Swarnalatha
Swarnalatha (29 April 1973 – 12 September 2010) was an Indian playback singer. In a career spanning almost 22 years (from 1987 till her death), she recorded over 10,000 songs in many languages, including Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Oriya, Punjabi, and Badaga.[1]
Swarnalatha | |
|---|---|
 Swarnalatha | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | The humming queen of India |
| Born | 29 April 1973 Chittur, Palakkad, Kerala, India |
| Died | 12 September 2010 (aged 37) Chennai, India |
| Genres | Playback singing, Carnatic music |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instruments | vocals |
| Years active | 1987–2010 |
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. She was also the first female playback singer to get a National Award In AR Rahman Music. Her distinctive voice, which could effortlessly reach high octaves, quickly made her a name to reckon with in the playback music industry.[2] She is considered as one of the Top Leading Singers in South Indian Cinema. Unlike others she has an inimitable voice which made her stand Unique and her distinctive vocal range made her as Music directors choice for Experimental songs. There are certain songs which are specifically tailor made for Swarnalatha.Most of her Songs were hits in Malayalam.
Personal life
She was born in Kerala, to K. C. Cherukutty and Kalyani. Her father was a harmonium player and singer. Her mother also had interest in music. Swarnalatha was trained to play harmonium and keyboard.[3] Swarnalatha's family later moved to Bhadravathi (Paper Town) in Shivamogga District, Karnataka where she had her education.[4] She started singing at the age of 3. Surrounded by a family of musicians and music lovers, Swarnalatha was trained in Carnatic and Hindustani music. Her sister Saroja was her first music teacher.
Career
Swarnalatha's family moved to Chennai to seek opportunities in the film industry for her singing talent. The first opportunity came from M. S. Viswanathan in 1987, when she performed a duet with K. J. Yesudas, "Chinnachiru Kiliye" in the film Neethikku Thandanai.[4] Subsequently, she was approached by many other music directors to perform songs under their baton. She also had the opportunity to work with director P. Venu. 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 the film Rangeela with singer Hariharan.
In Telugu, she recorded more songs under the music direction of Mani Sharma, Ramana Gogula, Raj-Koti, and Vandemataram Srinivas. They include the immensely popular songs like Raamma Chilakamma, Osey Ramulamma, and Nizam Babulu.
A. R. Rahman, noting her versatility as a singer and her extraordinary voice, employed Swarnalatha for many of his songs. She was one of the most versatile singers of her times, as she was able to sing melodies like "Maalayil Yaaro Manathodu Pesa" from Sathriyan[2] 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 under A. R. Rahman's music direction. She received the award 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 songs with music directors Deva, Vidyasagar, Harris Jayaraj, Anu Malik, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Raj-Koti, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Mani Sharma, Hamsalekha and many others. She recorded all the songs originally rendered by Lata Mangeshkar and Shamshad Begum for the Tamil movie Anarkali (the dubbed version of the Hindi movie Mughal-e-Azam) and was praised by the Bollywood music director Naushad Ali. Once during an interview, the interviewer Setu asked her what the best moment of her life had been, expecting her to talk about receiving the National Award. But nobody had expected her to say that the best moment of her life had been when she received the kudos from the legendary Hindi film music director Naushad Ali for her rendition of the songs in Anarkali. Being a non-native Hindi speaker, her pronunciation in Hindi songs was noted as exceptional unlike other prominent singers from South India who had recorded songs in the language.
Death
Swarnalatha died at a private hospital in Chennai at the age of 37, on 12 September 2010. She had been suffering from Idiopathic lung disease.
Awards and recognitions
She received the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer from the Government of India, when she was just 21 years old.
National Award (Silver Lotus Award)-(Rajat Kamal)
- 1994– National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for "Porale Ponnuthayi" from Karuththamma[5]
- 1991 – Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback for "Povomma Oorkolam" from Chinna Thambi[5]
- 1994 – Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback for "Porale Ponnuthayi" from Karuththamma[5]
- 2000 – Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback for "Evano oruvan" from Alaipayuthey[5]
- 1991 – Best Female Playback Singer for "Povomma Oorkolam" from Chinna Thambi[6]
- 1995 – Best Female Playback Singer for "Muquala Muqapala" from Kadhalan
- 1996 – Best Female Playback Singer for "Akkadannu nanga" from Indian
- 1999 – Best Female Playback Singer for "Ulunthu vidaikayile" from Mudhalvan
- 2000 – Best Female Playback Singer for "Yevano Oruvan " from Alaipayuthey
Government Honour
- 1994– Kalaimamani Award by the Government of Tamil Nadu for her contributions towards Tamil
Other awards
- 2002 – The song "Rakkama Kaiya Thattu" from the movie Thalapathi (1991) was among the songs listed in a BBC World Top Ten music poll. It was performed by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Swarnalatha[7]
Film songs
Frequent collaboration
- Ilaiyaraja
The numbers based on the same tune 'Povomaa Oorkolam' and 'Nee Yengae Enn Anbae' from the film Chinnathambi were huge hits. Songs like these made Swarnalatha the singing voice of Khushbu who was ruling the roost as a Super Star for whom fans had built a temple. Government of Tamil Nadu honored her with the award of Best Singer for the song 'Povomaa Oorkolam'.
The song 'Raakkamma Kayyathattu' from the film Thalapathi figured in BBC's Hits List of world songs.
She has sung over 300 songs for Ilayaraja and marked as best combination in 90's. She had sung several experimental songs for Ilayaraja such as "Sollividu VelliNilave', "Kanne Indru Kalyan Kathai". "Ennai Thottu Allikonda" is a remarkable song of Swarnalatha and Ilayaraja combination, The Humming at the beginning of the song is Magical and the song recently touched the mark of 60Million digital views which is highest among the songs released in 80's & 90's
| Song | Movie |
|---|---|
| "Oorellam Un Paatu Thaan" | Oorellam Un Paatu Thaan |
| "Nandri Sollave" | Udan Pirappu |
| "Sollividu Velli Nilave" | Amaidhi Padai |
| "Kanne indru kalyana" | Aanazhagan |
| "Aarearaaro aareeraaro" | thayumanavan |
| "Mana Madurai" | Anthapuram |
| "Kuruvi Kudaintha" | Azhagi |
| "Aattama Therottama" | Captain Prabhakaran |
| "Malaiyil Yaaro" | Chatriyan |
| "Chithra Kili" | Chinna Devan |
| "Adi Vannathi Poo" | Chinna Jameen |
| "Onnapoothttu" | Chinna Jameen |
| "Anthiyila Vanam" | Chinnavar |
| "Povomma Oorkolam" | Chinna Thambi |
| "Paadadi Kuyile Paasa malargale" (her personally favourite song) | Naangal |
| "Nee Enge" | Chinna Thambi |
| "Naan Erikarai" | Chinna Thayee |
| "Kattu Kuyil Pattu" | Chinna Mapillai |
| "Vennilavu Kothipathu" | Chinna Mapillai |
| "Semparathi Poovukku" | Dharma (1998 film) |
| "Maasi Masam" | Dharma Dorai |
| "Mana Magalea" | Devar Magan |
| "Vayasu Vantha" | En Mana Vaanil |
| "Kuyil Paatu" | En Rasavin Manasile |
| "Uthama Puthiri" | Guru Sishyan |
| "Aradi Suvaruthan" | Idhu Namma Bhoomi |
| "Oru Pokiri Rathiri" | Idhu Namma Bhoomi |
| "Kooyil Mani Kettene" | Kanna Unnai Thedukiren |
| "Enga Then Paandi" | Kattabomman |
| "Adi Asa Machan" | Kummi Paattu |
| "Oorukku Thekkuttu" | Kummi Paattu |
| "Ammiyila Araichi" | Kummi Paattu |
| "Uchi Veyilukku" | Kummi Paattu |
| "Nee Thane Nal Thorum" | Paattu Vaathiyar |
| "Kangalai Thuthu" | Murai Maman |
| "Kana Karunk Kuyilae" | Pandithurai |
| "Malliye Chinna Mullaye" | Pandithurai |
| "Vidalapulla" | Periya Marudhu (film) |
| "Vidai Kodu" | Piriyadha Varam Vendum |
| "Ooradangum Samathilea" | Puthupatti Ponnuthaye |
| "Malligai Mottu" | Sakthivel |
| "Kalaiyil Kettathu" | Senthamizh Paattu |
| "Punnaivana Poonkuyile" | Sevvanthi |
| "Margalithan Odipochu" | Thalapathi |
| "Rakkamma Kaiya Thattu" | Thalapathi |
| "Ennai Thottu" | Unna Nenachen Pattu Padichen |
| "Kanna Un Kannil" | Unna Nenachen Pattu Padichen |
| "Ennulle Ennulle" | Valli |
| "Unnai Ethir Parthen" | Vanaja Girija |
| "Sirakadikuthu Kuruvi" | Vanaja Girija |
| "Aajare" | Vishnu |
| "Naan Thanga Roja" | Time (1999 film) |
| "Malai Kovil Vasalil" | Veera |
| "Madathile Kanni" | Veera |
- A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman and Swarnalatha association started from the year 1993. Their Combination is known for the magical songs such as "Mukkala Mukkabala", "Hai Rama yeh kya hua", which are the Biggest Hit songs of 90's and still one of the best songs all over India . She was the first Female singer to receive National Award under Rahman's Music for the song "Porale ponnuthayi" from karuthama released in the year 1994. She has sung nearly 80 songs for Rahman most of the songs are super hits across the country which is notable. Noticing verstality of Swarnalatha's peculiar voice Rahman used her for most of his experimental songs and soul stirring emotional songs. Their Combination is one of the best in their times and still.
| Year | Song | Movie |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | "Usilampatti Penkutti" | Gentleman |
| 1993 | "Mudinepalli madichelo" | Gentleman |
| 1993 | "Rakozhi Rendu" | Uzhavan |
| 1994 | "Poralae Ponnuthayi (sad)" | Karuththamma |
| 1994 | "Poodhota Poochindanta (sad)" | Vanitha |
| 1994 | "Nee Etty Etty Thottuvachukka" | Manitha Manitha |
| 1994 | "Aa Siggu eggulu" | Gangwar |
| 1994 | "Mukkala Mukkabla" | Kadhalan |
| 1994 | "Mukkala Mukkabla" (Hindi) | Kadhalan (Hindi – Humse Hai Muqabala) |
| 1994 | "Mukkala Mukkabla"(Telugu) | Premikudu |
| 1994 | "Madrasa Sutthi" | May Madham |
| 1994 | "Madrasu sutti" | May Maadham |
| 1994 | "Super police" | Super police |
| 1994 | "Sundara en sundara" | Super police |
| 1994 | "Khel hai khiladi ka" | Khel hai khiladi ka |
| 1994 | "Mottu Vittatha" | Pavithra |
| 1994 | "Yae Muthu Paapa" | Vandicholai Chinraasu |
| 1995 | "Orunal Oru Pozhuthu" | Anthimanthaarai |
| 1995 | "Kucchi Kucchi" | Bombay (Tamil and Telugu) |
| 1995 | "Humma Humma" | Bombay |
| 1995 | "Munneru Dhaan" | Indira |
| 1995 | "Barasne wali hai Barkha" | Indira |
| 1995 | "Eruvaka" | Indira |
| 1995 | "Hai Rama" (Hindi and Telugu) | Rangeela |
| 1995 | "Ai Rama" (Tamil) | Rangeela |
| 1996 | "Akkadanu Nanga" | Indian |
| 1996 | "Maya Machindra" | Indian |
| 1996 | "Adireti Dressu" | Bharateeyudu |
| 1996 | "Maya Maschindra" | Bharateeyudu |
| 1996 | "Latka Dika Diya" | Hindustani |
| 1996 | "Maya Maschindra" | Hindustani |
| 1996 | "Mel Isaiye" | Mr. Romeo |
| 1997 | "Shabba Shabba" | Daud (Original Soundtrack in Hindi) |
| 1997 | "Shabba Shabba" | Daud (Tamil – Ottam) |
| 1997 | "Oh Vandhaale" | Daud (Tamil – Ottam) |
| 1997 | "Shabba Shabba" | Daud (Telugu – 50-50) |
| 1997 | "Sy Saiyyante" | Daud (Telugu – 50-50) |
| 1997 | "Lucky Lucky" | Ratchagan |
| 1997 | "Lucky Lucky" | Rakshasudu |
| 1997 | "Mercury Pookal" | Ratchagan |
| 1997 | "Mercury poolu" | Rakshasudu |
| 1998 | "Poongkaatrilae" | Dil Se.. (Tamil – Uyire) |
| 1998 | "O Priyathamma" | Dil Se.. (Telugu – Prematho) |
| 1998 | "Anna Un Tholil" | Oonjal |
| 1998 | "Sollu Anbe" | Oonjal |
| 1999 | "Anjathea Jeeva" | Jodi |
| 1999 | "Andala Jeeva" | Jodi |
| 1999 | "Kadhalenum" | Kadhalar Dhinam |
| 1999 | "Prema Ane" | Premikularoju |
| 1999 | "Dola Dola" | Dil hi Dil mein |
| 1999 | "Ulunthu Vithaikayilae" | Mudhalvan |
| 1999 | "Eruvaka Saguthundaga" | Naayakudu |
| 1999 | "Kadhal Yogi" | Taalam |
| 1999 | "Kuliruthu Kuliruthu" | Taj Mahal |
| 2000 | "Evano Oruvan" | Alaipayuthey |
| 2000 | "Kalalayi poyenu" | Sakhi |
| 2000 | "Kay Sera Sera" (as chorus) | Pukar |
| 2000 | "Sunta Hai Mera Khuda" | Pukar |
| 2001 | "Sollaiyo Solai Kili" | Alli Arjuna |
| 2001 | "Chalo Chale Mitwa" | Nayak |
| 2002 | "Yenthen Vaanil" | Kadhal Virus |
| 2002 | "Singore Singore" | Kannathil Muthamittal |
| 2002 | "Signore Signore" | Amrutha |
| 2003 | "Chittukuruvi" | Parasuram |
| 2003 | "Donga Vayase" | Police karthavyam |
| 2006 | "Kummi Adi" | Sillunu Oru Kadhal |
Selected Malayalam film songs
| Song | Movie | Music Director |
|---|---|---|
| "Kadamizhiyil Kamaldalam" | Thenkasipattanam | Suresh Peters |
| "Manikkakkallal Menju Menanju" | Varnapakittu | Vidyasagar |
| "Nandalaala Hey Nandalaala" | Independence | Suresh Peters |
| "Pottukuthedi Pudavachoodedi" | Ravanaprabhu | Suresh Peters |
| "Balla Balla Ballare" | Punjabi House' | Suresh Peters |
| Poomeniyil | Parassala Pachan Payyannur Paramu | S. P. Venkatesh |
| "Varthingal Thellalle" | Dreamz | Vidyasagar |
| "Akkuthikkuthaanakkompel" | Mangalyasootram | Berny-Ignatius |
| "Kannoram Kanamuthe Vaa" | Ishtamanu Nooru Vattam | S. Balakrishnan |
| "Manjil Pootha Sandhye" | Minnaminuginum Minnukettu | S. P. Venkatesh |
| "Neeyonnu Paad" | Thacholi Varghese Chekavar | Sharreth |
| "Oru Thari Kasthoori" | Highway | S.P. Venkatesh |
| "Illikkadum" | Ezharakoottam | Johnson |
| "Avva avva" | Sathyam Sivam Sundaram | Vidyasagar |
| "Maninimukile ni pozhiyaruthe" | Kuberan | Mohan Sitara |
| "Madhu Chandrike Nee " | Saadaram | Johnson |
Selected Telugu songs
| Song | Movie | Music director |
|---|---|---|
| "Yamuna Thatilo" | Thalapathi | Ilaiyaraaja |
| "Endhirayyo" | Siva Shankar | Ilaiyaraaja |
| "Hey Dhaga Dhaga" | Prematho Raa | Mani Sharma |
| "Adireti" | Bharateeyudu | A. R. Rahman |
| "Holi Holi" | Kushi | Mani Sharma |
| "Mukkabla" | Premikudu | A. R. Rahman |
| "Raama Chilakamma" | Choodalani Vundi | Mani Sharma |
| "Srungara Kavya" | Ramudochadu | Raj-Koti |
| "Paataku Praanam" | Vasu | Harris Jayaraj |
| "O muthyalakomma (almost all songs)" | Osey Ramulamma | Vandemataram Srinivas |
| "Prarthana" | Devi | Devi Sri Prasad |
| "Nizam Babulu" | Premante Idera | Ramana Gogula |
| "Keeravani Ragamlo.." | Swayamvaram | Vandematarm Srinivas |
| "Strawberry Kanne" | Merupu Kalalu | A.R Rahman |
| "Meriseti Jabili nuvve" | Jayam manade ra | Vandemataram Srinivas |
| "Rahasyamuga" | Dum Dum Dum | Kartik Raja |
| "Idele Taratarala Charitam" | Peddarikam | Raj-Koti |
| "Rani Rani " | Simhraasi | SA Rajkumar |
| "Raa Raa Rajakumara" | Arjun | Mani Sharma |
| "Nachave Palapitta" | Kalisundam Raa | S. A. Rajkumar |
| "Mercury Poolu" | Rakshakudu | A. R. Rahman |
References
- "Playback singer Swarnalatha passes away". The Hindu. 12 September 2010. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
- National award winning playback singer Swarnalatha passes away, Asian Tribune, Tue, 14 September 2010 03:25
- "Swarnalatha Biography". Archived from the original on 14 July 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
- "Home". Retrieved 1 July 2016.
- "My first break – Swarnalatha". The Hindu. 8 May 2009.
- "Chinna Thambhi Bags Cinema Express Award". The Indian Express. 25 February 1992. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
- BBC World Service 70th Anniversary Global Music Poll: The World's Top Ten. 2002. Retrieved 5 February 2011.
