Swarnalatha
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| Swarnalatha ( സ്വർണ്ണലത ) | |
|---|---|
 Swarnalatha |
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| 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 |
Swarnalatha (Malayalam: സ്വർണ്ണലത;Tamil: ஸ்வர்ணலதா; 1973 – 12 September 2010) was a 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]
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[edit] Personal life and career
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 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. 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.[2]
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.[4] 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 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 Chatriyan[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 memorable 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 acclaimed Bollywood music director late Naushad Ali.
[edit] 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.[2]
[edit] Awards and recognitions
She got Kalai Maamani from Government of Tamil Nadu before she was 20 years old. She won the Filmfare Awards in Hindi for the years 1996 and 2000 for her songs ‘Hai Rama’ and ‘Suntha Hai Mera Khuda’ respectively. She won a Filmfare Award in Tamil as well for ‘Mukkala Muqabala’. 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]
Government awards
- 1994- Kalaimamani Award by the Government of Tamil Nadu for her contributions towards Tamil music.
Cinema Express Awards
- 1991 - Best Female Playback Singer for "Povoma oorkolam" from Chinna Thambi[5]
- 1995 - Best Female Playback Singer for "Muquala Muqapala" from Kadhalan[5]
- 1996 - Best Female Playback Singer for "Akkadannu nanga" from Indian[5]
- 1999 - Best Female Playback Singer for "Ulunthu vidaikayile" from Mudhalvan[5]
- 2000 - Best Female Playback Singer for "Evano oruvan" from Alaipayuthey[5]
Flimfare Awards
- 2000 - Best Female Playback Singer for "Evano oruvan" from Alaipayuthey[5]
- 2002 - Best Female Playback Singer for "Thirumana malargal" from Poovellam Un Vasam[5]
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 [6]
[edit] Videos
- Swarnalatha in Jayatv sruthium layamum
- Swarnalatha in Lakshman sruthi Ladies special-1997 (Akkadanu nanga)
- Swarnalatha in Lakshman sruthi Ladies special-1997 (Porale ponnuthayee)
- Swarnalatha in Illayaraja One Man Show (Kathal oviyam song)
[edit] Notable Tamil film songs
[edit] 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 Muqabala’ from the film Kaadhalan 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 Muqabala’, a number meant to please the mass, was amazing.
| Song | Movie | Year |
|---|---|---|
| "Gumadichee" | 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
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 |
|---|---|
| "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 |
[edit] Notable Telugu film songs
| Song | Movie | Music director |
|---|---|---|
| "Yamuna Thatilo" | Thalapathi | Ilaiyaraaja |
| "Raama Chilakamma" | Choodalani Vundi | Mani Sharma |
| "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 |
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Playback singer Swarnalatha passes away". The Hindu. September 12, 2010. http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article627430.ece. Retrieved September 12, 2010.
- ^ a b c d National award winning playback singer Swarnalatha passes away, Asian Tribune, Tue, 2010-09-14 03:25
- ^ Swarnalatha Biography
- ^ a b Manorama Online | Malayalam News
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "My first break - Swarnalatha". The Hindu. 8 May 2009. http://www.hindu.com/cp/2009/05/08/stories/2009050850351600.htm.
- ^ BBC World Service 70th Anniversary Global Music Poll: The World's Top Ten. 2002. Retrieved 5 February 2011.
[edit] External links
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