Shencottah Ganagathara Aiyer Kittappa (1906-1933) was a Tamil classical singer and stage actor who was active in the pre-cinema days of the 1920s. He was the husband of singer and film actor K. B. Sundarambal

K. B. Sundarambal

Kodumudi Balambal Sundarambal was a renowned stage artist and singer of South India. She was popularly referred to as the "Queen of the Indian stage." She was noted both for her resonant, vibrant voice and for the dignity of her performances. A political activist during the Indian independence...

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Early life

Kittappa was born in Shenkottai

Shenkottai

Sengottai is a town in Tamil Nadu, India, in the foothills of the Western Ghats. It is located roughly 5 km from the Courtallam Waterfall, near the border with Kerala...

 in the then Kingdom of Travancore to Ganagathara Aiyer. He was one of Ganagathara Aiyer's three sons, the others being Chellappa and Subbiah. Due to the weak financial condition of the family, Kittappa did not receive any formal education but was trained in music and screenplay by Sankaradas Swamigal.

Stage career

Kittappa took to the stage early in his career and achieved remarklable success. His first stage appearance was at the age of five. He appeared in dramas in Ceylon at the age of eight. The Ceylon Indian Chamber of Commerce awarded him gold medal and certificate of appreciation for his artistic talents.

Family

Kittappa was captivated by the singing of upcoming singer K. B. Sundarambal

K. B. Sundarambal

Kodumudi Balambal Sundarambal was a renowned stage artist and singer of South India. She was popularly referred to as the "Queen of the Indian stage." She was noted both for her resonant, vibrant voice and for the dignity of her performances. A political activist during the Indian independence...

. The two eventually fell in love and married in 1927. The duo later performed together in the stage offering many hits.

Death

Kittappa's efforts took a toll on his health. Once while performing in Thiruvarur, he fainted and fell. Kittappa eventually died in 1933 at the age of 28.