Shreya Ghoshal Female Playback Singer of India

Shreya Ghoshal (Bengali: শ্রেয়া ঘোষাল; born 12 March 1984) is an Indian singer. Best known as a playback singer in Bollywood films, she has also performed several songs for other Indian film industries. Besides Hindi, she performs in Assamese, Bengali, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi,and Tamil songs.

Ghoshal's career began when she won the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa contest as an adult. Her Bollywood playback singing career began with Devdas, for which she received both the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer and the Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent. Since then, she has worked in more than 180 films. She has worked with many prominent Indian musicians, and several of her songs have achieved critical and commercial success. Ghoshal is one of the most awarded playback singers in recent times, with four National Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards to her credit.

Shreya Ghoshal
Birth name	Shreya Ghoshal
Born	March 12, 1984 (1984-03-12) (age 26)
Origin	Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Genres	Playback singing, Indian classical music
Occupations	Singer
Years active	2002 – present
Website	shreyaghoshal.com

Biography
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Early years

Ghoshal was born to a Bengali Hindu family in Kolkata, West Bengal. Her ancestors came from the Bikrampur region of Dhaka district, Bangladesh. She grew up in Rawatbhata, a small town near Kota, Rajasthan. She belongs to a highly academic family. Her father "B Ghoshal" works in Bhabha Atomic Research Center as a nuclear power plant engineer for the Nuclear Power Corporation of India; her mother is a post-graduate literature student.

From the age of four Ghoshal accompanied her mother on the harmonium. She trained in Hindustani classical music in Kota with Maheshchandra Sharma.

As a child, she won the children's special episode of the Sa Re Ga Ma (now Sa Re Ga Ma Pa) contest on Zee TV. Kalyanji, who also judged the competition, convinced her parents to move to Mumbai.[2] She trained with Kalyanji for 18 months and continued her classical music training with Mukta Bhide in Mumbai.

She studied at Atomic Energy Central Schools (AECS) at Rawatbhata and Anushaktinagar (Mumbai). After graduation she enrolled at SIES College.

Career

Ghoshal caught the attention of film director Sanjay Leela Bhansali when she participated in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa for a second time, this time as an adult. In 2000, he offered her the opportunity to be the voice of Paro, the lead female character of his film Devdas, who was portrayed by Aishwarya Rai. Shreya sang five songs under the musical direction of Ismail Darbar in the film. Her performance won her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer, as well as Filmfare's RD Burman Award for New Music Talent, given to upcoming talents in music. She also won a National Film Award for the song "Bairi Piya".

Since Devdas, she has received awards singing under prominent musicians including A. R. Rahman, M. M. Keeravani, Shantanu Moitra and Pritam. She has won many awards both in the north and south film industries. Moviegoers from across the world heard Ghoshal’s singing voice pictured on Aishwarya Rai, and in coming years she quickly became one of the top female playback singers in Bollywood, alongside Alka Yagnik, Sadhana Sargam, and Kavita Krishnamurthy.

She enjoys symphony and instrumental western music; her favourite groups are Dream Theater, Backstreet Boys and Boyzone. But Indian music is her passion. She won three more Filmfare Awards. She is the only singer to get four national awards at the age of 26 in the Hindi film industry.

Awards and recognitions

Special Recognition

* Governor of US State of Ohio, Ted Strickland declared by a proclamation that June 26th, 2010 is "Shreya Ghoshal Day" in the state of Ohio in recognition of Shreya's musical contribution. Swami Vivekananda and Rabindranath Tagore were the only Indians to receive this title.

National Film Awards

* 2003: National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer - Bairi Piya (Devdas; Hindi)

* 2006: National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer - Dheere Jalna (Paheli; Hindi)

* 2008: National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer - Yeh Ishq Hai (Jab We Met; Hindi)

* 2009: National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer - Jeeva Dangala (Jogwa; Marathi) & Pherari Mon (Antaheen; Bengali)

Filmfare Awards

* 2003: Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent

* 2003: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (shared with Kavita Krishnamurthy) - Dola Re (Devdas)

* 2004: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award - Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai (Jism)

* 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award - Barso Re (Guru)

* 2009: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award - Teri Ore (Singh Is Kinng)

Filmfare Awards South

* 2007: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Tamil) - Munbe Vaa (Sillunu Oru Kaadhal)

* 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) - Ninna Nodalenthu - (Mussanjemaatu)

IIFA Awards

* 2003: IIFA Best Female Playback Award (shared with Kavita Krishnamurthy) - Dola Re (Devdas)

* 2004: IIFA Best Female Playback Award - Jadu Hai Nasha Hai (Jism)

* 2008: IIFA Best Female Playback Award - Barso Re (Guru)

* 2009: IIFA Best Female Playback Award - Teri Ore (Singh Is Kinng)

Zee Cine Awards

* 2003: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer (shared with Kavita Krishnamurthy) - Dola Re (Devdas)

* 2006: Zee Cine Award for Best FemalePlayback Singer - Piyu Bole (Parineeta)

* 2008: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer - Barso Re (Guru)

Star Screen Awards

* 2004: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback - Jadoo Hai Nasha Hai (Jism)

* 2006: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback - Piyu Bole (Parineeta)

* 2008: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback - Barso Re (Guru)

Other Awards

* 2003: Stardust Award - New Musical Sensation (Female) - Devdas

* 2005: Andhra Pradesh State Award Best Female Playback Singer - Pillagaali Allari (Athadu) & Neeke Nuvvu (Modati Cinema) (Telugu)

* 2007: Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback - Munbe Vaa (Sillunu Oru Kaadhal) (Tamil)

* 2008: Apsara Award Best Female Playback Singer - Barso Re (Guru)

* 2009: Apsara Award Best Female Playback Singer - Teri Ore (Singhh is Kingg)

* 2008: GPBA - German Public Bollywood Award Best Singer (Female) - Yeh Ishq Haaye (Jab We Met)

* 2008: Zee Astitva Award for Excellence In Music

* 2009: Kerala State Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer - Chandhu Thottille (Banaras)

* 2010: Apsara Award Best Female Playback Singer - Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi)

Sharda Sinha Female Playback Singer of India

Sharda Sinha (born October 9, 1952) is a famous folk-singer from Bihar. She is music teacher. she has vowed respect and given a new dimension to Maithili and Bhojpuri songs. She has got Padma Shri for her contribution to music. Prayag Sangeet Samiti organised Basant Mahotsava at Prayag where Padma Shri Sharda Sinha presented numerous songs based on the theme of spring season, drawing huge applause from the audience. The advent of spring was beautifully narrated through folk songs.

She regularly performs during Durga Puja festivities.She had enthralled the audience when the Prime Minister of Mauritius Navin Ramgoolam had come to the land of his ancestors, Bihar.

She has sung in many movies such as Maine Pyar Kiya and Hum Aapke Hain Kaun and has also produced several successful music albums such as Dulhin, Pirittiya, Mehndi etc.

She is blessed with one son and one daughter. Son Ashu is a Web Designer and daughter Vandana is happily married to Mr. Sanju Kumar, Regional Head (Legal), ICICI Bank and lives in New Delhi with her two years old daughter Anushka.

Bihar 'kokila' Sharda Sinha's performance at Pragati Maidan in the ongoing Bihar Utsav, 2010, in New Delhi was an instant hit on Saturday, March 27, 2010 evening. Sinha started the programme with her famous patriotic song 'Maiya bharti pukarela jawan babua tora hathawa mein deshwa ke shaan babuwa'. Her other songs, including 'Paniya ke jahaj se paltaniya bani ahiya piya lele ahiya ho sindurwa Bengal Ke,' 'Kahe to se sajani hamaar jogiya,' 'Sutal chaliya baba ke bhawanwa,' 'Sun ho pardesia,' 'Sasuji se lutri,' 'Apna sajaniya ke' and 'Dulhin dhire dhire chalio,' enthralled the audience.

Shilpa Rao Female Playback Singer of India

Shilpa Rao

Place of Birth: Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India
Also known as :Birth name - Apeksha Rao
Genre: Bollywood
Language: Hindi

Biography

This up-and-coming singer who has lent her voice to songs such as ‘Mudhi-Mudhi Ittefaq Se’ (Paa), and ‘Khuda Jaane’ (Bachna Ae Haseeno) is definitely on the roll.

Showered with glowing reviews for her work on various soundtracks, Shilpa Rao’s talent spans a vast range of genres. Right from the ghazal track 'Sehra' in the Tusshar Kappor-starrer Aggar, to the upbeat, qawwali flavoured 'Saiyyan Re' from Salaam-E-Ishq, where she joins Shankar Mahadevan or the track, 'Javeda Zindagi' from the movie Anwar, where Shilpa duets with Kshitij together with guitar and tabla fusion to create a song that’s highly emotive and profound in meaning.

It was her father, S.V. Rao, who initiated Shilpa into the world of music. A post-graduate in music, he gave Shilpa the grounding needed to be a fine singer. But it was Hariharan, however, who discovered the innate potential in her and encouraged her to fine tune her skills. And fine tune her skills she did under Ghulam Mustafa Khan.

Having moved to Mumbai, Shilpa started off her career doing jingles for advertisements. Her dream debut into the music industry began with Shanker-Ehsaan-Loy’s peppy ‘Saiyan Re’ (Salaam-E-Ishq). The singer then went on to do songs for Mithoon Sharma (‘Tose Naina Lage,’ ‘Woh Ajnabi’ and ‘Nach Le’), Piyush Kanojia (‘Raghupati Raghav’ and ‘Vaishav Jan’) and Raghav Sachar (‘Gupchup’).

Debut Year 2005

Discography

2010 - Horn Ok Pleassss

2009 - Paa

2009 - Aagey Se Right

2009 - Sikandar

2009 - Gulaal

2009 - Dev D

2008 - Hijack

2008 - Bachna Ae Haseeno

2008 - Good Luck

2008 - Contract

2008 - Aamir

2008 - One Two Three

2007 - Aggar

2007 - The Train

2007 - Panga Naa Lo

2007 - Salaam-E-Ishq

2005 - Ek Ajnabee

Awards

Star Screen Awards

2008 - Best Female Playback Singer - 'Khuda Jaane - Bachna Ae Haseeno

Trivia/ Quotes

Trivia

An article published in the Hindustan Times in 2009 described her as one of the most prominent singers in the "wave" of "young, little-known singers" then sweeping through Bollywood.

'Ek Lau' from the film Aamir is one of her famous songs. This song relates a lot to the Mumbai Terror attacks on 26/11 and was the theme song on NDTV during the coverage of the Mumbai Carnage.

Shamshad Begum Female Playback Singer of India

Shamshad Begum (born April 14, 1919) is an Indian singer who was one of the first playback singers in the Hindi film industry.

Begum was born in Amritsar, Punjab. She was a big fan of K.L. Saigal and watched Devdas 14 times. She earned 15 rupees per song and was awarded 5,000 on the completion of the contract on Xenophone, a renowned music recording company.

Sometime back, a controversy erupted in the media, when several publications gave the false news of her death, before it was clarified that the Shamshad Begum who died in 1998 was Saira Banu's (Dilip Kumar's wife) grandmother with the same name. The singer has been living with her daughter Usha Ratra and son-in-law in Mumbai, ever since her husband Ganpat Lal Batto died in 1955. Recently, she celebrated her 89th birthday at her elder sister's house and now she stays at - Hiranandani Gardens, Powai, Mumbai She was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2009.

Shamshad Begum
Born	April 14, 1919 (1919-04-14) (age 91) Amritsar, Punjab, India
Genres	Playback singing
Occupations	Singer
Years active	1934–1975

Career

Begum made her debut on radio on Peshawar Radio in Lahore on December 16, 1937, captivating the hearts of her listeners with the enchanting depth of her voice. Shamshad was very much conscious of her not so beautiful face and she never posed for any pictures and not many people saw her pictures anywhere. Until the end of the 1970s, nobody knew her face at all, though everybody could recognise her melodious voice as it was used by the great maestros like Naushad Ali and O. P. Nayyar. Even today, her songs from the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s are popular and continue to be remixed by music directors.

Begum sang for the All India Radio (AIR) through her musical group 'The Crown Imperial Theatrical Company of Performing Arts', set up in Delhi. The then AIR Lahore helped her entering the world of movies as they frequently broadcast her songs, which induced music directors to use her voice for their films. Shamshad also recorded "naats" and devotional music for a couple of gramophone recording companies.

Her crystal-clear voice caught the attention of sarangi maestro Ustad Hussain Bakshwale Saheb, who took her as his disciple. Lahore-based composer Ghulam Haider used her voice skillfully in some of his earlier films like Khazanchi (1941) and Khandaan (1942). When he moved to Bombay in 1944, Shamshad went with him as a member of his team, leaving behind her family and staying with her Chacha (paternal uncle). She is credited with singing one of the first Westernised songs, Meri jaan...Sunday ke Sunday by C. Ramchandra. O.P. Nayyar describes her voice as that of a "temple bell" for its clarity of tone. Begum became a national rage between the 1940s and the late 1950s, having a voice different from her peers like Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Geeta Dutt and Amirbai Karnataki.

Songs

* Leke pehla pehla pyar - CID (1956) - music O.P.Nayyar

* Milte hi, aankhen dil hua - Babul - music Naushad

* Chali Chali kaisi yeh hawa yeh - Duet with Usha Mangeshkar- Bluffmaster(1965) - music: Kalyanji Anandji

* Kabhi aar kabhi paar zara dere chalo - Aar Paar - music O.P.Nayyar

* Meri neendon mein tum - Naya Andaz - music O.P.Nayyar

* O Gadiwale - Mother India - naushad

* Kahin pe nigahen kahin pe nishana - CID (1956) - music O.P. Nayyar

* Boojh Mera Kya Naam Re - (1956) - music O.P.Nayyar

* Mere piya gaye Rangoon - Patanga - music C.Ramchandra

* Ek Tera Sahara – Shama - music Master Ghulam Haider

* Holi aayee re Kanhaai - Mother India (1957) - Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni, Music: Naushad

* Naina Bhar aye neer - Humayun - music Master Ghulam Haider

* Chod Babul Ka Ghar - Babul - music Naushad

* Kajra Mohabbatwala Ankhiyon mein Aisa dala (Duet with Asha Bhosle) - Kismat (1968) - Music: O.P. Nayyar

* Meri neendon main tum, meri khwabon mein tum (Duet with Kishore Kumar) - Naya Andaz - Music: O.P.Nayyar

* Teri Mehfil Mein Qismat (Duet with Lata Mangeshkar) - Mughal-E-Azam

* Saiyan Dil mein aana re - Bahar

Sapna Mukherjee Female Playback Singer of India

Sapna Mukherjee is a Bollywood playback singer who won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the chartbuster hit "Tirchi topiwale" in Tridev (1989).

She has since sang for most of the leading ladies of the time including Sridevi, Sushmita Sen, Rekha and many others. She was introduced in Bollywood by Kalyanji Anandji in Feroz Khan's magnum opus Jaan baaz (1986) where she sang "Ek to kam zindagani..pyar do pyar lo" picturised on the ravishing Rekha.

Despite being well trained in classical singing and having the potential, she couldn't scale great heights like her contemporaries Alka Yagnik and Kavita Krishnamurthy. Yet she's still remembered for the naughtiness and spunk in her voice specially for the cult song "Oye Oye" from Tridev (1989)

Some of her popular songs include:

* O Sikandar - Corporate

* Parody song in King Uncle

* Khud ko kya samajhti hai - Khiladi

* Pyar ka anjaam - Bewafa

* Tirchi Topi Wale - Tridev

* Pardesi Pardesi - Raja Hindustani

* Cham se - Dus

* Love in Nepal - title song

* Rabba Ishq Na Hove - Andaaz

* Tera saath hai kitna pyara - Jaanbaaz

More information

In 2006, she came out with an album entitled "Mere Piya", which included several solo performances by herself as well as a duet together with popular singer Sonu Niigaam, Lata Mangeshkar was present at the Release event. Sapna Mukherjee has done staging live concerts in USA, Canada and the UK. Also she is devotee of Satya Sai Baba.

Sadhana Sargam Female Playback Singer of India

Sadhana Sargam is an acclaimed Indian playback singer. She is one of the recipients of the prestigious National Award and Filmfare Awards

Sadhana Sargam sings in many Indian languages for films, tele-serials and music albums. She is well known for her 90's Hindi songs and the recent south Indian songs. She is the only Indian Playback singer who has sung in more than 24 languages in indian regional languages. She also holds a record for being the only North Indian to have won the National Award for a South Indian song. She is also a trained Hindustani classical singer. Now, she is venturing into the southern carnatic classical style with ease.

Sadhana Sargam
Background information
Birth name	Sadhana Ghanekar
Born	India, March 14
Genres	Playback singing, Indian classical, Devotional
Occupations	Singer
Instruments	Vocalist
Years active	1982-current

Early life and family

Sadhana Sargam is of Maharashtrian origin. She was trained in Indian classical music by her mother, Mrs. Neelatai Ghanekar at an early age, and then by Pandit Jasraj. Her mother introduced her to a composer by the name of Anil Mohile, which later resulted in her involvement with the children's choir. In 1982, she released her first single for the film "Vidhaata".

Career

Sadhana Sargam is popular in singing Hindi as well as Tamil songs. Her most critically acclaimed songs were in the film Water, composed by A. R. Rahman, in which she sang three songs, Aayo Re Sakhi, Piya Ho and Naina Neer. Her other notable songs in Hindi with the same composer include Aahista Aahista from Swades, "Chupke Se" &Naina Milaike from Saathiya, "Chanda Re" from "Sapney", " O Palanhare" from "Lagaan", Jhulaa Bahon Ka from Doli Saja Ke Rakhna, and Banno Rani from 1947 Earth. Her other notable rhapsodic hits in Hindi are " Neele Neele Ambar Par" from "Kalakaar", "Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaye" from "Jurm", "Pehla Nasha" from" Jo Jita Wohi Sikander", "Na Kajre Ki Dhar" from "Mohra","Aashiqui Me" from"Dil Ka Kya Kasoor", "Tere Dar Pe Sanam" from"Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee", "Jhinimini" from "Maqbool" and "Aao na" from" Kyon ho gaya na".

She won the National Award for Best Female Playback singer, for the song 'Pattu Solli' from the, Thankar Bachan's cult classic movie Azhagi, the music was by maestro Ilayaraja, whom she has praised for "giving her such a wonderful song, and making her eligible for the National Award".

Sadhana Sargam is currently ruling the south Indian playback industry with a very strong foothold in Tamil and Telugu industries and also started foraying towards Malayalam and Kannada industry.

She has sung more than 150 songs in Tamil alone and has many top songs, her recent song is Marali Mareyaagi from Savaari, a Kannada Movie for which she got Filmfare best Playback Kannada Female Singer 2009. Her most famous songs in Tamil include Snehithane from Alaipayuthey, Mukundha Mukundha from Dasavatharam, Konjum Mainakkale from Kandukondain Kandukondain and Swasame from Thenali. She has also sung Om Zaarare from the Rajinikant performer Kuselan, along with Daler Mehndi and K. S. Chitra. She sang several songs in Hindi and Oriya for music director Kajol-Saroj. She has also sung the Tamil version of Mann Mohana from the Hindi film Jodhaa Akbar. Her other notable recent solo Tamil song is Sutri Varum Bhoomi from the Vidhyasagar composed Jeyam Kondaan. Ilayaraja composed Tamil film Naan Kadavul had a song Amma Un Pillai in her voice very recently. In Marathi Film Industry, she sang maximum songs. Her popular tracks in marathi are "Onjalit Majhya" & "Saanjh Jhali Tari" from "Sarivar Sari", "Dis Char Jhale Mann" & "Dhag Datun Yetat" from "Aaishappath", "Pahile Paul", "Jhali Punha Pravahi" & "Ye Saad Jivnachi" from "Sakhi". Her recent marathi album "Tu Sukhkarta..Tu Dukhraya" on the occasion of Shri Ganesh Chaturthi released by Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar on 3rd September 2010 at Ravindra Natya Mandir,Mumbai. The songs are composed by Amol Bawdekar and lyrics by Mahesh Ghatpande.

Musical style

In her early days as a singer, her voice at high octaves was thought[by whom?] to be similar to that of Lata Mangeshkar while her low octave voice was that of Asha Bhosle. However, as time passed Sargam developed her own distinct style.

 Influence

Contribution to classical music

In 2006, Sargam was among the singers who took part in a classical concert to mark Dinanath Mangeshkar's 100th birthday celebrations and earned praise from Hirudhayanath Mangeshkar for her performances in Hindustani classicals.[citation needed]

Devotional music

Sargam's contribution to devotional music is well appreciated by many senior singers like Usha Mangeshkar. Sadhana Sargam is one of the prominent forces along with Pandit Jasraj and Jagjit Singh to keep this form of music alive.

Famous in the South

Sadhana Sargam was well received in Tamil Nadu. She is very busy in the Tamil music field. Among the Bollywood singers males or females, Sargam sang the most number of songs in Tamil music field. 132 songs of Sargam was listed as of August 2008

In an interview in May 2007 while touring in the USA, the most celebrated composer of the Indian music industry, Mr. A. R. Rahman, complimented Sadhana Sargam, calling her the only Indian singer who could surpass his imaginations and expectations in her renditions of songs.

Following is the portion of A.R. Rahman's interview after the New York concert of May 2007.

"It is one of my few scores that was not well released," Rahman says. "The songs were well used in the film but they did not reach the listeners in significant numbers." The numbers were sung by Sukhvinder Singh (who also wrote couple of lyrics) and Sadhana Sargam among others.

"She is one of the few singers who has surprised me at every turn," Rahman says. "Many singers do a very good job of doing exactly what I tell them to do but she somehow goes beyond instructions. She takes a song to another level effortlessly, and she is so good at it that I am surprised every time I work with her."

Famous in the Gujarat

Sadhana Sargam has been sung many more song in Gujarati language.Most of the song are familiar . Recently She was singing 4 Gujarati song for Film "Sacha Shamna Sajan Na",Musicdirector"Shailesh-utpal

Major awards and recognitions

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Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2010)

* 2007 Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Tamil) for Akkam Pakkam from Kireedam

* 2007 Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Telugu) for Manasa from Munna

* 2002 National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for Pattu Solli from Azhagi (She is the only non-South Indian singer to win this prestigious award for a South Indian song)

* 2002 Star Screen Award for Best Female Playback Singer Award for "Chupke Se" from Saathiya

* 2003 Zee Cine Award for Best Female Playback Singer Award for "Halki Halki Mulaqate Thi" from "Kuch Na Kaho"

* 2002 Maharashtra State Award for Best Female Playback Singer Award for Marathi Film "Aadhar"

* 2005 Maharashtra State Award for Best Female Playback Singer Award for Marathi Film "Sarivar Sari" for the song "Saanjh Jhali Tari"

* 2005 Zee Marathi Gaurav Award for Best Female Playback Singer for marathi Film "Sarivar Sari" for the song "Onjalit Majhya"

* 2005 Sanskruti Kaladarpan Award for Best Playback Singer for Marathi Film "Sarivar Sari" for the song "Onjalit Majhya"

* 2000 Maharashtra Times Sanman for Best playback singer Female for Marathi Film "Jodidar" for the song " Kshitijavaril Tara"

* 2005 Maharashtra Times Sanman for Best Playback Singer Female for Marathi Film " Sarivar Sari" for the song "Saanjh Jhali Tari"

* 2006 Sanskruti KalaDarpan Gaurav Rajni Award for Best Playback Singer Female for "Dis Char Jhale Man" from "Aaishappath"

* 2007 Maharashtra Times Sanman for Best Playback Singer Female for Marathi Film " Shri Siddhivinayak Mahima" for the song "Dayaghana"

* 2007 Chitrapati V.Shantaram Award for Best Playback Singer Female for Marathi Film " Evdhasa Aabhal" for the song " Tu Evdhasa Aabhal"

* 2007 Sanskruti KalaDarpan Gaurav Rajni Award for "Pahile Paul" from "Sakhi"

* 2000 Konkan Sahyadri Swar-Ratna Award

* 2000 Dinakaran Award for Tamil Film "Alai Payuthe" for the song "Snehidhane"

* 2000 Vitusco Award for Tamil Film "Alai Payuthe" for the song " Snehidhane"

Nominations

* 1988 Filmfare Best Playback Singer Female for "Main Teri Hoon Janam" from "Khoon Bharai Maang"

* 2004 Filmfare Best Playback Singer Female for "Aao Na" from "Kyon Ho Gaya Na"

* 2008 Filmfare South Best Playback Singer Female for "Mukunda Mukunda" from "Dashavataram"

* 2008 Filmfare South Best Playback Singer Female for "Ninnena Nenu " from "Salute"

* 2009 Filmfare South Best Playback Singer Female for "Marali Mareyagi" from" Saavri"

* 2007 Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Playback Female Singer for "Ye Saad Jivnachi" from "Sakhi"

* 2007 Chitrapati V.Shantaram Award for Best Playback Female Singer for "Pahile Paul" from "Sakhi"

* 2007 Chitrapati V.Shantaram Award for Best Playback Female Singer for " Daiv He" from "Kalchakra"

* 2007 Sanskruti KalaDarpan Gaurav Rajni Award for Best Playback Singer for "Tu Evdhasa Aabhal" from"Evdhasa Aabhal"

* 2007 Zee Marathi Gaurav for Best Playback Singer Female for "sharda Stavan" from "Swapna"

* 2006 Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Playback Singer Female for "Dis Char Jhale Mann" from "Aaishappath"

* 2006 Chitrapati V.Shantaram Award for Best Playback Singer Female for "Dis Char Jhale Mann" from "Aaishappath"

* 2006 Maharashtra Times Sanman for Best Playback Singer Female for "Dis Char Jhale Mann" from "Aaishappath"

* 2006 Zee Marathi Gaurav for Best Playback Singer Female for "Dis Char Jhale Mann" from "Aaishappath"

* 2002 Sansui Viewers Choice Award for Best Playback Singer Female for "Chupke Se " from "Saathiya"

S. P. Sailaja Female Playback Singer of India

Sripathi Panditaradhyula Sailaja(b.July 22, 1953), is a versatile Indian singer. She lent her voice to Telugu, Tamil and Kannada films. She has sung about 5000 songs to date.

S.P. Sailaja
Born	July 22, 1953 (1953-07-22) (age 57)
Origin	Andhra Pradesh, India
Genres	playback singing, Indian classical
Occupations	Singer, Dubbing Artist
Years active	1968-2002

Early life

She was born into an orthodox Saivite brahmin family in Konetammapeta in the Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh . Her father SP Sambamurthy was a well-known exponent of Harikatha and her brother SP Balasubramanyam is a prolific singer in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam and many other languages. She is married to actor Subhalekha Sudhakar.

Career

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Dubbing artist

She has also given voice for various artists like Tabu, Sonali Bendre etc.

Actress

She acted in Sagara Sangamam, a Telugu film directed by K. Viswanath in which she played the role of a Classical dancer.

Personal life

She is married to Sudhakar, a Tollywood Actor. The couple have a son, Sreekar.

Besides a Playback singer, she is also a Classical Dancer.

Filmography
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Actress

Acting filmography    Saagara Sangamam (1983) Kum. Sailaja

Playback Singer

* Unnai Charanadainthaen (2004)

* Mrugaraaju (2001)

* Aawaragaadu (2000)

* Annamayya (1997)

* Subha Sankalpam (1995)

* Aagraham (1993)

* Siva Shakthi (1991)

* Pelli Pustakam (1991)

* Appula Appa Rao (1991)

* Sutradhaarulu (1990)

* Kokila (1989)

* Raja Chinna Roja (1989)

* Swara Kalpana (1989)

* Bava Marudula Sawal (1988)

* Rudra Veena (1988)

* Swayam Krushi (1987)

* Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Recording Dance Troupe (1987)

* Magadheerudu (1986)

* Padamati Sandhya Ragam (1986)

* Mr.Bharath (1986)

* Sirivennela (1986)

* Thazhuvaatha Kaigal (1986)

* Sur Sangam (1985)

* Jackie (1985)

* Swathi (1985)

* Swathi Muthyam (1985)

* Mayuri (1984)

* Janani Janmabhoomi (1984)

* Rendu Jella Seetha (1983)

* Sagara Sangamam (1983)

* Sitaara (1983)

* Subhalekha (1982)

* Aagaaya Gangai (1982)

* Seethakoka Chilaka (1981)

* Vamsa Vriksham (1980)

* Mosagadu (1980)

* Shankarabharanam (1979)

* Manavoori Pandavulu (1978)

* Pranam Kareedu (1978)

* Sivaranjani (1978)

Dubbing Artist

* Vasantha Kokila (for Sridevi) (1983)

* Guna (for Rekha) (1991)

* Ninne Pelladatha (for Tabu) (1996)

* Aavida Maa Aavide (for Tabu) (1998)

* Murari (for Sonali Bendre) (2001)

S. Janaki Female Playback Singer of India

S. Janaki (born April 23, 1938) is an Indian female playback singer. She is a Telugu by birth, but has gained popularity in the whole of South India. She is renowned for her voice modulation abilities. She has sung in Indian languages including Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi.[ Janaki is also a lyricist and a composer. She has worked with almost all the music directors of her time. Janaki and S P Balasubramanyam form the most popular singing combination in South India.

S. Janaki
Born	April 23, 1938 (1938-04-23) (age 72) Nellore, Madras Presidency, British India
Genres	playback singing, Indian classical
Occupations	Singer
Instruments	Vocalist
Years active	1957-present

Early life

S. Janaki was born into a Telugu Brahmin family in Pallapatla, Repalle village, in Guntur, Madras Presidency, now part of Andhra Pradesh.

She was interested in music from early age and started performing at the age of three. She learned music from Sree Paidiswamy, a nadaswaram Vidwan.

Singing career

Janaki started singing at the age of 19. She later moved to Chennai on the advice of her uncle Dr. Chandrashekar and joined AVM Studios as a singer. She started her career in movies by singing songs composed by T. Chalapati Rao in the Tamil movie Vidhiyin Vilayattu in 1957. Subsequently, she performed in the Telugu movie MLA. Janaki went on to become one of the most favourite singers of Ilayaraja, and a phase ensued when she sang at least 2-3 songs per movie in all the four South Indian languages.

She also wrote many songs for Tamil and Telugu movies. She has sung more than 30,000 songs[Films,Non Films], in all languages in South India, as well as in Hindi, Sinhalese, Bengali, Oriya, English, Sanskrit, Konkani, Tulu, Saurashtra, Baduga, Japanese and German.

A devotee of Lord Krishna and Shirdi Sai Baba, she has also recorded Hindu devotional music on Meera.

Her contemporaries include Ghantasala, Dr.Rajkumar, P. Susheela, Vani Jayaram, K J Yesudas, L R Eeswari, P. Jayachandran, P. Leela, K. S. Chithra, Sujatha, Jency, P B Srinivas and of course S P Balasubramanyam. She is the inspiration for many upcoming female playback singers.

Personal life

S. Janaki married V.Ramprasad. She is now settled in Chennai, lives with her son Murali Krishna, who acted in few films and has an audio business of his own; and his wife Uma Murali Krishna, a classical dancer (Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi); they have two daughters Amruthavarshini and Apsara.

She is also a close relative of carnatic classical vocalist, Garimella Balakrishna Prasad.

Major awards

* In 1956, second prize in competitions held by AIR (All India Radio) from the former Indian President Dr. Rajendra Prasad at the .

* In 1986, Kalai Mamani by Government of Tamil Nadu

* In 1987, Sur singar award

* In 2002 , Cinema 'Achiever Award' by the government of Kerala

* In 2005, Special Jury Swaralaya Yesudas Award for outstanding performance in music.

* National Film Awards Four times for the best Playback singer by Government of India

* State Film awards eleven times for the best Playback singer by Government of Kerala

* State Film awards seven times for the best Playback singer by Government of Tamil Nadu

* State Film awards thirteen times for the best Playback singer by Government of Andhra Pradesh

* State Film awards four times for the best Playback singer by Government of Karnataka

* 2009, Honorary Doctorate by University of Mysore for her tremendous contribution to Kannada Film songs background singing.

Kerala State Film Awards:

* 1970 - Best Play Back Singer

* 1972 - Best Play Back Singer

* 1974 - Best Play Back Singer

* 1976 - Best Play Back Singer - Aalinganam

* 1977 - Best Play Back Singer - Madanolsavam

* 1979 - Best Play Back Singer - Thakara

* 1980 - Best Play Back Singer - Manjil Verinja pookal, Aniyatha Valakal, Chamaram

* 1981 - Best Play Back Singer - Various Films

* 1982 - Best Play Back Singer - Various Films

* 1983 - Best Play Back Singer - Various Films

* 1984 - Best Play Back Singer - Kanamarayathu

Records:

* The female singer who had won Tamil Nadu state award for the most number of times.

* The female singer who had won the Andhra Pradesh(nandi awards)state awards for the most number of times.

* The female singer to capture the national award from three south Indian languages.(Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil). No other singers exist with national awards from these three south Indian languages. That the only female singer to capture national awards from most number of South Indian languages.

National awards

* 1976, Film name: 16 vayadhinile, Language: Tamil, First line of the song: "Senthoora Poove"

* 1981, Film name: Oppol, Language: Malayalam, First line of the song: "Ettumanoorambalathil"

* 1984, Film name: Sithara, Language: Telugu, First line of the song: "Vennello godari andham"

* 1992, Film name: devar Magan, Language: Tamil, First line of song: "Inji Idippazagha"

Ruma Guha Thakurta Female Playback Singer of India

Ruma Guha Thakurta is a Bengali actress and singer.

Ruma Guha Thakurta
Birth name	Ruma Ghosh
Born	November 21, 1934 (1934-11-21) (age 75) Kolkata
Genres	Film music
Instruments	Vocalist
Years active	1944 - present

Early life

She was born in 1934 as Ruma Ghosh. She hails from a Brahmo Bengali family. Her father was Satyen Ghosh (known as Montey Ghosh) and her mother was Sati Devi, a singer. Sati Devi's younger sister Bijoya married film director Satyajit Ray. Thakurta had her formal education in many places including Santiniketan for a brief period. She was educated first in Loretto and then in Gokhale School and thereafter Sacred Heart School, Lahore. She was also one of the earliest child students of Uday Shankar Cultural Centre in Almora in its formative years where her mother had been a music teacher. Kishore Kumar married Ruma Ghosh in May 1951 in Bombay, and their son Amit Kumar was born the following year. The couple divorced in 1958. She settled in Calcutta and married Arup Guha Thakurta and had two children by him, Ayan and Sromana. In 1958 she set up Calcutta Youth Choir with Salil Chowdhury and Satyajit Ray.

Singing career

As a solo singer Ruma Guha Thakurta recorded a few Rabindra Sangeet like Maya Bono Biharini Harini with Kishore Kumar and 'Tomar Geeti Jagalo Smriti with Hemant Kumar in Lookochuri, Sukher Majhe tomai dekhechi in Jodi Jantem, and Potho Hara Tumi Pothika and some Rabindra Sangeet in 'Bakshaw Badal', 'Bajey Karun Surey' in Manihara, 'Momochitte Nite Nritey' in Ponchoshor and others. HMV recorded Kotha Baire Dure, Khone Khone Mone Mone and few others. In Bangla Adunik (modern) songs genre, Guhathakurta recorded a number of songs such as, Mon Je amar kemon kemon... and Chinite parini badhu...in Polatak, 'Ei To Hethai Kunja...' with Kishore Kumar in Lookochuri, Jodi Akash Hote in Ashi te Ashio na (only used in film), Sukh Sari with Manna Dey in Antony Firengee, Sudhu Poth Chey thakain Baghini , and the baithaki songs in the movie Benarasi. In 1969, HMV recorded Ek Khana Megh Bheshe elo akase and Bathan Bathan by her, which were super hits. Her duet songs like Sajea Dopati with Bhupen Hazarika are also memorable. In the year 1993, after Satyajit Ray died, she recorded Puroskare Sommane as a tribute to him. She also sang a song as tribute to Mother Teresa, after she had died. Most of the songs sung by her is always related for awakening the society. The most excellent Bengali choral version of Ol' Man River is performed regularly on their concerts by Calcutta Youth Choir arranged by Ruma. Other noted songs include 'Tomar Amar Thikana', 'Ei Amader Desh', 'Bharat Jai Jan', 'Sare Jahan Se Accha', etc. The Bengali version of We Shall Overcome, translated by Shibdas Bandyopadhyay, "Ek Din Surjyer Bhor" (literally translated as "One Day The Sun Will Rise") was recorded by the Calcutta Youth Choir arranged by Guhathakurta during the 1971 Bangladesh War of Independence and became one of the largest selling Bengali records.

Acting career

Her career started in Bollywood as a child artist. Thakurta acted in more than 100 movies in Bengali. Most of her Hindi movies were released in the 1950s. She joined Bollywood as a child artist at a remuneration of Indian rupee 500 (US$11.25) at the age of thirteen in the Prithvi Theatre. She acted in number Hindi movies like Rajani, Raagrang, Samar, Afsar, and Bairaag. In 1944 Devikarani gave her a break in Jwar Bhata after seeing her dance. Ritwik Ghatak wanted her to act in the lead role in his film Meghe Dhaka Tara, but she was busy in shooting Rajen Tarafdar’s Ganga so she could not accept the offer. She performed as a lead actress in films such as Khaneker Athithi, Benarasi, Ashi te Asio Na, Personal Asst, Ganga, Abhijan, Nirjan Soikote, Ponchosor, Arogya Niketon, and Ganashatru. She performed as a supporting actress in Cheley Kar, Gar Nasimpur, Bhaghini, Jodi Jantem, Hanghsa Mithun, Balika Badhu, Chakranto, Malabadal, Chowdury Paribar, Aakrosh, and Aagoon. She won the award for best actress for her performance in Nirjan Saikate. She acted as a mother character in Amar Songa, Anuraher Chhoya, Trayee, Dadar Kirti, Arogya Niketon, Papi, 36 Chowringhee Lane, Amrita Kumbher Sandhane, and Srodhanjoli. She also played characters in Mega TV serials like Prabaho, Ghum Nei, and Pritibimbo. In 2006 she also acted in Mira Nair's The Namesake (film). She acted in Hindi Films too like Milan ( Naukadubi in Bengali) with Diliplumar.also in Mashal

Honors and awards

Thakurta received the Soviet Land Nehru Peace Award in the year 1982, the President's Medal for her performance in Nirjan Saikate in 1963, Banga Ratna in 2009, and the Bharat Nirman Award from the Government of India.

Rimi Tomy Female Playback Singer of India

Rimi Tomy is a popular playback singer in Malayalam. Her debut was in the film 'Meesa Madhavan', directed by Lal Jose. Her first Song was 'Chingamasam VannuChernnal'. She was studying for her degree, 1st year, when she debuted in Malayalam cinema. After her debut film which won her critical acclaim and various honours, this young singer has created a name for herself in Malayalam cinema industry. She also takes part in various stage shows, TV shows and other entertainment programs in India and abroad.

She was born in Palai, central Kerala. Her parents are Tomy, who served in Indian Army and mother Rani. She has a brother Rinku and sister Reenu. She is married to Royce Kizhakoodan, a businessman from Nellikunnu, Thrissur on 27 April 2008.She is very funny.She is so smart.

Discography

* Meesamadhavan

* Valathott Thirinjal Nalamathe Veed

* Freedom

* Pass Pass

* Chathikkatha Chandu

* Kalyana Kurimanam

* Fast Track

* Pattanathil Sundharan

* Udhayananu Tharam

* Chakkaramuthu

* Bus conductor

* Balram V/s Tharadas

* Hareendran Oru Nishkalankan

* Nammal Thammil

* Abraham Lincoln

* Tantra

* Chotta Mumbai

* Chocolate

* Kangaru

* Romeo

* Kanalkannadi

* Thulasi

* Mulla

* Kabaddi Kabaddi

* Twenty 20

* Lollipop

* 2 Harihar Nagar

* chattam

* Chattambinaadu

* In ghost house Inn

She sounds so innocent and speaks from the depth of her heart. This has made her a member of every family of entire Kerala. The way she giggles, is unique to herself. A typical Keralite lady she has proved herself.Her laughs are hilarious. She is sort of chubby but she can sing bare good.