Sukumari, one of the most versatile actresses in the Malayalam film industry, passed away on Tuesday at a hospital in Chennai. The actress, who was lovingly called as "Amma", died of cardiac arrest at 74.
The veteran actress had been admitted to a private hospital last month for treatment of burn injuries that she sustained while lighting an oil lamp at her T Nagar residence. As her condition deteriorated she was shifted to another hospital in Perumbakkam.
Sukumari is survived by a son, Dr Suresh Bhimsingh. Her husband, director-producer Bhimsingh, passed away years earlier.
Born in Thiruvananthapuram in 1940, Sukumari began her acting career when she was just 10 years old.
In a career that spanned over five decades, she acted in over 2,500 films in several languages including Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Oriya and Bengali. She received numerous awards over the years including the Padma Shri, National Award and Tamil Nadu's Kalaimani Award.
Several actors and critics from the South Indian film industry took to twitter to condole her death.
Sangeeth Sivan: A legend passes away -RIP Sukumari chechi-u will live in our hearts forever -had the good fortune of working with her in 4 films #respect
Indrajith Sukumaran: A legend leaves us... RIP Sukumari Amma.. U will always be remembered..
Amala: RIP sukumari Amma... i would say I am the biggest fan of her :(((((
Mamta Mohandas: Sad to hear about the loss of an incredible lady we had in Malayalam. Rip Sukumari Amma.
Radikaa Sarathkumar: RIP Sukumari amma,great actress,great legacy AT&T wonderful human being, on a flight with her last month she was recommending ,
Sreedhar Pillai: Sukumari Chechi was brilliant from the villie 2 comedian 2 mother's role she did in a career spanning 64 years in 2500+ films. RIP
Kushboo: RIP Sukumari chechi..U will be sorely missed..Nobody can take ur place...u will stay in our hearts forever
Karthika Nair: Completely heartbroken..RIP my favv n closest reel granma n a guniess record legendery actress Sukumari amma ♥ blessed to have known her
Shruti Haasan: RIP sukumari maam - you will always be loved and remembered
Ravi Shankar: Veteran artist and a good performer Sukumari passed away. RIP
