Pandari Bai
Pandaribai began her career in acting in plays based on mythological stories before making her film debut in 1943 with the Kannada language film, "Vani". She appeared in the 1954 Kannada film "Bedara Kannappa" opposite Rajkumar. In the film, she played Neela, wife of Kanna (played by Rajkumar), a hunter. She established herself as a lead actress portraying a woman with a "progressive" image assuming the burdens of a feudal patriarchy in films such as "Sant Sakhu" (1955) and "Rayara Sose" (1957). In 1959, she appeared in "Abba Aa Hudugi", with her sister Mynavathi. The film is considered a landmark in Kannada cinema.
Later in her career Pandari Bai played the mother of stars older than her, most of whom had played the lead with her in her earlier years.
Career
She is considered Kannada cinema's first successful heroine.