Background
Vellaala Subbamma was born in Proddatur town, (Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh) to Sreenivasa Rao and Pedda Narasamma. Her father was an actor and her mother was a classical music singer.
Vellaala Subbamma was born in Proddatur town, (Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh) to Sreenivasa Rao and Pedda Narasamma. Her father was an actor and her mother was a classical music singer.
She joined a drama troupe and was an Associated Independent Recording artiste by the age of sixteen. She came to Madras (now Chennai) to pursue a career in music She found employment in Vidyodaya School for a remuneration of Rs 2 per month.
She sang along with music director South. Rajeswara Rao for Associated Independent Recording.
Santhakumari debuted in Telugu Cinema with Mayabazar (also known as Sasirekhaa Parinayam) in 1936.
In 1947, the couple started the Ragini Pictures banner with Bheemavarapu Narasimha Rao and Bhakta Jana. They made 22 films on both PadmaSree and Ragini banners put together.
She played many lead and supporting roles, with around 250 appearances in total.