# 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 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

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.
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.

## 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 | 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 |
| 1941 | 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 | Actress | Janakamma | Telugu |
| 1977 | Gadusu Pillodu | Actress | Mother of Sudarshanam | Telugu |
| 1979 | Muttaiduva | Actress | | Telugu |