Product Code Database
Sukumari Amma (6 October 1940 – 26 March 2013) was an Indian actress best known for her works in Malayalam cinema and Tamil cinema films. In a career spanning more than five decades, She has appeared in more than 2500 films predominantly in Malayalam, Tamil language, Telugu language, along with few Hindi and one each in Sinhala language, French language, Italian language,Bengali language, Tulu language, English language 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 Gramam (2010). Sukumari died on 26 March 2013 in Chennai, following a heart attack.
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, Ragini (Travancore Sisters) were her cousins.
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.
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".
| 2003 | Civilian awards | Padma Shri | |||
| 2011 | National Film Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Namma Gramam | Tamil language | 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 language 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 |
| 2000 | Kerala Film Critics Association Awards | Chalachitra Ratnam Award | 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 | |||
target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Wayback Machine:
|
|
