Padmini, an actress of yesteryears who was paired with popular heroes like MGR, Sivaji Ganesan, Raj Kapoor, Prem Nazir and Dev Anand, died of cardiac arrest at a hospital in Chennai on Sunday night.

The 74-year-old actress and dansuese is survived by a son, who is settled in the United States.

A classical dancer, Padmini started learning dance at an early age of four and came to film industry in 1949. She had paired with popular heroes like M G Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan, Prem Nazir, Raj Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand.

Leaving the film carreer after her marriage with Dr K T Ramachandran, she left for the United States, where she started the famous Padmini School of Fine Arts at New Jersey.

Born in Poojapura in Thiruvananthapuram on July 12, 1932, she along with her elder sister Lalitha and younger sister Ragini were called the 'Famous Travancore Sisters'.

Two of the trio died two years back. Her husband also passed away in 1981, after which she came back to India and started acting in Tamil films. Her role as a dancer in 'Thillana Mohanambal' pairing with Sivaji Ganesan, had won critical acclaim.

Even on Saturday last, she made a public appearance to participate in the film world felicitation to Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. Family sources said the funeral would take after the arrival of her son Anand from US.