- Born
- Died
- Sukumari was a legendary Indian actress, widely regarded as one of the most versatile and accomplished artists in the South Indian film industry. She was born in Nagercoil, Travancore, British India (present-day Tamil Nadu, India), as Sukumari Bhimsingh.
With a career spanning over six decades, Sukumari showcased her remarkable talent in more than 2,500 films in various languages, including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi. She made her acting debut at the age of 10 in the Tamil film "Or Iravu" in 1951, directed by D. Yoganand. Sukumari's dedication and proficiency in multiple languages allowed her to become an indispensable part of the Indian film fraternity.
Known for her exceptional versatility, Sukumari effortlessly portrayed a wide range of characters, from poignant and emotional roles to comedic and character-driven performances. She collaborated with some of the most eminent directors and actors in the industry, earning accolades for her contributions to cinema.
Apart from her work in films, Sukumari also made a mark in the television industry with memorable roles in popular series. Her impeccable acting skills and captivating screen presence earned her numerous awards, including the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actress for her performance in the film "Samantha" (1973).
Sukumari's enduring legacy goes beyond her acting prowess; she was also a trained classical dancer and a respected academician. She authored several books on various subjects, showcasing her intellectual depth.
The iconic actress left an indelible impact on the South Indian film industry, and her body of work continues to be celebrated by audiences and critics alike. Sukumari's remarkable career came to a close on March 26, 2013, when she passed away at the age of 72. Despite her physical absence, her contributions to Indian cinema and her legacy as a multifaceted artist remain alive through the timeless performances she delivered throughout her illustrious career.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Shrinivas G. Kulkarni
- SpouseA. Bhimsingh(? - January 16, 1978) (his death, 1 child)
- In 2003, was honored by the Government of India with the Padma Shri Award, which recognizes distinguished service to the nation.
- Started acting when she was only ten years old. She danced her way into cinema, starring first as a child artiste in Ore Iravu (1951), and then continued her performance in films portraying a wide variety of roles such as heroine, character artiste, comedian, vamp, mother and grandmother.
- Born in Nagarcoil to Madhavan Nair and Sathyabhama, she left them early in life to study dance with her aunt Saraswathi in Chennai, alongside her first cousins the famous Travancore sisters - Lalitha, Padmini, Ragini.
- With a career lasting over 50 years, she has acted with a generation of movie stars, and in more than 2000 films in Malayalam, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Oriya and Bengali. She is listed in the Guiness Book of Records for this feat.
- Has been awarded the Kerala State Awards for Best Supporting Actress for: Arappatta Kettiya Graamathil (1986), Koodevide? (1983), Karyam Nissaram (1983), 1979, and Chattakkari (1974).
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