Devika
Devika or Prameela Devi (25 April 1943 – 2 May 2002) was a Tamil and Telugu actress. She is regarded as a versatile and graceful heroine of her era. She was cast in mythological films like Karnan, and Thiruvilaiyadal. Her films include Sumaithangi, Nenjil oru Aalayam and Marakka Mudiyuma. She started acting at the age of 12. Her spectacular performances made her a heart throb of many people in those days as expressed by Tamil writer Sujatha in one of his old essays.
Personal life
Devika is the granddaughter of Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu. Ex-mayor of Madras, C.Basudev Naidu, was her paternal uncle.
She married Devadas on 14 April 1972; they divorced in 1990. Her only daughter, Kanaka, is one of the famous Tamil actresses of the 1980s.
Earlier life
Prameela changed her name to Devika, which proved to be lucky. In 1958 she made her debut in Mudhalali paired with veteran film actor S. S. Rajendran. With the big Tilagam adorning her forehead, the movie was a blockbuster. Devika represented the quintessential Indian woman: caring, self-effacing, and sacrificing. Sivaji and Devika appeared in some memorable movies like Karnan, and the hilarious Bale Pandiya and Kulamagal Radhai, Neelavanam, annai Illam, Pavamanippu among others. Devika acted in one film with then powerful Tamil superstar M.G.Ramachandran, in Aananthajothi. Released in 1963, the film was produced by actor P.S. Veerappa.