<p>Veteran Kannada actor Jayanthi passed away due to ill health at her residence in Banashankari, Bengaluru, on Monday. She was 76. </p>.<p>Called 'Abhinaya Sharadhe' (Goddess Sharadhe in acting), Jayanthi was a prominent name in the Kannada industry from 1960 to the late 80s. Having acted in over 500 films, Jayanthi has won six State awards (four Best Actress and two Best Supporting Actress). </p>.<p>Born in Ballari, Jayanthi was a classical dancer who went on to become an acting stalwart by performing in versatile roles. She deservingly won the Dr Rajkumar Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005-06. </p>.<p>Jayanthi also tasted success in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi, and Hindi cinema. In Kannada, she has worked with thespian Dr Rajkumar and iconic filmmakers like Puttanna Kanagal and Dorai-Bhagwan in several cult-classic films. </p>.<p>Jayanthi made her debut in YS Swamy's <em>Jenu Goodu</em>, the Kannada film that starred Udaykumar. Her earliest collaborations with Rajkumar such as <em>Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddha</em> (1963) and <em>Chandavalliya Thota</em> (1964) were commercial hits. </p>.<p>With films like <em>Jedara Bale</em> (1968), <em>Choori Chikkanna</em> (1969), <em>Sri Krishnadevaraya</em> (1970), <em>Paropakari</em> (1970), and <em>Kasturi Nivasa</em> (1971), the Rajkumar-Jayanthi pair struck a chord with the audience. </p>.<p>Jayanthi's acting was marked with a unique voice and strong expressions. Sharing screen space with Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhan, and Ambareesh — the Sandalwood triumvirate of the era — she held her own with her terrific screen presence. </p>.<p>Her cameo in Puttanna's <em>Naagarahaavu</em> (1972) is a case in point. She immortalised Onake Obbava, the courageous woman who took on the Hyder Ali army in the Kingdom of Chitradurga. Killing the enemies with a pestle, Jayanthi's ferocious eyes, and a performance that depicted the indomitable will of Obbava, Jayanthi won the hearts of people. </p>.<p>The actor had a keen eye for unusual scripts. She broke stereotypes by starring in films that spoke of female desire and questioned conservative beliefs.</p>.<p>For instance, in <em>Miss Leelavathi</em> (1965) she played the titular character who prioritsed career over marriage. The film won a National Award. </p>.<p>In Puttanna's <em>Edakallu Guddada Mele</em> (1973), Jayanthi played Madhavi, who cannot control her sexual desires after marrying an impotent ex-army man. These films were seen as experimental projects and people found them hard to digest. </p>.<p>When it came to fashion and attire in Kannada cinema, Jayanthi broke boundaries. She carried off glamorous roles in T-shirts and skirts with great confidence and conviction. Jayanthi is credited for being the first Kannada heroine to wear a swimsuit on the screen. </p>.<p>Jayanthi shared screen space with the top heroes of Indian cinema such as Prithviraj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor (both in Hindi), NTR (Telugu), and MGR, and Shivaji Ganesan (Tamil). </p>.<p>The Kannada film industry condoled the demise of the veteran actor. </p>
<p>Veteran Kannada actor Jayanthi passed away due to ill health at her residence in Banashankari, Bengaluru, on Monday. She was 76. </p>.<p>Called 'Abhinaya Sharadhe' (Goddess Sharadhe in acting), Jayanthi was a prominent name in the Kannada industry from 1960 to the late 80s. Having acted in over 500 films, Jayanthi has won six State awards (four Best Actress and two Best Supporting Actress). </p>.<p>Born in Ballari, Jayanthi was a classical dancer who went on to become an acting stalwart by performing in versatile roles. She deservingly won the Dr Rajkumar Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005-06. </p>.<p>Jayanthi also tasted success in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi, and Hindi cinema. In Kannada, she has worked with thespian Dr Rajkumar and iconic filmmakers like Puttanna Kanagal and Dorai-Bhagwan in several cult-classic films. </p>.<p>Jayanthi made her debut in YS Swamy's <em>Jenu Goodu</em>, the Kannada film that starred Udaykumar. Her earliest collaborations with Rajkumar such as <em>Sri Ramanjaneya Yuddha</em> (1963) and <em>Chandavalliya Thota</em> (1964) were commercial hits. </p>.<p>With films like <em>Jedara Bale</em> (1968), <em>Choori Chikkanna</em> (1969), <em>Sri Krishnadevaraya</em> (1970), <em>Paropakari</em> (1970), and <em>Kasturi Nivasa</em> (1971), the Rajkumar-Jayanthi pair struck a chord with the audience. </p>.<p>Jayanthi's acting was marked with a unique voice and strong expressions. Sharing screen space with Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhan, and Ambareesh — the Sandalwood triumvirate of the era — she held her own with her terrific screen presence. </p>.<p>Her cameo in Puttanna's <em>Naagarahaavu</em> (1972) is a case in point. She immortalised Onake Obbava, the courageous woman who took on the Hyder Ali army in the Kingdom of Chitradurga. Killing the enemies with a pestle, Jayanthi's ferocious eyes, and a performance that depicted the indomitable will of Obbava, Jayanthi won the hearts of people. </p>.<p>The actor had a keen eye for unusual scripts. She broke stereotypes by starring in films that spoke of female desire and questioned conservative beliefs.</p>.<p>For instance, in <em>Miss Leelavathi</em> (1965) she played the titular character who prioritsed career over marriage. The film won a National Award. </p>.<p>In Puttanna's <em>Edakallu Guddada Mele</em> (1973), Jayanthi played Madhavi, who cannot control her sexual desires after marrying an impotent ex-army man. These films were seen as experimental projects and people found them hard to digest. </p>.<p>When it came to fashion and attire in Kannada cinema, Jayanthi broke boundaries. She carried off glamorous roles in T-shirts and skirts with great confidence and conviction. Jayanthi is credited for being the first Kannada heroine to wear a swimsuit on the screen. </p>.<p>Jayanthi shared screen space with the top heroes of Indian cinema such as Prithviraj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor (both in Hindi), NTR (Telugu), and MGR, and Shivaji Ganesan (Tamil). </p>.<p>The Kannada film industry condoled the demise of the veteran actor. </p>