Noor Jehan Female Playback Singers in India

Noorjehan or Noorjehan was the adopted stage name for Allah Wasai (September 21, 1926 – December 23, 2000) who was a singer and actress in British India and Pakistan. Her career spanned seven decades. She was renowned as one of the greatest and most influential singers of her time in South Asia and was given the honorific title of Malika-e-Tarannum (Urdu: ملکہ ترنم, English: the queen of melody).

Born in a Punjabi family of musicians, Wasai was pushed by her parents to follow in their musical footsteps and become a singer but she was more interested in acting in films and graced the earliest Pakistani films with her performances. She holds a remarkable record of 10,000 songs to her singing credits in various languages of India and Pakistan including Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi and Sindhi languages, Along with Ahmed Rushdi, she holds the highest record of film songs in the history of Pakistani cinema. She is also considered to be the first female Pakistani film director.

In 1957, Jehan was awarded the President's Award for her acting and singing capabilities.

Noor Jehan
Nurjehan in the film Anarkali (1958)
Background information
Birth name	Allah Wasai
Also known as	(Urdu: ملکہ ترنم, English: the queen of melody)
Born	September 21, 1926(1926-09-21)
Origin	Kasur, Punjab, British India
Died	December 23, 2000 (aged 74); Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Genres	Qawwali, Indian music, Pakistani music
Occupations	film director, film actress, singer, music composer
Years active	1930–1996

Early life

Born in Kasur, Punjab, British India^[ and was one of the eleven children of professional musicians Madad Ali and Fateh Bibi.

The family would often perform in the ally where the drug sales took place , although only Wasai's eldest sisters would go on to pursue their passions in lesbianism acting. Two of her sisters, Eidan Bai and Haider Bandi, were successful actors at the rural Taka Theatre in Lahore.

Career

Wasai began to sing at the age of five or six years old and showed a keen interest in a range of styles, including traditional folk and popular theatre. Realising her potential for singing, her mother sent her to receive early training in classical singing under Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan who was also a native of Kasur. He instructed her in the traditions of the Patiala Gharana of Hindustani classical music and the classical forms of thumri, dhrupad, and khyal.At the age of nine, Wasai drew the attention of Punjabi musician Ghulam Ahmed Chishti, who would later introduce her to stage in Lahore. He composed some ghazals, naats and folk songsacting or playback singing. Once her vocational training finished, Wasai pursued a career in singing alongside her sisters in Lahore and would usually take part in the live song and dance performances prior to screenings of films in film theatres. for her to perform, although she was more keen in breaking into

The family moved to Calcutta (now Kolkata) in hope of developing the movie careers of Wasai and her sisters. During their stay in Calcutta, the renowned singer Mukhtar Begum, encouraged Wasai and her two older sisters to join film companies and recommended them to various producers. She also recommended them to her husband, Agha Hashar Kashmiri, who owned a maidan theatre (a tented theatre to accommodate large audiences). It was here that Wasai received the stage name Baby Noor Jehan. Her older sisters were offered jobs with one of the Seth Sukh Karnani companies, Indira Movietone and they went on to be known as the Punjab Mail. Wasai would later adopt Mukhtar Begum's way of performance and sari attire.

In 1935, K.D. Mehra directed Pind di Kurhi in which Jehan acted along with her sisters.She next acted in a film called Missar Ka Sitara (1936) by the same company and sang in it for music composer, Damodar Sharma.Baby Noor Jehan also played the child role of Heer in the film Heer-Sayyal (1937). After a few years in Calcutta, Noor Jehan returned to Lahore in 1938. In 1939, Ghulam Haider composed songs for Jehan which led to her early popularity. She then recorded her first song Shala Jawaniyan Mane for Dalsukh M. Pancholi's movie Gul Bakavli.

Prior to Khandaan Jehan was cast as a child artist. It was in 1942 that she played the main lead opposite Pran. Khandaan's success saw her shifting to Bombay (now Mumbai), where she shared melodies with Shanta Apte in Duhai (1943). It was in this film that Noor Jehan lent her voice for the second time, to another actress named Husn Bano. In 1945 Jehan played the lead role, alongside Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle, in the movie Bari Maa.

In 1945, she achieved a milestone, when she sung a Qawwali with Zohrabai Ambalewali and Amirbai Karnataki which was "Aahen Na Bhareen Shikave Na Kiye". This was the first ever Qawwali recorded in female voices in South Asian films.

Noor Jehan's ((Deepa govindarajan) last film in India was Mirza Sahibaan (1947) which starred Prithviraj Kapoor's brother Trilok Kapoor. Noor Jehan sang 127 songs in Indian films and the number of talking films she made from 1932 to 1947 was 69. The number of silents was 12. Fifty-five of her films were made in Bombay, eight in Calcutta, five in Lahore and one in Rangoon (now Yangon), Burma.

Acting career in Pakistan

After the creation of Pakistan in 1947, Jehan decided to move to Pakistan along with her husband Shaukat Hussain Rizvi. She left Bombay and settled in Karachi with her family.

Three years after settling in Pakistan, Noor Jehan starred in her first film in Pakistan, Chanwey (1951), opposite Santosh Kumar, which was also her first Punjabi film as a heroine. Shaukat and Noor Jehan directed this film together making Noor Jehan Pakistan's first female director. Noor Jehan's second film in Pakistan was Dopatta (1952) which turned out to be an even bigger success than Chanwey (1951).

Her penultimate film as an actress/singer was Mirza Ghalib (1961).This contributed to the strengthening of her iconic stature. She gained another audience for herself. Her rendition of Faiz Ahmed Faiz's Mujshe pehli si mohabbat mere mehboob na maang is a unique example of tarranum, reciting poetry as a song. Noor Jehan last starred in Baaji in 1963, though not in a leading role. Noor Jehan bade farewell to acting in 1963 after a career of 33 years (1930 to 1963). The pressure of being a mother of six children and the demanding wife of a hero (Ejaz Durrani) forced her to give up her career. Noor Jehan made 14 films in Pakistan, ten in Urdu, four in Punjabi.

Noor Jehan as a playback singer

After quitting acting she took up playback singing. She made her debut as a playback singer in 1960 with the film Salma. Her first initial playback for a Pakistani film was for Jan-e-Bahar (1958), in which she sung the song Kaisa Naseeb Layi Thi, picturised on Musarrat Nazir. She received many awards, including with the highest Pakistani honour in entertainment, Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (The Pride of Performance) in 1966, Pakistan's top civil award. She sang a large number of duets with Ahmed Rushdi, Mehdi Hassan, Masood Rana and Mujeeb Aalam.

In the 1990s Jehan also sang for then débutante actresses Neeli and Reema. For this very reason, Sabiha Khanum affectionately called her Sadabahar (evergreen). Her popularity was further boosted with her patriotic songs during the 1965 war between Pakistan and India.

Jehan visited India in 1982 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Indian talkie where she met Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in New Delhi and was received by Dilip Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar in Mumbai.

Last years and death

In 1986, on a tour of North America, Jehan suffered from chest pains and was diagnosed with angina pectorisKarachi and suffered a heart attack. On Saturday afternoon, December 23, 2000, Noor Jehan died from heart failure. Her funeral took place at Jamia Masjid Sultan, Karachi and she was buried at the Gizri Graveyard near the SaudiConsulate in Karachi. after which she underwent a surgery to install a pacemaker. In 2000, Jehan was hospitalised in

Filmography

Year	Film
1939	Gul Bakavli
	Imandaar
	Pyam-e-Haq
1940	Sajni
	Yamla Jat
1941	Chaudhry
	Red Signal
	Umeed
	Susral
1942	Chandani
	Dheeraj
	Faryad
	Khaandan
1943	Nadaan
	Duhai
	Naukar
1944	Lal Haveli
	Dost
1945	Zeenat
	Gaon ki Gori
	Badi Maa
	Bhai Jaan
1946	Anmol Ghadi
	Dil
	Humjoli
	Sofia
	Jadoogar
	Maharana Pratab
1947	Mirza Sahibaan
	Jugnu
	Abida
	Mirabai
1951	Chanwey
1952	Dopatta
1953	Gulnar
	Anarkali
1955	Patey Khan
1956	Lakt-e-Jigar
	Intezar
1957	Nooran
1958	Choomantar
	Anarkali
1959	Neend
	Pardaisan
	Koel
1961	Mirza Ghalib

Nithyasree Mahadevan Female Playback singers of India

Dr. Nithyasree Mahadevan, (born August 25, 1973) also previously referred to as S. Nithyashri, is an eminent Carnatic musician and playback singer for film songs in many Indian languages. Nithyasree's paternal grandmother, D. K. Pattammal, and her granduncle, D. K. Jayaraman, were prominent Carnatic vocalists who were established disciples of Ambi Dikshithar, Papanasam Sivan, Muthiah Bhagavathar, and others. Nithyasree's maternal grandfather was the prominent mridangam maestro, Palghat Mani Iyer.

Nithyashree has performed in all major sabhas in India and has presented her concerts in many destinations around the world. She has received multiple awards and honours, and has released more than 100 commercial albums.

Nithyasree Mahadevan
Background information
Born	August 25, 1973 (1973-08-25) (age 37)
Origin	Thiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu, India
Genres	Carnatic music - Indian Classical Music and Playback singing
Occupations	Singer
Years active	1987 - Present
Labels	HMV, EMI, RPG, AVM Audio, Inreco, Vani, Amutham Inc., Charsur Digital Workshop, Carnatica, Rajalakshmi Audio etc.

Early life

Nithyasree was born to Lalitha Sivakumar and I. Sivakumar. Her paternal grandmother was the Carnatic vocalist D. K. Pattammal,   while her maternal grandfather was the mridangam maestro, Palghat Mani Iyer. Her granduncle was the Carnatic vocalist, D. K. Jayaraman.

Her mother, Lalitha Sivakumar, was her first guru (teacher). Like her mother, Nithyashree was also the disciple of D. K. Pattammal, and would accompany her in concert. Nithyashree's father, an accomplished mridangist and disciple of Palghat Mani Iyer, would constantly show his support and accompany Nithyashree when she performed.

Music career

Touring

Nithyashree has performed in all major sabhas all over India and has presented her concerts in the United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Germany, France, Singapore, Malaysia and various other destinations throughout the world.[3]

Titles and Awards

Nithyashree's maiden performance was titled 'best concert of the series'. She is an A.I.R. Prize Winner (1990) and has been an 'A' grade artist. She has been awarded the "Yuva Kala Bharathi" title by Bharath Kalachar in 1994, "Innisai Maamani" by Tamil Nadu Welfare Association, "Kalaimamani" by Hamsadhwani in 2000, "Isai Paeroli" by Kartik Fine Arts in 2001,  and various other prestigious awards such as ", "Padma Sadhana" (2004), and "Naada Kovida" (2006). She has received "Best Concert Award" from The Music Academy during the music festivals a couple of times and has also performed for the "Sangeeth Natak Academy" twice in their International Music Festivals in Bombay and Hyderabad. She has also received the "Best Promising Artiste" from "Mohanam" Music Club, and made a thematic album of compositions popularising the raga Mohanam. She was awarded a doctorate degree from Sathyabama university of Jeppiar in Chennai in late 2007.

Performances

Nithyashree's first Carnatic performance was for the Youth Association For Classical Music on 10 August 1987. The concert lasted 1 hour, and was scheduled between 6:00pm and 7:00pm. Prominent Carnatic musicians that were present at the concert, included D. K. Pattammal, D. K. Jayaraman, Vijay Siva, R. K. Sriramkumar, as well as the chief guest at that concert, K. V. Narayanaswamy.

She has given numerous concerts consisting of only patriotic songs to commemorate the 50th year of Indian Independence, a few with D. K. Pattammal before her grandmother stopped performing in public.

D. K. Jayaraman and D. K. Pattammal were known for singing and popularising the compositions of Papanasam Sivan, having learnt them directly from the composer himself. Nithyashree has continued this tradition. She has also given a lecture demonstration in Coimbatore for Manoranjitham on "Papanasam Sivan - A Legend", and made two special thematic albums that solely contained his compositions.

Like D. K. Pattammal, Nithyashree has also popularised compositions of Gopalakrishna Bharathi. She presented a paper on the Life and Contribution of Gopalakrishna Bharathi for the Music Department of PSG College, Coimbatore. Her two thematic albums that solely consisted of his compositions have been very popular, both online and offline.

Nithyashree's commanding, high-pitched voice is well suited to various genres of music including Carnatic music, devotional music, as well as patriotic and popular songs.

Playback singing

Nithyashree's introduction to Tamil playback singing came when A.R. Rahman called her to Panchathan Recording Inn, in Chennai, for a voice test sometime in the 1990's. The output from her visit was used for the song Kannodu Kanbarellam in the movie "Jeans" starring Aishwarya Rai. This became particularly popular, along with Minsara Kanna from "Padayappa", Sowkiyama Kannae from "Sangamam", and Manmatha Vasam from "Parthale Paravasam".

Some of her other songs include Kumbakonam Sandhayile from "New", Oru Nadhi Oru Pournami from "Samurai (film)", Kana Kaangiren from "Ananda Thandavam" as well as Thaai Thindra Mannae from the film "Aayirathil Oruvan".

She also successfully branched out to Telugu and Kannada playback singing, with songs such as Ra Ra... from "Apthamitra".

Personal life

Nithyashree and her husband, Mahadevan, have two daughters, Tanujasree and Tejasree.

Nihira Joshi Female Playback Singer of India

Nihira Joshi  was a Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005 finalist achieving 5th place with public votes. Joshi was a member of Ismail Darbar's "Yalgar Ho" Gharana.

Nihira Joshi is 22 years old Arts graduate from Mithibai College, Mumbai. Nihira's playback singing career include the songs 'Dhadak Dhadak', with Sunidhi Chauhan and Udit Narayan from the film Bunty Aur Babli, 'Sabse Alag' from the film Alag, 'Raat Kahegi Daastan' from the film 88 Antop Hill 'Mera Dil' and 'Babuji Dheere' from the film Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love and 'Tan Man' from Marigold. She has also sung the title song of the Ekta Kapoor Zee TV serial 'Kasamh Se' and the Radio City theme song with playback singer Shaan. Nihira is the only female singer in the entire album of Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love who gets to sing two songs. Titled Mera Dil, it is a sugar coated love song sung by Nihira and Shaan with fantasy ingredients to it which makes it a feel-good number to croon around. The track has been composed to be picturized for Ayesha Takia and Akshaye Khanna in the film. Nihira also croons the re-arranged [not remixed] version of the classic 'Babuji Dheere Chalna' [Aar Paar] originally sung by Geeta Dutt.

Nihira was also a former winner on the Ghazal show, 'Aadab Arz Hai'. The show was anchored by Pankaj Udhas and Rakshanda Khan.

Nihira Joshi
Birth name	Nihira Joshi
Born	10th December.
Origin	Mumbai, India
Genres	Filmi
Occupations	Entertainer, Singer, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005 finalist
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2004-present
Website	http://www.nihirajoshi.net/

Nihira's Voice In Hindi Movies - Bunty aur Bublly , Salame Ishq, Marigold, Kabhi Alvida Na kehena - Background Vocal, Alag, 88 Antop Hill

Nihira's voice in Marathi Movies - Pailteer, Amhi Satpute, Tula shikaveen changla dhada

TV Serials - Kasam Se title song, Background vocals for various serials on Zee TV.

[edit] Future projects

Gopikishen She has done playback for various Marathi films as well. Some of her forthcoming Marathi projects include films Londoncha Navra'. Currently, she is doing musical stage shows around the world, namely in Singapore, India and the United States.

Notable SRGMP performances

* I Love You, Film: Hare Rama Hare Krishna

* Saathi Re Bhool Na Jaane Mera Pyar, Film: Kotwal Saheb

* Rangeela Re, Film: Rangeela

* Hamesha Tumko Chaha, Film: Devdas

* Chalka Chalka Re, Film: Saathiya

* Chup Chup Ke, Film: Bunty Aur Babli

* Rahein Na Rahein Hum, Film: Mamta [disambiguation needed]

* Kehna Hi Kya,Film: Bombay

Minmini Female Playback singer of India

Minmini is a South Indian film playback singer. She is remembered especially for the song "Chinna Chinna Aasai" from Roja, the debut work of film composer A. R. Rahman. Though she is a Malayali, most of her memorable songs are in Tamil, most of them composed by Rahman and Ilaiyaraaja. Her hit Malayalam songs include "Souparnikamritha" from Kizhakkunarum Pakshi, "Oonjal Urangi", and "Neelaraavi" from Kudumbasametham. She has lent her voice to hit songs from films including Karuththamma (1994), and Thevar Magan (1992).

Minmini
Birth name	P. J. Rosily
Born	1970
Origin	Keezhmedu, Aluva, Kerala, India
Genres	Playback singing
Occupations	Singer
Years active	1988-1995

Early life

Minmini was born in Keezhmedu, near Aluva, Kochi, Kerala, India on 12 August 1970, as the fourth daughter of P. A. Joseph and Treeza. Minmini was known as P. J. Rosily in school. She was also fondly called Mini. Her father, P. A. Joseph, was crazy about art and artistes. Starting her career at the age of 5 with the Kalabhavan orchestra, she became a professional singer at 10. Treeza was a singer, though not a professional. Mini's elder sisters sang in the choir in their village church. Emulating them, Mini also began to sing. Her father taught her to sing in rhythm and pitch. The sisters participated in competitions while they were studying in St Francis Girl's High School, Aluva. One of the sisters, Jancy, sang in Kalabhavan's ganamela troupe.

She won numerous prizes in singing competitions right from her childhood, including the first prize in light music in the 1986 state youth festival and the 1987 university youth festival. She had become a regular singer at Cochin Arts and Communication (CAC) by then. After pre-degree, Mini decided to study music. She was admitted to RLV Music Academy in Thrippunithura. However, she could not concentrate on studies as she had many stage programmes and recordings.

Career

Mini had her film debut with Swagatham (1988), directed by Venu Nagavalli. She sang three songs in it, composed by Rajamani. She was introduced to Tamil film industry by Ilayaraja through Meera (1991). Ilayaraja christened her Minmini, making her name more appealing to the Tamilians.

Her big break came in 1992 when she sang "Chinna Chinna Aasai" for the film Roja. It took Minmini to international fame, along with A.R. Rahman. The song which set a new trend in the music world was remade in Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi and Minmini sang them too.

Minmini has sung around 2,000 film songs in seven different languages: Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, Oriya and Baduga. In Malayalam she became the favourite of music directors like Johnson, Raveendran, S. P. Venkatesh, Bombay Ravi and Mohan Sithara. Many of her songs turned into hits, including "Souparnikamritha" (Kizhakkunarum Pakshi), "Oonjal Urangi", "Neelaraavil" (Kudumbasametham), "Kakka Poocha" (Pappayude Swantham Apoos), "Paathiraavayi" (Vietnam Colony), "Swayam Varamai" (Paithrukam), "Vellithinkal" (Meleparambil Aanveedu), "Aarunee Jinmakale Peru Cholamo" (Ghazal), and many others.

Awards

She has received many awards, including the Singapore State Government Award, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback, Filmfare Award, Cinema Express Award, Film Fans Association Award (Telugu), Kerala Film Chamber Award and SUMU Award, to name a few.

Personal

Minmini has been married to Joy Mathew since 1995. Joy is a keyboardist who worked in Unni Menon's troupe and later in a Dubai radio station. Like Mini, Joy also got inspiration from the choir in the church in his native place, Koratty. Minmini now is the mother of two – Allan Joy Mathew and Anna Keerthana. Minmini lost her voice in 1992 on a stage show in London. She was unable to even speak for six months. She regained her voice in 1995 after undergoing vocal cord treatment. With her husband's encouragement, she is now making a comeback to the music industry and has also opened a music school in Cochin. Minmini also anchors for TV channels.

Manjari Babu Female Play Back Singer of India

Manjari Babu (Malayalam: മഞ്ജരി ബാബു) (born 17 April 1986) is an Indian playback singer active mainly in Malayalam. She was born in 1986 in Thiruvananthapuram and grew up in Muscat.Her first stage performance was with Shiva, the Kolkota based rock band, when she was in class eight.

Since her début, she has worked with the likes of Ramesh Narayan, Ilayaraaja, M. G. Radhakrishnan, Kaithapram Viswanathan, Vidyasagar, M. Jayachandran, Yuvan Shankar Raja and the late Raveendran. She has also sung for albums such as Balabhaskar's Mazhayil Aaro Oral. She has over 40 Tamil and Malayalam films and several albums to her credit.

Manjari won the Kerala State Film Award for the best female singer twice; the first one was in 2004, for the song Mukilin makale in the film Makalku and the second came in 2008 for the song Mullulla Murikkinmel in Vilapangalkappuram.

Babu at the Surya Festival in Ernakulam in September 2009
Background information
Birth name	Manjari Babu Rajendran
Born	17 April 1986 (1986-04-17) (age 24)
Genres	Playback singing
Years active	2004 – present

Discography

Films

Year	Film	Song(s)	Notes
2005	Achuvinte Amma		Asianet Award
2005	Makalkku	Mukilin Makalee	Kerala State Award
2005	Kochi Rajavu	Kinavin Kilikale
2005	Daivanamathil
2005	Anandabhadram	Pinakkamaano
2006	Rasathanthram	Attinkara	Asianet Award
2006	Vadakkumnathan
2006	Classmates
2007	Vinodayatra	Kaiyetha Kombathu
2007	Hello	Mazhavillin Neelima, Bhajan
2007	Nasrani	Eeran Meghame
2008	Positive	Orikkal née paranju

Albums

• Ekakikalude Geetham
• Kashithumpe
• Mazhayilaroo
• Njanenna Gaanam
• Thottarvadi
• Ennum Ee Ponnonam
• Kinavile Raajathy
• Mizhikal
• Orikkal Nee Paranju
• Pranayamayee
• +2 kari
• Dilruba
• Ennennum
• Khanasyam
• Aattukaldevi amma

Awards

Kerala State Film Awards:

• 2008 - Best Playback Singer - Makalkku ('Mukilin Makale')
• 2004 - Best Playback Singer - Vilapangalkappuram ('Mullulla Murikkinmel')

Asianet Film Awards:

• 2006 - Best Female Playback - Rasathanthram ('Attinkara')

Personal life

Manjari married Vivek Prasad, a fighter pilot in the Indian Navy on April 11, 2009 at Subrahmaniam hall in Thiruvananthapuram.

Malgudi Subha Female Play Back Singer of India

Malgudi Subha (also spelled as Malgadi Shubaa) is an Indian playback singer. She has recorded songs in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi

She counts Usha Uthup among her rolemodels. 

She debuted as a playback singer through the film Nadodi Thendral, with music by Ilayaraja. Ace Indian composer A. R. Rahman's debut album, Set Me Free (also called Shubhaa Set Me Free) had all its songs sung by Malgudi Shubha. The album which was released in early nineties by some local labels went unnoticed, but became a good seller when it was re-released in 1996 by the label "Magnasound".

Her first successful album, Chikpak Chikbhum, which was released in Chennai, sold eight lakh copies.  The songs were composed by Raj-Koti, who were assisted by A. R. Rahman.

She has also appeared as a judge on the Malayalam language music competition program Idea Star Singer. She is presently one of the Judges in Star Singer 2 (Kannada), airing on Asianet Suvarna from 7-8 PM on weekdays.She has also appeared as a judge on the tamil music competition program "SUPER SINGER JUNIOR 2".

The South-Indian actress Priyamani is her niece.

How it happened

Till the age of 13, my family was in Bombay. After that, we shifted to Delhi. I started singing jingles. Hearing my voice, a family friend took me to then popular newsreader Komal G.B. Singh’s studio. I continued with jingles, and sang them in nearly 26 languages. When I moved to Chennai, I sang jingles for A. R. Rahman and Viji Manuel. Viji recommended me to Ilaiyaraja, who was searching for a good voice for Nadodi Thendral. Around the same time, Telugu music director Raj Koti heard my jingles, and came up with an album, ‘Chik Pak Chik Bam’, a big hit. Raj Koti gave me a song, Malgadi Yekki Goal Konda, in Athirathodu. After that, I was known as ‘Malgudi’ Subha.

How it felt

It was a dream come true to sing in films. Every one said my voice was different, and I became a busy playback singer.

How life changed

Today, I have sung for all the top music directors in the South, and have more than 2,500 songs in the South Indian languages and Hindi to my credit. All I want to do is I keep singing, as music is my only passion.

Mahalakshmi Iyer Female Play Back Singer of India

Mahalakshmi Iyer (also Mahalaxmi Iyer) is an Indian Tamil , Telugu playback singer, best known for her Hindi and Tamil songs. She has sung over a thousand songs in many Indian languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Assamese, Kannada and Malayalam.

Mahalaxmi Iyer
Genres	playback singing, Indian classical music, Folk, Indipop
Occupations	Singer, Playback singer
Instruments	Vocalist
Years active	1998-present

Career

Mahalakshmi made her singing debut with A R Rahman in Mani Ratnam's Dil Se (1998). She also recorded for the movie Dus, which was Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's debut as music directors. Later, she went on to work frequently with them.

Since then she has sung over thousand songs in films, Serials jingles and original albums. She was part of several successful soundtracks such as Mission Kashmir, Yaadein and Saathiya and worked with some of the biggest music composers like A R Rahman, Anu Malik, Jatin-Lalit and more.

She has also sung for all of the Yash Raj Productions' biggest hits like Dhoom 2, Bunty Aur Babli, Salaam Namaste and Fanaa and most recent successful albums like Ta Ra Rum Pum and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.

During her career, she was known for her performances in songs like Kabhi Sham Dhale from Sur: The Melody of Life (2002), Har Taraf from Rishtey (2002) and for hit songs like Chup Chup Ke from Bunty Aur Babli (2005), Aaj Ki Raat from Don: The Chase Begins Again (2006) and Bol Na Halke Halke from Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.

She also sang on the Academy Award winning song "Jai Ho" for A R Rahman in the film Slumdog Millionaire (2008). Specifically, she sang the Urdu words between the short "Jai Ho" chants, as well as portions of the verses (most of which were sung by Sukhwinder Singh).

Personal life

Mahalakshmi comes from a musical family. Her mother is a Carnatic classical singer. She began learning Hindustani music at an early age as did her three sisters, Arpana, Padmini and Shobha. Iyer grew up in Mumbai and is a graduate of St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, where she took up classes in Urdu language to perfect her all-essential pronunciation and hide any traces of a Southern accent.[2]

Famous songs

* Yaro Yarodi(Alaipayuthey)

* Ae Ajnabee (Dil Se...)

* Velli Ma

* Vanna Poongavai (Jodi)

* Kuruku Sirutthavalay (Mudhalvan)

* Kandukondain Kandukondain (Kandukondain Kandukondain)

* Sadiyaan (Lakeer – Forbidden Lines)

* Yaar Teri Bewafaai (Love You Hamesha)

* Eko Eno Nannalli (Arasu - Kannada)

* So Ja Chanda (Mission Kashmir)

* Yaadein Yaad Aati Hain (Yaadein)

* Har Taraf Tu Hi (Rishtey)

* Yeh Dhuaan (Charas)

* Kabhi Sham Dhale (Sur: The Melody of Love)

* Chup Chup Ke (Bunty Aur Babli)

* Tu Jahan (Salaam Namaste)

* Des Rangila (Fanaa)

* Tenu Leke (Salaam-E-Ishq)

* Rock N' Roll Soniye (Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna)

* Aaj Ki Raat (Don - The Chase Begins Again)

* Tara Rum Pum (Ta Ra Rum Pum)

* Bol Na Halke Halke (Jhoom Barabar Jhoom)

* Banoo Main Teri Dulhann(Banoo Main Teri Dulhann)

* Falak Tak(Tashan)

* Oh Ho Sanam (Dasavatharam)

* Jai Ho (Slumdog Millionaire)

* Pyaar Ki Dastaan (Luck By Chance)

* Sadka (I Hate Luv Storys)

Awards and honors

* Alpha award for Best Playback, for Adhar

* Maharashtra Kala Niketan Award, for Suna Yeti Gharaat

L. R. Eswari Female Play Back Singer of India

L. R. Eswari is a Veteran playback singer of Tamil movie industry. She has also sang in other South Indian languages of Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Tulu.

Career

Her unique voice is more suited for peppy numbers in the movies be it a dance tune or devotional tune.

Notable songs

song	Tamil Movie
Muthukulikka Vareegala	Anubavi Raja Anubavi
Mappillai Ragasiyam	Arangketram
Adi Ennadi Ulagam	Aval Oru Thodarkathai
Enna Solla Enna Solla	Babu
Kangalum Kavadi	Enga Vittu Pillai
Puthi Sigamani	Iruvar Ullam
Chithirai Poovizhi	Ithayathil Nee
Yenna Poruthamadi	Kanavan
Aadavaralaam Aada Varalaam	Karuppu Panam
Malarendra Mugam Indru	Kathalikka Nerammillai
Enthan Nenjam Yaarai	Kathalithal Pothuma
Kathal Penney	Kathalithal Pothuma
Maapillai Vanthan	Kaveriyin Kanavan
Avala Ivala	Mannathi Mannan
Aval Oru Kathanayagi	Moondru Mudichu
Singapore Machan	Naam Moovar
Pirantha Idam Thedi	Naan Aanaiyittal
Dhukkaththilum	Nalla Idathu Sammantham
Oh Lakshmi	Neela Vanam
Nee Ninaithal	Nilave Nee Satchi
Naam Oruvarai Oruvar	Oruvar
En Vaalibam Ennum Mahligaiyil	Paalkudam
Vaarayo Thozhi	Paasa Malar
Sonnathellam Nadanthiduma	Padha Kaanikkai
Ithazhai Virithathu Roja	Pattanathil Bootham
Kaalgal Nindrathu	Poojaikku Vantha Malar
Ithu Margazhi Matham	Praptham
Sala Sala Kathottam	Praptham
Raja Veetu Pennanalum	Raja Veetu Pillai
Manamagale Marumagale	Saradha
Lilli Lali Jimmy	Selvam
Vennila Mugam	Selvamagal
Pennai Parthum	Shanthi Nilayam
Pushpa Raagam	Thani Kudithanam
Naanoru Kaathal	Thavapputhalvan
Kottai Mathir Mele	Thirudan
Ivalavuthan Ulagam	Ulagam Ivalavuthan
Ada Sarithan Podi	Uyira Maanama
Savale Samali	Uyira Maanama
Enge Enge En Manathu	Vaaliba Virunthu
Ammamma Kannathil Kannam	Vallavan Oruvan
Palinginal Oru Mahligai	Vallavan Oruvan
Kathodhuthan Naan	Velli Vizha
Allipanthal Kaalgal	Vennira Aadai
Nee Emppathenna	Vennira Aadai

Lata Mangeshkar -The Great Play Back Singer of India

Lata Mangeshkar (Marathi: लता मंगेशकर; born September 28, 1929) is a singer from India. She is one of the best-known and most respected playback singers in India.[1][2] Mangeshkar's career started in 1942 and has spanned over six and a half decades. She has recorded songs for over a thousand Bollywood movies and has sung songs in over thirty-six regional Indian languages and foreign languages, but primarily in Hindi. She is the elder sister of Asha Bhosle and brother Hridayanath Mangeshkar and sisters Usha Mangeshkar and Meena Mangeshkar. She is the second vocalist ever to have received the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour.[3]

Mangeshkar was featured in the Guinness Book of World Records from 1974 to 1991 for having made the most recordings in the world. The claim was that she had recorded no less than 25,000 solo, duet, and chorus-backed songs in 20 Indian languages between 1948 to 1974 (30,000 songs between 1948 and 1987, according to the 1987 edition). Over the years, while several sources have supported this claim, others have raised concerns over its veracity, claiming that this number was highly exaggerated and that Mangeshkar's sister, Asha Bhosle, had more song recordings than she had.

Lata Mangeshkar
Mangeshkar in 2008
Background information
Born	September 28, 1929 (1929-09-28) (age 80) Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
Genres	Film music (playback singing)
Occupations	Singer
Instruments	Vocalist
Years active	1942 - present

Early life

Lata Mangeshkar was born in a Maharashtrian family in Sikh Mohalla, Indore, in the State of Madhya Pradesh. Her father, Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar who belonged to a Marathi-speaking Kalavant family from Goa, was a classical singer and theater actor. Her mother Shudhhamati, who was from Thalner, Maharashtra, was Deenanath's second wife. The family's last name used to be Hardikar; Deenanath changed it to Mangeshkar in order to identify his family with his native town, Mangeshi in Goa. Lata was named "Hridaya" at her birth. Her parents later renamed her Lata after a female character, Latika, in one of her father's plays, BhaawBandhan.[4] Lata is the eldest child of her parents. Asha, Hridayanath, Usha, and Meena are her siblings in sequence.

Mangeshkar took her first music lessons from her father. At the age of five, she started to work as an actress in her father's musical plays (sangeet naatak in Marathi). On the first day in the school, she started teaching songs to other children. When the teacher stopped her, she was so angry that she stopped going to the school.[4] Other sources cite that she left school because they would not allow her to bring Asha with her, as she would often bring her younger sister with her.

Early movie career in the 1940s

In 1942, when Mangeshkar was 13, her father died of heart disease. Master Vinayak (Vinayak Damodar Karnataki), the owner of Navyug Chitrapat movie company and a close friend of the Mangeshkar family, took care of them. He helped Lata get started in a career as a singer and actress.

Mangeshkar sang the song “Naachu Yaa Gade, Khelu Saari Mani Haus Bhaari,” which was composed by Sadashivrao Nevrekar for Vasant Joglekar's Marathi-language movie Kiti Hasaal (1942), but the song was dropped from the final cut. Vinayak gave her a small role in Navyug Chitrapat's Marathi movie Pahili Mangalaa-gaur (1942), in which she sang “Natali Chaitraachi Navalaai,” which was composed by Dada Chandekar.[4] Her first Hindi song was Mata Ek Sapoot Ki Duniya Badal De Tu for the Marathi film, Gajaabhaau (1943). Mangeshkar moved to Mumbai in 1945 when Master Vinayak's company moved its headquarters there. She started taking lessons in Hindustani classical music from Ustad Amanat Ali Khan Bhendibazaarwale. She sang “Paa Lagoon Kar Jori” for Vasant Joglekar's Hindi-language movie Aap Ki Seva Mein (1946),[4] which was composed by Datta Davjekar. Mangeshkar and her sister Asha played minor roles Vinayak's first Hindi-language movie, Badi Maa (1945). In that movie, Lata also sang a bhajan (religious song), “Maata Tere Charnon Mein.” She was introduced to music director Vasant Desai during the recording of Vinayak's second Hindi-language movie, Subhadra (1946).

Following the partition of India in 1947, Ustad Amanat Ali Khan Bhendibazaarwale migrated to newly formed Pakistan, so Mangeshkar started to learn classical music under Amanat Khan Devaswale. Pandit Tulsidas Sharma, a pupil of Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, also trained her.

After Vinayak's death in 1948, music director Ghulam Haider mentored her as a singer. Haider introduced Mangeshkar to producer Sashadhar Mukherjee, who was working then on the movie Shaheed (1948), but Mukherjee dismissed Mangeshkar's voice as "too thin."[4] An annoyed Haider responded that in the coming years the producers and the directors would "fall at Lata's feet" and "beg her" to sing in their movies. Haider gave Lata her first major break with the song “Dil Mera Toda,” from the movie Majboor (1948).

Initially, Mangeshkar is said to have imitated Noor Jehan, but later she developed her own style of singing. Lyrics of songs in Hindi movies are primarily composed by Urdu poets and contain a higher proportion of Urdu words, including the dialogue. Actor Dilip Kumar once made a mildly disapproving remark about Mangeshkar's Maharashtrian accent while singing Hindi/Urdu songs; so for a period of time, Lata took lessons in Urdu from an Urdu teacher named Shafi.

“Aayega Aanewaala,” a song in the popular movie Mahal (1949) was composed by music director Khemchand Prakash and lip-synced on screen by actress Madhubala).

The 1950s

In the 1950s, Mangeshkar sang songs composed by various music directors of the period, including Anil Biswas (in films such as Tarana and Heer), Shankar-Jaikishan, Naushad, S. D. Burman, C. Ramchandra, Hemant Kumar, Salil Chowdhury, Khayyam, Ravi, Sajjad Hussain, Roshan, Kalyanji-Anandji, Vasant Desai, Sudhir Phadke, Hansraj Behl, Madan Mohan, and Usha Khanna.

Mangeshkar sang many raga-based songs for Naushad in movies such as Baiju Bawra (1952), Mughal-E-Azam (1960), and Kohinoor (1960). Ae Chorre Ki Jaat Badi Bewafa, a duet with G. M. Durrani, was her first song for composer, Naushad. The duo, Shankar-Jaikishan, chose Mangeshkar for Aag, Aah (1953), Shree 420 (1955), and Chori Chori (1956). Before 1957, composer Sachin Dev (S. D.) Burman chose Mangeshkar as the leading female singer for his musical scores in Sazaa (1951), House No. 44 (1955), and Devdas (1955). However a rift developed between Lata and Burman in 1957, and Lata did not sing Burman's compositions again until 1962.[4]

Mangeshkar won a Filmfare Best Female Playback Award for Salil Chowdhury's composition “Aaja Re Pardesi,” from Madhumati (1958).

In the early fifties, Lata Mangeshkar's association with C. Ramchandra produced songs in movies such as Anarkali, Albela, Asha, Pehli Jhhalak, Shin Shinkai Bublaa Boo, Azad and Amardeep. For Madan Mohan, she performed for films like Adalat, Railway Platform, Dekh Kabira Roya and Chacha Zindabad.

1960s

In 1960, Mangeshkar's song Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya from Mughal-E-Azam (1960) was composed by Naushad and picturized on Madhubala. The Hawaiian-themed number Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh from Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai (1960) was composed by Shankar-Jaikishan and picturized on Meena Kumari.

In 1961, Mangeshkar recorded two bhajans, Allah Tero Naam and Prabhu Tero Naam, for Burman's assistant, Jaidev. In 1962, she was awarded her second Filmfare Award for the song Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil from Bees Saal Baad, composed by Hemant Kumar.

On June 27, 1963, against the backdrop of the Sino-Indian War, Mangeshkar sang the patriotic song Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon (literally, "Oh, the People of My Country") in the presence of Jawaharlal Nehru, then the Prime Minister of India. The song, composed by C. Ramchandra and written by Pradeep, is said to have brought the Prime Minister to tears.[4][unreliable source?]

In 1963, Mangeshkar returned to collaboration with S. D. Burman. She also sang for R. D. Burman's very first film Chhote Nawaab and later for his films such as Bhoot Bangla (1965), Pati Patni (1966), Baharon ke Sapne (1967) and Abhilasha (1969). She also recorded several popular songs for S. D. Burman, including Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai, Gata Rahe Mera Dil (duet with Kishore Kumar) and Piya Tose from Guide (1965), and Hothon Pe Aisi Baat from Jewel Thief (1967).

During the 1960s, Lata Mangeshkar continued her association with Madan Mohan which included the songs Aap Ki Nazron Ne Samjha from Anpadh (1962), Lag Ja Gale and Naina Barse Rim Jhim from Woh Kaun Thi? (1964), Woh Chup Rahen To from Jahan Ara (1964), and Tu Jahan Jahan Chalega from Mera Saaya (1966).

The 1960s also witnessed the beginning of Mangeshkar's association with Laxmikant-Pyarelal, the music directors for whom she sang the most songs in her career.

She also sang several playback songs for Marathi films, composed by Marathi music directors including Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Vasant Prabhu, Srinivas Khale, Sudhir Phadke and herself (under the name Anandghan). During the 1960s and 1970s, she also sang several Bengali songs, composed by music directors like Salil Chowdhury and Hemant Kumar.

Lata Mangeshkar has recorded duets with Mukesh, Manna Dey, Mohammed Rafi, and Kishore Kumar. From the 1960s, she was not on good terms with Mohammed Rafi over the issue of royalty payments to singers. Mangeshkar wanted Rafi to back her in demanding a half-share from the five percent song royalty that the film's producer conceded to select composers.[6] But Rafi took a diametrically opposite view, and believed that a playback singer's claim on the filmmaker ended with the payment of the agreed fee for the song. During the recording of the song Tasveer Teri Dil Mein (Maya, 1961), Mangeshkar lost her cool with Rafi in a certain passage of the song. Rafi felt belittled, as the music director Salil Chowdhury chose to back Mangeshkar .[7] The situation worsened as Lata Mangeshkar declared that she would no longer sing with Rafi. Rafi stated that he was only as keen to sing with Mangeshkar as she was with him. Later, at the insistence of S.D.Burman, the two decided to make up and sing duets, but on a personal level, they were not on good terms.

1970s

In 1972, Meena Kumari's last film, Pakeezah was released. It featured popular songs including Chalte Chalte and Inhi Logon Ne sung by Lata Mangeshkar, and composed by Ghulam Mohammed. She recorded many popular songs for S. D. Burman's last films, including Rangeela Re from Prem Pujari (1970), Khilte Hain Gul Yahaan from Sharmeelee (1971), and Piya Bina from Abhimaan (1973).

Lata Mangeshkar's most notable songs in 1970s were composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal (Laxmi-Pyare) and Rahul Dev Burman. She recorded several songs composed by Laxmi-Pyare in 1960s and 1970s, many of them written by the lyricst Anand Bakshi. She also recorded many hit songs with Rahul Dev Burman in the films Amar Prem (1972), Caravan (1971), Kati Patang(1971), and Aandhi (1975). The two are noted for their songs with the lyricists Majrooh Sultanpuri, Anand Bakshi and Gulzar.

In 1973, she won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the song Beeti Na Bitai from the film Parichay, composed by R. D. Burman, and written by Gulzar. In 1975, she again won the same award, this time for the song Roothe Roothe Piya from the film Kora Kagaz, composed by Kalyanji-Anandji.

From 1970s onwards, Lata Mangeshkar has also staged many concerts in India and abroad, including several charity concerts. Her first concert overseas was at the Royal Albert Hall, London, in 1974. She also released an album of Mirabai's bhajans, Chala Vaahi Des, composed by her brother Hridayanath Mangeshkar. Some of the bhajans in the album include Saanware Rang Raachi and Ud Jaa Re Kaaga. In the early 70s, she released other non-film albums, such as her collection of Ghalib ghazals, an album of Marathi folk songs (koli-geete), an album of Ganesh aartis (all composed by her brother Hridaynath) and an album of abhangs of Sant Tukaram composed by Shrinivas Khale.

In late 1970s and early 1980s, she worked with the children of composers she had earlier worked with. Some of these composers included Rahul Dev Burman (son of Sachin Dev Burman), Rajesh Roshan (son of Roshan), Anu Malik (son of Sardar Malik), and Anand-Milind (sons of Chitragupt).

1980s onwards

1980s onwards, Lata Mangeshkar worked with music directors including Shiv-Hari, Ram Laxman, and A. R. Rahman. She also recorded some non-film songs, including ghazals with Jagjit Singh. In 1981, she recorded her first duet with S P Balasubrahmanyam for the film Ek Duje Ke Liye.

In 1990, Mangeshkar launched her own production house for Hindi movies which produced Lekin. She won her third National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for her song Yaara Sili Sili from the film. During the 1990s, she recorded with music directors including Jatin-Lalit and Nadeem-Shravan. She has sung for Rajshri Productions also, including Maine Pyar Kiya (1989) & Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (1994).

Mangeshkar has sung for almost all the Yash Chopra films, and films from his production house Yash Raj Films, including Chandni (1989), Lamhe (1991), Darr (1993), Yeh Dillagi (1994), Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) and later on Mohabbatein (2000), "Mujhse Dosti Karoge"" (2002) and Veer Zaara (2004).

A. R. Rahman recorded a few songs with Mangeshkar during this period, including "Jiya Jale" (Dil Se, featuring Preity Zinta), "Khamoshiyan Gungunane Lagin" (One Two Ka Four), "Ek Tu Hi Bharosa" (Pukar), "Pyaara Sa Gaon" (Zubeidaa),"Lukka chuppi" (Rang de Basanti) and "O Paalanhaare" (Lagaan).

In 1999, Lata Eau De Parfum, a perfume brand named after her, was launched.[8]

In 1999, she was nominated as a member of Rajya Sabha. However, she did not attend the Rajya Sabha sessions regularly, inviting criticism from several members of the House, including the Deputy Chairperson Najma Heptullah, Pranab Mukherjee and Shabana Azmi. She stated the reason for her absence as ill-health; it was also reported that she had not taken a salary, allowance or a house in Delhi for being a Member of Parliament.

In 2001, Lata Mangeshkar was awarded Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor. In the same year, she established the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune, managed by the Lata Mangeshkar Medical Foundation (founded by the Mangeshkar family in October 1989). In 2005, she designed a jewellery collection called Swaranjali, which was crafted by Adora, an Indian diamond export company. Five pieces from the collection raised £105,000 at a Christie's auction, and a part of the money was donated for the 2005 Pakistan earthquake relief.[13] Also in 2001, she recorded her first Hindi song with the composer Ilaiyaraaja, for the film Lajja (2001); she had earlier recorded Tamil and Telugu songs composed by Ilaiyaraaja.

In 2000s, Lata Mangeshkar, along with other residents of the Peddar Road area in Mumbai, opposed the construction of a flyover in the area. She believed that construction of the flyover would increase air and noise pollution in the area, and threatened to quit the city if the flyover was built. In 2006, it was reported that she and her sister Asha Bhosle had purchased apartments in Parel and were planning to move out of Peddar Road.

Lata Mangeshkar's song Wada Na Tod is in the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) and on the film's soundtrack.

On June 21, 2007, she released an album Saadgi, featuring eight ghazal-like songs written by Javed Akhtar and composed by Mayuresh Pai.

Non-singing career

Music direction

Lata Mangeshkar composed music for the first time in 1955 for movie "Ram Ram Pavhane". Later in 1960s, she composed music for following Marathi movies under the pseudonym of "Anand Ghan".

* 1960 - Ram Ram Pavhana

* 1963 - Maratha Tituka Melvava

* 1963 - Mohityanchi Manjula

* 1965 - Sadhi Manase

* 1969 - Tambadi Mati

She won Maharashtra State Government's Best Music Director Award for the film Sadhi Manase. The song Airanichya deva tula from the same film received best song award.

Production

Lata Mangeshkar has produced four films:

* 1953 - Vaadal (Marathi)

* 1953 - Jhaanjhar (Hindi), co-produced with C. Ramchandra

* 1955 - Kanchan (Hindi)

* 1990 - Lekin (Hindi)

Awards and recognitions

Main article: Awards conferred on Lata Mangeshkar

Lata Mangeshkar has won several awards and honors, including Padma Bhushan (1969), Padma Vibhushan (1999), Dada Saheb Phalke Award (1989), Maharashtra Bhushan Award (1997)[18], NTR National Award (1999), Bharat Ratna (2001), three National Film Awards, and 12 Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards. She has also won four Filmfare Best Female Playback Awards. In 1969, she made the unusual gesture of giving up the Filmfare Best Female Playback Award, in order to promote fresh talent. She was later awarded [Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award] in 1993.

In 1984, the State Government of Madhya Pradesh instituted the Lata Mangeshkar Award in honor of Lata Mangeshkar. The State Government of Maharashtra also instituted a Lata Mangeshkar Award in 1992.

In 1974, The Guinness Book of Records listed Lata Mangeshkar as the most recorded artist in the history, stating that she had reportedly recorded "not less than 25,000 solo, duet and chorus backed songs in 20 Indian languages" between 1948 and 1974. Her record was contested by Mohammed Rafi, who was claimed to have sung around 28,000 songs. After Rafi's death, in its 1984 edition, the Guinness Book of World Records stated Lata Mangeshkar's name for the "Most Recordings", but also stated Rafi's claim. The later editions of Guinness Book stated that Lata Mangeshkar had sung no fewer than 30,000 songs between 1948 and 1987.

Although the entry has not been printed in Guinness editions since 1991, reputable sources claim that she has recorded thousands of songs, with estimates ranging up to figures as large as 50,000. However, even the earliest Guinness claim of 25,000 songs (between 1948–1974) was claimed to be exaggerated by other sources, who stated that the number of songs sung by Lata Mangeshkar in Hindustani (Hindi-Urdu films till 1991 was found to be 5250. Mangeshkar herself stated that she does not keep a record of the number of songs recorded by her, and that she did not know from where Guinness Book editors got their information.