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K. S. Chithra

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Dr. K. S. Chithra
Born
Krishnan Nair Shantakumari Chithra

(1963-07-27) 27 July 1963 (age 61)
Trivandrum, Kerala, India
Other namesNightingale of South India[1]
Piya Basanti in North India[1]
Vanambadi in Kerala[2]
Chinna Kuyil in Tamil Nadu[2]
Kannada Kogile in Karnataka[1]
Sangeeta Saraswathi in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana[1]
Alma materUniversity of Kerala
Occupations
  • Singer
  • music producer
Years active1979–present
Spouse(s)Vijayashankar
(m.1988-Present)
HonoursPadma Shri (2005)
Padma Bhushan (2021)
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentVocals
LabelsAudiotracs
Websitewww.kschithra.com

Krishnan Nair Shantakumari Chithra, often credited as K. S. Chithra or simply Chithra, is an Indian playback singer and Carnatic musician from Kerala. Chithra also sings Indian classical, devotional, and popular music. She has recorded more than 25,000 songs[3] in various Indian languages, including Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada,Hindi, Bengali, Oriya, Punjabi, Gujarati, Tulu, Rajasthani, Urdu, Sanskrit, and Badaga, as well as foreign languages such as Malay, Latin, Arabic, Sinhalese, English and French.[citation needed]

Chithra is a recipient of six National Film Awards (most by any female singer in India),[4] eight Filmfare Awards South[5] and 36 different state film awards. She has won all the four south Indian state film awards.[6] She was honored with India's civilian honor Padma Shri in 2005.[7] She is the first Indian woman who was honored by House of Commons, British Parliament, United Kingdom in 1997.[6] She is the only singer from India who was honored by the Government of China at the Qinghai International Music and Water Festival in 2009.[8] She is conferred with highest honour of Rotary International FOR THE SAKE OF HONOUR AWARD in 2001.[9] she is the only singer from South India who has received the MTV Video Music Award – International Viewer's Choice at Metropolitan Opera House, New York, United States in 2001.[10] She received honorary doctorates from Sathyabama University in 2011[11][12] and from The International Tamil University, United States in 2018.[13][14]

In 2018, she was honoured by Mr. Craig Coughlin, Speaker of the General Assembly, New Jersey, United States of America. In 2019, she was honoured by Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, sovereign ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah and a member of the Federal Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates, UAE for successfully completing 40 years in Indian Film Industry.[15] She is the only South Indian female singer who has presented her maiden concert at the world's prestigious concert hall Royal Albert Hall in London in 2001.[16] Her song "Kannalane/Kehna Hi Kya" from the film Bombay (1995) was included in The Guardian's "1000 Songs Everyone Must Hear Before You Die" list.[17]

Early life

Born in Trivandrum, Kerala, into a family of musicians, Chithra's father, Krishnan Nair, was also her first guru (teacher). Her elder sister K. S. Beena and her younger brother K. Mahesh are also playback singers.[citation needed] Chithra received her training in Carnatic music from Dr. K. Omanakutty, passed B.A. in music with first class and third rank from the University of Kerala, and completed a master's degree in music.[6] She was selected to the National Talent Search Scholarship from the Central Government from 1978 to 1984.[18]

Playback singing

Malayalam Cinema

Main article: List of Malayalam songs recorded by K. S. Chithra

Chithra was introduced to Malayalam playback by M. G. Radhakrishnan in 1979 who recorded her voice for films and private albums.[6] Attahasam, Snehapoorvam Meera and Njan Ekananu were the first few films in which she recorded her voice. She also performed live concerts with K. J. Yesudas in India and abroad.[6] The song "Manjal Prasadavum" from the film Nakhakshathangal (1986) composed by Bombay Ravi got her the second National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer. For the same composer, she sang the song "Indupushpam Choodi Nilkum" for the film Vaishali (1989) and won her third National Film Award. Her first Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer was for the song "Aayiram Kannumayi" from the film Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu (1986) composed by Jerry Amaldev. Since then, she has earned wide recognition by singing popular songs under the compositions of Raveendran, Shyam, S. P. Venkitesh, Mohan Sithara, Kannur Rajan, Ilaiyaraaja, Johnson, Ouseppachan, M. K. Arjunan, A. T. Ummer, Berny Ignatius, M. B. Sreenivasan, Mohan Sithara, Vidyasagar, Ramesh Narayan, Sharreth and M. Jayachandran.[6] She is regarded as "Nightingale of Kerala (Vanambadi)" and recorded many successful songs in Malayalam. She recorded a number of songs for the composer S. P. Venkitesh and her maximum duet songs in Malayalam are with K. J. Yesudas and M. G. Sreekumar. As of 2017, she has won the Kerala State Awards for the record 16 times.

Tamil Cinema

Main article: List of Tamil songs recorded by K. S. Chithra

Chithra made her debut in the Tamil film industry through the song "Poojaikketha Poovithu" from the film Neethana Antha Kuyil (1985), which was composed by Ilaiyaraaja. She was given the title Chinnakuyil after singing the song "Chinna Kuyil Paadum" from the 1985 released film Poove Poochudava.[6] Director Fazil cast her for this song after Ilaiyaraaja got impressed with her song sung in original version in Malayalam for the film Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu in 1985 directed by himself.[citation needed]. For the folksy classical song "Paadariyaen Padippariyaen" from the film Sindhu Bhairavi (1986), she was awarded with the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer. Since then, she has recorded thousands of Tamil film songs composed by Ilaiyaraaja, A. R. Rahman, Deva, S. A. Rajkumar, Vidyasagar, Sirpy, Yuvan Shankar Raja, G. V. Prakash Kumar, Harris Jayaraj and Santhosh Narayanan. She has sung huge number of evergreen hit songs in Tamil which are remembered till date. She is the only female singer who has sung the maximum number of songs for the Academy Award winning composer A. R. Rahman for his Tamil film songs.[citation needed]. Her fifth National award for best singer was for the song "Oooh La La" from the film Minsara Kanavu (1997).

Telugu Cinema

Celebrating 50 years of musical journey of S. P. Balasubrahmanyam on 9th Dec 2016 at Duty Free Tennis Stadium,Dubai
Main article: List of Telugu songs recorded by K. S. Chithra

Chithra's first Telugu song was "Paadalenu Pallavaina" from the dubbed version of Tamil film Sindhu Bhairavi (1985) composed by Ilaiyaraaja. Her first song in a Telugu film is "Abba Daanisoku" from Aakhari Poratam (1988), sung alongside S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. She gained recognition for "Jallanta Kavvinta" from Geethanjali (1989) and then went onto sing several songs.[19] Chithra received her first Nandi Award, presented by Government of Andhra Pradesh for "Kalika Chilakala Koliki" from Seetharamayya Gari Manavaralu (1991). She won a total of 11 Nandi Awards as Best Female Playback Singer for various Telugu songs.[20]

Kannada cinema

Main article: List of Kannada songs recorded by K. S. Chithra

Chithra started her journey in Kannada cinema through the film Preethi released in 1986. The duet song "Nee Hacchida Ee Kumkuma" along with S. P. Balasubrahmanyam was composed by G. K. Venkatesh. In the same year, composer M. Ranga Rao offered her two songs in the film Aruna Raaga. This was followed by "Sheela O My Sheela", a duet song with K. J. Yesudas and composed by Bappi Lahiri for the Dwarakish directorial fantasy-adventure film Africadalli Sheela. Throughout the 1990s, she went on to become a notable singer in Kannada film industry with her perfection in diction and finesse. Her solos and duets with S. P. Balasubrahmanyam made her famous and she received great acclaim for portraying great deal of nativity in her singing. For the 1986 Kannada film Sathkaara, composer Satyam called upon her to sing a duet song along with K. J. Yesudas and since then, Chithra has recorded around 2000 songs in Kannada film industry. Her most frequent collaborations in Kannada has been with Hamsalekha, V. Manohar and her duet songs have been largely with S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Rajesh Krishnan. She is fondly referred to as Gaana Kogile and Kannada Kogile in Kannada cinema industry.

Hindi cinema

Main article: List of Hindi songs recorded by K. S. Chithra

Chithra was introduced to Hindi film music in 1985; she recorded her first Hindi song composed by S. P. Venkitesh, which was not commercially released. For the 1991 Hindi film Love, composers Anand-Milind, called upon her to sing duets song along with S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and since then, Chithra has recorded for around 200 Bollywood songs.[21] Then she went on recording some Hindi songs under A. R. Rahman's compositions from 1991-1995, her breakthrough in Hindi film music came through "Kehna Hi Kya" from the film Bombay (1995), which was highly successful in the North Indian region and gave her an identity in Bollywood film industry ("Kehna Hi Kya" was included in The Guardian newspaper's "The 1000 songs that everyone must hear"). For the song "Payalein Chunmun" recorded in the 1997 film Virasat, Chithra received the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer and became the only South India based female singer till date to achieve the feat. Her most number of Hindi songs were recorded for Anu Malik, the most notable being her voice recorded for eight songs out of eleven in the soundtrack of Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon in 2003.

Some of Chithra's memorable Hindi songs include "Ye Haseen Wadiyan" from Roja, "Yaaron Sun Lo" from Rangeela, "Hum Tumse Na" from Ziddi, "Payale Chunmun" from Virasat (she won a National Award, Star Screen Award and the nomination for FilmfareAwards for her rendition), "Raat Ka Nasha" from Aśoka, "Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya (sad version)", "Rang De Basanti" title track, "Mere Dil Ka Tumse Hi Kehna" from Armaan , "Mere Dil Ka Tumse Hi Kehna" from the film Armaan In the composition of Rajesh Roshan, she has sung "Koi Mil Gaya" title song of the film Koi... Mil Gaya for which she won Bollywood Movie Awards, MTV Immies Award and the nomination for Filmfare Awards. "Tum Bin Jiya Jaye Kaise" from the film Tum Bin topped the charts and she was lauded for her expressive rendition.

Apart from film songs, Chithra recorded for many private albums of which Piya Basanti and Sunset Point became hugely popular and went on to win several laurels including the MTV Music Video Awards. The popularity of the former album made her known among the Northern part of Indians identify her as "Piya Basanti" Chitra.[22]

Music company

In 1995 Chithra established the Audiotracs[23] Music Company in Chennai. AUDIOTRACS is the brand name of AT MUSICS a music label promoted by the well known singer CHITHRA known as the nightingale of the south in 1995. Audiotracs is one of the most respected music label of south India producing albums in the non film space such as devotional music, classical music, light songs, traditional music etc. Some of the most prominent music directors of Malayalam films like M.Jayachandran, Deepak Dev, Viswajith etc. made their debut thro this label. All of Chitra's non film albums are produced by AUDIOTRACS and released thro MANORAMA MUSIC the music division of the media group Malayala Manorama thro a licensing arrangement since 2001. Apart from music cds the audiotracs catalogue is available in the digital space like YouTube, iTunes, Google+, Nokia music store etc.

Recording studio

Krishna Digidesign is a digital recording studio promoted by K S Chithra in Chennai.[24] The studio is a dream come true project for Chithra.The studio was inaugurated on 6 April 2000 jointly by two of Chithra's mentors K J Yesudas and mastero Ilayaraja in the august presence of her guru Omanakutty and M. G. Radhakrishnan who had introduced her to the field of film music.

The first song was recorded by Sonu Nigam to the music of Bharadwaj. There are two studios studio A and B for song recordings and mastering projects. Today Krishna Digidesign is considered as one of the most popular and professional destination for musicians of all genre in Chennai. luminaries of the music fraternity of the country like M. Balamuralikrishna, K J Yesudas, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki, Shankar Mahadevan, Hariharan and others had graced the studio with their presence and soulful melodies.

Leading music directors like Sharreth, M. M. Keeravani, Mani Sharma, M. Jayachandran, Deepak Dev, S. Thaman, Anu Malik, Kamalakar and revered personalities like M. S. Viswanathan, Raveendran, Johnson, Shyam, Jerry Amaldev, L. Vaidyanathan, Hamsalekha, Lalgudi Jayaraman, Karaikudi Mani and a host of others have used the services provided by the studio over the years. Most of the recordings of Chithra's music label and the sister concern of the group 'AUDIOTRACS' are also recorded mixed and mastered in Krishna Digidesign. Apart from song recordings the studio undertakes re-recording projects.

Artistry

Influences

Chithra's father, Krishnan Nair, was her first guru (teacher). She started singing at her house as well she used to sing in neighbours' occasional events. Her mother Shantha, who is a veena player (not professionally) used to teach Chithra and her elder sister Beena some devotional slokas and asked them to perform in front of God.

Work and association with music directors

Chithra has sung more than 25,000 songs in number of Indian languages.[citation needed] But predominately she works in South Indian film industry. Chithra has the fame of working with huge number of music directors across India. She has recorded maximum number of songs to the music directors like A. R. Rahman, Ilayaraja, M. M. Keeravani, Koti, S. V. Krishna Reddy, Hamsalekha, Raveendran, Johnson, Sharreth, S. A. Rajkumar, Manisharma, Vidyasagar, Deva, Devi Sri Prasad, Mickey J Meyer in Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil and Kannada. She has worked with Laxmikant–Pyarelal, Anu Malik, Anand-Milind, Rajesh Roshan, Jatin-Lalit, Pritam, Sandesh Shandilya, Nadeem-Shravan, Nikhil-Vinay, Dilip Sen-Sameer Sen, Anand Raaj Anand, Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Shantanu Moitra and A. R. Rehman in Hindi. She has recorded huge number of duets with singers like S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. J. Yesudas, M. G. Sreekumar, Mano, Hariharan, Udit Narayan, Kumar Sanu, Rajesh Krishnan, Karthik, P. Unnikrishnan, Shankar Mahadevan, Vijay Yesudas in all Indian languages. Chithra, Mano, S.P.Balasubrahmanyam have a special fame of recording all the songs in one film dominatly from 1990 to 1997 mostly in Telugu, Kannada and few Tamil films. She has even recorded hit female duets with P. Susheela, Vani Jairam, S. Janaki, S. P. Sailaja, Sujatha Mohan, Shreya Ghoshal, Shweta Mohan, Swarnalatha, Minmini, Sadhana Sargam, kavita Krishnamurthy, Anuradha Paudwal, Alisha Chinai, Harini, Sunidhi Chauhan, Alka Yagnik, Madhushree, Sunitha Upadrashta in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam & Hindi. The most successful duet combination was S.P.B-Chithra duo in Telugu and Kannada especially. They have sung maximum number of songs to so many music directors together. They have a fame of recording 2,500 songs to composers Raj-Koti where in total Raj-Koti composed 3,000 songs. Chithra sang some rare duets with the legendary actor and singer Dr.Rajkumar in Kannada. She has been singing since more than 3 decades and yet gets chances to work with latest film music directors like Santhosh Narayanan, S. S. Thaman, Devi Sri Prasad, Mickey J Meyer, Sai Karthik, Ghibran.[citation needed]

Performances in concerts (India & abroad)

Apart from playback singing, she also appeared among the panel of judges in the singing reality television shows at Kerala (Idea Star Singer and Josco Indian Voice),[25] at Tamil Nadu (Airtel Super Singer Junior),[26] where she also won the award for Best Female Judge and at Andhra Pradesh (MAA TV) Super Singer. Apart from this judgement panel she has appeared in many of the ETV (Telugu) music-shows like Swarabhishekam, Super Masti, Jhumandi Nadam etc. She is a regular singer in Ilayaraja's, A.R. Rahman's and S.P. Balasubrahmanyam's concerts. She has performed all over the world in SPB's concerts along with S. P. Sailaja, S. P. Charan. She has been a regular singer participating in all the concerts of SPB50-The World Tour, she has performed almost all around the world with S. P. B. Charan, S. P. Sailaja, Sunitha Upadrashta Karthik & Shweta Mohan.

Studio albums

Chithra recorded her first studio album with Voodoo Rapper for the album called Ragga Raaga in 1993. She recorded the albums in Hindi, Piya Basanti (2000) and Sunset Point. She associated with Ustad Sultan Khan for Piya Basanti which was certified Gold.[27] Sunset Point had eight songs written and narrated by Gulzar and sung by Chithra and Bhupinder.[28] In 2006, she released an album in dedication to M. S. Subbulakshmi named My Tribute. It is a collection of Kritis and bhajans dedicated to Subbulakshmi.[29] In 2009 she released Nightingale: A Salute to Lataji, a musical tribute to Lata Mangeshkar on her 80th birthday.[30] She also recorded many Malayalam albums for K. J. Yesudas, M. Jayachandran and Sharreth compositions. She also planned a ghazal album with Ghulam Ali and Asha Bhosle.[29]

In 2014, Chithra recorded a song at a Singapore studio for A. R. Rahman's private album Raunaq written by Kapil Sibal.[31]

Chithra has established her own recording label, Audiotracs, to promote new artists to collaborate with her as singers, lyricists and music directors.[citation needed]

Association with A. R. Rahman

Chithra has an extensive history of collaboration with A. R. Rahman.

S.no Year Song Film Language Co-Singer(s)
1 1992 "Rukkumani Rukkumani" Roja Tamil S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
2 1992 "Yeh Haseen Waadiyaan" Hindi S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
3 1992 "Nagamane Nagamane" Telugu S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
4 1992 "Chella Chella Asha" Malayalam -
5 1992 "Chella Chella Asha (bit)" Malayalam -
6 1993 "Kulu Kulu" Asokan Tamil S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
7 1993 "Mujhko Yeh Lagta Hai" Dharam Yoddha Hindi S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
8 1993 "Thenkizhakku Cheemayile (1)" Kizhakku Cheemayile Tamil Malaysia Vasudevan
9 1993 "Thenkizhakku Cheemayile (2)" Tamil Malaysia Vasudevan
10 1993 "Kaathu Kaathu Dinam Kaathu" Uzhavan Tamil G. V. Prakash Kumar
11 1993 "En Aatha Pon Aatha" Tamil K. J. Yesudas
12 1993 "Kangalil Enna Eeramo" Tamil S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
13 1993 "Veerapandi Kottayile" Thiruda Thiruda Tamil Mano, Unni Menon
14 1993 "Putham Pudhu Bhoomi" Tamil Mano
15 1993 "Jhoom Jhoom" Chor Chor (Dubbed version) Hindi S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
16 1993 "Pyar Kabhi" Hindi Udit Narayan, Mano
17 1993 "Veera Bobbili" Donga Donga Telugu Mano, Unni Menon
18 1993 "Kotha Bangaru Lokam" Telugu Mano
19 1994 "Baboo Love Cheyyara" Super Police Telugu S.P.Balasubrahmanyam
20 1994 "Mukkambe Mukkambe" Telugu Mano
21 1994 "Maamo Love" Tamil S.P.Balasubrahmanyam
22 1994 "Muttamme Muttamme" Tamil Mano
23 1994 "Chumma De Chumma De" Khel Khiladi Ka Hindi S.P.Balasubrahmanyam
24 1994 "En Kadhale" (Female version) Duet Tamil -
25 1994 "Anjali Anjali Pushpanjali" Tamil S.P.Balasubrahmanyam
26 1994 "Kodite Kolatam" Telugu S.P.Balasubrahmanyam
27 1994 "Anjali Anjali" Telugu S.P.Balasubrahmanyam
28 1994 "Gutti Vankayi" Telugu -
29 1994 "Neenecheli Neenecheli" Telugu S.P.Balasubrahmanyam, Noel James
30 1994 "Anjali Anjali" Hindi S.P.Balasubrahmanyam
31 1994 "En Mel Vizhunda" May Madham Tamil P. Jayachandran
32 1994 "Manasa Veena" Hrudayaanjali Telugu -
33 1994 "Edapai Jarina" Telugu P. Unnikrishnan
34 1994 "Azhagu Nilave" Pavithra Tamil -
35 1994 "Eechambazham" Tamil Shahul Hameed
36 1994 "Thenmerku Paruva Kaatru" Karuthamma Tamil Unnikrishnan
37 1994 "Sirimalle Mogga Meeda" Vanitha Telugu Unnikrishnan
38 1994 "Onnu Rendu Moonuda" Pudhiya Mannargal Tamil Mano
39 1994 "Nagu Momu" Gangmaster Telugu Mano
40 1994 "Misa Misalade" Telugu S.P.Balasubrahmanyam
41 1994 "Hello Hello" Telugu S.P.Balasubrahmanyam
42 1994 "Enna Mayam Kannamma" Manitha Manitha Tamil Mano
43 1994 "Kisu Kisu Namakkal" Tamil Mano
44 1994 "Hello Hello Anburani" Tamil Mano
45 1994 "Neelimabbu Kondallona" Palnati Pourusham Telugu[32][circular reference] K J Yesudas
46 1995 "Kehna Hi Kya" Bombay (Dubbed version) Hindi -
47 1995 "Kannalane" Tamil -
48 1995 "Uyire Uyire" Tamil Hariharan
49 1995 "Kannanule" Telugu -
50 1995 "Urike chilake" Hariharan
1995 "Idhi Mathru Bhoomi"
51 1995 "Thoda Thoda Malardhadhenna" Indira Tamil S.P.Balasubrahmanyam
52 1995 "Thoda Thoda Pyar - 1" Priyanka Hindi S.P.Balasubrahmanyam
53 1995 "Thoda Thoda Pyar - 2" Hindi Hariharan
54 1995 "Tholi Tholi Bidiyala" Indira Telugu S.P.Balasubrahmanyam
55 1995 "Yaaro Sunlo Zara" Rangeela Hindi Udit Narayan
56 1995 "Kuluvalilae" Muthu Tamil Udit Narayan, G. V. Prakash Kumar, Kalyani Menon
57 1995 "Kalagalile Prema" Telugu S.P.Balasubrahmanyam, G. V. Prakash Kumar, Kalyani meno
58 1995 "Phoolwani Ne Loota Mujhko" Hindi Udit Narayan, G. V. Prakash Kumar, Kalyani Menon
59 1996 "Malargaley Malargaley" Love Birds Tamil Hariharan
60 1996 "Manasuna Manasuga" Telugu Hariharan
61 1996 "Milgaye Milgaye" Hindi Hariharan
62 1997 "Ooh La La La (Maana Madurai)" Minsara Kanavu Tamil Unni Menon, Srinivas
63 1997 "Ek Bhagiya Mein" Sapnay (Dubbed version) Hindi Srinivas, Shankar Mahadevan
64 1997 "Machilipatnam" Merupu Kalalu (Dubbed version) Telugu Srinivas, Unni Menon
65 1997 "Kasirepi" 50-50 (Dubbed version) Telugu Deena Chandra Das
66 1997 "Ee Praayam Needhe Ra" Telugu Unnikrishnan
67 1997 "Sooriyanaai" Ottam (Dubbed version, album version) Tamil Deena Chandra Das
68 1997 "En Kadhal Neruppe" Tamil Unnikrishnan
69 1997 "Pogum Vazhiyellam" Ratchagan Tamil -
70 1998 "Mere Yara Dildara" Kabhi Na Kabhi Hindi S.P.Balasubrahmanyam, Hariharan
71 1998 "Tu Hi Tu" Hindi M. G. Sreekumar
72 1998 "Innalila Ledule" Prematho (Dubbed version) Telugu M. G. Sreekumar
73 1999 "En Swasa Kaatre" En Swasa Kaatre Tamil M. G. Sreekumar
74 1999 "Theendai" Tamil S.P.Balasubrahmanyam
75 1999 "Thirakkadha Kattukkulle" Tamil Unnikrishnan
76 1999 "Naa Prana Jyothi" Premante Pranam Ista Telugu M. G. Sreekumar
77 1999 "Leela Mruduleela" Telugu S.P.Balasubrahmanyam
78 1999 "Tholi Saari" Telugu Unnikrishnan
79 1999 "Mel Nattu Isai" Jodi Tamil -
80 1999 "Verri Manasa" Telugu S.P.Balasubrahmanyam
81 1999 "Hridayanni Muripinche" Telugu -
82 1999 "Karisal Tharasil" Taj Mahal Tamil M. G. Sreekumar
83 1999 "Sarithana Sarithana" Thalam Tamil Mano
84 2000 "Kannamoochi (Solo)" Kandukondain Kandukondain Tamil -
85 2000 "Kannamoochi (Duet)" Tamil K. J. Yesudas
86 2000 "Engae Enathu Kavithai" Tamil Srinivas
87 2000 "Dobuchulatelara (Duet)" Priyuralu Pilichindi (Dubbed version) Telugu K. J. Yesudas
88 2000 "Dobuchulatelara (Solo)" Telugu -
89 2000 "Yemaye Naa Kavitha" Telugu Srinivas
90 2000 "Injerungo Injerungo" Thenali Tamil Kamal Haasan
91 2000 "Pranama Pranama" Telugu S.P.Balasubrahmanyam
92 2000 "Yeyayo Yeyayo" Telugu S.P.Balasubrahmanyam
93 2000 "Neethan En Desiya Geetham" Parthale Paravasam Tamil P. Balaram
94 2000 "Neevena Jaatheyageetam" Paravasham Telugu P.Balaram
95 2001 "Shingu Lingu" Alli Arjuna Tamil -
96 2004 "Mazhai Megha Vanna" Desam Tamil Srinivas
97 2005 "Varugiraai" Anbe Aaruyire Tamil Hariharan
98 2006 "Rang De Basanti" Rang De Basanti Hindi Daler Mehndi
99 2007 "Jaage Hain " Guru Hindi A. R. Rahman
100 2007 "Ek Lo Ek Muft" Hindi Bappi Lahari
101 2007 "Rendu Maangai" Tamil S.P.Balasubrahmanyam
102 2007 "Orey Kanaa" Tamil A. R. Rahman
103 2007 "Jodi Chesei" Telugu S.P.Balasubrahmanyam
104 2007 "Innalle" Telugu A. R. Rahman
105 2008 "Idhayam Idam Maariyathe" Jodhaa Akbar Tamil Karthik
106 2010 "Tu Mera Hai" Ada... A Way of Life Hindi Sukhwinder Singh, Naresh Iyer
107 2010 "Nammakam Eeyara Swami" Puli Telugu Harini, Madhushree
108 2014 "Unborn Child" Million Dollar Arm English Unnikrishnan
109 2014 "Sach Kahoon" Raunaq Hindi A. R. Rahman
110 2014 "Naada Gaanangal" Pradhi Nayagan Malayalam Haricharan
111 2015 "Malargal Kaettaen" OK Kanmani Tamil A. R. Rahman
112 2015 "Manase Theeyaga" OK Bangaram (Dubbed version) Telugu Dr. Narayan

Philanthropy

Chithra, along with a Kerala-based satellite channel, Asianet Cable Vision (ACV), jointly launched a fundraising organisation, Sneha Nandana, to raise funds for the welfare of retired musicians who have lost their careers due to changes in the music industry. She launched this organisation on the occasion of her completion of three decades in the music playback industry. She said that the fund would provide help to the musicians with financial impediments and those suffering from health problems.[citation needed] A cultural event called Chithra Pournami was held on 15 February 2011 at Thiruvananthapuram to celebrate the 30th year of her career and also to launch this organisation. Attendees included K. J. Yesudas, V. Dakshinamurthy, Sreekumaran Thampi, P. Susheela, Hariharan, P. Jayachandran, Usha Uthup, M.K. Arjunan, Johnson, Shyam, M. Jayachandran, M. G. Sreekumar, Sharath, Sujatha Mohan, Unni Menon, Srinivas, G. Venugopal, Minmini, and Priyadarshan.[33]

Personal life

Chithra is married to Vijayashankar, an engineer and businessman and settled in Chennai. They had a daughter Nandana, who was born with down's syndrome. Her daughter died in a pool accident due to drowning in Dubai in 2011 when Chithra was about to perform at an A. R. Rahman's concert.[34][35]

Performances abroad

International projects

  • Recorded with the Arab singer Jawad Ali for his album Amar Ul Hob[9]
  • Recorded a song for the jazz pianist Herbie Hancock
  • Invited by the Government of China to perform in the Qinghai international water and music festival in Qinghai, China.

Awards, honors, and recognition

See also: List of awards and nominations received by K. S. Chithra

Chithra is a recipient of six National Film Awards (most by any female singer in India),[4] eight Filmfare Awards South[5] and 36 different state film awards. She has won all the four south Indian state film awards.[6] She was honored with India's civilian honor Padma Shri in 2005.[7] She is the first Indian woman who was honored by House of Commons, British Parliament, United Kingdom in 1997.[6] She is the only singer from India who was honored by the Government of China at the Qinghai International Music and Water Festival in 2009.[36] She is conferred with highest honour of Rotary International FOR THE SAKE OF HONOUR AWARD in 2001.[9] she is the only singer from South India who has received the MTV Video Music Award – International Viewer's Choice at Metropolitan Opera House, New York, United States in 2001.[10] She was conferred with the Doctor of Letters (honorary degree) by Sathyabama University in 2011[11][12] and The International Tamil University, United States in 2018.[13][14]

In 2018, she was honoured by Mr. Craig Coughlin, Speaker of the General Assembly, New Jersey, United States of America. In 2019, she was honoured by Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, sovereign ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah and is a member of the Federal Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates, UAE for successfully completing 40 years in Indian Film Industry.[15] She is the only South Indian female singer who has presented her maiden concert at the world's prestigious concert hall Royal Albert Hall in London in 2001.[16] Her song "Kannalane/Kehna Hi Kya" from the film Bombay (1995) was included in The Guardian's "1000 Songs Everyone Must Hear Before You Die" list.[17]

Filmography

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Wishing "Nightingale of South India" – Chitra a Very Happy Birthday". Telugu Film Nagar. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  2. ^ a b "One more feather in her cap". The Hindu. Retrieved 21 July 2005.
  3. ^ Article (5 March 2016). "Chithra in concert and workshop". The Hindu.
  4. ^ a b Film beat (13 April 2018). "Singers Who Won National Award For Malayalam Songs". Film Beat.
  5. ^ a b Filmfare (16 June 2018). "Winners of the 65th Jio Filmfare Awards (South) 2018". Filmfare.com.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i S.R. Ashok Kumar (21 July 2005). "One more feather in her cap". The Hindu.
  7. ^ a b "Padma Awards Directory (1954–2009)" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 May 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2010.
  8. ^ "Lars Grünwoldt 2009 - Special Concert Qinghai (China)". KKManagement. 31 July 2009.
  9. ^ a b c d "K S Chithra". Facebook. Archived from the original on 12 July 2013.
  10. ^ a b "Hindustan at MTV Awards". The Times of India. 9 September 2001.
  11. ^ a b "Sathyabhama doctorates for scientist, stars". The New Indian Express. 13 May 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  12. ^ a b "Honoris Causa 2011 - Satyabhama University". Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  13. ^ a b "Honorary Doctorate from International Tamil University,USA". Facebook. 12 November 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  14. ^ a b "Honorary Doctorate from International Tamil University - USA". Facebook. 12 November 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  15. ^ a b "Come on Kerala".
  16. ^ a b "Royal Albert Hall to echo with 'golden voices' of South". Press coverage and reviews. 7 April 2001.
  17. ^ a b "Love: part one of 1000 songs everyone must hear". The Guardian. 14 March 2009. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
  18. ^ Nair, Sulekha (23 January 2001). "Nightingale of the south". Express India. Retrieved 11 December 2010.
  19. ^ Prakash, P. V. D. S. "సరిగమ స్వరాల కోయిల...చిత్ర". Sitara (in Telugu). Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  20. ^ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964 - 2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964 - 2008)] (PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 27 September 2020.(in Telugu)
  21. ^ "KS Chithra's best Hindi numbers". Cinestaan.com.
  22. ^ "Revisiting Piya Basanti". Indian Express.
  23. ^ "Audiotracs Msic Company".
  24. ^ "Krishna Digi Design Recording Studio".
  25. ^ [1] Archived 23 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  26. ^ "Airtel Super Singer Junior 2". Archived from the original on 31 January 2010. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  27. ^ Subha J Rao (28 October 2004). "Musically yours". The Hindu.
  28. ^ "Gulzar's Sunset Point". Gulzaronline.com. Archived from the original on 14 June 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  29. ^ a b K. Jeshi (8 December 2006). "Song all the way". The Hindu.
  30. ^ "CHORDS AND NOTES". The Hindu. 2 July 2009.
  31. ^ "Recording a song with K S Chithra in Singapore for Raunaq". Twitter page. 2014.
  32. ^ Palnati Pourusham
  33. ^ "Chitra launches fund for unemployed musicians". 24dunia.com. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  34. ^ "KS Chithra's daughter reportedly drowned and died in Emirates Hills pool". Emirates247.com. 14 April 2011. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
  35. ^ "Singer Chithra's daughter drowns in dubai". Khaleej Times. 14 April 2011. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
  36. ^ "Lars Grünwoldt 2009 - Special Concert Qinghai (China)". KKManagement. 31 July 2009.
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