Quick Facts
Biography
M. Jayashree (1921 – 2006), was an Indian actress who worked mainly in Kannada films. She is known for her supporting roles in such movies including Rayara Sose (1957), Naagarahaavu (1972), Eradu Kanasu and Sri Srinivasa Kalyana.
She was fondly referred to as 'Amma of Silvar screen'. She received Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the movie Amara Bharathi in 1970.
Career
Jayashree was brought to Pakshiraj Studio of Tamil Nadu by Devi, the sister of the studio owner who allowed her to cast in Tamil film Vazhivil Thirunal. Offers were poured in for Jayashree in Tamil movies. This was noticed by Kannada film maker Honnappa Bhagavathar and he made her to debut in Kannada films with the 1948 movie Bhakta Kumbara.
Her next project in Kannada as heroine was Nagakannika in 1949, a blockbuster movie directed by G. Vishwanath. This film considered to be the first Kannada movie based on a folk tale. She played the title role in her next movie Thilotthame in 1951. Gradually she got shifted to supporting roles playing mother, mother-in-law, aunt for stalwarts like Dr. Rajkumar, Kalyan Kumar, Vishnuvardhan, Ambareesh, Tiger Prabhakar, Rajesh, Gangadhar, Srinath and many. In her five decades acting career, Jayashree starred more than 450 films.
Last days and death
Jayashree did only two movies in the 1990s. Her last released movie was Savira Mettilu, an unfinished film of Puttanna Kanagal and finished by K. S. L. Swamy.
Jayashree spent last years of her life in Sri Vasavi Shantidhama, an old age home in Mysore. She died of heart attack early morning on 29 October 2006.
Awards
- 1970-71 - Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for the film ‛Amara Bharathi’.
Selected filmography
Kannada
- Bhakta Kumbara (1949)
- Nagakannika (1949)
- Thilotthame (1951)...Thilotthame
- Jaganmohini (1951)
- Mangala Gowri (1953)
- Natashekhara (1954)
- Sodari (1955)...Chanchaladevi
- Muttaide Bhagya (1956)...Gowri
- Rayara Sose (1957)...Gowri
- Sati Nalaayini (1957)...Parvati
- Bettada Kalla (1957)
- Rani Honnamma (1960)
- Bhakta Kanakadasa (1960)
- Dashavathara (1960)
- Rathna Manjari (1962)
- Swarna Gowri (1962)
- Mahathma Kabir (1962)...Neema
- Jenu Goodu (1963)...Sharada
- Mana Mecchida Madadi (1963)...Girija
- Naandi (1964)...Savitri
- Chandavalliya Thota (1964)...Puttathayi
- Kalaavati (1964)...Puttamma
- Thumbida Koda (1964)...Jaya
- Ide Mahasudina (1965)...Poornima
- Miss Leelavathi (1965)...Ganga
- Madhumalathi (1966)...Gajalakshmi
- Lagna Pathrike (1967)...Savitri
- Bhagyada Bagilu (1968)...Kamala
- Hannele Chiguridaga (1968)...Raji
- Uyyale (1969)...Krishna's mother
- Mayor Muthanna (1969)...Kamala
- Margadarshi (1969)...Raji
- Hasiru Thorana (1970)...Jayashree
- Devara Makkalu (1970)...Rukmini
- Lakshmi Saraswathi (1970)...Lalitha
- Sakshatkara (1971)...Maniyamma
- Baala Bandhana (1971)...Parvati
- Naagarahaavu (1972)...Sonabai
- Sipayi Ramu (1972)...Ramu
- Devaru Kotta Thangi (1973)
- Kesarina Kamala (1973)...Parvati
- Sri Srinivasa Kalyana (1974)
- Eradu Kanasu (1974)...Gowri's mother
- Raja Nanna Raja (1976)
- Bayalu Daari (1976)...Anusuya
- Baduku Bangaravayithu (1976)...Ganga
- Sose Tanda Soubhagya (1977)
- Paduvaaralli Pandavaru (1978)...Lakshmi
- Haddina Kannu (1980)
- Moogana Sedu (1980)
- Tony (1982)
- Premave Balina Belaku (1983)...Susheela
- Nanna Prathigne (1985)...Seethamma
- Aruna Raaga (1986)
- Karna (1986)
- Sundara Swapnagalu (1986)
- Aaganthuka (1987)
- Ee Bandha Anubandha (1987)...Vijay's aunt
- Nammoora Hammera (1990)
Tamil
- Vizhivil Thirunaal
Telugu
- Manchi Manasuku Manchi Rojulu (1956)
- Anthuleni Katha (1976)
