B. Jayashree (born 9 June 1950) is a veteran

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

n theatre actress, director and singer, who has also acted in films and television and worked as dubbing artist in films. She is the creative director of Spandana Theatre, an amateur theatre company based in Bangalore, established in 1976. She was nominated to the Upper house of the Indian Parliament,

Rajya Sabha The Rajya Sabha, constitutionally the Council of States, is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of India. , it has a maximum membership of 245, of which 233 are elected by the legislatures of the states and union territories using si ...

in 2010. She was awarded the

Padma Shri Padma Shri (IAST: ''padma śrī''), also spelled Padma Shree, is the fourth-highest Indian honours system, civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. Instituted on 2 January 1954, ...

, fourth-highest civilian honour by

Government of India The Government of India (ISO: ; often abbreviated as GoI), known as the Union Government or Central Government but often simply as the Centre, is the national government of the Republic of India, a federal democracy located in South Asia, c ...

in 2013. Her grandfather was noted theatre director,

Gubbi Veeranna Gubbi Hampanna Veeranna (1891 – 1972) was an Indian theatre director. He was one of the pioneers and most prolific contributors to Kannada theatre. He established the drama company, ''Gubbi Sree Channabasaveshwara Nataka Company'', which play ...

, who founded the Gubbi Veeranna Nataka Company.

Early life and background

She was born in Bangalore to G.V. Malathamma who was the daughter of

, and later graduated from the

National School of Drama National School of Drama (NSD) is a theatre training institute situated at New Delhi, India. It is an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It was set up in 1959 by the Sangeet Natak Akademi and became an indepe ...

, Delhi in 1973, where she trained under noted theatre director and teacher

Ebrahim Alkazi Ebrahim Alkazi (18 October 1925 – 4 August 2020) was an Indian theatre director and drama teacher. A rigid disciplinarian, he instilled in his acting students an awe and reverence that they still carry with them, with several of them havin ...

Career

Over the years, she has worked with notable theatre personalities, including

B. V. Karanth Babukodi Venkataramana Karanth (Kannada: ಬಾಬುಕೋಡಿ ವೆಂಕಟರಮಣ ಕಾರಂತ) (19 September 1929 – 1 September 2002) widely known as B. V. Karanth was an Indian film director, playwright, actor, screenwriter, co ...

. She has acted in Kannada films, like ''

Nagamandala Nagamandala (; ) is a 1997 Indian Kannada-language drama film, directed by T. S. Nagabharana based on a play of same name by Girish Karnad. It was produced by Srihari L. Khoday and the music was scored by C. Aswath. It is an adaptation of a 198 ...

'' (1997), '' Deveeri'' (1999) and ''

Care of Footpath ''C/o Footpath'' (or ''Care of Footpath'') is a 2009 Indian Kannada-language film directed by Master Kishan, who also stars in the film. It is first film produced by the Kiran Movie Makers of Bangalore, India. It was directed by the world's the ...

'' (2006). She has also briefly remained the director of Mysore-based theatre institute,

Rangayana Rangayana ( kn, ರಂಗಾಯಣ) is a theatre institute which operates from Mysore, Karnataka, India. It works as an autonomous cultural institute. The organization consists of a professional repertory company, a theatre-training institute ...

. She was a voice-over artist for Madhavi,

Gayathri Gayatri (Sanskrit: गायत्री, IAST:Gāyatrī) is the personified form of the Gayatri Mantra, a popular hymn from Vedic texts. She is also known as Savitri, and bears the epithet of ''Vedamata'' (mother of the Vedas). Gayatri is ofte ...

Jaya Prada Jaya Prada Nahata (born Lalitha Rani; 3 April 1962) is an Indian actress and politician. She is hailed as one of the most iconic and influential actresses in both Telugu and Hindi film industries in late '70s, '80s and early '90s. Jayaprada i ...

Ambika Ambika may refer to: Mythology * Ambika (goddess), an avatar of the Hindu goddesses Durga, Parvati, and Shakti * Ambika (Jainism), a Jain Yakshini goddess * Ambika (Mahabharata), the wife of Vichitravirya was also the mother of Dhritarashtra, ...

Sumalatha Sumalatha (born 27 August 1963) is an Indian actress, politician who is the current Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha from Mandya, Karnataka. She has acted in more than 220 films in Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil and Hindi. She gained ...

and many other actresses in Rajkumar movies. As a playback singer she has performed in

Kannada cinema Kannada cinema, also known as Sandalwood, or Chandanavana, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Kannada language widely spoken in the state of Karnataka. The 1934 film ''Sati Sulochana'' directed ...

, including the hit number "Car Car" for Kannada film, ''Nanna Preethiya Hudugi''. In 1996, she was awarded the

Sangeet Natak Akademi Award Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (IPA: Saṅgīta Nāṭaka Akādamī Puraskāra), also known as the Akademi Puraskar, is an award given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi Sangeet Natak Akademi (The National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama in Englis ...

for acting, given by the

Sangeet Natak Akademi Sangeet Natak Akademi (The National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama in English) is the national level academy for performing arts set up by the Government of India. History It was set up by the Indian education ministry on 31 May 1952 and be ...

, India's National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama, and the highest Indian recognition given to practicing artists, and later she was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2010. She has also received an honorary D. Litt degree from the

Karnataka State Open University Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) is a distance learning university founded in 1996, located in Mysore in the Indian state of Karnataka Karnataka (; ISO: , , also known as Karunāḍu) is a state in the southwestern region of India. ...

in 2009.

Personal life

She married K. Ananda Raju and the couple has 2 adopted daughters along with her biological daughter Sushma Veer.

Filmography

As actress

*''

Emme Thammanna ''Emme Thammanna'' is a 1966 Indian Kannada-language film produced and directed by B. R. Panthulu. It stars Rajkumar, Dikki Madhava Rao, Bharathi Vishnuvardhan. The supporting cast features Narasimharaju, Subbanna, Krishna Shastry, B. R. Pa ...

'' (1966) *''

Bhale Adrushtavo Adrushta ''Bhale Adrushtavo Adrushta'' (Kannada: ಭಲೇ ಅದೃಷ್ಟವೋ ಅದೃಷ್ಟ) is a 1971 Indian Kannada film, directed by K. S. L. Swamy. The film stars Kalpana, B. V. Radha, Gangadhar and Srinath in the lead roles. The film has ...

''(1971) * '' Devaru Kotta Vara'' (1976) * ''

Jeevana Chakra ''Jeevana Chakra'' () is a 1985 Kannada-language film starring Vishnuvardhan, Raadhika and Ramesh Bhat, and directed by H. R. Bhargava. The film was a remake of the 1983 Telugu film ''Dharmaatmudu''. Cast * Vishnuvardhan as Ranganath *Raadh ...

'' (1985) * '' Ee Bandha Anubandha'' (1987) * ''

Sundara Swapnagalu ''Sundara Swapnagalu'' ( kn, ಸುಂದರ ಸ್ವಪ್ನಗಳು) is a 1986 Kannada melodrama film directed by K. Balachander and written by Maniyan. The film featured Sridhar in the main role, along with Ramesh Aravind, making his on-s ...

'' (1987) * '' Malgudi Days'' (1987) * ''

Kotreshi Kanasu ''Kotreshi Kanasu'' ( kn, ಕೊಟ್ರೇಶಿ ಕನಸು, ''Dream of Kotreshi'') is a 1994 Indian Kannada language film directed by Nagathihalli Chandrashekar starring Vijay Raghavendra and Karibasavaiah. The film won two National Film ...

'' (1994) * ''

'' (1997) * '' Deveeri'' (1999) * '' Kadamba'' (2003) * ''

Durgi Durgi is a village in Palnadu district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is the mandal headquarters of Durgi mandal in Gurazala revenue division. In 15th century, Durgi stone craft was originated in the village. Geography Durgi is si ...

'' (2004) * ''

'' (2006) * ''

Ee Preethi Yeke Bhoomi Melide ''Ee Preethi Yeke Bhoomi Melide'' () is a 2007 Indian Kannada-language romance film directed, written and enacted by Prem. The film also features Rohini, Namratha and Sharan in other pivotal roles. Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat appeared i ...

'' (2007) * '' Banada Neralu'' (2009) * ''

Ishtakamya ''Ishtakamya'' is a 2016 Kannada romantic comedy film directed by Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar is based on the 1980s novel of the same name written by Dodderi Venkatagiri Rao. The film features Vijay Suriya of ''Agni Sakshi'' fame, Mayuri Kyat ...

'' (2016) * ''

Kiragoorina Gayyaligalu ''Kiragoorina Gayyaligalu'' ) is a 2016 Indian Kannada-language drama film directed by Sumana Kittur, based on a novel of the same name written by Poornachandra Tejaswi. It stars Shwetha Srivatsav, Sukrutha Wagle, Karunya Ram, Sonu, and Man ...

'' (2016) * ''

Maasthi Gudi ''Masti Gudi'' is a 2017 Indian Kannada-language action film directed by Nagshekar, starring Duniya Vijay who is also credited for the film's story, Kriti Kharbanda and Amulya in lead roles. On 7 November 2016, actors Anil Kumar and Raghava U ...

'' (2017) * '' Mookajjiya Kanasugalu'' (2019)

As dubbing artist

As playback singer

* '' Naga Devathe'' (2000) - Haalundu Hoge * ''

Kothigalu Saar Kothigalu Kothigalu Saar Kothigalu (Kannada:''ಕೋತಿಗಳು ಸಾರ್ ಕೋತಿಗಳು'') () is a 2001 Indian Kannada comedy film directed by Rajendra Singh Babu. The film stars Ramesh Aravind, S. Narayan, Mohan, Prema, Tara and Urvas ...

''(2001) - Bondana Dummina * ''

'' (2004) - Bilthave Nodeega * ''

Nanna Preethiya Hudugi ''Nanna Preethiya Hudugi'' () is a 2001 Indian Kannada-language romance film directed and written by Nagathihalli Chandrashekar. It stars newcomers Dhyan and Deepali in lead roles and actors such as Lokesh, Bhavya and Suresh Heblikar in other p ...

''(2001) - Car Car * ''

Preethi Prema Pranaya ''Preethi Prema Pranaya'' is a 2003 Indian Kannada-language drama film written and directed by Kavitha Lankesh. The film features an ensemble cast of Anant Nag, Bharathi Vishnuvardhan, Sudharani, Prakash Raj, Bhavana, Anu Prabhakar and Sunil ...

'' (2003) - Kabbina Jalle * '' Bhagawan'' (2004) - Gopalappa * '' Jogi'' (2005) - Chikku Bukku Rail * '' Mata'' (2006) - Thandaa Thaayee * ''

Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige ''Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige'' (), is a 2007 Kannada-language film directed by Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar starring Vishnuvardhan (actor), Vishnuvardhan. The film depicts the challenges faced by the people living in rural areas of India.http:// ...

'' (2007) - Baaro Nam Therige

References

External links

Spandana Theatre, website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jayashree, B. 1950 births Living people Actresses from Bangalore Indian stage actresses National School of Drama alumni Kannada playback singers Nominated members of the Rajya Sabha Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts Indian theatre directors Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award Actresses in Kannada cinema Indian film actresses Rajya Sabha members from Karnataka Politicians from Bangalore Indian actor-politicians Actresses in Kannada theatre 20th-century Indian actresses 21st-century Indian actresses 20th-century Indian singers 20th-century Indian women politicians 20th-century Indian politicians 21st-century Indian women politicians 21st-century Indian politicians Indian women playback singers Singers from Bangalore 20th-century Indian women singers 21st-century Indian women singers 21st-century Indian singers Women musicians from Karnataka Women members of the Rajya Sabha