Santha Kumari

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.

Early years 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 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 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 a classical singer. Subbamma was adamant and resorted to a hunger strike. On the fourth day they relented. Das changed her name as Santhakumari. The film was released in 1936.

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 establihed a production house named PadmaSree Pictures, 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 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 under both the PadmaSree and Ragini banners put together.

She played many lead and supporting roles, with around 250 appearances in total.

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

Filmography This is partial filmography of Santha Kumari. Kindly help expanding it. Year Film Role Language Notes 1936 Sasirekha Parinayam Sasirekha Telugu 1937 Sarangadhara Chitrangi Telugu Also playback singer 1938 Bhakta Jayadeva Telugu 1939 Balaji Consort of Venkateswara Telugu Also playback singer 1941 Dharmapatni Telugu Also playback singer 1941 Parvati Kalyanam Telugu 1943 Krishna Prema Radha Telugu Also playback singer 1945 Mayalokam Telugu Also playback singer 1948 Bhaktha Jana Tamil 1949 Gunasundari Katha Rupasundari Telugu 1950 Shavukaru Santhi Telugu Also playback singer 1952 Dharmadevata Kathyayini Telugu 1952 Daasi Parvathamma Telugu 1953 Velaikari Magal Parvathamma Tamil 1953 Ponni Tamil 1955 Ardhangi Telugu Also playback singer 1956 Pennin Perumai Rajeswari Tamil 1957 Sarangadhara Queen Rathnangi Telugu 1958 Sarangadhara Queen Rathnangi Tamil 1958 Bommai Kalyanam Thangam Tamil 1958 Bommala Pelli Telugu 1959 Jayabheri Annapoorna Telugu 1959 Kalaivanan Annapoorna Tamil 1960 Sri Venkateswara Mahatmyam Vakula Telugu 1960 Vidivelli Chandru's Mother Tamil 1962 Siri Sampadalu Telugu 1962 Policekaran Magal Tamil 1964 Ramudu Bheemudu Telugu 1965 Preminchi Choodu Telugu 1967 Prana Mithrulu Jagadamba Telugu 1969 Sivandha Mann Janaki Tamil 1970 Akka Chellelu Mother of Judge Ramachandra Rao Telugu 1970 Talla Pellamma Telugu 1971 Prema Nagar Telugu 1971 Pavitra Hrudayalu Telugu 1972 Koduku Kodalu Telugu 1972 Vasantha Maligai Anand and Vijay's mother Tamil Reused scenes from Prema Nagar 1975 Piriyavidai Tamil Also playback singer 1976 Secretary Telugu 1976Andharu BagundaliJanakammaTelugu1977Gadusu PilloduMother of SudarshanamTelugu 1979 Muttaiduva Telugu

Santha Kumari

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