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

Sunidhi Chauhan - Female Playback Singer of India

Sunidhi Chauhan is an Indian playback singer, best known for her Hindi film songs in Bollywood. She is credited with over 2000 songs.

Chauhan began to sing at the age of four, and was discovered by a local TV anchor.[4] She won recognition through a televised singing contest, Meri Awaz Suno, which she won, and made her entrance into playback singing with the Hindi film Shastra.

Her breakthrough was Ram Gopal Varma's film - Mast, in which she sang the hit song, Ruki Ruki Si Zindagi.She has been nominated for twelve Filmfare Awards, winning it on three occasions. She has also won two Star Screen Awards, two IIFA Awards and one Zee Cine Award.

Sunidhi Chauhan
Background information
Birth name	Nidhi Chauhan
Born	August 14, 1983 (1983-08-14) (age 27) New Delhi, India
Origin	Indian
Genres	playback singing, Indipop
Occupations	Singer
Instruments	Vocalist
Years active	1996–present

Early career

Chauhan started her singing career as a child, giving her first performance at the age of four, in a local temple in Delhi. Thereafter, she began to participate in, and sing for, various competitions and local gatherings. When local TV anchor, Tabassum, spotted her talent, her family shifted to Mumbai in a bid to further develop the young singer's skills, and Chauhan became the lead singer in Kalyanji's 'Little Wonders' troupe.

Recognition first met her in 1996, through the music show Meri Aawaz Suno - the first such televised contest in India - which was broadcast through the Indian national television channel, Doordarshan. She won the competition, and bagged the top prize of recording an album, Aira Ghaira Nathu Khaira, with HMV.

Unluckily for Chauhan, Aira Ghaira Nathu Khaira was promoted as a children's album, and failed to get the recognition it deserved. In 2002, Chauhan herself observed this in an interview:

"My first song and the contest did not help me much. Nothing happened for a while. But by then, I had made up my mind that I will pursue singing as a career."

Chauhan stepped into the world of playback singing with the 1996 Bollywood film, Shastra, after Aadesh Srivastava asked her to lend her voice to the song Larki Deewaani Dekho, Ladka Deewaana. She followed it with work in films like Gang, Veergati, Dahek, Bade Dilwala, Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat and Samar. By the age of nineteen, Chauhan had already lent her voice to over 350 songs.

 Breakthrough, and later work

Chauhan's breakthrough was Ram Gopal Varma's Mast, in which she sang the hit song, Ruki Ruki Si Zindagi, alongside three other songs, including the title song itself.In an interview, while speaking of Mast, she said:

"Whatever I am today, I owe to Mast. I met Sandep Chowta through Sonu Nigam, and fifteen days later, Mast was in my lap. I was only sixteen then."

In Feb 2007, as part of its marketing campaign and launch of Windows Vista in India, Microsoft hired Sunidhi Chauhan to sing the "Windows Vista Song" titled Wow is Now. This song features English and Hindi lyrics proclaiming the many 'glamorous' features of the Windows Vista Operating System.

Chauhan also sung for the Hindi-dubbed version of Disney's movie, High School Musical - songs which were sung by Vanessa Anne Hudgens in the English version. Moreover, she was the singer of the English language song "Reach Out" at the opening ceremony of the 2006 Asian Games at Doha, Qatar.

2008 was a highly successful year for the young singer, as she went on to deliver a huge number of superhit songs like Chhaliya (Tashan), Rock Mahi, Lucky Boy, Desi Girl (Dostana), Dance Pe Chance (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi), and Race Saanson Ki (Race), and which resulted in her winning the "Kelvinator GR8! FLO Women Award 2009" for her mind blowing contribution in Music.In April 2010, Chauhan joined Anu Malik and Salim Merchant as a judge on the fifth season of the immensely popular singing talent show, Indian Idol 5.
Collaborations

Chauhan has collaborated with Indian singers such as Alka Yagnik, Shaan, Udit Narayan, and is known for her popular pairing with Sukhwinder Singh (in films such as Omkara, Aaja Nachle). She is most often paired with singer Sonu Nigam, and with the successful female playback singer Shreya Ghoshal, whom many view as a stiff competition for Chauhan.

Lyricists she has worked with include Jaideep Sahni, Irshad Kamil, Gulzar, Sameer, Prasoon Joshi, Swanand Kirkire, the late Anand Bakshi and Javed Akhtar; music directors include Bappi Lahiri, A. R. Rahman, Anu Malik, Jatin Lalit, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Pritam Chakraborty, Rajesh Roshan, Nadeem-Shravan, Anand-Milind, Vishal-Shekhar, Himesh Reshammiya and others.

Chauhan is one of the few female singers of the present generation who have lent their voice for nearly every leading actress in the Indian entertainment industry, including Aishwarya Rai, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukerji, Kareena Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Priyanka Chopra, Konkona Sen Sharma and more. She has also sung for actresses of yesteryear cinema, such as Rekha.She was the main singer who lent her voice for the comebacks of two leading Bollywood actresses, Kajol, in the movie Fanaa; and Madhuri Dixit, in the movie Aaja Nachle.
Vocal ability

Chauhan's voice has been described as "powerful," "amazing," "husky ... [and] sensuous". However, it has been noted that Chauhan can not hit high notes without losing some tonal quality,and people have cited her voice more suited to fast and pop songs, as compared to slow ones.

In 2007, while discussing Chauhan's popular song Beedi Jailaile, actress Bipasha Basu (on whom the song was picturised) said, "Sunidhi is a goddess. Her singing is so powerful. She added another dimension to my dancing."

Indian singer, Lata Mangeshkar has called Chauhan "one of the finest young singers." Ironically, Chauhan's item numbers have been said to mark the end of the "squeaky Lata era",a period in which Mangeshkar's style of soft voice and classical music were preferred over racy or fast pop songs.

Special appearances

In October 2008, Chauhan appeared on a special episode of the singing contest, Star Voice of India, alongside composer Ashu Dhruv, to promote their film, Drona.

She was also a guest RJ for India's Radio City 91.1 FM's new morning show, Musical-e-Azam where, over her week-long stint, she interviewed the likes of Kunal Ganjawala, Daler Mehendi, Sukhwindar, Adnan Sami and Gulzar (lyricist).

Personal life

Chauhan was born in Delhi. Her father is a minor theatre personality who pushed her into the music industry from a young age. She has a younger sister, Suneha.

She completed her schooling from Greenway Modern School, Dilshad Garden.

Chauhan, who believes herself to be "the most versatile singer today," attributes her success to her parents and Indian singer Sonu Nigam. She has cited Sadma (Shock) as her favourite film; gymnastics and cricket as her favourite sports; and Akshaye Khanna and Madhuri Dixit as her favourite actor and actress, respectively. She is also known for her admiration of international divas Celine Dion and Whitney Houston
Chauhan also loves western music, and cites Mariah Carey and Michael Jackson as her inspirations. She has noted that one of her ambitions is to achieve global fame like them.

Chauhan "changed" her image after making it big into Bollywood, upgrading her wardrobe and losing twelve kilos by jogging and working out. In 2000, she revealed a "secret dream" of seeing herself as a Bollywood actress. In an interview, she said: "I have many acting offers too, but I don't want to rush it. Frankly, I would like to do just one or two films to fulfill that secret dream of seeing myself as an actress. But my life is singing and my aim is to keep singing better."
Marriage, Disowning, and Divorce

In 2002, at the age of 18, Chauhan eloped with music video director and choreographer Bobby Khan, who came visibly close to her while working on the video of her hit song, Pehla Nasha. It was reported that the couple married in a secretly arranged ceremony, attended only by very close friends, and vigilantly watched over by security,

Chauhan was initially happy with the marriage. In an interview, she said:

"My in-laws don't make me feel I am 'married'. I don't feel I have stepped into a new house. I am so comfortable. And Bobby is a darling. I am very, very happy."

On the downside, the marriage caused a rift between the young singer and her parents, who considered the union unsuitable, and consequently disowned her. However, Chauhan and Khan separated a year later, bringing about a reconciliation between the estranged parents and daughter. Chauhan, who lived with mentor, actor and TV anchor, Annu Kapoor and his wife Arunita during the separation, filed for divorce the same year, citing that she had realized she and Khan "wanted different things from life."
Filmography

• Ehsaas - A Feeling (Released November 30, 2001) [Special Appearance]
• Bas Ek Pal [Special Appearance in Promotional Song Dheeme Dheeme with singer K.K.]
• Bhoot [Special Appearance in Promotional Song Bhoot Hoon Main]
  
  
  Awards and honors

Year	Category	Song and Film	Result
Filmfare Awards
2000	Best Playback Singer - Female	"Ruki Ruki" (Mast)	Nominated
2001	R. D. Burman Award for Most Promising Newcomer		Winner
	Best Playback Singer - Female	"Mehboob Mere" (Fiza)	Nominated
2005	Best Playback Singer - Female	"Dhoom Machale" (Dhoom)	Nominated
2006	Best Playback Singer - Female	"Kaisi Paheli" (Parineeta)	Nominated
	Best Playback Singer - Female	"Deedar De" (Dus)	Nominated
2007	Best Playback Singer - Female	"Beedi" (Omakara)	Winner
	Best Playback Singer - Female	"Soniye" (Aksar)	Nominated
	Best Playback Singer - Female	"Aashiqui Main" (36 China Town)	Nominated
2008	Best Playback Singer - Female	"Aaja Nachle" (Aaja Nachle)	Nominated
	Best Playback Singer - Female	"Sajnaji Vari Vari" (Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.)	Nominated
2009	Best Playback Singer - Female	"Dance Pe Chance" (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi)	Nominated
2010	Best Playback Singer - Female	Chor Bazari for Love Aaj Kal	Nominated
Star Screen Awards
2001	Best Playback Singer - Female	Bhumro for Mission Kashmir	Nominated
2004	Best Playback Singer - Female	"Meri Zindagi Mein Aaye Ho for Armaan	Nominated
2004	Best Playback Singer - Female	Sajna Ve Sajna for Chameli	Winner
2005	Best Playback Singer - Female	Dhoom Machale (Dhoom)	Nominated
2006	Best Playback Singer - Female	"Kaisi Paheli" (Parineeta)	Nominated
2007	Best Playback Singer - Female	Beedi Jalaile for Omkara	Winner
2008	Best Playback Singer - Female	Sajnaji Vaari for Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.	Nominated
2009	Best Playback Singer - Female	Dance Pe Chance for Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi	Nominated
2010	Best Playback Singer - Female	Chor Bazari for Love Aaj Kal	Nominated
Awards of the International Indian Film Academy
2001	Best Female Playback Singer	Mehboob Mere for Fiza	Nominated
2005	Best Female Playback Singer]	Dhoom Machale for Dhoom	Winner
	Best Female Playback Singer	Sajna Ve for Chameli	Nominated
2006	Best Female Playback Singer	Kaisi Paheli for Parineeta	Nominated
	Best Female Playback Singer	Deedar De for Dus	Nominated
2007	Best Female Playback Singer	Crazy Kiya Re for Dhoom 2	Nominated
	Best Female Playback Singer	Beedi Jalaile for Omkara	Winner
2008	Best Female Playback Singer	Aaja Nachle for Aaja Nachle	Nominated
2009	Best Female Playback Singer	Desi Girl for Dostana	Nominated
Zee Cine Awards
2005	Best Female Playback Singer	Dhoom Machale for Dhoom	Winner
	Best Female Playback Singer	Kaise Paheli Zindagi for Parineeta	Nominated
2007	Best Female Playback Singer	Beedi Jalaile for Omkara	Nominated
Apsara Awards
2005	Best Female Playback Singer	Dhoom Machale for Dhoom	Nominated
2008	Best Female Playback Singer	Aaaja Nachle (Aaja Nachle)	Nominated
Global Indian Film Awards
2006	Best Female Playback Singer	Beedi Jalaile (Omkara)	Nominated

Suman Kalyanpur Female Playback Singer in India

Suman Kalyanpur is a female singer in India.

Suman Kalyanpur aka Suman Hemadey was born on January 28, 1937 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, (which was then a part of India under British Raj), her maiden name being Hemady. In 1943, her family moved to Mumbai (then Bombay), where she received her musical training. She married Ramanand S. Kalyanpur.

Suman Kalyanpur
Born	January 28, 1937 (age 73) Dhaka, East Bengal(1937-01-28)
Genres	Indian classical music, playback singing
Occupations	Singer
Years active	1954–1981

Once Talat Mahmood heard Kalyanpur singing in a musical concert. Highly impressed, he recommended her to his music recording company, HMV. At age 17, she provided her first playback singing for the movie, Mangu (1954), singing the song Koi Pukāre Dheere Se Tujhe.

Kalyanpur provided playback singing for Miyān Bibi Rāzi (1960), Bāt Ek Rāt Ki (1962), Dil Ek Mandir (1963), Dil Hi To Hai (1963), Shagoon (1964), Jahān Āra (1964), Sānjh Aur Sawerā (1964), Noor Jahān (1967), Saathi (1968) and Pakeezāh (1971). She sang for composers Shankar Jaikishan, Roshan, Madan Mohan, S. D. Burman, Hemant Kumar, Chitragupta, Naushad, S. N. Tripathi, and Ghulam Mohammed, singing the most songs for the first two in the list. She has sung over 740 movie and non-movie songs.

Some of Kalyanpur's popular songs include Nā Tum Hamen Jāno (Bāt Ek Rāt Ki), Chhodo, Chhodo Mori Bāiyān (Miyā Biwi Rāzi), Dil Gham Se Jal Rahā (Shamā), Yun Hi Dil Ne Chāhā Thā (Dil Hi To Hai), Bujhā Diye Hain (Shagoon), Mere Sang Gā (Janwar), Mere Mehboob Na Jā (Noor Mahal), Tum Agar Aa Sako To & Zindagi Doob Gai Dard Ke Toofano Mein (Ek Sāl Pehle), Jo Ham Pe Guzarti Hai (Mohabbat Isko Kehten Hain), Sharābi Sharābi Yeh Sāwan Kā Mausam (Noor Jehān) and Behena Ne Bhai Ki Kalai Main (Resham ki Dori), for which she was nominated for the Filmfare Best Female Playback Award in 1975.

Kalyanpur sang with Lata Mangeshkar the duet Kabhi Āj, Kabhi Kal, Kabhi Parason under the direction of composer Hemant Kumar. She recorded some popular duets with male singers Mohammad Rafi, Manna Dey, Mukesh, Talat Mahmood, and Hemant Kumar. Some of her memorable duets with Rafi are Parbaton Ke Pedon Par Shaam Ka Basera He, Ājahuna Āye Bālamā, Tumane Pukārā Āur Hum Chale Āye", "Bād Muddat Ke Yeh Ghadi Āyee, Mujhhe Yeh Bhool Nā, Tujhhko Dilbari Ki Kasam and Chānd Takatā Hai Idhar. With Manna Dey, she sang the popular duet Na Jāne Kahān Ham The under the music direction of Dattaram.

Kalyanpur also recorded some memorable songs with a classical base, including Manamohan Man Mein Ho Tumhi, Mere Sang Gā Gungunā, and Gir Gayi Re More Māthe Ki Bindiyā. She received three times the prestigious Sur Sringar Samsad award for the best classical song in a Hindi movie.

Kalyanpur recorded songs for movies in several languages besides Hindi: Marathi, Assamese, Gujarati, Kannada, Bhojpuri, Rajasthani, Bengali, Oriya, and Punjabi. Her recordings include devotional songs, ghazals, and thumris.

In Marathi, Kalyanpur recorded for composers Sudhir Phadke, Dashrath Pujāri, and Ashok Patki. Some of her well-known Marathi songs are Rimjhhim Jharate Shrāwan Dhārā, Shabda Shabda Japun Thhewa, Re Kshanāchyā Sangateene, Jethe Sāgarā Dharanee Milate, Bhaktichyā Phulānchā Goad To Suwās, Nāvikā Re Vara Vahe Re, and Ketakichyā Banee Tethe Nāchalā Ga Mora,Yaa Laadkya Mulano.

Recently in Jan 2010 she has been awarded with prestigious Lata Mangeshkar Award by Government of Maharashtra.

Sulakshana Pandit Female Playback Singer of India

Sulakshana Pandit is a Filmfare Award winning Playback Singer & Actor.Her brothers are the composing duo Jatin Lalit and her younger sister is Vijeta Pandit who achieved fame with her debut movie Love Story.Her uncle is the accomplished classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj.

Sulakshana Pandit
Birth name	Sulakshana Pratap Narain Pandit
Also known as	Sulakshna Pandit
Born	9 July 1953
Genres	Playback singing, Performing Artist
Occupations	Singer, Actor
Years active	Singing: 1967-1996 Acting:1975-1987

Career

Sulakshana's career as heroine spanned in '70s and early '80s. As a leading lady she worked with Jeetendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Shammi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, Vinod Khanna, Rishi Kapoor, Raj Babbar and Rakesh Roshan. . Her acting career began with the suspense thriller Uljhan in 1975 opposite Sanjeev Kumar.

In Anil Ganguly's Sankoch (1976) which was based on the novel Parineeta she portrayed Lolita.Some of her popular hit films are Uljhan, Hera Pheri, Apnapan, Sankoch, Khandaan, Raaz, Thief of Baghdad, Chehre Pe Chehra, Dharam Kanta and Waqt Ki Deewar.

She also acted in a Bengali movie Bondie where she was paired opposite Uttam Kumar.

Sulakshana had a singing career along side her acting career.She began her singing career as a child singer singing the popular song "Saat Samundar Paar se" along with Lata Mangeshkar in the 1967 film Taqdeer.Thereafter she recorded with famed Musicians like Hemant Kumar & Kishore Kumar. She sang in Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Oriya & Gujarathi. Some of her popular songs are:

* Beqarar e dil tu gaaye ja - Door Ka Raahi (1971)

* Sapnon ka raja - Chalte Chalte (1975)

* Aaj Pyare Pyare Se Lagte - Uljhan (1975)

* Bandhi re kahe preet - Sankoch (1976)

* Somwar ko hum mile - Apnapan (1977)

* Boliye surili boliyaan - Griha Pravesh (1979)

* Mausam lovely mausam - Thodisi Bewafaai (1980)

* Khaali Pyala Chhalka - Sparsh (1980)

* Mana teri nazar - Ahista Ahista (1981)

* Jiske Liye Sab ko Chhoda - Saajan Ki Saheli (1981)

In 1980 she released an album titled "Jazbaat"(courtesy HMV) wherein she rendered Ghazals.

She sang duets with accomplished singers like Lata Mangeshkar, Mohd. Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Shailender Singh,Yesudas,Mahendra Kapoor and Udit Narayan. She sang under the music direction of Music Directors like Shankar Jaikishan, Laxmikant Pyarelal, Kalyanji Anandji, Kanu Roy, Bappi Lahiri, Usha Khanna, Rajesh Roshan, Khayyam, Rajkamal & several others.

[edit] Awards

* Filmfare Best Female Playback Award in 1975 for the song "Tu hi saagar hai tu hi kinara" in Sankalp (1975).

* Miyan Tansen Award in 1975 for the song "Tu hi Saagar hai tu hi kinara" in Sankalp (1975)

* Nominated as Filmfare Best Female Playback Award for rendering the classical "Bandhi re Kahe Preet" in Sankoch (1976)

Personal life

She comes from a musical family originating from Pili Mandori Village in Hissar district of Haryana state. She is related to Pandit Jasraj who is her uncle. She started singing at the age of 9 as a child and her elder brother Mandheer Pandit (who was earlier a music composer in the 80's with Jatin Pandit, better known as Mandheer - Jatin) was her only constant companion in the city of Mumbai and they both performed and sang on stage till Sulakshana became a leading Playback Singer through many of their Live Concerts with Legends like Kishore Kumar and Mohammad Rafi.

She has 3 brothers (Mandheer, Jatin Pandit & Lalit Pandit) & 3 sisters (Maya,Sandhya & Vijeta Pandit).Her father Pratap Narayan Pandit was an accomplished Classical Vocalist.Her nephew Yash Pandit is an Indian Television Actor & nieces Shrraddha Pandit & Shweta Pandit are playback singers.

Sulakshana has never been married. Actor Sanjeev Kumar turned down her marriage proposal, because he never got over his heartbreak after actress Hema Malini rejected him to marry her frequent co-star Dharmendra. She also fell on hard times when she stopped getting work. She was living in an apartment with no furniture and that required serious repairs. She was forced to put it up for sale, and it remained on the market for several months, until finally her former leading man Jeetendra came to her rescue by convincing his brother-in-law to purchase the flat. From the proceeds of the sale, she was able to pay off her debts and purchase three apartments. Her sister Vijeta Pandit and brother-in-law, music composer Aadesh Shrivastava took care of her, but her health has deteriorated and she has been hospitalized on several occasions. Aadesh has indicated that he was composing a devotional album for Sulakshana but her health is a serious issue that they haven't been able to look into and don't let her other family members intervene in the same. She is currently 57 years old.

Sujatha Mohan Female Playback Singer of India

Sujatha Mohan usually credited as Sujatha, is an Indian playback singer who is popular for singing in Malayalam and Tamil movies. She has also sung for Telugu and Hindi movies.

Family

Sujatha Mohan is the granddaughter of Parur T. K. Narayana Pillai, the first Chief Minister of the erstwhile Travancore-Cochin State after Independence. Her only daughter, Shweta Mohan, is also a singer.

Career

Sujatha was shot to fame in the seventies as Baby Sujatha, the schoolgirl who regularly used to sing with K. J. Yesudas in his stage shows all over the world. She recorded her first song, "Kannezhuthy Pottuthottu" when she was in sixth standard. The song was composed by M. K. Arjunan for the 1975 Malayalam movie Tourist Bungalow. She recorded songs for Shyam in Kamam Krodham Moham and Salil Chowdhury in Aparadhi. Around this time, composer M. G. Radhakrishnan got her to record many non-film songs; the biggest hit among them was "Odakkuzhal Vili".

She debuted in Tamil films through the song "Kaadhal Oviyam Kandein", but it was not included in the film. Her first released song in Tamil was "Kalai Paniyil" from the Tamil film Gayathri (1977), starring Sridevi and Rajinikanth with music by Ilaiyaraja. She sang for Ilaiyaraaja in Johnny, Kavikuyil and Ilamai Kolangal. After her marriage in 1981, she took a sabbatical from playback singing. She made a successful comeback in 1988 through Kadathanadan Ambadi, followed by the superhit Chithram.

She used to sing ad jingles in the late 1980s for A. R. Rahman (such as a Remanika Sarees ad). Then, Rahman got her to sing "Pudhu Vellai Mazhai" from Mani Ratnam's 1992 film Roja, which became one of the biggest hit songs in India. The backing vocals for the song "Kadhal Roja" were also performed by Sujatha. She has had other hit songs, most of them with Rahman from films including Pudhiya Mugam (1992), Gentleman (1993), Jeans and Minsaara Kanavu (1997). She has also recorded some songs in Hindi, including "Dil Hai Sanam" (the Hindi version of "Thee Thee") from Chor Chor (Thiruda Thiruda), "Ishq Bina" from Taal, "Hai Jaana" from Pukar and "Ishwar Allah" from Earth, and provided backing vocals for the song "Tum Ho Meri Nigahom" from Kabhi Na Kabhi, all of them composed by A. R. Rahman. She has had many of her notable and successful songs under the musical direction of A. R. Rahman.

She had a strong comeback in the Malayalam film industry in the mid-1990s and most of her notable Malayalam songs were composed by Vidyasagar. Most of her hit songs from Telugu are composed by Mani Sharma.

Popular songs

Tamil

* "Oru Iniya Manadhu" from Johnny

* "Pudhu Vellai Mazhai" from Roja

* "Netru Illatha Matram" from Pudhiya Mugam

* "Poo Pookkum Osai" from Minsara Kanavu

* "Thilana Thilana" from Muthu

* "Enveetu Thottathil" from Gentleman

* "Porale Ponnuthayi" from Karuththamma

* "Aathangara Marame" from Kizhakku Cheemayile

* "Kaatru Kuthirayile" from Kadhalan

* "Katrin Mozhiye" from Mozhi

* "Mudhal Murai" from Sangamam

* "Aasai Aasai" from Dhool

* "Chandiranai Thottadhu Yaar" from Ratchagan

* "Poovukkul" from Jeans

* "Maankuttiye" from Priyamana Thozhi

* "Hallo Hallo Anbuvani" from Manitha Manitha

* "Nenjodu" from Kadhal Kondein

* "Sotta Sotta Tajmahal" from Tajmahal

* "Thithikkuthe…" from Thittikudhey

* "Oru Poiyaavadhu" from Jodi

* "Mugilinamae Enadi" from Amirtham

* "Nenjam Ellaam" from Ayutha Ezhuthu

* "Chalakku Chalakku" from Suryavamsam

* "Yedho Oru Paatu" from Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen

* "Atrai Thingal" from Sivappathigaram

* "Paadava Paadava" from Little John

* "Azhakooril Poothavale" from Thirumalai

Malayalam

* "Kunu Kune" from Yodha

* "Pranayamanithooval" from Azhakiya Ravanan

* "Ethrayo Janmamayi" from Summer in Bethlahem

* "Varamanjaladiya" from Pranayavarnangal

* "Kakkakarumban" from Ee Puzhayum Kadannu

* "Perariya" from Soothradharan

* "Manju Peyyanu" from Chandranudikkunna Dikhil

* "Marannittum" from Randaam Bhavam

* "Onnam Kili" from Kilichundan Mampazham

* "Kandu Kandu" from Mampazhakkalam

* "Thattam Pidichu" from Paradesi

* "Aaroraal Pularmazhayil" from Pattalam

* "Juneile Nilamazhayil" from Nammal Thammil

Telugu

* "Paruvam Vaanaga" from Roja

* "Na Cheli Rojave" from Roja

* "Naathora Tamashalalo" from Ninne Pelladutha

* "Sorry Sorry Sorry" from Bavagaru Bagunnara

* "Cheppave Chirugaali" from Okkadu

* "Gola Gola Rangola" from Ashok

* "Jada Thoti kodithe" from Lakshmi Narasimha

* "Kannu Kottina" from Balu

* "Manasa Vacha Manasisthe" from Iddaru Mitrulu

* "Sukku Sukku" from Lakshyam

* "Abbabba Iddu" from Choodalani Vundi

* "Yem Pilla Kusalama" from Chennakeshava Reddy

* "Shukriya Shukriya" from Nuvve Kavali

* "Sundari" from Amrutha

* "Swagatham" from Sivaramaraj

* "Raja Hamsavo" from Ganesh

* "Gutthonkaya" from Kalyana Ramudu

* "Chiguraku Chatu Chilaka" from Gudumba Shankar

* "Ne Style Nakishtam" from Raghavendra

* "Gusa Gusale Gumma Mamillu" from Annayya

* "Mokka Jonna Thota" from Subhash Chandra Bose

* "Ele Ele Maradala" from Annamayya

* "Entha Pani Chesindi Prema" from Dongadu

* "Kolo Koloyamma Kolo" from Abhimanyu

Hindi

* "Dil Hai Sanam" Chor Chor (Thiruda Thiruda Hindi version)

* "Ishq Bina Kya" from Taal

* "Hai Jaana" from Pukar

* "Tum Ho Meri Nigahom" from Kabhi Na Kabhi

* "Ishwar Allah" from 1947 Earth

Malayalam album songs

* Ravereyayittum from Pranayamarmaram - 2009

* Ee Manjil from Spandanam - 2010

Online initiative

Sujatha was among the first mainstream artists to support the Acethetik initiative, along with M Jayachandran, Madhu Balakrishnan, M G Sreekumar. She recorded "Manju Puthappil" and other songs for the website.

Awards

Sujatha has received several awards and recognitions for her work in the South Indian film musical world.

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards:

* 2001 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Un Samayal Arayil" from Dhill

* 1996 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Poo Pookkum Oosai" from Minsara Kanavu

* 1993 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Netru Illatha Maatram" from Pudhiya Mugam

Kerala State Film Awards:

* 2008 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Bansuri" from Rathri Mazha

* 1999 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Varamanjaladiya" from Pranayavarnangal

* 1996 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Pranayamanithooval" from Azhakiya Ravanan

Asianet Film Awards:

* 2004 - Best Female Playback - "Kandu Kandu" from Mampazhakkalam

* 2001 - Best Female Playback - "Perariya" from Soothradharan

Other prominent awards:

* 2009 - Swaralaya Yesudas Award

* Film Critics Award For Best Female Playback - 11 times

* Cinema Express award

* Dinakaran award