Santhakumari (malayalam Actress)

Santhakumari (malayalam Actress) Biography

Santhakumari is a veteran Malayalam actress best known for playing character roles. In a career spanning to more than 4 decades, she has appeared in around 250 films in small and supporting roles. In 1977 she received the prestigious Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress for the movie, Chuvanna Vithukal. In 2011 she received Kerala Film Critics Association Awards – Chalachithra Prathibha Award, for her contributions towards Malayalam cinema. She has also appeared in short films like 'Nerariyathe' and her performance was critically acclaimed. She is regular with Television shows too. Enthino Pookunna Pookal (1982), Pingami (1994) and Aavanazhi (1986) are her major movies.

Santhakumari was born to Narayanan and Karthyayani at Kochi, Kerala. She had 9 siblings and she was born as 8^th child to her parents. She had her primary education from Thevara C.C.P.L.M High school, Ernakulam. After she joined entertainment field, she married Velayudhan and had two daughters. Her husband is deceased now. She joined film industry with 1977 social drama Manimuzhakkam directed by P. A. Backer. It was followed by yet another social drama - Chuvanna Vithukal, directed by the same director, where she shared screen space with Nilambur Balan, Kunjava and Nilambur Ayisha. She received her only state award with this movie.

Though she had a great start in Malayalam films, she mostly got supporting roles later. Yet she created a niche of her own through her talent and acting skills and has become a part of more than 250 films. Over the years she worked with all leading actors and directors of film industry. She has been a part of TV shows like Gajarajan Guruvayur Keshavan, Stree, Bhagyadevatha, Indraneelam, Chinthavishtayaya Seetha, Ammuvinte Amma etc. The actress is best known for playing mother roles.

Published: February 27, 2019

Updated: February 27, 2019