Kumari

Miss Kumari (1932–1969) was an Indian actress working in the Malayalam film industry between 1949 and 1969. In the '50s and early '60s she was the most prominent female lead in the Malayalam film industry. She briefly worked as a teacher before she made her film debut in the 1949 film Vellinakshatram. She took on the stage name Miss Kumari on the sets of her second film, Nalla Thanka.

Miss Kumari is noted for her performance in films such as Sasidharan (1950), Chechi (1950), Yachakan (1951), Navalokam (1951), Aathmasakhi (1952), Alphonsa (1952), Sheriyo Thetto (1953), Avakaasi (1954), Neelakuyil (1954), C.I.D. (1955), Padatha Paingili (1957), Randidangazhi (1958), Mudiyanaya Puthran (1961), Aana Valarthiya Vanampadi (1961) and Pattaabhishekam (1962). Miss Kumari has, in her career spanning 18 years done, 34 films.

Miss Kumari has won two Madras State Award for Best Actress for her performances in Aniyathi (1955) and Aana Valarthiya Vanampadi (1961). Her film Neelakuyil (1954) was the first Malayalam film to win the All India Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film and is now regarded as a landmark film in the history of Malayalam cinema, It was Miss Kumari's breakthrough and the most memorable film in her career. Another film, Padatha Paingili (1957) won the President’s Silver Medal, being the second Malayalam film to do so.