Sukumari

Sukumari (6 October 1940 – 26 March 2013) was an Indian actress best known for her works in Malayalam and Tamil films. In a career spanning more than five decades, she appeared in more than 2,500 films predominantly in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, along with a few Hindi and one each in Sinhala, French, Italian, Bengali, Tulu, English and Kannada films. Sukumari began acting at the age of 10. In 2003, she was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India for her contributions toward the arts. She won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Tamil film Namma Gramam (2010). Sukumari died on 26 March 2013 in Chennai, following a heart attack.

Early life Sukumari was born on 6 October 1940 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.Kerala Council for Historical research Family History Papers Tharishuthala by K. K. N http://www.keralahistory.ac.in/family.htm 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. She had four sisters (Rajakumari, Sreekumari, Jayasree and Girija) and one brother, Shankar. Lalitha, Padmini and Ragini (Travancore Sisters) were her cousins.

Career 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 Ore Iravu.Before moving to Chennai, she started learning dance from her Valiyamma Karthyaniyamma. 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, Odaruthammava Aalariyam, Boeing Boeing and Vandanam. She also appeared in various films directed by Balachandra Menon such as Manicheppu Thurannappol and Karyam Nissaram. In later years, she played a major role in Nizhalkuthu (2002), directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan. She played many notable mother roles most notably with Mammootty.

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, and Australia. 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.

Personal life 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.

Death 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.

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. South Indian Film Artistes Association president R. Sarathkumar remembered the actress as being an inspiration to others. Actor and renowned television producer Radhika recalled Sukumari's many dance performances. 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. Malayalam movie star Mammootty had expressed his grief at her death. 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. Director Shaji Kailas deemed her loss an "irreparable one for the film industry".

Filmography

Awards and honours

Year Award Category Film 2003 Civilian awards Padma Shri 2011 National Film Awards Best Supporting Actress Namma Gramam1974Kerala State Film AwardsSecond Best ActressChattakkari1979Kerala State Film Awards Second Best Actress Various films1983Kerala State Film AwardsSecond Best ActressKoodevide, Karyam Nissaram1986Kerala State Film AwardsSecond Best ActressArappatta Kettiya Gramathil 1990Tamil Nadu State Film AwardsKalai Selvam Award1991-1992Tamil Nadu State Film AwardsKalaimamani Award 2000Tamil Nadu State Film AwardsSivaji Ganesan Award2005Filmfare Awards Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award 1998Asianet Film AwardsBest Supporting Actress Samaantharangal2005Asianet Film AwardsLifetime Achievement Award2006Asianet Film AwardsBest Supporting Actress1979Kerala Film Critics AwardBest Supporting ActressEzhunirangal1982Kerala Film Critics AwardBest Supporting ActressChiriyo Chiri1985Kerala Film Critics AwardBest Supporting ActressArappatta Kettiya Gramathil2000Kerala Film Critics Association AwardsChalachitra Ratnam Award 2000Kerala Film Critics AwardSpecial Award for Contribution to the Film Industry2011Kerala Film Critics AwardChalachitra Pratibha1967Kerala Film Critics Association AwardsBest Supporting ActressVarious films 1974Kerala Film Critics Association AwardsSpecial Award Chattakkari1980Kerala Film Critics Association AwardsBest Character Actress1981Kerala Film Critics Association AwardsBest Character Actress1971Films Fans Association Awards – MadrasBest Supporting Actress Thoraimugam1974Films Fans Association Awards – MadrasBest Supporting Actress Chattakkari1997Prachodanam Award2000Gulf Malayalee Cine AwardsAll-rounder of the Millennium2000KSFDC Special Facilitation at Jubilee2000Lux Asianet Award Special Honour2001Kala Kairali AwardsSpecial Award 2001Dubai Kairali Kala Kendra Association AwardLifetime Achievement Award2002Bharath Cine AwardsTamil Thirai Ulaga Sagapthangal 2003Parvathypadmam PuraskaramLifetime Achievement Award2004Kerala Woman Beauticians Association: TV Serial Award Best Character Artist Avicharitham2005Sangam Kala Group Lifetime Achievement Award2005Federation of Kerala Associations in North America (FOKANA)Contribution to Malayalam films.2007SICA AwardLifetime Achievement Award2007P.S. John Endowment Award2007 Malayala Chalachithra ParishadLifetime Achievement Award2007Ernakulam Press Club AwardLifetime Achievement Award2007Kala Abu Dhabi AwardKala Ratnam Award2007Prem Nazir Award Sathyan Award (Kerala Cultural Forum)2008Mathrubhumi Amrita Film AwardsAmrita Chalachitra Saparya Puraskaram2008Nippon Paints AwardLifetime Achievement Award 2009Telefest AwardBest Actress Mizhikal Sakshi2009Atlas Critic Award2009Asia Television U.A.E2009World Malayalee Council India region & Kairali Channel AwardBest Supporting ActressMizhikal Sakshi2010Gurupranamam, Honour by MACTALifetime Achievement2010Thrissur Jilla Souhruida Award2011Bahadoor AwardTrivandrum Film Fraternity2011Act Puraskaram2012Asiavision TV AwardsSangeetha, UK AwardAbhinava PuraskaramTrichur Nagar Sabha AwardJangiya AwardPrashasthi PathramActing with two generation actors in different languagesKala Kairali, Chennai AwardAbhinaya Bharathi 2001Honour by TVS Victor "Ammayodoppam"2002Soorya Stage & Film Society HonourFelicitation for Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema2002Gurupooja, Soorya Festival Special HonourLifetime AchievementHonour by Kaniyapuram Rail View Residence AssociationPravasa Bharathi Karma Ratna Award2000Narasimham 175 Days Celebration (Special Honour)2003Ammayodoppam2003Honour by Delhi Tamil Sangam2005Honour by Jacey Foundation2005Honour by Amrita TV Film Fraternity Awards2006Honour by Samskara Samithi2006Honour by Sree Poonthuruthi Muchilott Bhagavathi Temple2007Honour by Sangamam show on Amrita TV2012Honour by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry2012ICCI Honour2013Honour by Sundara Sowhrudam2013Honour by Friends of Arts& Cultural Entertainments (FACE Dubai) – "Thriveni Sangamam"2013Indiavision Live Poll – Favourite Actress (100 Years of Indian Cinema)Second position

Sukumari

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