Madurai Saurashtra Sundari Bai (2 March 1923 – 12 March 2006) was an Indian actress, singer and dancer who worked mainly in

Tamil cinema Tamil cinema, also known as Kollywood is a part of Indian Cinema; primarily engaged in production of motion pictures in the Tamil language. Based out of the Kodambakkam neighbourhood in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, it is popularly called ''Kollywood' ...

from the 1940s to the 1970s. Sundari Bai was the wife of writer and director

Kothamangalam Subbu Kothamangalam Subbu (born S. M. Subramanian, 10 November 1910 – 15 February 1974) was an Indian poet, lyricist, author, actor and film director based in Tamil Nadu. He wrote the cult classic Tamil novel ''Thillana Mohanambal'' and was awarded ...

. Her most notable films include '' Aadmi'' (1939), '' Madanakamarajan'' (1941), ''

Nandanar Nandanar (also spelt as Nantanar), also known as Tirunalaippovar (Thirunaallaippovaar (The one who will go tomorrow)) and Tiru Nalai Povar Nayanar,Other names include: Nandan (Nanda, Nantan), Tirunalaipovanar, Nalaippovar, Nalaippovan was a ...

'' (1942), ''

Dasi Aparanji ''Dasi Aparanji'' is a 1944 Indian Tamil-language historical fantasy film directed by B. N. Rao and produced by S. S. Vasan. The film stars Pushpavalli and M. K. Radha. It revolves around the antics of king Vikramadithan after his soul enters th ...

'' (1944), ''

Kannamma En Kadhali ''Kannamma En Kadhali'' () is a 1945 Indian Tamil-language film starring M. K. Radha and M. S. Sundari Bai in the lead roles. The film was directed by Kothamangalam Subbu, marking his directorial debut. No print of the film is known to survive, ...

'' (1945), '' Miss Malini'' (1947), '' Chandralekha'' (1948), ''

Avvaiyyar ''Avvaiyar'' is a 1953 Indian Tamil-language historical drama film directed by Kothamangalam Subbu, and produced by S. S. Vasan. The film stars K. B. Sundarambal as the title character. It was released on 15 August 1953. Plot When a childle ...

'' (1953), ''

Vanjikottai Valiban ''Vanji Kottai Valipan'' () is a 1958 Indian Tamil-language Ruritanian romance film written by the Gemini Studios story department, consisting of K. J. Mahadevan, C. Srinivasan and Kothamangalam Subbu, while the film was directed and produced by ...

'' (1958), '' Deivapiravi'' (1960), '' Padikkadha Medhai'' (1960) and '' Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal'' (1976).

Biography

Sundari Bai was born in

Madurai Madurai ( , also , ) is a major city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Madurai District. As of the 2011 census, it was the third largest Urban agglomeration in ...

in 1923, and belonged to the Saurashtra community. A family friend persuaded her parents to send her to Bombay (now

Mumbai Mumbai (, ; also known as Bombay — the official name until 1995) is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the ''de facto'' financial centre of India. According to the United Nations, as of 2018, Mumbai is the second- ...

). In the 1930s, she appeared in an advertisement film. When film producer

S. S. Vasan Subramaniam Srinivasan (4 January 1904 – 26 August 1969), popularly known by his screen name S. S. Vasan, was an Indian journalist, writer, advertiser, film producer, director and business tycoon. He is the founder of the Tamil-language maga ...

bought

Krishnaswami Subrahmanyam K. Subramaniyam (20 April 1904 – 7 April 1971), born Krishnasamy Subramaniyam, was an Indian film director of the 1930s and 1940s. Dancer Padma Subrahmanyam is his daughter. Biography Subramanyam was involved in the establishment of the T ...

's MPPC Studio and renamed it Gemini Studios in 1940, Sundari Bai joined Gemini as staff artiste. She appeared in a major role in Gemini's first Tamil production '' Madanakamarajan'' (1941). She played a slum girl in ''

'' (1942), while her role as a maid in ''

'' (1944) elevated her fame. She later fell in love with

, another member of the Gemini staff who was a writer, actor, and director, and married him. In 1945, Sundari Bai played the lead in ''

'', a

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

film written by Subbu. In 1947, Gemini produced the critically acclaimed but commercially unsuccessful '' Miss Malini'', written and directed by Subbu, who also played the male lead. Sundari Bai acted and sang two songs in this film that became hits. She later went on to act in various films including '' Chandralekha'', '' Samsaram'', ''

Moondru Pillaigal ''Moondru Pillaigal'' () is a 1952 Indian Tamil-language drama film produced by S. S. Vasan. Based on Victor Fleming's 1927 American film ''The Way of All Flesh'', it is about a couple and their three sons. The film was directed by Nagendra Rao ...

'', ''

Avvaiyar Avvaiyar (Tamil: ஔவையார்) was the title of more than one female poet who were active during different periods of Tamil literature. They were some of the most famous and important female poets of the Tamil canon. Abidhana Chinta ...

'', ''

Valliyin Selvan ''Valliyin Selvan'' () is a 1955 Indian Tamil-language children's film written and directed by Kothamangalam Subbu. The film stars Lalitha, Sahasranamam, M. S. Sundari Bai and S. V. Subbaiah. Plot A rich man is childless and wants to remar ...

'', '' Enga Veettu Mahalakshmi'', ''

'', '' Deivapiravi'', ''

Naan Kanda Sorgam ''Naan Kanda Sorgam'' () is a 1960 Indian Tamil-language fantasy comedy film directed and produced by C. Pullayya. The film stars K. A. Thangavelu and Sowcar Janaki. It is a remake of the 1958 Bengali film '' Jamalaye Jibanta Manush'', and wa ...

'', '' Padikkadha Medhai'', ''

Paadhai Theriyudhu Paar ''Paadhai Theriyudhu Paar'' () is a 1960 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Nemai Ghosh. The film stars K. Vijayan and S. V. Subbaiah. The film had musical score by M. B. Sreenivasan. The film won the National Film Award for Best F ...

'' and '' Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal''.

Filmography

* '' Madanakamarajan'' (1941) * ''

'' (1942) * ''

'' (1944) * ''

'' (1945) * '' Miss Malini'' (1947) * '' Chandralekha'' (1948) * ''

'' (1952) * ''

Mr. Sampat ''Mr. Sampat'' is a 1952 Indian Hindi-language satirical film produced and directed by S. S. Vasan of Gemini Studios. It is based on R. K. Narayan's 1949 novel '' Mr. Sampath – The Printer of Malgudi'', and the Tamil film ''Miss Malini ...

'' (1952) * ''

'' (1953) * ''

'' (1955) * ''

Bommai Kalyanam ''Bommai Kalyanam'' (; colloquially: Fake wedding) is a 1958 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film, directed by R. M. Krishnaswamy. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Jamuna and Mynavathi. It was simultaneously produced in Telugu as ''Bommala ...

'' (1958) * ''

Paththarai Maathu Thangam ''Paththarai Maathu Thangam'' () is a 1959 Indian Tamil language film produced and directed by K. S. Mani. The film stars N. N. Kannappa, T. S. Balaiah and Pandari Bai. It was released on 22 May 1959. Plot Cast The following list was adap ...

'' (1959) * '' Deivapiravi'' (1960) * '' Padikkadha Medhai'' (1960) * ''

Palum Pazhamum ''Palum Pazhamum'' (; ) is a 1961 Indian Tamil-language film directed by A. Bhimsingh. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and B. Saroja Devi. It was released on 9 September 1961. The film was remade in Kannada as ''Beratha Jeeva'', and in Hindi as ' ...

'' (1961) * ''

Manithan Maravillai ''Manithan Maravillai'' () is a 1962 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama film written, co-produced and directed by Chakrapani and produced by Nagi Reddi under Vijaya Productions. It is a remake of the Telugu film ''Gundamma Katha'', which itse ...

'' (1962) * '' Annai Illam'' (1963) * ''

Thulasi Maadam ''Thulasi Maadam'' () is a 1963 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed by K. B. Srinivasan and written by Thamizhmaaran. The film stars A. V. M. Rajan, Gemini Chandraknatha (in dual roles), V. Gopalakrishnan and Sharadha. Plot ...

'' (1963) * '' Aandavan Kattalai'' (1964) * ''

Motor Sundaram Pillai ''Motor Sundaram Pillai'' is a 1966 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by S. S. Balan and written by Veppathur Kittoo. A remake of the Hindi film ''Grahasti'' (1963), itself based on the American film ''The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker'' ...

'' (1966) * '' Selvam'' (1966) * ''

Pesum Dheivam ''Pesum Deivam'' () is a 1967 Indian Tamil-language drama film, directed by K. S. Gopalakrishnan and produced by R. Balasubramaniam. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini, S. V. Ranga Rao and S. V. Sahasranamam. It was released on 14 April 19 ...

'' (1967) * ''

Ooty Varai Uravu ''Ooty Varai Uravu'' () is a 1967 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by C. V. Sridhar. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, K. R. Vijaya, R. Muthuraman and L. Vijayalakshmi. It was Vijaylakshmi's last film before her m ...

'' (1967) * ''

Galatta Kalyanam ''Galatta Kalyanam'' () is a 1968 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film directed by C. V. Rajendran and written by Gopu. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa. It is based on Gopu and Sridhar's play of the same name. The film, ...

'' (1968) * ''

En Thambi ''En Thambi'' () is a 1968 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by A. C. Tirulokchandar. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and B. Saroja Devi, with K. Balaji and Nagesh in supporting roles. It is a remake of 1966 the Telugu film ''Aastiparulu.'' T ...

'' (1968) * ''

Jeevanaamsam Jeevanamsam () is a 1968 Indian Tamil language drama film, directed and written by Malliyam Rajagopal. The film is based on his play of the same name. It stars Jaishankar and C. R. Vijayakumari, while A. V. M. Rajan, Pushpalatha, Sivakumar, de ...

'' (1968) * ''

Kanavan ''Kanavan'' ( ) is a 1968 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by P. Neelakantan, starring M. G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa, with C. R. Vijayakumari, S. A. Ashokan, Cho among others. It was released on 15 August 1968. Plot Vellaiya is ...

'' (1968) * ''

Thirudan ''Thirudan'' () is a 1969 Indian Tamil-language action film, directed by A. C. Tirulokchandar. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, K. R. Vijaya, K. Balaji and Vijayalalitha. It is a remake of the Telugu language, Telugu film ''Adrushtavanthulu'' ( ...

'' (1969) * ''Kanmalar'' (1970) * '' Irulum Oliyum'' (1971) * ''

Thangaikkaaga ''Thangaikkaaga'' () is a 1971 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by D. Yoganand. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Vennira Aadai Nirmala and Lakshmi. It was released on 6 February 1971. Plot Cast *Sivaji Ganesan as Ramu/Ravi *Vennira Aada ...

'' (1971) * ''

Thenum Paalum ''Thenum Paalum'' () is a 1971 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed by P. Madhavan. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini and B. Saroja Devi. It was released on 22 July 1971. Plot Somanathan, a leading advocate, has four daug ...

'' (1971) * ''

Uttharavindri Ulle Vaa ''Uttharavindri Ulle Vaa'' () is a 1971 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film, directed by N. S. Chakravarthi in his debut, produced by Sridhar and written by Gopu. The film features an ensemble cast including Ravichandran, Nagesh, Then ...

'' (1971) * ''

Pillaiyo Pillai ''Pillaiyo Pillai'' () is 1972 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed by Krishnan–Panju, produced by Murasoli Maran and written by M. Karunanidhi. The film stars M. K. Muthu (in dual role) in his debut film appearance alongside ...

'' (1972) * '' Arangetram'' (1973) * ''

Ninaithadhai Mudippavan ''Ninaithadai Mudippavan'' () is a 1975 Indian Tamil-language action film, starring M. G. Ramachandran in dual roles, Latha, Manjula, M. N. Nambiar and Sharada in supporting roles. It is a remake of the 1970 Hindi film ''Sachaa Jhutha''. Pl ...

'' (1975) * '' Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal'' (1976) * ''

Nizhal Nijamagiradhu ''Nizhal Nijamagiradhu'' () is a 1978 Indian Tamil-language film, directed by K. Balachander, starring Kamal Haasan, Sarath Babu, Sumithra and Hanumanthu, and introduced Sobha. It was a remake of the Malayalam film ''Adimakal''. Plot Ve ...

'' (1978)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Bai, Sundari 1923 births 2006 deaths Indian film actresses Actresses in Tamil cinema 20th-century Indian actresses Actresses from Madurai Indian female dancers Dancers from Tamil Nadu Singers from Tamil Nadu Musicians from Madurai Indian women playback singers 20th-century Indian singers 20th-century Indian dancers 20th-century Indian women singers Women artists from Tamil Nadu