Bhanumathi Ramakrishna
- Birthday: 07. September 1925
- Birthplace: Doddavaram, near Ongole, Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh, India
- Awards: Padma Bhushan in 2003, Padma Shri in 1966, Rashtrapati Award in acting Antastulu, Rashtrapati Award Palanati Yuddham, National Film Awards Government National Award for Best writer for the book "Nalo Nenu" an autobiography in 1994, Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South (1987) , Nandi Awards Raghupathi Venkaiah Award, from the Government of Andhra Pradesh, in 1985, Nandi Award for Best Director in 1986, NTR National Award, from the Government of Andhra Pradesh, in 2000, Kalaimamani (connoisseur of arts), Government of Tamil Nadu, in 1983
Biography
Paluvayi Bhanumathi Ramakrishna (7 September 1925 – 24 December 2005) was a multilingual Indian film actress, director, music director, singer, producer, book writer and songs writer. Most of her works are in Telugu and Tamil languages. She was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2003 for her contribution towards Indian cinema.
She was born as third child to Saraswatamma and Bommaraju Venkata Subbaiah, in Doddavaram village of Prakasam district, near Ongole, Andhra Pradesh. She grew up watching her father perform in various stage shows. Her father, Venkata subbiah, was a staunch lover of classical music and trained her in music from an early age.
Bhanumathi entered the film industry in 1935, and acted in over 200 films in Telugu and Tamil. She was also called as Ashtavadhani by the film industry people as she was a writer, actor, director, producer, singer, music director, editor and studio owner. She also had a good knowledge of Astrology and philosophy.