Born Thresiamma Kollamparampil at Bharananganam, Kottayam in Travancore, British India, Miss Kumari goes on to complete her studies at Sacred Heart Girls’ High School Bharananganam and St. Mary’s Girls’ Higher Secondary School Pala, and becomes a teacher in English, at her own alma mater SHGHS Bharananganam.
Debut as guest artist in the film “Vellinakshathram” produced by Kunchacko and K. V. Koshy and directed by Felix J. H. Beyse, a German cinematographer. Released on January 14, 1949, Vellinakshathram was the first film produced at Udaya Studios.
Vellinakshathram is released and her cameo in a song sequence, carrying the tri-colour flag to the song ‘Thrikkodi’,
becomes the debut act on the silver screen for Thresiamma who would later become known as Miss Kumari. Struck by her screen presence, Udaya launches her as the main lead in their next movie Nalla Thanka.
Nalla Thanka is a runaway success at the box-office, and Miss Kumari is born. More movies under the Udaya Studio banner follow, as do movies under the newly-launched Merryland Studio banner, amongst others.
Miss Kumari, the star-actor’s tinsel journey in Malayalam cinema is on a dream run. Sasidharan (1950) Chechi (1950), Yaachakan (1951) Navalokam (1951) Aathmasakhi (1952) Alphonsa (1952) Aathmashaanthi (1952) Kaanchana (1952) Sheriyo Thetto (1953) Baalyasakhi (1954) Avakaasi (1954) celebrated her presence.
The year of Neelakuyil (The Blue Cuckoo). Neelakuyil wins the President’s Silver Medal, a first for Malayalam cinema. The social conditions in Malabar form the central theme of this film, which essayed the love story of a high caste man, Sreedharan Nair, and a Pulaya (Harijan) girl, Neeli. It ends on this inspiring note when it speaks of the child borne of their love: “let him not grow up as a Nair, or a Muslim or a Pulaya or a Christian – bring him up as a Human!” With Neelakuyil, Miss Kumari gets elevated to stardom along with Sathyan.
The themes of movies she chooses to act in become more diverse; as does the scale of the celluloid canvas. Aniyathi (1955) wins her the Madras State Award for Best Actress. Miss Kumari makes an entrance into Tamil Cinema with two Malayalam productions CID and Manthravadi, which is dubbed in Tamil. Miss Kumari brings Muttathu Varkey’s “Chinnamma” to life onscreen in Paadaatha Painkili (1957) and it was another box-office success. Paadatha Painkili (1957) wins the President’s Silver Medal and marks the second time this honour has been bestowed on Malayalam cinema. She also wins the Film Fans Association (Madras) Award for the Best Actress in Malayalam for 1957.
After playing the role of Neeli in Neelakuyil, she goes on to bring to life two more scintillating portrayals of the downtrodden – Chirutha in Thakazhi’s Randidangazhi (1958) and Chellamma in Mudiyanaya Puthran (1961), creating a trilogy of sorts, bringing popular & critical acclaim to her film career. Aana Valarthiya Vanambadi (1961), in which she stars becomes the first successful “jungle film” in Malayalam cinema. She wins the Film Fans Association (Madras) Award for the Best Actress in Malayalam in 1958 for the second time.
Two films, Sri Rama Pattaabhishekam (1962) and Snaapaka Yohannaan (1963) sees her choosing mature roles- unusual for leading heroines of the era. She marries in 1963 and leaves the tinsel town behind to journey on to another chapter in her life. She signs one more project Arakkillam (1967), after her marriage.
Passes away after a sudden illness on 9 June 1969, leaving behind 3 young children