Thanjavur Damayanthi Kusalakumari (6 December 1937 - 7 March 2019) was an Indian actress and dancer. She featured in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam language films.[1]

Early life

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Born in Thanjavur, Kusalakumari is a niece of T. R. Rajakumari. Her birth name is Kusalambal. Being born in an artistes family, she began learning Bharata Natyam at the age of 3. When she was 5 years old, the family moved to Chennai. She used to go to film shooting with her aunt T. R. Rajakumari.

Film career

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Kusalakumari began her film career as a child artiste. Though she has danced in films before, she got a character role in Avvaiyar as the child Avvaiyar. Her major role as the poor woman falling in love with Sivaji Ganesan, was in Koondukili, the only film Sivaji Ganesan and M. G. Ramachandran featured together. Later she acted as the younger sister of Sivaji Ganesan in Kalvanin Kadhali, and then as the younger sister of K. R. Ramasamy in Needhipathi.

The competition dance with Kumari Kamala in Konjum Salangai brought fame to her as a dancer.

She began her film career in Telugu with Raju Peda as a dancer. The film featured N. T. Rama Rao in the main role and was a success. After that, she starred in many Telugu films both as dancer and in character roles.

She was paired with Prem Nazir in Malayalam-language film Seeta in the title role. The film ran for more than 200 days. Another Malayalam film Mariakutty won the President's award.[2]

Awards

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Later life

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Kusalakumari did not marry. She lived with her brother T. D. Sekar in Chennai. The then Chief minister of Tamil Nadu J. Jayalalitha learned of Kusalakumari's financial difficulties and sanctioned a monthly allowance of Rs.5000.[citation needed]

Death

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Kusalakumari died of old age (83) on 7 March 2019 in Chennai.[1]

Filmography

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Year Film name Language Role
1944 Mahamaya Tamil Child Bala
Credited as Baby Kusalambal
1949 Krishna Bakthi Tamil Child dancer
1950 Laila Majnu Tamil Young Laila
1951 Manamagal Tamil
1951 Pelli Koothuru Telugu
1952 Parasakthi Tamil Dancer
1953 Ammalakkalu Telugu Dancer
1953 Avvaiyar Tamil Child Awvaiyar
1953 Marumagal Tamil Dancer
1954 Koondukkili Tamil Sokki
1954 Bedara Kannappa Kannada
1954 Nanban Tamil
1954 Pona Machaan Thirumbi Vandhan Tamil Chandra
1954 Raju Peda Telugu Dancer
1954 Ratha Kanneer Tamil Dancer
1955 Jayasimha Telugu Dancer
1955 Donga Ramudu Telugu

Dancer

1955 Jayasimman Tamil Dancer
1955 Kalvanin Kadhali Tamil Abirami
1955 Menaka Tamil Dancer
1955 Kaveri Tamil Dancer
1955 Needhipathi Tamil
1956 Ilavelpu Telugu Singari
1956 Kudumba Vilakku Tamil Dancer
1957 Aandi Petra Selvan Tamil Dancer
1957 Parasakthi Telugu Dancer
1957 Samaya Sanjeevi Tamil
1957 Sati Anasuya Telugu Rati
1958 Mangalya Bhagyam Tamil
1958 Mariakutty Malayalam Betty
1959 Kaveriyin Kanavan Tamil Dancer
1959 Mahishasura Mardini Kannada
1959 Nalla Theerpu Tamil
1959 Raja Sevai Tamil
1959 Rechukka Pagatichukka Telugu
1960 Mahakavi Kalidasu Telugu Dancer
1960 Bhatti Vikramarka Telugu Dancer
1960 Desingu Raja Katha Telugu Dancer
1960 Pathivratha Telugu Dancer
1960 Patti Vikramathithan Tamil Dancer
1960 Raja Desingu Tamil Dancer
1960 Rathinapuri Ilavarasi Tamil
1960 Seeta Malayalam Sita
1961 Bhakta Kuchela Malayalam
1961 Bharya Bharthalu Telugu
1961 Ennai Paar Tamil
1961 Sita Rama Kalyanam Telugu Rambha
1962 Konjum Salangai Tamil Kamavalli
1962 Mahathma Kabir Kannada
1964 Ramudu Bheemudu Telugu Dancer
1964 Rishyasringar Tamil
1968 Harichandra Tamil Dancer
1976 Manmadha Leelai Tamil Rekha's mother
1977 Nandha En Nila Tamil

References

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  1. ^ a b Kusari, Kareena (8 March 2019). "Koondukili's Tamil Actress Kusalakumari Departs This Life On Wednesday At Age Of 83". Starbiz. Archived from the original on 13 December 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  2. ^ R. C. Jayanthan (11 March 2016). "மறக்கப்பட்ட நடிகர்கள் 3: தென்னகம் கொண்டாடிய திறமை! - குசலகுமாரி". The Hindu (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 4 April 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2019.