Tanguturi Suryakumari singer & actress Kundali

 Tanguturi Suryakumari (13 November 1925 – 25 April 2005), also known as Suryakumari Elvin after marriage, was a multifaceted Indian artist: singer, actress, dancer, freedom fighter, and cultural ambassador.

Famous for her rendition of "Maa Telugu Thalliki" (Andhra Pradesh's official song), she was a child prodigy in Telugu cinema and later promoted Indian arts internationally. Niece of freedom fighter and Andhra leader Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu, her life blended patriotism, artistry, and global influence.

Chronological Timeline

• 1925 (13 November): Born in Rajahmundry (Madras Presidency, now Andhra Pradesh) to Tanguturi Sreeramulu and Rajeswari, in a Brahmin family. (Virgo Moon, Hasta-2 Nakshatra and Libra Ascendant)
  
  
• Early 1930s (age ~6–10): Began singing patriotic songs at Indian National Congress meetings, accompanying uncle Tanguturi Prakasam. Became a "freedom singer" during the independence movement. (Mercury in 2nd H and 2nd H L Mars in Lagna)
  
  
• 1937 (age 12): Film debut in Vipranarayana (Tamil/Telugu); a special role was created to showcase her singing. Marked entry into cinema as a child star. (Mars dasha - Moon bhukti)
  
  
• 1939: Starred in landmark Telugu film Raithu Bidda (Farmer's Son), contributing to early Telugu cinema's golden era.
  
  
• 1941: Acted in notable films like Devatha and Chandrahasa, establishing her as a singing actress.
  
  
• 1940s–1950s: Appeared in ~25 films across Telugu, Tamil, Hindi (e.g., Watan 1954, Uran Khatola 1955 with Dilip Kumar), Sanskrit, Gujarati, and English. Played male role of sage Narada in Krishna Prema—a first in Telugu cinema. Released popular gramophone records of private and patriotic songs.
  
  
• 1952: Won Miss Madras title; runner-up in Miss India pageant. (Rahu dasha - Venus bhukti)
  
  
• 1959–1960s: Moved to New York; taught Indian music/dance at Columbia University. Studied Western classical/popular dance.
  
  
• 1961: Starred as Queen Sudarshana in Off-Broadway production of Rabindranath Tagore's The King of the Dark Chamber; won Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Actress. Featured in full-color photo spread in Life Magazine (June 9 issue)—first Telugu artist so honored.
  
  
• 1965: Relocated to London; founded "India Performing Arts" to train performers and promote Indian arts.
  
  
• 1969: Chief singer at Gandhi centenary commemoration at St Paul's Cathedral, London.
  
  
• 1973: Married British artist Harold Elvin (poet, painter, potter; he predeceased her in 1985). [Saturn dasha - Saturn bhukti]
  
  
• 1991–1998: Collaborated with Hordaland Teater in Bergen, Norway, for children's productions.
  
  
• 2005 (25 April): Passed away in London at age 79.

Suryakumari's legacy endures through her immortal voice in "Maa Telugu Thalliki," pioneering roles in cinema, and lifelong promotion of Indian culture abroad. She refused collaborations (e.g., with The Beatles) to stay true to her roots, embodying resilience and artistry.