[2] Nagarathnamma was born in 1926[3] in a family with moderate financial means, in Mysore,[4] in the South Indian state of Karnataka.

[5] Later, in 1958, Nagarathnamma established Stree Nataka Mandali,[4] reported to be the first all-women theatre troupe from Karnataka[5] where she performed as an actor and was the director of their plays.

[5] She has also acted in 15 Kannada and Tamil films,[citation needed] Kamanabillu, Parasangada Gendethimma and Rosapoo Ravikkaikari being some of the notable ones.

[citation needed] She has been honored by the Government of Karnataka with their second highest civilian award of Rajyotsava Prashasti.

[1] In 2012, the Government of India included her in the Republic Day honours list for the fourth highest Indian civilian award of Padma Shri.