K. B. Sundarambal

Kodumudi Balambal Sundarambal (11 October 1908 – 19 September 1980) was an Indian actress and singer from Erode district, Tamil Nadu. She performed in Tamil cinema and was referred to as the "Queen of the Indian stage." A political activist during the Indian independence movement, K.B. Sundarambal was the first film personality to enter a state legislature in India.

Early years K.B. Sundarambal was born on 11 October 1908 in the town of Kodumudi on the banks of Kaveri river, in Erode district in Tamil Nadu. As a child, she made money by singing on trains and receiving tips.

Acting career According to some sources, it was a police official named Krishnaswamy Iyer, an acquaintance of Balambal, who discovered the talent in Sundarambal and introduced the 19-year-old girl to P. S. Velu Nair, one of the reigning dramatists of that era.

In either case, Sundarambal is believed to have made her debut in 1927, on the Tamil stage, as a member of a travelling theatre troupe. She honed her voice while performing small roles on stage and keeping audiences entertained between acts. Soon enough, she was playing leading roles on stage. Her early stage plays like "Valli Thirumanam," "Pavalakodi" and "Harishchandra" proved to be great hits. In particular, "Valli Thirumanam", where she co-starred with S.G. Kittappa, was a phenomenal success.

Personal life While working together in the theatre, Sundarambal met S. G. Kittappa. They were married in 1927. The couple, together became popular. S. G. Kittappa died in 1933. Sundarambal left the stage after his death, to pursue a career as a concert artiste. K.B. Sundarambal died on 19 September 1980.

Filmography

Sundarambal acted in films as well with notable appearances in Manimekhalai, Auvaiyar, Thiruvilayadal, Karaikal Ammaiyar and Kandan Karunai. She portrayed Tamil poet Avvaiyar in films Thiruvilayadal and Kandan Karunai. She also acted in social films such as Uyir Mel Aasai, Thunaivan and Gnayiru Thinggal. Gnayiru Thinggal was an unreleased film.

She sang in movies as well. She worked under music directors Mayavaram Venu, M. D. Parthasarathy, Parur S. Anantharaman, R. Sudharsanam, K. V. Mahadevan, S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, T. K. Ramamoorthy, M. S. Viswanathan and Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan.

Year Film Song Music Production company 1935 Nandanar (1935) 1. Piththam Theliya Marundhondrikkirathu2. Vazhi Maraithirukkudhe Asandas Classical Talkies 1940 Manimekalai 1. Maasindri Kulamaadhar2. Siraichalai Enna Seiyum3. Paavi Yen Pirandhen T. K. Productions 1953 Avvaiyar 1. Katrathu Kaiman Alavu2. Muthmizh Deivame Va3. Ayyane Anbarkku Meiyyane4. Ulaginile Thamizhnadu Uyarga5. Kooriya Vaalar6. Porumai Enum Nagai Anindhu7. Aram Seiyya Virumbuvelane8. Velane Senthamizh Viththaga....Mayilerum Vadivelane9. Koodi Nadandhukolla Vendum10. Kanni Thamizh Naattinile Vennilaave11. Gannanaathane Varuga12. Aalai Palaavaakkalamo13. Periyathu Ketkin14. Nellukku Iraitha Nir15. Munnai Nal Parikku16. Vennila Vea Mayavaram Venu, M. D. Parthasarathy & Parur AnantharamanGemini Studios 1964 Poompuhar1. Vazhkai Enum Odam2. Thappithu Vanthanappa3. Thunbamellam 4. Andru Kollum Arasan R. Sudharsanam Mekala Pictures1965Gnayiru Thinggal (Unreleased)1. Seeru Thamizh Paalundu Vetrikku Vel KonduM. S. Viswanathan 1965 Thiruvilaiyadal 1. Gnanapazhathai Pizhindhu2. Pazhaniyappa3. Vasi Vasi Endru4. Ondranavan K. V. Mahadevan Sri Vijayalakshmi Pictures 1966 Mahakavi Kalidas 1. Sendru Va Magane2. Kalathil Azhiyatha K. V. Mahadevan Kalpana Kalamandir 1967 Kandan Karunai 1. Ariyathu Ketkindra2. Muruga Muruga K. V. Mahadevan ALS Productions 1967 Uyir Mel Aasai 1. Kelu Papa, Kelu Papa, Kelvigal Aayiram Kelu Papa2. Nalla Ganapathi.... Thunbikkai Nadhan Thunai3. Iyappa Abayam Koduppathunthan Kaiyappa S. M. Subbaiah Naidu Ayyappan Productions 1969 Thunaivan 1. Gnanamum Kalviyum2. Kondadum Thiruchendu3. Andru Nee4. Koopitta Kuralukku5. Kondadum Thiruchendur K. V. Mahadevan Dandayudhapani Films 1972 Shakthi Leelai 1. Amma...Sakthiyenum Deivam Konda Padai Veedu2. Enggeyum Sakthi Undu T. K. Ramamoorthy Raman Pictures 1973 Karaikkal Ammaiyar 1. Odungal Odi Ullam Urugi....Thagathagavena Aada Vaa2. Iraivaa Un Pugazh Paduven3. Piravatha Varam Vendum4. Padugingen Unnai Padugingren5. Vaduvatha Or Pozhuthum Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan Eveeyaar Films 1973 Thirumalai Deivam 1. Ezhumalai Irukka Namakkenna Manakkavalai2. Nalellam Unthan Thirunale Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan Shanthi Combines

Political activism Sundarambal and her husband S.G. Kittappa had been much influenced by the Indian independence movement and they became ardent supporters of the Indian National Congress. They had harnessed their popularity and talents to further that cause. Sundarambal continued to champion the movement, recording several gramophone discs extolling the struggle and sacrifices it entailed. She also made it a point to always wear khadi. After India gained independence, K.B. Sundarambal entered the Legislative Council of Madras State in 1951 as a Congress nominee, thus becoming the first film artist to enter an Indian legislature.

Her mentor C.Satyamurthy was imprisoned by the British for participating in Quit India Movement in 1942.

Honours In 1964, the Tamil Isai Sangam conferred upon her the title of "Tamil Isai Perarignar (Most Learned in Tamil Music)." In 1970, the government of India awarded her the Padmashri for her contributions to the arts. She was awarded with the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer by the Government of India, for her work in Thunaivan. She also won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback for Thunaivan in 1969. She was also the first person in the Indian film industry to command a salary of one lakh rupees. She became the first lady member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.