Swarnalatha
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| Swarnalatha | |
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| File:Swarnalatha.jpg
Swarnalatha
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| Background information | |
| 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 |
Swarnalatha (1973 – 12 September 2010) was an Indian playback singer. From 1987 onward, she rendered nearly 7,000 songs in many languages including Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, Urdu, Bengali, Oriya, Punjabi and Badaga.[1]
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.[2]
Contents
Personal life
She was born in the village Kizhakkaepparra near Athikkode near Chittur, Palakkad, Kerala, to K. C. Cherukutty and Kalyani. Swarnalatha born with many brothers and sisters was the last born of a big family of music lovers. 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 Bhadravathi (Paper Town) in Shimoga District, 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.
Career
When Swarnalatha was still a child, her family moved to Chennai to seek film opportunities for her singing talent. The first opportunity came from M. S. Viswanathan in 1987, when she performed a duet with K. J. Yesudas, "Chinnanchirukiliye Kannamma" in the film Neethikku Dhandanai.[4] Subsequently, many other music directors approached her to perform their songs. 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 Rangeela along with Hariharan.
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 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 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 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 Bollywood music director Naushad Ali.
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 of infection.[1]
Legends about Swarnalatha
Legendary music composer M S Viswanathan, who gave the 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 she died. Swarnalatha was introduced to films by me, and was highly talented in music" he said. M.S.V. had once remarked: “Swarnalatha is a gift. She is great among the rare singers I have met. I am proud to have introduced her.[2]
Isaignani ilayaraja also once in an interview, when he asked about the singers voice he likes most, he told that swarnalatha voice have a unique style and he mentioned that her voice is god's gifted voice.
Awards and recognitions
She got National Award from Government of India When she was 21 years old.She won Cinema Express Awards four times.
National Award (Silver Lotus Award)-(Rajat Kamal)
- 1994 – National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for "Porale Ponnuthayi" from Karuththamma[5]
Tamil Nadu State Awards
- 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
Government Awards
- 1994– Kalaimamani Award by the Government of Tamil Nadu for her contributions towards Tamil music.
- 1995– Nandi Award by the Government of Andhra Pradesh for her contributions towards Telugu music.
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]
Tamil film songs
In Ilaiyaraja's music
The numbers based on the same tune 'Povomaa Oorkolam' and 'Nee Yengae Enn Anbae' from the film Chinnathambi was 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 honoured her with the award of Best Singer for the song 'Povomaa Oorkolam'.
With her song 'Aattama Therottama' in the film Captain Prabhakaran she proved that she was incomparable in singing peppy dance numbers as well. Many songs, one different from the other, from Ilayaraja-Swarnalatha combine like 'Maasi Maasam Aalana Ponnu' from Dharmadurai, 'Malliye Chinna Mullaye' and 'Kaana Karunkuyile' from Paandidurai, 'Kuyil Paattu Vandhadenna' from En Rasaavin Manasile, 'Malligai Mottu Manasa Thottu' from Shakthivel, 'Ennulle Ennulle' from film Valli, 'Vedalappulla Nesathukku' from film Periya Marudhu and 'Rajaadhi Raja Un Thandhirangal' from film Mannan went on to become big hits. Their song 'Raakkamma Kayyathattu' from the film Thalapathi figured in BBC's Hits List of world songs. Swarnalatha's song from the film Veera, 'Malaikkoyil Vaasalil Kaarthigai Deepam Minnuthe', is a rare and nostalgic song.
| 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" | 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 Massi masam |
| "Ennai Thottu" | Unnai Nenachaen Paattu Padichaen |
| "Kanna Un Kannil" | 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 |
In A.R.Rahman's music
There is no doubt that no other song released during that period found the kind of popularity which the dance number "Mukkala Mukkabla" from the film Kadhalan achieved. Similarly the song 'Porale Ponnuthayi' from the film Karuthamma reigned in everyone's heart leaving an indelible sadness with its manner of rendition. These two songs at the two emotional extremes suffice as testimony to the uncommon singing felicity of Swarnalatha. The way she had rendered Mukkala Mukkabla, a number meant to please the mass, was amazing.
| Song | Movie | Year |
|---|---|---|
| "Evano Oruvan" | Alaipayuthey | 2000 |
| "Sollaiyo Solai Kili" | Alli Arjuna | 2001 |
| "Orunal Oru Pozhuthu" | Anthimanthaarai | 1995 |
| "Kucchi Kucchi" | Bombay (Tamil and Telugu) | 1995 |
| "Humma Humma" | Bombay | 1995 |
| "Kay Sera Sera" (as chorus) | Pukar | 2000 |
| "Sunta Hai Mera Khuda" | Pukar | 2000 |
| "Chalo Chale Mitwa" | Nayak | 2001 |
| "Poongkaatrilae" | Dil Se.. (Tamil – Uyire) | 1998 |
| "O Priyathamma" | Dil Se.. (Telugu – Prematho) | 1998 |
| "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 |
| "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" | Oonjal | 1999 |
| "Sollu Anbe" | Oonjal | 1999 |
| "Yenthen Vaanil" | Kadhal Virus | 2002 |
| "Mukkala Mukkabla" | Kadhalan | 1994 |
| "Mukkala Mukkabla" (Hindi) | Kadhalan (Hindi – Humse Hai Muqabala) | 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" (Hindi and Telugu) | Rangeela | 1995 |
| "Ai Rama" (Tamil) | 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 |
| "Rakozhi Rendu" | Uzhavan | 1993 |
| "Yae Muthu Paapa" | Vandicholai Chinraasu | 1994 |
Malayalam film songs
| Song | Movie |
|---|---|
| "Kadamizhiyil Kamaldalam" | Thenkasipattanam |
| "Manikkakkallal Menju Menanju" | Varnapakittu |
| "Nandalaala Hey Nandalaala" | Independence |
| "Pottukuthedi Pudavachoodedi" | Ravanaprabhu |
| "Balla Balla Ballare" | Punjabi House |
| Poomeniyil | Parasala Paatchan Payannur Paramu |
| "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 |
| "Illikkadum" | Eazharakkoottam |
| "Maninimukile ni pozhiyaruthe" | Kuberan |
| "Madhu Chandrike Nee " | Saadaram |
Telugu film songs
| Song | Movie | Music director |
|---|---|---|
| "Yamuna Thatilo" | Thalapathi | Ilaiyaraaja |
| "Endhirayyo" | Siva Shankar | Ilaiyaraaja |
| "Hey Dhaga Dhaga" | Prematho Raa | Mani Sharma |
| "Holi Holi" | Kushi | Mani Sharma |
| "Raama Chilakamma" | Choodalani Vundi | Mani Sharma |
| "Srungara Kavya" | Ramudochadu | Raj |
| "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 |
| "Strawberry Kanne" | Merupu Kalalu | A.R Rahman |
| "Keeravani Ragamlo.." | Swayamvaram | Vandematarm Srinivas |
| "Rahasyamuga" | Dum Dum Dum | Kartik Raja |
| "Idele Taratarala Charitam" | Peddarikam | Raj-Koti |
| "Nachave Palapitta" | Kalisundam Raa | S. A. Rajkumar |
References
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- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 National award winning playback singer Swarnalatha passes away, Asian Tribune, Tue, 14 September 2010 03:25
- ↑ Swarnalatha Biography
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Manorama Online | Malayalam News
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ BBC World Service 70th Anniversary Global Music Poll: The World's Top Ten. 2002. Retrieved 5 February 2011.
- Pages with reference errors
- EngvarB from August 2014
- Use dmy dates from August 2014
- Pages with broken file links
- Articles with hCards
- 1973 births
- 2010 deaths
- Indian female singers
- Tamil musicians
- Malayalam playback singers
- Infectious disease deaths in India
- Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners
- Filmfare Awards South winners
- Tamil playback singers
- Kannada playback singers
- Telugu playback singers
- Recipients of the Kalaimamani Award
- 20th-century Indian musicians
