Kollangudi Karuppayee

Kollangudi Karuppayee (கொல்லங்குடி கருப்பாயி) is a Tamil folk singer who has also performed in films. She is considered one of the pioneers of Tamil folk music; as the first of her genre and background to perform in films, she served as an inspiration for many other folk artistes. She started her career as a performer on All India Radio about thirty years before her foray into films. She is a recipient of the prestigious Kalaimamani award for her contributions to music.

As Singer
Her husband died in front of her eyes on their way to Madurai for a song recording, this tragedic incident made her bedridden and shut cine offers, later her daughter also died in a road accident which made her a more weak mentally. Now this legend is being taken care nicely by the youths of her society.