1972 | Telugu | vamsadharakudu | rednukallu vethukuthunnavi | ||||||||
| 1972 | Telugu | vamsadharakudu | rendukallu vethukuthunnavi | ||||||||
| 1973 | Malayalam | aZhagulla saleena | tajmahal nirmicha rajashilpi | ||||||||
| 1974 | Telugu | tatamma kala | neekendukku ee | ||||||||
| 1974 | Telugu | tatamma kala | eda naa desam-solo | ||||||||
| 1974 | Telugu | tatamma kala | edee nadesam-ver2 | ||||||||
| 1974 | Telugu | tatamma kala | edee nadesam with chorous | ||||||||
| 1975 | Tamil | bhaktha tukaram | Poojaku velaiyara | ||||||||
| 1975 | Tamil | bhaktha tukaram | sari sari | ||||||||
| 1975 | Tamil | engalukkum kaadhal varum | munniravu neram | ||||||||
| 1975 | Telugu | bhaktha tukaram | sari sari vagalu thelisara | ||||||||
| 1975 | Telugu | bhaktha tukaram | Shyama sundara Prema | ||||||||
| 1975 | Telugu | pellikani thandri | neeli akasamlo | ||||||||
| 1975 | Telugu | pellikani thandri | Karuninchara sivashankara | ||||||||
| 1976 | Telugu | dongala dopidi | thandanaa andaamaa | ||||||||
| 1976 | Telugu | mahakavi kshetrayya | meluko kavi raja | ||||||||
| 1977 | Tamil | avan oru sariththiram | vanakkam pala murai sonnen | ||||||||
| 1977 | Telugu | indradhanassu(old) | Yedu rangula indradhanassu | ||||||||
| 1977 | Telugu | raajaa ramesh | rasikuni edaro | ||||||||
| 1978 | Telugu | naatakaala raayudu | natakalarayudu | ||||||||
| 1979 | Tamil | ninaivil oru malar | nilaavillatha vaanam | ||||||||
| 1979 | Tamil | ninaivil oru malar | sugama thalaiva | ||||||||
