P. K. Rosy (Rajamma, Rosamma, Rajammal) was an Indian actress who acted in the first Malayalam film “Vigathakumaran” (The Lost Child) in 1928. She was born on 10 February 1903 in Nandankode, Trivandrum. She was born to a Pulaya family and her father died when she was very young, leaving her family in poverty. Despite facing opposition from society, which viewed acting as a serious profession as licentious or “loose” for women, Rosy pursued her love for the arts and acting. She is widely regarded as a trailblazer in the Malayalam film industry and has been honored with a Google Doodle on her 120th birthday. Here are some questions about PK Rosy with answers that will help you to know more about her.
32 Questions About PK Rosy With Answers
Who was P. K. Rosy?
P. K. Rosy was an Indian actress in Malayalam cinema.
When was P. K. Rosy born?
P. K. Rosy was born on 10 February 1903.
What was P. K. Rosy’s birth name?
P. K. Rosy’s birth name was Rajamma, later changed to Rosamma and also known as Rajammal.
When was Rajamma born?
Rajamma was born in 1903.
Where was Rajamma born?
Rajamma was born in Nandankode, Trivandrum.
To which family did Rajamma belong?
Rajamma belonged to a Pulaya family.
What was Rajamma’s occupation during her younger years?
During her younger years, Rajamma was a grass-cutter.
Was P. K. Rosy the first actress in Malayalam cinema?
Yes, P. K. Rosy was the first actress in Malayalam cinema.
What was P. K. Rosy’s debut film?
P. K. Rosy’s debut film was Vigathakumaran (The Lost Child), directed by J. C. Daniel.
Who encouraged Rajamma to pursue her interest in the arts?
Rajamma’s uncle encouraged her to pursue her interest in the arts.
What was Rajamma’s main area of study in the arts?
Rajamma studied Kakkirasi Nattakam, a form of Tamil folk theatre.
Was acting considered a woman’s work during Rajamma’s time?
No, acting was not considered a woman’s work during Rajamma’s time.
How did society view women who considered acting as a serious profession?
Society labeled women who considered acting as a serious profession as licentious or “loose”.
Why did Rajamma choose to pursue a career in acting despite societal pressure?
Rajamma chose to pursue a career in acting despite societal pressure because of her love for the arts.
How did Rajamma get the name “Rosy”?
The origin of Rajamma’s name “Rosy” is disputed. Some claim her family converted to Christianity and changed her name from Rajamma to Rosamma, while others claim it was given to her by Daniel.
Did Rajamma’s entire family convert to Christianity?
No, according to her nephew, only Daniel converted to Christianity to enable Rajamma to study. The rest of the family, including Rajamma’s mother, remained Hindu.
How did P. K. Rosy become the heroine of J. C. Daniel’s film?
P. K. Rosy became the heroine of J. C. Daniel’s film after the first prospective heroine proved unsuited for the role. She had become skilled in Kaakirasi by 1928, which led her to step into the role.
What was the character that P. K. Rosy portrayed in the film?
P. K. Rosy portrayed the character of Sarojini, a Nair woman, in the film.
How did members of the Nair community react to P. K. Rosy playing a Nair character in the film?
Members of the Nair community were enraged to see a Dalit woman portray a Nair in the film.
Did prominent members of the film industry attend the opening of Vigathakumaran?
No, prominent members of the film industry at the time refused to come and inaugurate the opening of Vigathakumaran if P. K. Rosy was physically present there. This includes the famous lawyer Madhoor Govindan Pillai.
Did P. K. Rosy attend the opening of Vigathakumaran?
Yes, P. K. Rosy attended the opening of Vigathakumaran, despite the director J. C. Daniel not inviting her for fear of a backlash. She was made to watch a second showing by those boycotting the event.
What happened to P. K. Rosy’s home after she acted as a Nair in the film?
After acting as a Nair in the film, her home was reportedly burnt down by upper castes.
Where did PK Rosie go after burning the house?
Reports state that P. K. Rosy fled to Tamil Nadu in a lorry that was headed there, married the lorry driver Kesavan Pillai, and lived her life quietly as “Rajammal”.
Did P. K. Rosy’s children know about her brief stardom in the film industry?
No, P. K. Rosy’s children knew nothing of her brief stardom other than she was a theatre artist and currently live as Nairs, Pillai’s caste.
Who discovered the story of Rosy’s film in the late 1960s?
The story of Rosy’s film was first rediscovered in the late 1960s by Chengalatt Gopalakrishnan.
Who wrote the first article about Rosy’s life in 1971?
Kunnukuzhi published the first article about Rosy’s life in 1971.
Who directed the biopic on J.C. Daniel, partially based on the life of Rosy?
The biopic on J.C. Daniel, partially based on the life of Rosy, was directed by Kamal in 2013.
Who portrays Rosy in the biopic on J.C. Daniel?
Rosy was portrayed by newcomer Chandni Geetha in the biopic on J.C. Daniel.
What was the name of the novel that the biopic on J.C. Daniel was partially based on?
The biopic on J.C. Daniel was partially based on the novel Nashta Naayika by Vinu Abraham.
What were the two other films made about the life of Rosy?
The two other films made about the life of Rosy were “The Lost Child” and “Ithu Rosiyude Katha (This is Rosy’s Story)”.
What is the name of the society of women actors in Malayalam cinema named after Rosy?
The society of women actors in Malayalam cinema named after Rosy is the “PK Rosy Film Society”.
Who honored Rosy with a doodle on the occasion of her 120th birthday on 10 February 2023?
Rosy was honored with a doodle by Google on the occasion of her 120th birthday on 10 February 2023.
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Image source: Google
