Potpourri of titbits about cinema - Madhuri Devi

‘Mayakkum vizhiyaal’ Madhuri Devi

Madhuri Devi, the dream girl of yesteryears hypnotized everybody with her beauty, acting talent, clear diction and above everything else, her intoxicating eyes. Her given name was Claura. Her husband S. Mukherjee produced a few films including ‘Rohini’ and ‘Mala oru mangala vilakku’. ‘Kumari’, released in 1952 was Madhuri Devi’s first film with MGR. Then followed her films that included ‘Mohini’, ‘En thangai’ and ‘Manthiri kumari’. The songs “vaaraay, nee vaaraay …” and “ulavum thendral kaatrinile …” in ‘Manthiri kumari’, casting Madhuri in the sequences are still remembered by the elders and appreciated by the youngsters of today! She acted not only as heroine but also as vamp. And, she was a comedienne in the films ‘Vaayaadi’ and ‘Poli Panchali’, released in the year 1940. She drew applauses for her performance as a rich girl in the Sivaji-starrer ‘Manithanum mirugamum’. She left cinema around the year 1962. She died a few years ago after her health suffered a big setback.