Latha Rajinikanth
Encyclopedia
Latha Rajinikanth is an India
n philanthropist
, film producer
, playback singer
, and the wife of actor Rajinikanth. She is the founder and correspondent of The Ashram, a Chennai
-based school, and is the chairperson of her daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth
’s production company, Ocher Studios.
family in Chennai
, India. She graduated with a Master of Arts
degree in English literature from Stella Maris College in Chennai in 1980.
in Tamil cinema
. She sung a few songs in films; notable examples include "Netru Indha Neram" from the Kamal Haasan
-starrer Tik Tik Tik (1981) and "Kadavul Ullamae" from Anbulla Rajinikanth
(1984). She also contributed to Rajini 25 (1999), a musical album that commemorated Rajinikanth's 25 years of his career.
In 1991, Latha founded The Ashram, a philanthropic school for young children based in Velachery
, Chennai
, which currently heads. She is expected to work with her daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth
for producing the film Rana
.
. Her elder daughter, Aishwarya married actor Dhanush
in 2004 and they have two sons, Yathra and Linga. Her younger daughter Soundarya married Chennai-based Industrialist Ashwin Ramkumar on Sep 3, 2010. She is also the sister-in-law of veteran playwright Y. G. Mahendran and Bollywood
actress Vyjayanthimala
is also her relative.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n philanthropist
Philanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
, film producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
, playback singer
Playback singer
A playback singer is a singer whose singing is prerecorded for use in movies. Playback singers record songs for soundtracks, and actors or actresses lip-sync the songs for cameras, while the actual singer does not appear on screen.-South Asia:...
, and the wife of actor Rajinikanth. She is the founder and correspondent of The Ashram, a Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
-based school, and is the chairperson of her daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth
Soundarya Rajinikanth
Soundarya Rajinikanth Ashwin is a film graphic designer, producer and director in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India who has contributed in several Tamil films. Soundarya Rajinikanth is most popularly known for her work in Anbe Aaruyire...
’s production company, Ocher Studios.
Early life and education
Latha was born in a IyengarIyengar
Iyengar or Ayyangar is a caste given to Hindu Brahmins of Tamil origin who follow the Visishtadvaita philosophy propounded by Sri Ramanujacharya. They are found mostly in Tamil Nadu as they are generally native to the Tamil Nadu state of the Republic of India...
family in Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
, India. She graduated with a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degree in English literature from Stella Maris College in Chennai in 1980.
Career
During the 1980s, Latha worked as a playback singerPlayback singer
A playback singer is a singer whose singing is prerecorded for use in movies. Playback singers record songs for soundtracks, and actors or actresses lip-sync the songs for cameras, while the actual singer does not appear on screen.-South Asia:...
in Tamil cinema
Tamil cinema
Tamil cinema is the film industry based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to the production of films in the Tamil language. It is based in Chennai's Kodambakkam district, where several South Indian film production companies are headquartered...
. She sung a few songs in films; notable examples include "Netru Indha Neram" from the Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan is an Indian film actor, screenwriter and director, considered to be one of the leading method actors of Indian cinema. He is widely acclaimed as an actor and is well known for his versatility in acting...
-starrer Tik Tik Tik (1981) and "Kadavul Ullamae" from Anbulla Rajinikanth
Anbulla Rajinikanth
Anbulla Rajinikanth is a 1984 Tamil film directed by K.Natraj. The film stars Rajinikanth, Meena, and Ambika with Jaishankar, Raadhika and Bhagyaraj in guest roles.-Plot:...
(1984). She also contributed to Rajini 25 (1999), a musical album that commemorated Rajinikanth's 25 years of his career.
In 1991, Latha founded The Ashram, a philanthropic school for young children based in Velachery
Velachery
-Geography:Velachery has mostly areas of hard rock, and a big marshland in the southern region of the area. It is said that this marshland was once a natural bird sanctuary. But nowadays, due to encroachment and rapid real estate development, the sanctuary has disappeared. Even today there is a big...
, Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
, which currently heads. She is expected to work with her daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth
Soundarya Rajinikanth
Soundarya Rajinikanth Ashwin is a film graphic designer, producer and director in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India who has contributed in several Tamil films. Soundarya Rajinikanth is most popularly known for her work in Anbe Aaruyire...
for producing the film Rana
Rana (film)
Rana is an upcoming historical action film co-written and directed by K. S. Ravikumar starring Rajinikanth, whose story the film will be based upon. Deepika Padukone has been signed on as the female lead. The film will be jointly produced by Ocher Picture Productions and Eros International. The...
.
Personal life
Latha married Rajinikanth on February 26, 1981 at Tirupati, whom she met during an exclusive interview. The couple have two daughters, Aishwarya and SoundaryaSoundarya Rajinikanth
Soundarya Rajinikanth Ashwin is a film graphic designer, producer and director in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India who has contributed in several Tamil films. Soundarya Rajinikanth is most popularly known for her work in Anbe Aaruyire...
. Her elder daughter, Aishwarya married actor Dhanush
Dhanush
Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja , better known by his stage name Dhanush , is an Indian film actor, occasional playback singer and lyricist, working in the Tamil film industry...
in 2004 and they have two sons, Yathra and Linga. Her younger daughter Soundarya married Chennai-based Industrialist Ashwin Ramkumar on Sep 3, 2010. She is also the sister-in-law of veteran playwright Y. G. Mahendran and Bollywood
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
actress Vyjayanthimala
Vyjayanthimala
Vyjayanthimala Bali is an Indian film actress, Bharathanatyam dancer, carnatic singer, dance choreographer, golfer and a Parliamentarian....
is also her relative.