P. Shanta Kumari

Shanthakumari was an actress, producer, and singer of Indian origin. She was born in Proddatur in Andhra Pradesh as Vellaala Subbamma to a family of artists. Her mother was a trained singer and her father was an actor. She started learning music and playing violin quite early in her childhood. She also was a part of a theatre ensemble. At the age of 16, she was performing on All India Radio (AIR). She even sang with S. Rajeswara Rao for a program on AIR. She also taught at Vidyodaya School in Madras. In 1936 she made her acting debut in the film Mayabazaar after director P. V. Das discovered her at a music event. In the movie, she played the role of Sasirekha. She made her acting debut much against the will of her parents as they wanted their daughter to pursue her career in singing but she was rigid in her decision.

In 1937, she featured in the movie Sarangadhara directed by P. Pullayya to whom she got married. They both founded the production house PadmaSree Pictures which produced movies like Shavukaru (1950), Ramudu Bheemudu (1964), Preminchi Choodu (1965), Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam (1960), and Ardhangi (1955). Later they also founded Ragini Pictures. In 1968, she was honored with the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award for her contribution to the Telugu industry with a total of 250 films to her credit. Her filmography includes Muttaiduva, Prem Nagar, Akka Chellelu Akka Chellelu is a Telugu language soap opera that >> Read More... , Kalaivanan, Siri Sampadalu, Bommala Pelli, Ponni, Policekaran Magal, Vidivelli, Sarangadhara, Balaji, Daasi, etc. She died at the age of 85 years in 2006.