Pasupuleti Kannamba

Pasupuleti Kannamba Biography

Pasupuleti Kannamba was a well-established actress, singer and producer of Telugu cinema. She acted in more than 170 films and produced about 25 films in Telugu and Tamil languages. She was one of the earliest actresses of south Indian cinema who was active in the industry during 1930’s and 1940’s. She was married to Kadaru Nagabhushanam, who directed her in the movies, Harischandra (debut film) and Navajeevanam. Their daughter was married to noted film director, Chittajallu Srinivasa Rao though divorced later. As a film producer, Navajeevanam (1949) was awarded as the best film by Combined Madras state.

Kannamba was born in Eluru on September 20, 1912 as per records. She started her acting career as a stage actor at the age of 13 and her popular roles include - Sati savitri, Anasuya and Chandramati. She debut big screen with Harischandra in 1935 directed by Kadaru Nagabhushanam, her future husband and went on to act in more than 150 movies. Draupadi Vastrapaharanam, Kanakadhara, Saranagadhara, Gruhalakshmi and Chandika are the movies that made her a popular actress. Kannagi and Palnati Yudham are her noted Tamil movies. She was paired opposite great actor Chittor V. Nagaiah in 1941 released movie, Ashok Kumar. She was paired with P. U. Chinnappa in the movies - Kannagi, Mahamaya, Harischandra and Tulasi Jalandhar.

She got married to Kadaru Nagabhushanam in the year 1941. After that she turned a producer. They started "Raja Rajeswari Films" which released about 30 movies. Sumati, Padhuka Pattabhishekam, Saudamani, Peda Raitu, Lakshmi, Sri Krishna Tulabharam, Sati Sakkubhai, Sati Anasuya and Navajeevanam were thei noted movies as film producers. She died at a young age of 51 years on May 7, 1964 in Chennai. Following her death, her husband was fully broken down. He sold his properties and had to live in poor condition in Chennai till he died in 1976.

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Updated: January 30, 2014