![]() | This article may be written from a fan's point of view, rather than a neutral point of view .(December 2020) |
Sukumari Amma | |
---|---|
| |
Born | |
Died | 26 March 2013 72) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India | (aged
Occupation | |
Years active | 1946 – 2013 |
Spouse | |
Children | 1 |
Parent(s) | Madhavan Nair Sathyabhama Amma |
Relatives | Travancore family |
Sukumari Amma (6 October 1940 – 26 March 2013) was an Indian actress best known for her works in Malayalam and Tamil films. [1] In a career spanning more than five decades, She has appeared in more than 2500 films predominantly in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, along with few Hindi and one each in Sinhala, French, Bengali, Tulu, English and Kannada films. [2] Sukumari began acting at the age of 10. [3] In 2003, she was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India for her contributions toward the arts. [4] She won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Tamil film Namma Gramam (2010). [5] Sukumari died on 26 March 2013 in Chennai, following a heart attack. [6]
Sukumari was born on 6 October 1940 [7] in Nagercoil, Travancore (Currently in Tamil Nadu), to Malayali parents Madhavan Nair (a bank manager) and Sathyabhama Amma of Tharishuthala Valia Veedu in Kalkulam (in present-day Kanyakumari District). Sathyabhama Amma was the niece of Narayani Pillai Kunjamma, a famous beauty who spurned the king in favour of marrying the aristocratic landowner Kesava Pillai of Kandamath [8] Through her cousin, Ambika Sukumaran, she is related to the Travancore Royal Family.
She studied at Poojappura LP School until second grade; she then moved to Madras, where she studied until fourth forum. [9] She had four sisters (Rajakumari, Sreekumari, Jayasree and Girija) and one brother, Shankar. Lalitha, Padmini, Ragini (Travancore Sisters) were her cousins.
Sukumari was noticed by a director when she visited the sets of a film with Padmini, and she made her film debut in the lead role in the Tamil film Or Iravu. [10] She acted in various Malayalam and Tamil Films of the black and white era, such as Udhyogastha , by P. Venu, Chettathi, Kusruthikkuttan, Kunjali Marakkar, Thacholi Othenan, Yakshi and Karinizhal. She later became popular after starring in various films of Priyadarshan such as Poochakkoru Mookkuthi , Oodarathuammava Aalariyam, Boeing Boeing and Vandanam . She also appeared in various films directed by Balachandra Menon such as Manicheppu Thurannappol and Karyam Nissaram. [10] In later years, she played a major role in Nizhalkuthu (2002), directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan. [11] She played many notable mother roles.
She mastered dance forms like Kathakali, Bharathanatyam, Kerala Natanam and many musical instruments. From the age of seven, she performed all over India and different parts of the world including USA, Singapore, Malaysia, Ceylon, Australia and so on. Sukumari is also known for her stage career in her early days, most prominently as a member of Cho Ramaswamy's theatre group; Viveka Fine Arts (more than 5000 stage shows). She was a member of Y. G. Parthasarathy's and Pattu's drama troupe; United Amateur Artists (more than 1000 stage shows), Rajasulochana's dance troupe; Pushpanjali (more than 5000 stage shows), Travancore Sisters' Dancers of India troupe (many stage shows), T. D. Kusalakumari's troupe; (more than 1000 stage shows) and Padmini's independent dance drama troupe;Premanand Pictures (many stage shows) etc. for many decades. Awards in the name of Sukumari have been instituted for the memory like "Vanita Ratnam Award" : in the field of acting. "Mikacha Nadi Sukumari Puraskaram" by ACTA annakkara, "Sukumari Smaraka Foundation Award" by True Indian Information and Guidance Society and "Famea Sukumari Puraskaram".
Her memoirs in the film industry have been compiled in a book called "Ormakalude Vellithira" by M.S Dileep. "Sukumari Sradhanjali Parambara" is another book on her.
Sukumari married director A. Bhimsingh in 1959. He died in 1978, when she was 38. The couple had a son, Suresh, who has acted in films such as Amme Narayana, Yuvajanotsavam and Cheppu , and is a professional doctor. Suresh married Uma, a costume designer. Suresh and Uma have a son named Vignesh. [12]
On 26 March 2013, Sukumari died from a cardiac arrest at a hospital in Chennai, where she was receiving treatments for burns she had sustained while lighting a traditional lamp at her residence in February 2013. [6] [13] [14] [15]
Following her death, several South Indian personalities offered their condolences. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, who had co-starred with Sukumari, said in a condolence message that Sukumari had left a unique imprint on South Indian cinema and theatre with her talents. Kerala's Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy called Sukumari a "phenomenon in Malayalam cinema". Actor and Minister for Cinema K. B. Ganesh Kumar said actors in the Malayalam film industry had lost "the loving presence of a mother in the sets". Leader of the Opposition V. S. Achuthanandan called Sukumari's death a "huge loss for Indian cinema". Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala said Sukumari would be remembered for "the diversity of characters that she gave life to". Communist Party of India State Secretary Pannian Ravindran said Sukumari was "an unforgettable acting genius". Union Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs K. V. Thomas described Sukumari as an actor who conquered the film scene with her unique acting style. [16] South Indian Film Artistes Association president R. Sarathkumar remembered the actress as being an inspiration to others. Actor and renowned television producer Raadhika recalled Sukumari's many dance performances. [17] Actor and president of Association of Malayalam Movie Artists Innocent said at a condolence meeting at Kochi that her death was an irreparable loss to Malayalam film industry. South Indian film star Mohanlal likened her death to the loss of "a mother, sister and a good friend". Speaker G. Karthikeyan also expressed grief at her death. [18] Director Shaji Kailas deemed her loss an "irreparable one for the film industry". [19]
Year | Award | Category | Film | Language | Role |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2003 | Civilian awards | Padma Shri | |||
2011 | National Film Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Namma Gramam | Tamil | Ammini Ammal |
1974 | Kerala State Film Awards | Second Best Actress | Chattakkari | Malayalam | Margarette (Maggie) |
1979 | Kerala State Film Awards | Second Best Actress | Various films | Malayalam | |
1983 | Kerala State Film Awards | Second Best Actress | Koodevide , Karyam Nissaram | Malayalam | Dr.Susan,Annie |
1986 | Kerala State Film Awards | Second Best Actress | Arappatta Kettiya Gramathil | Malayalam | Devaki |
1990 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Kalai Selvam Award | Tamil | ||
1991-1992 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Kalaimamani Award | Tamil | ||
2000 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Sivaji Ganesan Award | Tamil | ||
2005 | Filmfare Awards | Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award | |||
1998 | Asianet Film Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Samaantharangal | Malayalam | Aishu |
2005 | Asianet Film Awards | Lifetime Achievement Award | Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada | ||
2006 | Asianet Film Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Malayalam | ||
1979 | Kerala Film Critics Award | Best Supporting Actress | Ezhunirangal | Malayalam | Sharada's mother |
1982 | Kerala Film Critics Award | Best Supporting Actress | Chiriyo Chiri | Malayalam | Sukumari (Herself) |
1985 | Kerala Film Critics Award | Best Supporting Actress | Arappatta Kettiya Gramathil | Malayalam | Devaki |
Kerala Film Critics Award | Chalachithra Ratnam | Malayalam | |||
2000 | Kerala Film Critics Award | Special Award for Contribution to the Film Industry | Malayalam | ||
2011 | Kerala Film Critics Award | Chalachitra Pratibha | Malayalam | ||
1967 | Kerala Film Critics Association Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Various films | Malayalam | |
1974 | Kerala Film Critics Association Awards | Special Award | Chattakkari | Malayalam | Margarette (Maggie) |
1980 | Kerala Film Critics Association Awards | Best Character Actress | Malayalam | ||
1981 | Kerala Film Critics Association Awards | Best Character Actress | Malayalam | ||
1971 | Films Fans Association Awards – Madras | Best Supporting Actress | Thoraimugam | Tamil | |
1974 | Films Fans Association Awards – Madras | Best Supporting Actress | Chattakkari | Malayalam | Margarette (Maggie) |
1997 | Prachodanam Award | ||||
2000 | Gulf Malayalee Cine Awards | All Rounder of the Millennium | Malayalam | ||
2000 | KSFDC | Special Facilitation at Jubilee | Malayalam | ||
2000 | Lux Asianet Award | Special Honour | Malayalam | ||
2001 | Kala Kairali Awards | Special Award | |||
2001 | Dubai Kairali Kala Kendra Association Award | Lifetime Achievement Award | |||
2002 | Bharath Cine Awards | Tamil Thirai Ulaga Sagapthangal | Tamil | ||
2003 | Parvathypadmam Puraskaram | Lifetime Achievement Award | |||
2004 | Kerala Woman Beauticians Association: TV Serial Award | Best Character Artist | Avicharitham | Malayalam | |
2005 | Sangam Kala Group | Lifetime Achievement Award | Malayalam | ||
2005 | Federation of Kerala Associations in North America (FOKANA) | Contribution to Malayalam films. | Malayalam | ||
2007 | SICA Award | Lifetime Achievement Award | |||
2007 | P.S. John Endowment Award | ||||
2007 | Malayala Chalachithra Parishad | Lifetime Achievement Award | Malayalam | ||
2007 | Ernakulam Press Club Award | Lifetime Achievement Award | Malayalam | ||
2007 | Kala Abu Dhabi Award | Kala Ratnam Award | |||
2007 | Prem Nazir Award | Malayalam | |||
Sathyan Award (Kerala Cultural Forum) | Malayalam | ||||
2008 | Mathrubhumi Amrita Film Awards | Amrita Chalachitra Saparya Puraskaram | Malayalam | ||
2008 | Nippon Paints Award | Lifetime Achievement Award | |||
2009 | Telefest Award | Best Actress | Mizhikal Sakshi | Malayalam | Kooniamma/Nabisa |
2009 | Atlas Critic Award | Malayalam | |||
2009 | Asia Television U.A.E | ||||
2009 | World Malayalee Council India region & Kairali Channel Award | Best Supporting Actress | Mizhikal Sakshi | Malayalam | Kooniamma/Nabisa |
2010 | Gurupranamam, Honour by MACTA | Lifetime Achievement | Malayalam | ||
2010 | Thrissur Jilla Souhruida Award | Malayalam | |||
2011 | Bahadoor Award | Malayalam | |||
Trivandrum Film Fraternity | Malayalam | ||||
2011 | Act Puraskaram | Malayalam | |||
2012 | Asiavision TV Awards | Malayalam | |||
Sangeetha, UK Award | Abhinava Puraskaram | ||||
Trichur Nagar Sabha Award | Jangiya Award | Malayalam | |||
Prashasthi Pathram | Acting with two generation actors in different languages | ||||
Kala Kairali, Chennai Award | Abhinaya Bharathi | ||||
2001 | Honour by TVS Victor "Ammayodoppam" | ||||
2002 | Soorya Stage & Film Society Honour | Felicitation for Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema | |||
2002 | Gurupooja, Soorya Festival Special Honour | Lifetime Achievement | |||
Honour by Kaniyapuram Rail View Residence Association | |||||
Pravasa Bharathi Karma Ratna Award | |||||
2000 | Narasimham 175 Days Celebration (Special Honour) | ||||
2003 | Ammayodoppam | ||||
2003 | Honour by Delhi Tamil Sangam | ||||
2005 | Honour by Jacey Foundation | ||||
2005 | Honour by Amrita TV Film Fraternity Awards | ||||
2006 | Honour by Samskara Samithi | ||||
2006 | Honour by Sree Poonthuruthi Muchilott Bhagavathi Temple | ||||
2007 | Honour by Sangamam show on Amrita TV | ||||
2012 | Honour by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry | ||||
2012 | ICCI Honour | ||||
2013 | Honour by Sundara Sowhrudam | ||||
2013 | Honour by Friends of Arts& Cultural Entertainments (FACE Dubai) - "Thriveni Sangamam" | ||||
2013 | Indiavision Live Poll - Favourite Actress (100 Years of Indian Cinema) | Second position | |||
Sukumari got appeared in various print features, audio-visual endorsements,online promotions, commercial public campaigns etc.
Malayalam cinema is an Indian film industry of Malayalam-language motion pictures. It is based in Kerala, India. The films produced in Malayalam cinema are known for their cinematography and story-driven plots. In 1982, Elippathayam won the Sutherland Trophy at the London Film Festival, and Most Original Imaginative Film of 1982 by the British Film Institute. Rajiv Anchal's Guru (1997), Salim Ahamed's Adaminte Makan Abu (2011) and Lijo Jose Pellissery's Jallikkattu (2019) were Malayalam films sent by India as its official entries for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Academy Awards.
Shobana Chandrakumar Pillai is an Indian actress and Bharatanatyam dancer. She acts predominantly in Malayalam films along with Telugu and Tamil films with few Hindi, Kannada and English films. She has won two National Film Awards, one Kerala State Film Awards, two Filmfare Awards South, with 14 Nominations for Best Actress Category in three different south Indian languages, Tamil Nadu State's Kalaimamani Award in 2011 and numerous other awards.
Jasmine Mary Joseph, known professionally as Meera Jasmine, is an Indian actress who appears primarily in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada language films.
Travancore Sisters refers to the trio of Lalitha, Padmini and Ragini who were actresses, dancers and performers in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Kannada films.
Manju Warrier is an Indian actress, producer, classical dancer and playback singer who primarily appears in Malayalam language films. She is the recipient of several awards including one National Film Award, one Kerala State Film Award and seven Filmfare Awards South. She is regarded as one of the most prolific actresses in Malayalam cinema.
Kaviyoor Ponnamma is an Indian actress who appears in Malayalam films and television. She began her career performing in theatre dramas before foraying into cinema. She has also acted in TV serials and commercials and has playback singing credits in few films. Ponnamma is a four-time Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actress winner. Her sister Kaviyoor Renuka was also an actress. Often called as the Mother to all actors, she has acted as mother of almost all actors in her career panning over decades. At the age of 20, she played the mother of Sathyan and Madhu in the 1965 movie Thommente Makkal. She gained critical acclaim for acting as the mother of the actor Mohanlal.
Mahalakshmi Menon, best known by her stagename Shobha, was an Indian actress best known for her work in Malayalam and Tamil films. At the age of 17, she won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her role in the 1979 Tamil film Pasi. She also received three Kerala State Film Awards: for Best Actress (1978), Best Supporting Actress (1977) and Best Child Artist (1971); and two Filmfare Awards South for Best Actress in Kannada (1978) and Tamil (1979) films. Considered one of the finest talents to have emerged in the Indian film world, her promising career was unexpectedly cut short as she committed suicide in 1980, due to unknown reasons. Her popularity resulted in considerable public scrutiny of the events that led to her death and also various conspiracy theories. The 1983 Malayalam film Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback is supposedly based on her life and death.
Kavitha Ranjini, known by the stage name Urvashi, is an Indian actress, dubbing artist, television host, scriptwriter and producer known for her works in the Southern film industry, predominantly in Malayalam and Tamil films.
Thazhathupurakkal Karunakara Panicker Rajeev Kumar is a National Award-winning Indian director of Malayalam films, from Trivandrum. He is the winner of five Kerala State Film Awards for Best Film, Director, Story Writer & Script Writer, a show director, theatre actor and percussionist (Mridangam). He is a founding member and leader of the musical band Blue Birds in 1980 and Super Mimics, a comedy show in 1979. He is also the Kerala University winner of Mono Act in the University Youth Festivals 1980–1982 and Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy winner for Mono Act 1979–1982.
Adoor Bhavani was an Indian actress in Malayalam cinema, best known for her appearance in the National Award-winning film Chemmeen (1965), directed by Ramu Kariat. She had acted in about 450 films, including Mudiyanaya Puthran, Thulabharam, Kallichellamma, and Anubhavangal Paalichakal. Her last film was K. Madhu-directed Sethurama Iyer CBI. She was also a stage actress and was associated with popular theatre group KPAC.
Maheshwari Amma, better known by her stage name K. P. A. C. Lalitha, was an Indian film and stage actress who worked primarily in Malyalam. She started her acting career with K. P. A. C., a theatre collective in Kayamkulam, Kerala. In a career spanning five decades, she starred in over 550 films.
Twenty:20 is a 2008 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film written by Udayakrishna-Siby K. Thomas and directed by Joshiy. The film stars Mohanlal, Mammootty, Suresh Gopi, Jayaram and Dileep. The film was produced and distributed by actor Dileep through Graand Production and Manjunatha Release. The film was produced on behalf of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) as a fundraiser to financially support actors who are struggling in the Malayalam film industry. All the actors in AMMA worked without payment in order to raise funds for their welfare schemes.
Marthanda Varma is a 1933 black and white Indian silent film directed by P. V. Rao, based on the 1891 Malayalam novel by C. V. Raman Pillai. This was the first film based on Malayalam literature and the next film of the Malayalam film industry after Vigathakumaran.
Padmini Ramachandran was an Indian actress and trained Bharatanatyam dancer, who acted in over 250 Indian films. She acted in Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu and Russian language films. Padmini, with her elder sister Lalitha and her younger sister Ragini, were called the "Travancore sisters".
Lenaa is an Indian actress and scriptwriter who appears predominantly in Malayalam cinema.
Priyanka Nair is an Indian model-turned-actress who predominantly works in Malayalam film industry. She made her debut in the Tamil film Veyyil in 2006. She gained critical acclaim for her roles in Bhoomi Malayalam, Vilapangalkappuram and Jalam.
Lalitha was an Indian actress and dancer. She was the eldest of the "Travancore Sisters"—Lalitha, Padmini, and Ragini. She started her acting career in the 1948 Tamil film Adhithan Kanavu and has acted in movies of different Indian languages including Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu. She entered films before her sisters, concentrating more on Malayalam films, and was mostly cast in vamp roles.
Venkiteswaran Chittur Subramanian is an Indian film critic, professor, documentary filmmaker, writer and occasional subtitler from Chalakudi, Kerala, India, who writes predominantly in English and Malayalam. He won the National Film Award for Best Film Critic in 2009.
Anumol is an Indian actress, predominantly acting in Malayalam and Tamil films. She appeared in Malayalam movies such as Chayilyam (2014), Ivan Megharoopan (2012), Akam (2011), Vedivazhipadu (2013) and Jamna Pyari (2015).