Surabhi Kamalabai Biography

Surabhi Kamalabai (b: 1913 - d: 1977) is a Telugu drama and film actress. Surabhi Kamalabaihas the distinction of first Telugu heroine in the Talky film Bhakta Prahlada (1931 film) directed by H. M. Reddy. Surabhi Kamalabaiplayed the role of Leelavathi, the wife of Hiranyakasipa. Since then she acted about 30 films including Savitri, Patala Bhairavi (1951), Malliswari (1951), Illarikam (1959), Velugu Needalu (1961).

Surabhi Kamalabai belongs to the well esteemed Surabhi group of drama company, in whom drama is not only livelihood and also a profession and an art form. There were about 50 families during the 1920s to 1950s in Andhra Pradesh. They tour different places and stay for some time and give chain of programmes in the nearby towns. Her birth is really happened in a dramatic fashion. Her mother while playing the role of pregnant Leelavathi carrying Prahlada and really gave birth to Kamala on stage.

Filmography

Bhakta Prahlada (1931) as Leelavathi (debut) 

Rama Paduka Pattabhishekam (1932) 

Goddess Seetha 

Shakuntala (1932/I) 

Prithvi Putra (1933)

 Savithri (1933) 

Shaher Ka Jadoo (1934) 

Be Kharab Jan (1936) 

Do Diwane (1936) 

Draupadi Manasamrakshanam (1936) 

Bhakta Jayadeva (1938) 

Tukaram (1938) 

Bhukailas (1940) 

Keelugurram (1949)

Malliswari (1951) 

Patala Bhairavi (1951)

Mangala (1951) 

Kathal (1952) 

Manavati (1952) 

Rohini (1953) 

Vayyari Bhama (1953) 

Pelli Naati Pramanalu (1958) 

Mangalya Balam (1958) 

Jayabheri (1959) 

Vagdanam (1961) 

Velugu Needalu (1964)