Santha Kumari (born Vellaala Subbamma; 17 May 1920 – 16 January 2006) was an Indian musical artist and actress. She was married to the Telugu film director and producer P. Pullayya.

Santha Kumari
Shanthakumari (1949)
Born
Vellala Subbamma

17 May 1920
Died16 January 2006 (aged 85)
OccupationActress
Years active1936-1979
SpouseP. Pullayya

Early years

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Vellaala Subbamma was born in Proddatur town, (Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh) to Sreenivasa Rao and Pedda Narasamma. Her father was an actor and her mother was a classical music singer. Santhakumari learned classical music and violin under the guidance of Professor P. Sambamurthy and was a junior to D. K. Pattammal. She joined a drama troupe and was an AIR artiste by the age of sixteen. She came to Madras (now Chennai) to pursue a career in music. She found employment in Vidyodaya School for a remuneration of Rs 2 per month. She sang along with music director S. Rajeswara Rao for AIR.

Film career

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P. V. Das, producer and director of Mayabazaar (also known as Sasirekhaa Parinayam) was scouting for a young girl to play Sasirekha. He saw Subbamma at a music concert. At the time, she was teaching music at Vidyodaya School, Madras. Das liked her mellifluous voice and innocence, essential qualities to portray Sasirekha's character. Her parents were against her joining films. They wanted to see her as classical singer. Subbamma was adamant and resorted to hunger strike. On the fourth day they relented. Das changed her name as Santhakumari. The film released in 1936.[1]

In the following year she was a member of the cast of Sarangadhara, a film that was directed by P. Pullayya, whom she met and married in the same year.

The couple used the name of PadmaSree Pictures, named after their daughter Padma, for some of their movies and had success with films such as Jayabheri (1959), Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam (1960), and Preminchi Choodu (1965). Santhakumari acted in most of the movies that were made by her husband, including Shavukaru (1950), Ardhangi (1955), Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam (1960), Santhi Nivasam (1960), and Ramudu Bheemudu (1964).

In 1947, the couple started the Ragini Pictures banner with Bheemavarapu Narasimha Rao and Bhakta Jana. They made 22 films on both PadmaSree and Ragini banners put together.

She played many lead and supporting roles, with around 250 appearances in total.[citation needed]

Awards and recognition

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For her contributions to Telugu Cinema, Santha Kumari was awarded the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award in 1998.

Filmography

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This is partial filmography of Santha Kumari. Kindly help expanding it.

Year Film Credits Character Language
1936 Sasirekha Parinayam Actress Sasirekha Telugu
1937 Sarangadhara Actress and playback singer Chitrangi Telugu
1938 Bhakta Jayadeva Actress Telugu
1939 Balaji Actress and playback singer Consort of Venkateswara Telugu
1941 Dharmapatni Actress and playback singer Telugu
Parvati Kalyanam Actress Telugu
1943 Krishna Prema Actress and playback singer Radha Telugu
1945 Mayalokam Actress and playback singer Telugu
1948 Bhaktha Jana Actress Tamil
1949 Gunasundari Katha Actress Rupasundari Telugu
1950 Shavukaru Actress and playback singer Santhi Telugu
1952 Dharmadevata Actress Kathyayini Telugu
1952 Daasi Actress Parvathamma Telugu
1953 Velaikari Magal Actress Parvathamma Tamil
1953 Ponni Actress Tamil
1955 Ardhangi Actress and playback singer Telugu
1955 Pennin Perumai Actress Tamil
1957 Sarangadhara Actress Queen Rathnangi Telugu
1958 Sarangadhara Actress Queen Rathnangi Tamil
1958 Bommai Kalyanam Actress Thangam Tamil
1958 Bommala Pelli Actress Telugu
1959 Jayabheri Actress Annapoorna Telugu
1959 Kalaivanan Actress Annapoorna Tamil
1960 Sri Venkateswara Mahatmyam Actress Vakula Telugu
1960 Vidivelli Actress Chandru's Mother Tamil
1962 Siri Sampadalu Actress Telugu
1962 Policekaran Magal Actress Tamil
1964 Ramudu Bheemudu Actress Telugu
1965 Preminchi Choodu Actress Telugu
1967 Prana Mithrulu Actress Jagadamba Telugu
1970 Akka Chellelu Actress Mother of Judge Ramachandra Rao Telugu
1970 Talla Pellamma Actress Telugu
1971 Prem Nagar Actress Telugu
1971 Pavitra Hrudayalu Actress Telugu
1972 Koduku Kodalu Actress Telugu
1972 Vasantha Maligai Actress Anand and Vijay's mother Tamil
1975 Piriyavidai Actress and singer Tamil
1976 Secretary Actress Telugu
1976 Andharu Bagundali[2] Actress Janakamma Telugu
1977 Gadusu Pillodu[3] Actress Mother of Sudarshanam Telugu
1979 Muttaiduva Actress Telugu

See also

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References

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  1. ^ M. L., Narasimham (26 December 2010). "Mayabazaar (1936)". The Hindu.
  2. ^ "Andharu Bagundali (1976)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Gadusu Pillodu (1977)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
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