Usha Mangeshkar- Female Playback Singer of India

Usha Mangeshkar  (born 1935) is an Indian singer who has recorded many Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati songs soundtracks.

Her father is Deenanath Mangeshkar. She is the younger sister of singers, Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. She gained spotlight as a playback singer after singing some devotional songs for the low-budget movie, Jai Santoshi Maa (1975), which became an all-time blockbuster.[1] She was nominated for the Filmfare Best Female Playback Singer award for her song, "Main to Aarti," in that film. She sang the same songs again for that movie's remake in 2006.


Awards and nominations

* BFJA Awards for Best Female Playback Singer for Jai Santoshi Maa (1975)

* Filmfare Nomination as Best Female Playback Singer for the song "Main to Aarti" from Jai Santoshi Maa (1975)

* Filmfare Nomination as Best Female Playback Singer for the song "Mangta Hai To Aaja" from Inkaar (1977)

Usha Khanna Female Playback Singer of India

Usha Khanna (born 1942 in Gwalior) is an Indian music director. Regarded as the first established female music director in the Indian film industry, she remained active for more than 3 decades from 1960s to 1980s. She is still active making some music for some movies and television-serials, more than 40 years after her debut as music director in Dil Deke Dekho (1959). She received a Filmfare nomination for composing the songs for the huge hit film Souten (1983).

Biography

Usha Khanna's father, Manohar Khanna, was a lyricist and singer, but she had no formal training in music. Even though she did often take inspiration from Arabic music, which she liked. Usha claims that she has never lifted of any song directly, but that she has composed something along the lines.

The popular music director O. P. Nayyar introduced Usha Khanna to meet Sashadhar Mukherjee, a powerful man in the Indian film industry at that time. She sang a song for Mukerji, and when he realised that she had composed the song on her own, he told her to compose two songs per day for one year. After a few months, Mukherjee signed her as the composer for his movie Dil Deke Dekho (1959) as a music composer. The film, which also introduced the actress Asha Parekh, became a big hit, and Mukherjee hired her again for another Asha Parekh starrer Hum Hindustani (1961).

After she started composing music for Hindi movies, Usha Khanna struggled to establish herself as a music director, despite producing many hit songs. She often collaborated with Asha Bhosle, who referred to Usha Khanna as her daughter, and Mohammed Rafi. This trio produced many hit songs.

Saawan Kumar was often the lyricist for Usha Khanna, and wrote most of his lyrics for her songs. He directed and produced the lyrics for eleven movies she scored the music for. In 1979 K J Yesudas received Filmfare award for her song Dil ke tukde tukde in the film Dada.

The effort she had put in to establish her in the industry, made her know how difficult it was to break through, and made her often give the chance to new singers. She gave the chance to the singers who were little known at that time – Anupama Deshpande, Pankaj Udhas, Hemlata, Mohammed Aziz, Roop Kumar Rathod, Shabbir Kumar, and Sonu Nigam. Many of these went on to become notable singers. Usha Khanna herself also sing a few song as a playback singer.

Many of Usha Khanna's songs are still very popular. One of India's most well-known music composers, A. R. Rahman, used her Har Nazar Ke Sau Afsane from Shabnam (1964), as inspiration for the song Latka Dikha Diya in the movie Hindustani (1996).

Usha Khanna was quite active as a composer until the mid-ninetees. Until now the last movie she has given music to was in 2003. The movie was Dil Pardesi Ho Gaya, produced and directed by her ex-husband Saawan Kumar who she was briefly married to.

Usha Khanna had given music to non-Hindi movies too. The Malayalam movie Moodal Manju (1969) is still remembered for some of the finest songs in Malayalam including 'Nee Madu Pakaroo' by K. J. Yesudas and 'Manasa Mani veenayil' by S.Janaki. Agni nilavu and Puthooram puthri Unniyarcha are the other malayalam movies done by her. Why she did not get many chances remains a mystery for many music lovers even now.

Swarnalatha Female Playback Singer of India

Swarnalatha ( 1973 – September 12, 2010) was a South Indian film playback singer. From 1987 onward, she rendered nearly 7000 songs in many languages including Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, Urdu, Bengali, Oriya, Punjabi and Badaga.

She won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for her rendition of the song "Porale Ponnuthayi" from the film Karuththamma. The song was composed by A. R. Rahman, under whose musical direction she recorded many memorable songs. Her distinctive voice, which could effortlessly reach high octaves, quickly made her a name to reckon with in the playback music industry.

Swarnalatha ( സ്വർണ്ണലത )
Swarnalatha
Background information
Born	1973 Chittur, Palakkad, India
Died	12 September 2010 (aged 37) Chennai, India
Genres	Playback singing, Carnatic music
Occupations	Singer
Instruments	vocals
Years active	1987–2010

She was born in Athikkodu near Chittur, Palakkad, Kerala, to K. C. Cherukutty and Kalyani. Her father was a good harmonium player and singer. Her mother also had interest in music. Swarnalatha was trained on the harmonium and keyboard.[3] Swarnalatha's family later moved to Shimoga, where she had her education.[4] Born in a family of musicians (father K. C. Cherukutty was a singer and harmonium player, while sister Saroja was her music guru initially). Swarnalatha took to music when she was in her teens. She opened her account in films when M. S. Viswanathan introduced her in a duet with singer Dr K J Yesudas. The song was Bharathiar's Chinnanchiru Kili ye , for the film Neethikku Thandanai in 1987.

In 1987, she shifted to Chennai, where she met M. S. Viswanathan. M.S.V. introduced her to the film industry through a duet with K. J. Yesudas, "Chinnanchirukiliye Kannamma" from the film Neethikku Dhandanai.Subsequently, many other music directors approached her to perform their songs. She was recruited by legendary musicians like Ilaiyaraaja and A. R. Rahman. She also recorded a few Hindi songs, the most notable one being "Hai Rama Yeh Kya Hua" from Rangeela.

She was one of the most versatile singers of her times, as she was able to sing melodies like "Maalayil Yaaro Manathodu Pesa" from Chatriyan or "Porale Ponnuthayi" from Karuthamma as well as Rahman's experimental songs like "Mukkabla" from Kadhalan or "Mottu Vittadha" from Pavithra. Swarnalatha was the first female playback singer to fetch the National Award in A. R. Rahman's music for the song "Porale Ponnuthayi". Once in an interview, she said that she was moved to tears when she finished the recording of this song and received praise from A. R. Rahman. She recorded many other memorable songs with music directors Deva, Vidyasagar, Harris Jayaraj, Anu Malik, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy,Raj-Koti, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Mani Sharma,Hamsaleka and many others.She had sung all the songs of Lata Mangeshkar and Shamshad Begum in the movie Anarkali(tamil dubbed version of the hindi movie mughal-e-Azam) and she was praised by the acclaimed bollywood music director late Naushad Ali.

Character

Swarnalatha was a very quiet and shy woman. She was very camera shy too. Her musical concerts were quite straight, with only her music doing the talking. Once in an interview, her brother said that she knew nothing in this world except the music. She dedicated her entire life to music.Her calmness and character were liked by so many people in the music industry and her fans.

Vocalist Mano, who has sung several film songs along with her, apart from performing with her live in many shows, was also a good friend. Mano said he was devastated on hearing about her death. "She was a great being, who only concentrated on her work and nothing else. We were introduced around the same time, and honed our singing skills under Ilayaraja. Swarnalatha is a demure, silent person, who despite having friends in the industry, kept all her problems to herself. A spinster with health problems at a relatively young age, I feel god has not been fair to such a nice person as Swarnalatha", he said.

Death

Swarnalatha died at a private hospital in Chennai at the age of 37 due to cardiac arrest followed by interstitial lung disease (lung infection) after being admitted because she had difficulty in breathing. The singer had been undergoing treatment for lung infection for over a year and had not recorded for films during the period.[1]

Legendary music composer M S Viswanathan, who gave the then 14-year old Swarnalatha a break in films, described her as a very talented singer. She is believed to have approached him first, when she wanted to launch her career in film music. He gave her a chance in the film Needhikku Thandanai. "I was shocked on hearing the news. Swarnalatha was introduced to films by me, and was highly talented in music" he said.[8]

Awards and recognitions

National Award (Silver Lotus Award)

* 1995 - National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for "Porale Ponnuthayi" from Karuththamma

State Awards

* 1991 - Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback for "Povomma Oorkolam" from Chinna Thambi

* 1994 - Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback for "Porale Ponnuthayi" from Karuththamma

Tamil Nadu Government Award

* 1994 - Kalaimamani Award by the Tamil Nadu government for her contributions to Tamil music

Andhra Pradesh Government Award

* 1995 - Nandi Award for Best Female Playback Singer from the Andhra Pradesh government for her contributions to Telugu music

Filmfare Awards

* 1994- Filmfare Best Female Playback Award for "Mukkala Mukabala" from Kadhalan

* 1996- Filmfare Best Female Playback Award for "Hai Rama" from Rangeela

* 2000- Filmfare Best Female Playback Award for "Sunta Hai" from Pukar

Other Prominent Awards

* 1996 - Cinema Express Award for Best Female Playback Singer for "Akkadanu Nanga" from Indian

* 1999 - Cinema Express Award for Best Female Playback Singer for "Ulundhu Vithakkaiyilae" from Mudhalvan

* 2000 - Cinema Express Award for Best Female Playback Singer for "Evano oruvan" from Alaipayuthey

* 2002 - Cinema Express Award for Best Female Playback Singer for "Thirumana malargal" from Poovellam Un Vasam

Special Awards

* 2002 - "Swarnalatha" (Rakkama Kaiya Thattu) song from the movie Thalapathi (1991) was the topmost in a BBC World Top Ten music poll.

Notable Tamil film songs

In A. R. Rahman's music

"Kummi Adi" Sillunu Oru Kaadhal 2006

"Evano Oruvan" Alaipayuthey 2000

"Sollaiyo Solai Kili" Alli Arjuna 2001

"Orunal Oru Pozhuthu" Anthimanthaarai 1995

"Kucchi Kucchi" Bombay 1995

"Uyire Uyire" (Chorus) Bombay 1995

"Usilampatti Penkutti" Gentleman 1993

"Akkadanu Nanga" Indian 1996

"Maya Machindra" Indian 1996

"Munneru Dhaan" Indira 1995

"Nee Etty Etty Thottuvachukka" Manitha Manitha 1994

"Anjathea Jeeva" Jodi 1999

"Anna Un Tholil" Jodi 1999

"Sollu Anbe" Jodi 1999

"Yenthen Vaanil" Kadhal Virus 2002

"Mukkala Mukkabla" Kadhalan 1994

"Kadhalenum" Kadhalar Dhinam 1999

"Singore Singore" Kannathil Muthamittal 2002

"Poralae Ponnuthayi (sad)" Karuththamma 1993

"Madrasa Sutthi" May Madham 1994

"Mel Isaiye" Mr. Romeo 1996

"Ulunthu Vithaikayilae" Mudhalvan 1999

"Chittukuruvi" Parasuram 2003

"Mottu Vittatha" Pavithra 1994

"Hai Rama" Rangeela 1995

"Lucky Lucky" Ratchagan 1997

"Mercury Pookal" Ratchagan 1997

"Kummi Adi" Sillunu Oru Kadhal 2006

"Kadhal Yogi" Taalam 1999

"Kuliruthu Kuliruthu" Taj Mahal 1999

"Poongatrile" Uyire 1998

"Rakozhi Rendu" Uzhavan 1993

"Yae Muthu Paapa" Vandicholai Chinraasu 1994

[edit] In Ilaiyaraja's music

Song Movie

"Sollividu Velli Nilave" Amaidhi Padai

"Mana Madurai" Anthapuram

"Kuruvi Kudaintha" Azhagi

"Aattama Therottama" Captain Prabhakaran

"Malaiyil Yaaro" Chathriyan

"Chithra Kili" Chinna Devan

"Adi Vannathi Poo" Chinna Jamin

"Onnapoothttu" Chinna Jamin

"Anthiyila Vanam" Chinnavar

"Povomma Oorkolam" Chinna Thambi

"Nee Enge" Chinna Thambi

"Naan Aerikkarai" Chinnaththaayi

"Kattu Kuyil Pattu" Chinna Mapillai

"Vennilavu Kothipathu" Chinna Mapillai

"Semparathi Poovukku" Dharma

"Maasi Masam" Dharma Dorai

"Mana Magalea" Devar Magan

"Vayasu Vantha" En Mana Vaanil

"Kuyil Paatu" En Rasavin Mansilae

"Uthama Puthiri" Guru Sishyan

"Aradi Suvaruthan" Ithu Namma Bhomi

"Oru Pokiri Rathiri" Ithu Namma Bhomi

"Kooyil Mani Kettene" Kanna Unnai Thedukiren

"Enga Then Paandi" Kattabomman

"Adi Asa Machan" Kummipattu

"Oorukku Thekkuttu" Kummipattu

"Ammiyila Araichi" Kummipattu

"Uchi Veyilukku" Kummipattu

"Nee Thane Nal Thorum" Paatu Vathiyar

"Kana Karunk Kuyilae" Paandithurai

"Malliye Chinna Mullaye" Paandithurai

"Vidalapulla" Periya Maruthu

"Vidai Kodu" Piriyadha Varam Vendum

"Ooradangum Samathilea" Puthupatti Ponnuthaye

"Malligai Mottu" Sakthi Vel

"Kalaiyil Kettathu" Senthamizh Pattu

"Punnaivana Poonkuyile" Sevvanthi

"Margalithan Odipochu" Thalapathi

"Rakkamma Kaiya Thattu" Thalapathi

"Ennai Thottu" Unnai Nenachaen Paattu Padichaen

"Ennulle Ennulle" Valli

"Unnai Ethir Parthen" Vanaja Kirija

"Sirakadikuthu Kuruvi" Vanaja Kirija

"Aajare" Vishnu

"Naan Thanga Roja" Time

"Malai Kovil Vasalil" Veera

"Madathile Kanni" Veera

[edit] Notable Malayalam film songs

Song Movie

"Kadamizhiyil Kamaldalam" Thenkasipattanam

"Manikkakkallal Menju Menanju" Varnapakittu

"Nandalaala Hey Nandalaala" Independence

"Pottukuthedi Pudavachoodedi" Ravanaprabhu

"Balla Balla Ballare" Punjabi House

"Varthingal Thellalle" Dreamz

"Akkuthikkuthaanakkompel" Mangalya Soothram

"Kannoram Kanamuthe Vaa" Ishtamanu Nooruvattam

"Manjil Pootha Sandhye" Minnaminunginum Minnukettu

"Neeyonnu Paad" Thacholi Varghese Chekavar

"Oru Thari Kasthoori" Highway