Mahalakshmi Iyer is an Indian playback singer, best known for her Hindi and Tamil songs. She has sung in many other Indian languages as well, including Telugu , Marathi , Bengali , Odia , Gujarati , Assamese , and Kannada .[1]
Mahalakshmi made her playback debut with the film Dus , which was also Shankar–Ehsaan–Loys ' debut as music directors in 1996. The film never completed due to the sudden passing of the film's director. The album however was released in 1999 as a tribute. The same week she recorded for Dus, she also sang the track Ae Ajnabee with Udit Narayan for A. R. Rahman in Mani Ratnam 's Dil Se.. which was her first release as a playback singer. Mahalakshmi continued singing for Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and A.R. Rahman in many films which followed.[2]
Since then she has also sung many serials, jingles , and original albums.[3] She was part of several successful soundtracks such as Mission Kashmir , Yaadein and Saathiya and worked with some of the biggest music composers like A. R. Rahman , Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy , Vishal-Shekhar , Jatin-Lalit and more.
She has sung for many Yash Raj Films ' biggest hits like Dhoom 2 , Bunty Aur Babli , Salaam Namaste , Fanaa , Ta Ra Rum Pum and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom .
She was known for her performances in songs like "Kabhi Sham Dhale" from Sur – The Melody of Life (2002), "Har Taraf" from Rishtey (2002) and for hit songs like "Chup Chup Ke" from Bunty Aur Babli (2005), "Aaj Ki Raat" from Don: The Chase Begins Again (2006) and "Bol Na Halke Halke" from Jhoom Barabar Jhoom .[4]
She sang on the Academy Award winning song "Jai Ho " for A. R. Rahman in the film Slumdog Millionaire (2008). Specifically, she sang the Hindi words between the short "Jai Ho" chants, as well as portions of the verses (most of which were sung by Sukhwinder Singh ).[5]
In the past, she rendered background vocal to the very famous Ghazal of Pankaj Udhas named Aur Ahistaa. She has also rendered her voice to many private album remixes notably Aaja Piya Tohe Pyar and Baahon Mein Chali Aao , which was originally rendered by the legendary Lata Mangeshkar .
Personal life [ edit ]
Mahalakshmi comes from a Tamil musical family. Her mother is a Carnatic classical singer. She began learning Hindustani music at an early age as did her three sisters, Kalpana, Padmini and Shobha. Iyer grew up in Chembur , Mumbai, and is a graduate of R.A.Podar College & Economics, Mumbai.[citation needed ]
Television songs [ edit ]
In 2013, Mahalakshmi Iyer sang a song with Udit Narayan titled "Ek dil banaaya, phir pyar basaaya", penned by Raghvendra Singh in music direction of Navin Manish for Rajshri 's TV show Jhilmil Sitaaron Ka Aangan Hoga on Sahara One.
Selected film songs [ edit ]
Year
Song
Film
Language
Music director
Co-singer(s)
1997
"Suno Gaur Se Duniya Walo (Hindustani)"
Dus
Hindi
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Udit Narayan , Shankar Mahadevan , Dominique Cerejo
1998
"Ae Ajnabee"
Dil Se..
Hindi
A. R. Rahman
Udit Narayan
"Meettatha Oru Veenai"
Poonthottam
Tamil
Ilaiyaraaja
Hariharan
1999
"Velli Malare"
Jodi
Tamil
A. R. Rahman
S. P. Balasubramanyam
"Vanna Poonga"
Jodi
Tamil
A. R. Rahman
Srinivas
"Tumne Na Humse"
Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi
Hindi
Vishal Shekhar
Solo
"Dil Se Mere"
Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi
Hindi
Vishal Shekhar
Shekhar Ravjiani
"Kurukku Siruthhavale"
Mudhalvan
Tamil, Telugu (dubbed version)
A. R. Rahman
Hariharan
"Dillagi Dillagi"
Dillagi
Hindi
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Kavita Krishnamurthy , Alka Yagnik , Abhijeet , Udit Narayan , Sonu Nigam , Sukhwinder Singh , Shankar Mahadevan , Shaan , Jaspinder Narula
"Kya Yeh Sach Hai"
Dillagi
Hindi
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Shankar Mahadevan
2000
"So Jaa Chandaa"
Mission Kashmir
Hindi
Loy Mendonsa
Solo
"Yaaro Yaarodi"
Alaipayuthey
Tamil
A. R. Rahman
Richa Sharma , Vaishali
"Kandukonden Kandukonden"
Kandukondain Kandukondain
Tamil, Telugu (dubbed version)
A. R. Rahman
Hariharan
"Ennavo Ennavo"
Priyamanavale
Tamil
S. A. Rajkumar
Hariharan
"Enakoru Snegidhi"
Priyamanavale
Tamil
S. A. Rajkumar
Hariharan
"Pollatha Madhana Paanam"
Hey Ram
Tamil
Ilaiyaraaja
Annupamaa
2001
"Hasde Hasde"
Abhay
Hindi
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Kamal Haasan
"Siri Siri"
Aalavandhan
Tamil
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Kamal Haasan
"Poove Vai Pesum"
12B
Tamil
Harris Jayaraj
Harish Raghavendra
"Mutham Mutham"
12B
Tamil
Harris Jayaraj
KK
"Ammammo Chaligavundi"
Deevinchandi
Telugu
S. A. Rajkumar
Sukhwinder Singh
"Chilakamma Chilakamma"
Deevinchandi
Telugu
S. A. Rajkumar
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
"Dhin Dhinak"
Manasantha Nuvve
Telugu
R. P. Patnaik
Solo
"Yaar Teri Bewafai"
Love You Hamesha
Hindi
A. R. Rahman
Solo
"E Chota Nenunna"
Ninnu Choodalani
Telugu
S. A. Rajkumar
Hariharan
"Yaadein Yaad Aati Hai"
Yaadein
Hindi
Anu Malik
Sunidhi Chauhan
"Malai Kattru Vandhu"
Vedham
Tamil
Vidhyasagar
Hariharan
2002
"Har Taraf Tu Hi"
Rishtey
Hindi
Sanjeev Darshan
Shaan
"Daayi Daayi Dhamma"
Indra
Telugu
Mani Sharma
KK
"Chalka Chalka Re"
Saathiya
Hindi
A. R. Rahman
Richa Sharma , Vaishali
"Kabhie Sham Dhale"
Sur – The Melody of Life
Hindi
M. M. Kreem
Solo
"Goyyaka Koiyaakkaa"
Alaudin
Tamil
Mani Sharma
Karthik
"Oohh Yeah"
Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai?
Hindi
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
KK
"Ghatothkacha Kalaadhara"
Pammal K. Sambandam
Tamil
Deva
Srinivas
2003
"Kannam Shivakka"
Aasai Aasaiyai
Tamil
Mani Sharma
Ranjith
"Aao Milke Gaayen Aisa Gaana"
Armaan
Hindi
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Shankar Mahadevan , Udit Narayan , Amitabh Bachchan
"Main Gaaon"
Armaan
Hindi
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Udit Narayan , Shaan
"Okkasari Pilichavante"
Chantigadu
Telugu
Vandemataram Srinivas
Udit Narayan
"Nenjam Oru Murai"
Vaseegara
Tamil
S. A. Rajkumar
Srinivas
"Tere Ishq Mein"
Supari
Hindi
Vishal-Shekhar
Vishal Dadlani
"Jab Kabhi"
Jhankaar Beats
Hindi
Vishal-Shekhar
KK
"Mujhe Tumse Muhabbat Hai"
Qayamat: City Under Threat
Hindi
Nadeem Shravan
Kumar Sanu
"Mera Dil Dil Toh Lele"
Qayamat: City Under Threat
Hindi
Nadeem Shravan
Shaan
"ABBG"
Kuch Naa Kaho
Hindi
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Udit Narayan
"Baat Meri Suniye"
Kuch Naa Kaho
Hindi
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Shankar Mahadevan
"Manmadha Manmadha"
Tagore
Telugu
Mani Sharma
Malikkarjun
"Nindu Noorella "
Praanam
Telugu
Kamalakar
Sonu Nigam
2004
"Yeh Dhuaan"
Charas
Hindi
Raju Singh
Solo
"Aakasam Sakshi Ga"
Adavi Ramudu
Telugu
Mani Sharma
Sonu Nigam
"Rang Tumi Howane"
Rang
Assamese
Zubeen Garg
Zubeen Garg
"Luxembourg Lux Sundari"
Samba
Telugu
Mani Sharma
Karthik
"Athi Methani"
Balu ABCDEFG
Telugu
Mani Sharma
Ranjith
"Asaanaa Asaanaa"
Kuththu
Tamil
Srikanth Deva
Subeeb Khan
"Kuchh To Ho Raha Hai"
Shaadi Ka Laddoo
Hindi
Vishal-Shekhar
Shaan
"Tum Kaho To"
Shaadi Ka Laddoo
Hindi
Vishal-Shekhar
Udit Narayan
"Pyar Mein Sau Uljhane"
Kyun! Ho Gaya Na...
Hindi
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Shankar Mahadevan , Vijay Prakash
"Ishq Khudai"
Rudraksh
Hindi
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Krishna, Shankar Mahadevan , Shweta Pandit
"Ninna Mareyalare"
Kanchana Ganga
Kannada
S. A. Rajkumar
Udit Narayan
"Abhi Nahi Aur Kabhi"
Stop!
Hindi
Vishal-Shekhar
Shaan , Sunidhi Chauhan , Sowmya Raoh
2005
"Chup Chup Ke"
Bunty Aur Babli
Hindi
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Sonu Nigam
"Thadava Thadava"
Style
Telugu
Mani Sharma
Karthik
"Aakashaveedilo"
Orey Pandu
Telugu
Anand Raj Anand
Sonu Nigam
"Miraksam"
Waqt: The Race Against Time
Hindi
Anu Malik
Sudesh Bhosle , Sonu Nigam , Sunidhi Chauhan
"Chandamama"
Athadu
Telugu
Mani Sharma
Ranjith
"Koi Aisa Alam"
Karam
Hindi
Vishal-Shekhar
Sonu Nigam
"Mudoche Kopalu"
Narasimhudu
Telugu
Mani Sharma
Karthik
"Tu Jahaan"
Salaam Namaste
Hindi
Vishal-Shekhar
Sonu Nigam
"Neredu Pallu"
Subash Chandra Bose
Telugu
Mani Sharma
Hariharan
"Jaaniya Ve"
Dus
Hindi
Vishal-Shekhar
Hariharan
"Ee Nanna Kannaane"
Abhi
Kannada
Gurukiran
Udit Narayan
"Dil Ke Arma Tarse"
Aanch
Hindi
Sanjeev Darshan
Sonu Nigam
"Thumbs Up Thunder"
Jai Chiranjeeva
Telugu
Mani Sharma
Nihar
"Koi Aisa Alam"
Karam
Hindi
Vishal-Shekhar
Sonu Nigam
2006
"Uyirilae"
Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu
Tamil, Telugu (dubbed version)
Harris Jayaraj
Srinivas
"I'm in Love"
Neal 'n' Nikki
Hindi
Salim-Sulaiman
Sonu Nigam
"Choododdhu"
Pokiri
Telugu
Mani Sharma
Karthik
"Dil Laga Na"
Dhoom 2
Hindi, Tamil (dubbed version), Telugu (dubbed version)
Pritam
Jolly Mukherjee , Suzanne D'Mello , Sukhbir
"Go Go Gova"
Stalin
Telugu
Mani Sharma
Ranjith
"Aaj Ki Raat "
Don: The Chase Begins Again
Hindi
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Alisha Chinai , Sonu Nigam
"Des Rangila"
Fanaa
Hindi
Jatin-Lalit
Solo
"Chanda Chamke"
Fanaa
Hindi
Jatin-Lalit
Babul Supriyo
"Varevva"
Ranam
Telugu
Mani Sharma
Mallikarjun
"Rock N' Roll Soniye"
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
Hindi
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Shaan , Shankar Mahadevan
2007
"Bol Na Halke Halke"
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom
Hindi
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
"Jhoom Barabar Jhoom"
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom
Hindi
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Shankar Mahadevan , KK , Sukhwinder Singh
"Mudhal Naal Indru"
Unnale Unnale
Tamil
Harris Jayaraj
KK , Pop Shalini
"Baat Pakki"
Just Married
Hindi
Pritam
Shaan , Sukhwinder Singh
"Yeko Yeno"
Arasu
Kannada
Joshua Sridhar
Solo
"Jab Chhaye"
Hattrick
Hindi
Pritam
Solo
"Zara Gungunalein"
Laaga Chunari Mein Daag
Hindi
Shantanu Moitra
Babul Supriyo
"Tenu Leke"
Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love
Hindi
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Sonu Nigam
"Ta Ra Rum Pum"
Ta Ra Rum Pum
Hindi, Telugu (dubbed version)
Vishal-Shekhar
Shaan
"Kannadaasa Kannadaasa"
Thavam
Tamil
D. Imman
Harish Raghavendra
"Teri Yaadein"
Kaisay Kahein...
Hindi
Pritam
Sukhwinder Singh
"Manasa" (Film Version)
Munna
Telugu
Harris Jayaraj
Naresh Iyer , Krish
2008
"Jai Ho "
Slumdog Millionaire
Hindi
A. R. Rahman
Sukhwinder Singh , Vijay Prakash , Tanvi Shah
"Shaava Shava"
Chintakayala Ravi
Telugu
Vishal-Shekhar
Shankar Mahadevan
"Enduko"
Chintakayala Ravi
Telugu
Vishal-Shekhar
Sonu Nigam
"Gup Chup"
One Two Three
Hindi
Raghav Sachar
Raghav Sachar
"Jo Gumshuda"
Mission Istaanbul
Hindi
Anu Malik
Shaan , Ege
"Endammaya"
Salute
Telugu
Harris Jayaraj
Naveen
"Oh Ho Sanam"
Dasavathaaram
Tamil, Telugu (dubbed version), Hindi (dubbed version)
Himesh Reshammiya
Kamal Haasan
"Falak Tak Chal"
Tashan
Hindi
Vishal-Shekhar
Udit Narayan
"Pyar Ki Dastan"
Luck by Chance
Hindi
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Amit Paul
"Dheem Dheem"
Accident
Kannada
V. Harikrishna
Sonu Nigam
2009
"Abacha"
Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam
Telugu
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Shilpa Rao
"Mujh Jaisa Hero"
Love Khichdi
Hindi
Pritam
Gopal Rao
"Maza Aa Gaya"
Victory
Hindi
Anu Malik
Sonu Nigam , Suresh Wadkar , Sudesh Bhosle , Sumitra Iyer, Altaf Raja
2010
"Sadka Kiya"
I Hate Luv Storys
Hindi
Vishal-Shekhar
Suraj Jagan
"Chal Chal Bhosle Market"
Khichdi: The Movie
Hindi
Raju Singh
Shaan
"Tera Mera Pyar"
Action Replayy
Hindi
Pritam
Karthik
"Aaradha Kobamillai"
Bale Pandiya
Tamil
Devan Ekambaram
Raman Mahadevan
"Charha De Rang"
Yamla Pagla Deewana
Hindi
Nouman Javaid
Ali Pervez Mehdi, Shweta Pandit , Rahul Seth
2011
"Laung da Lashkara" (orig&remix)
Patiala House
Hindi
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Hard Kaur , Jassi Sidhu
"Rola Pe Gaya" (orig & remix)
Shankar Mahadevan , Hard Kaur , Earl
"Mauka" (orig & remix)
Aarakshan
Raman Mahadevan , Tarun Sagar, Gaurav Gupta, Rehan Khan
"Mala Sang Na"
Sharyat
Marathi
Chinar - Mahesh
Solo
2012
"Tore Niye Jai"
Khokababu
Bengali
Rishi Chanda
Zubeen Garg
"Guti Guti Paye"
Bikram Singha
Bengali
Shree Pritam
Shaan
"Dhuan Dhuan"
Bikram Singha
Bengali
Shree Pritam
Shaan
"Kaal Mulaitha Poova"
Maattrraan
Tamil, Telugu (dubbed version)
Harris Jayaraj
Javed Ali
"Bechayan Sapne"
Chittagong
Hindi
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Abhijeet Sawant , Gulraj Singh, Sameer Khan, Shankar Mahadevan
"Khud Ko Tere"
1920: Evil Returns
Hindi
Chirantan Bhatt
Solo
"Meri Duniya Terey Dam Se"
Delhi Safari
Hindi
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Shekhar Ravjiani , Shivam Mahadevan
"Sajna Paas Aa Tu Jara"
Idiot
Bengali
Shree Pritam
Shaan
"Jhor Othe Mone"
Idiot
Bengali
Shree Pritam
Zubeen Garg
2013
"O Bondhu Amar"
Khoka 420
Bengali
Shree Pritam
Shaan
"Govinda Jay Jay"
Khoka 420
Bengali
Shree Pritam
Abhijeet Bhattacharya
"Pagal Ami Already"
Khiladi
Bengali
Shree Pritam
Zubeen Garg
"Mayanga (Malang)"
Dhoom 3
Tamil (Dubbed version)
Pritam
Abhishek Nailwal
2014
"Daatale Reshami"
Timepass
Marathi
Chinar - Mahesh
Chinar Kharkar
"Concert Song"
2 States
Tamil & Hindi
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Solo
"Do Akhiyyan"
Badlapur Boys
Hindi
Sachin Gupta
Shaan
"Nakhriley"
Kill Dil
Hindi
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Ali Zafar , Shankar Mahadevan , Gulzar
2015
"Xaliki Puwar"
Gaane Ki Aane
Assamese
Zubeen Garg
Solo
"Angat Rangat"
Kaay Raav Tumhi
Marathi
Kanak Raj
Solo
"Praju"
Timepass 2
Marathi
Chinar - Mahesh
Rishikesh Kamerkar
"Hapoon Namise Sua"
Khel - The Game
Assamese
Dhruva Phukan
Solo
"Sune Sune"
Welcome Zindagi
Marathi
Soumil Shringarpure-Siddharth Mahadevan
Solo
"Dooriyan"
I Love Desi
Hindi
Sham Balkar
Javed Ali , Sonu Kakkar
"Un Mele Oru Kannu"
Rajinimurugan
Tamil
D. Imman
Jithin Raj
"Abhas Ha"
3:56 Killari
Marathi
Chinar - Mahesh
Solo
2016
"Ore Oru Vaanam"
Thirunaal
Tamil
Srikanth Deva
Shakthisree Gopalan
2017
"Dure Dure Tumi"
Nijanor Gaan
Assamese
Jatin Sharma
Siddharth Hazarika
2018
"Mon E Kemon"
Wrong Route
Bengali
Dev Sen
Imran Mahmudul
"Ja Hobe Dekha"
Raja Rani Raji
Bengali
Lincon
Shaan
"Runa Zuna"
Memory Card
Marathi
Mitesh-Pritesh
Javed Ali
"Halwa Halwa"
Jaga Vegli Antyatra
Marathi
Rohan Pradhan & Rohan Gokhale
Siddharth Mahadevan
"Heer"
Baa Baaa Black Sheep
Hindi
Gourav-Roshin-Shaan
Mika Singh
"Nee Yaaro Nanage"
Amma I Love You
Kannada
Gurukiran
Santhosh Venky
2019
"Naa Raja" & "Koamaanae"
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Telugu & Tamil
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Shriram Iyer
"Rae Raelaa Rae" & "Nanjukku"
Hamsika Iyer , Siddharth Mahadevan
Awards and honours [ edit ]
References [ edit ]
External links [ edit ]