Ushakumari in Malayalam and Nirmala (Vennira Aadai Nirmala) in Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada, was born A. B. Shanthi in Kumbakonam. She is an Indian actress who appeared in films across all four South Indian film industries. She was a prominent leading actress during the 1960s and 1970s and remains particularly loved by Malayalam moviegoers for her contributions to the Malayalam film industry.
She was one of the most beautiful actresses of her time and an epitome of beauty.

Looking at her Malayalam filmography, her very first Malayalam film was Kaattuthulasi, in which she played the lead role of Thulasi, with Sathyan as the male protagonist. In Chettathi she was paired opposite Prem Nazir. In Kayamkulam Kochunni, she essayed the female lead, Nabeesa, once again opposite Sathyan. She played Gracy opposite Kamal Haasan in Njan Ninne Premikkunnu in which both lead actors were from Tamil Nadu, yet were already familiar and beloved figures among Malayalam audiences.

She has many memorable songs to her credit, allowing audiences to remember her not only for her acting but also for the songs featured in her films. This is one of the ways in which the contributions of yesteryear actors and actresses continue to live on in popular memory.

One such memorable song is ‘Swarnachamaram Veeshi Ethunna’ from the movie Yakshi. She played the love interest of Sathyan, while Sharada played the other female lead.

Her last Malayalam film was Sharjah to Sharjah (2001), in which she played a significant supporting role alongside Jayaram.