Kodumudi Balambal Sundarambal (Aged 72) was born on October 10, 1908, in the Erode district of Tamil Nadu, India. She was an Indian theatre and film actress as well as a singer, often referred to as the “Queen of the Indian stage.” During the Indian independence movement, Sundarambal was a political activist and became the first film personality to enter a state legislature in India. As a child, she would sing on trains and receive tips to make money.
Sundarambal met S.G. Kittappa while working together in the theatre, and they were married in 1927. The couple became popular performers, but S.G. Kittappa passed away in 1933. Sundarambal then left the stage to pursue a career as a concert artist. She also acted in films, often actively campaigning for Congress party candidates during elections, and she always wore khadi to show her support for the Indian independence movement.
After India gained independence, Sundarambal became a Congress nominee and entered the Legislative Council of Madras State in 1951, becoming the first film artist to enter an Indian legislature. She was conferred with the title of “Tamil Isai Perarignar (Most Learned in Tamil Music)” by the Tamil Isai Sangam in 1964, and the government of India awarded her the Padmashri in 1970 for her contributions to the arts.
Sundarambal won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for her work in Thunaivan and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback for the same film 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 the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. Kodumudi Balambal Sundarambal passed away on September 19, 1980, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
K. B. Sundarambal
(1908 – 1980) – (Tamilnadu)
Kodumudi Balambal Sundarambal (Aged 72) was born on October 10, 1908, in the Erode district of Tamil Nadu, India. She was an Indian theatre and film actress as well as a singer, often referred to as the “Queen of the Indian stage.” During the Indian independence movement, Sundarambal was a political activist and became the first film personality to enter a state legislature in India. As a child, she would sing on trains and receive tips to make money.
Sundarambal met S.G. Kittappa while working together in the theatre, and they were married in 1927. The couple became popular performers, but S.G. Kittappa passed away in 1933. Sundarambal then left the stage to pursue a career as a concert artist. She also acted in films, often actively campaigning for Congress party candidates during elections, and she always wore khadi to show her support for the Indian independence movement.
After India gained independence, Sundarambal became a Congress nominee and entered the Legislative Council of Madras State in 1951, becoming the first film artist to enter an Indian legislature. She was conferred with the title of “Tamil Isai Perarignar (Most Learned in Tamil Music)” by the Tamil Isai Sangam in 1964, and the government of India awarded her the Padmashri in 1970 for her contributions to the arts.
Sundarambal won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for her work in Thunaivan and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback for the same film 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 the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. Kodumudi Balambal Sundarambal passed away on September 19, 1980, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
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