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“A Tribute” is the tribute to Savithri, a prestigeous cine-artiste. Telugu audiences are proud of her considerable performance throughout her career which lasted for about 30 years. She developed interest in learning dance since her childhood. She faced difficulty in entering the film field. Though she got a chance in ‘Agnipareeksha”, she was finally dropped as she looked too young for the role. The film makers recognized her potential when she acted in a song in ‘Pathala Bhairavi’. Though she was given a role of heroine in the film ‘Samsaram’, she lost the chance because of her nervousness on the sets. She left an indelible mark in the minds of all cine lovers through her action as Parvathi in the film ‘Devadasu” in 1953. Her action was marvellous in that movie. Her action was exceptionally brilliant in the film ‘Ardhangi’ (1955) in the role of the wife of a mentally retarded person (ANR). She was known for charm and magnificent acting. The audiences who see many emotions and feelings in her eyes can’t forget the magic spell of her eyes.

The film ’Missamma’ shows us Savitri’s amazing talent in the role of Mary. The famous cineactors Meena Kumari and Amitabh Bacchan praised her acting, timing and unbelievable spontaneity. In the role of Sasirekha in ‘Maya Bazaar’ film, Savitri reminds us of the rich Telugu culture. Her action in the roles of both masculine and feminine manner is unparallel in the film ‘Maya Bazaar’. She gets totally involved in whatever role she plays. In the film ‘Chivaraku Migiledi’, she played the role of a nurse in a psychiatry ward. In a particular scene of that film, even after the shot was over, she couldn’t come out of her role and continued crying uncontrollably.

She received the title ‘Mahanati’ and the Presidential award for her great performance. She also received ‘Kalaimamani’ and Nadigayar Tilakam’ from Tamil film industry. She not only acted in the films but also directed and produced a few films that show her passion for films. She was known for her generosity. Once, she donated all the jewellery she was wearing to the Prime Minister’s Fund. Dasari Narayana Rao says that she will be remembered as long as celluloid lives on. Though she is not physically with us, she is eternal with her tremendous efforts to cinema.

I am mostly fascinated by her generosity, great action, charm, expressive eyes, involvement in the role she plays and so on. She was generous to the people who were in need. Once, she donated all the jewellery she was wearing to the Prime Minister’s fund. Along with her magnificent action and charm, she had expressive eyes through which she expressed mischievous look, look of fake anger, look of real anger, look of passion, pain filled look and confident look. We can see an example for her involvement in the roles she plays. Once she played the role of a nurse in a psychiatry ward in the movie, ’Chivaraku Migiledi’. In a particular scene, the nurse has a nervous breakdown and cries uncontrollably. Though the director said, “Cut”, Savitri could not stop crying. All these qualities fascinate not only me but all the Telugu audience most.

L.V. Prasad, the noted director, offered Savitri the role of a heroine in the film ‘Samsaaram’ (1950). On the sets, she was nervous ; she had to repeat many takes and this proved a setback for her. Hence, the role was given to someone else and she was given a small role. Thus, Savitri was taken away from her main role in ’Samsaaram’.

Although Savitri was replaced from the main role in ‘Samsaaram’, she was able to strike back because of her passion for acting brought her another chance in the film ‘Devadasu’ (1953). She proved her potential’ to the cine-world by her tremendous action and liveliness. In the role of Parvathi with curly hair, a lock of hair straying to her forehead, the large round black berry eyes looking out from an innocent face left an indelible imprint in the minds of all cine lovers.

She played the role of a rich man’s wife marvellously. Thus, she was able to strike back and got more chances.

Yes, I have seen five or six films in which Savitri acted. They are : Kanyasulkam, Missamma, Maya Bazaar, Shantinivasam, Kama, Devadasu, Pandava Vanavasam, Gundamma Katha, Velugu Needalu, Dr. Chakravarthy and Narthanasala. I like her character of Mary in the film Missamma’ most. Her action was brilliant in that movie.

(b) to admire Savitri’s acting and her abilities.