Vyjayanthimala

Posted: 06/07/2014 05:30 AM IST

Vyjayanthimala Bali (born 13 August 1936),[1] also known by the mononym Vyjayanthimala, is an Indian film actress, Bharathanatyam dancer, Carnatic singer, dance choreographer and parliamentarian. She made her debut in the Tamil language film Vazhkai in 1949 and in the Telugu Film Jeevitham in 1950 later became one of the most prominent actresses of South India and the golden era in Bollywood;

Vyjayanthimala was one of the biggest Bollywood stars in a career lasting almost two decades.[2][3][4] She was also the first south Indian actress to become a national star and "paved a way" for other south Indian actresses to foray into Bollywood.[5][6] Vyjayanthimala is an accomplished dancer and was one of those who introduced semi-classical dance to Bollywood.[7][8] Her subsequent dance numbers in her films had earned her the title of "twinkle toes".[9][10] She was also referred to as one of the first female superstars of Hindi cinema and was known as "Numero Uno actress" for her "illustrious career in 1950s and 1960s".