Sujatha Mohan
Sujatha Mohan | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Sujatha at an event | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 31 March 1963[1][2] |
| Genre | Playback |
| Occupation | Playback singer |
| Years active | 1975–1981 1988–present |
| Labels |
|
| Spouse |
V. Krishna Mohan (m. 1981) |
| Children | Shweta Mohan |
| Relatives | Paravoor T. K. Narayana Pillai (grandfather) G. Venugopal (cousin) Radhika Thilak (cousin) |
| Website | sujathamohan |
Sujatha Mohan (born 31 March 1963) is an Indian playback singer whose work has had a significant presence across several South Indian film industries, particularly Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu cinema.[3] She has also recorded songs in Kannada, Badaga, Hindi, and Marathi language films. Introduced to formal music training at a young age, she began performing on stage as a child and first appeared alongside renowned singer K. J. Yesudas in 1973.[4] She is referred to as Bhava Gayika (Singer of Emotions) in Kerala for her emotive singing, and Innisai Kuyil (Nightingale of Music) in Tamil Nadu, reflecting her sweet and expressive vocal style.[5]
Sujatha made her film playback debut in Malayalam cinema while singing as a young child artist (often credited back then as "Baby Sujatha") in 1975 with composer M. K. Arjunan for the film Tourist Bungalow and later entered Tamil cinema in 1977, collaborating with composer Ilaiyaraaja for the soundtracks of Kavikkuyil and Gaayathri.[6] Her association with Kavikkuyil became particularly notable, and she came to be popularly known as “Kavikkuyil Sujatha” in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon). After a brief sabbatical, Sujatha rose to fame after her association with A. R. Rahman for the soundtracks of the film Roja (1992).[7][8] Over the years, she became widely recognized for her contributions to film music, including her collaborations with leading composers across South Indian film industries. With a singing career spanning more than five decades, she has recorded over 18,000 songs across films, devotional music, and independent albums, making her one of the most prolific voices in Indian music.[9]
Throughout her career, Sujatha has received several accolades, including the Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer thrice,[10] the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer thrice, the SIIMA for Best Female Playback Singer, the Kalaimamani award (2019) from Government of Tamil Nadu and the Swaralaya Yesudas Award (2009) among many others.[11]
Personal life
[edit]Sujatha is the granddaughter of Paravoor T. K. Narayana Pillai, the first Chief Minister of the erstwhile State of Travancore–Cochin after India gained Independence. Her father, the late Dr. Vijayendran, died when she was two years old. She completed her graduation in Economics from the St. Teresa's College, Ernakulam.[12] She married Dr. V. Krishna Mohan on 9 May 1981.[13] Her only daughter, Shweta Mohan, is also a singer. Radhika Thilak and G. Venugopal are her cousins.
Vocal struggles
[edit]Sujatha experienced severe vocal issues for three years in the late 2010s. She struggled even to speak, making it impossible for her to take up singing assignments.
Though she was unable to perform initially, she worked extensively to regain her voice and eventually resumed singing, including recording songs again.[14]
Career
[edit]Sujatha Mohan first gained public recognition in the 1970s as “Baby Sujatha,” a young vocalist who frequently performed alongside singer K. J. Yesudas at stage concerts across India and overseas. She made her playback singing debut while still in school, recording the song “Kannezhuthi Pottuthottu” for the 1975 Malayalam film Tourist Bungalow, composed by M. K. Arjunan. During the same period, she also recorded songs for composers such as Shyam in Kamam Krodham Moham (1975) and Salil Chowdhury in Aparadhi (1977), while collaborating extensively with M. G. Radhakrishnan on non-film music. Among these recordings, “Odakkuzhal Vili” emerged as one of her early popular successes.
Her entry into Tamil cinema came through a song composed by Ilaiyaraaja for Kavikkuyil (1977), although it was not included in the final film. Her first released Tamil song was “Kalai Paniyil” from Gaayathri (1977), featuring Sridevi and Rajinikanth. She subsequently contributed to several of Ilaiyaraaja’s notable soundtracks, including "Oru Iniya Manathu" from Johnny (1980) and Ilamai Kolam (1980). Following her marriage in 1981, Sujatha took a break from playback singing before returning to the industry in 1988. Her comeback was marked by successful projects such as Kadathanadan Ambadi (released 1990) and the widely acclaimed Chithram (1988).
In the late 1980s, Sujatha worked extensively in the advertising industry, recording commercial jingles for composer A. R. Rahman, including campaigns such as the Premier Cooker and Tilda Rice advertisements. This association later led to one of the defining moments of her career when Rahman selected her to perform "Pudhu Vellai Mazhai" for Mani Ratnam’s 1992 film Roja. The song became a landmark success and played a significant role in bringing her voice to a wider audience across India. Sujatha also provided the backing vocals for "Kadhal Roja" from the same soundtrack. Over the following years, she continued to collaborate with Rahman on a number of acclaimed film projects, contributing memorable songs to soundtracks such as Pudhiya Mugam (1993), Gentleman (1993), Minsaara Kanavu (1997), Ratchagan (1997) and Jeans (1998). The collaboration produced songs in Hindi cinema as well, including "Dil Hai Sanam" (the Hindi version of "Thee Thee") from Chor Chor (Thiruda Thiruda), "Ishq Bina" from Taal (1999), "Hai Jaana" from Pukar (2000) and "Ishwar Allah" from Earth (1998), and provided backing vocals for the song "Tum Ho Meri Nigahon" from Kabhi Na Kabhi (1999). She has delivered most of her notable and successful songs under the musical direction of Rahman.
She has worked extensively with leading composers in India including Raveendran, Johnson, Ouseppachan, Deva, S. P. Venkatesh, Kannur Rajan, M. M. Keeravani, Sirpy, Koti, Vidyasagar, Sharreth, S. A. Rajkumar, Hamsalekha, Mani Sharma, Karthik Raja, Bharadwaj, Yuvan Shankar Raja among many others and has recorded maximum duet songs with K. J. Yesudas, M. G. Sreekumar, Hariharan, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Unnikrishnan.[15] She made a strong comeback in the Malayalam film industry in the mid-1990s and most of her notable Malayalam songs were composed by Vidyasagar. Additionally, most of her hit songs from Telugu were composed by Mani Sharma.
Discography
[edit]Awards and accolades
[edit] | This section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (March 2023) |
Sujatha has received several awards and recognitions for her work in the South Indian film musical world. In 2021, she was awarded the Kalaimamani award by the Government of Indian state Tamil Nadu for the year 2019. She has also received Kerala and Tamil Nadu state awards.
| Year | Category | Film | Song |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Best Female Playback Singer | Azhakiya Ravanan | "Pranayamani Thooval" |
| 1998 | Pranayavarnangal | "Varamanjaladiya" | |
| 2006 | Rathri Mazha | "Baasuri" |
| Year | Category | Film(s) | Song(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Best Female Playback Singer | Pudhiya Mugam, Gentleman |
"Netru Illatha Mathram" "En Veetil Thottathil" |
| 1996 | Minsara Kanavu, Avvai Shanmugi |
"Poo Pookum Osai" "Rukku Rukku" | |
| 2001 | Dhill | "Un Samayil Arayil" |
| Year | Category | Film | Song | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Best Female Playback Singer | Chithram | "Doore Kizhakkudikkum", "Paadam Koyyum Munpe", "Kaadumi Naadumellam" | |
| 1989 | Vandanam | "Meghangale", "Anthiponvettam" | ||
| 1990 | Malootty | "Mounathin Idanaazhiyil", "Swargangal Swapnam Kaanum" | ||
| 1991[17] | Kizhakkunarum Pakshi, Kankettu |
"Kizhakunarumpakshi", "Gopeehridayam Nirayunnu" | ||
| 1992 | Ulsavamelam | "Ammakkoru Ponnumkudam" | ||
| 1993 | Meleparambil Anveedu, Dhruvam, Chenkol |
"Madhura Swapnangal", "Thumbippenne", "Pathira Paalkadavil" | ||
| 1995 | Oru Abhibhashakante Case Diary | "Kanikkonnakal" | ||
| 1996 | Azhakiya Ravanan, Desadanam, Ee Puzhayum Kadannu |
"Pranayamanithooval", "Engane Njan", "Kaakka Karumban" | ||
| 1997 | Rishyasringan, Superman, Shibiram |
"Guru Brahma", "Onathumbi paadu", "Paadum Vaanampaadi" | ||
| 1998 | Pranayavarnangal, Janani |
"Varamanjalaadiya", "Manjadi Manikkutta" | ||
| 1999 | Chandranudikkunna Dikkil, Saaphalyam |
"Manju Peyyana", "Ambadi Payyukal", "Ponnolappanthalil" | ||
| 2001 | Soothradharan, Pularvettam |
"Perariyam", "Raavil Aaro", "Ithile ithile" | ||
| 2003 | Vellithira, Kasthooriman |
"Kudamulla Kadavil", "Azhage", "Karkuzhali" | ||
| 2004 | Thudakkam | "Amme Ennoru" | ||
| 2005 | Paranju Theeratha Visheshangal | "Paadaanum" |
| Year | Category | Film | Song |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Best Female Playback Singer | The Priest | "Neelambale" |
Other prominent awards and nominations
[edit]- 1997 - Dinakaran Cinema Awards for Best Female Playback Singer - Surya Vamsam
- 1997 - Cinema Express Awards for Best Female Playback Singer - Surya Vamsam
- 1998 - Dinakaran Cinema Awards for Best Female Playback Singer - Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen
- 2015 – Asiavision Awards for Best Female Playback Singer – Ottamandaram
- 2014 – Thikkurishi Award (shared with Shewta) for movie Ottamandaram
- 2013 – JFW magazine Women Achievers Award
- 2009 – Swaralaya Yesudas Award
- 2008 – Best female singer award in GMMA (Gulf Malayalam Music Awards)
- The Film Critics award 11 times
- Raju Pilakkad Film Award
- South Indian Bank women's achiever's award 2017
- Mirchi Music Awards 2018: Lifetime achievement
- Kamukara Purushothaman Kamukara Award 2019: Lifetime achievement (award from P. Susheela)
- Kalaimamani 2019
TV shows
[edit]Mohan has judged popular reality shows over South Indian television across Malayalam and Tamil languages.
- As judge
References
[edit]- ↑ "Happy Birthday Sujatha Mohan". The Times of India. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
- ↑ Nair, Lekshmi (1 April 2020). "അവൾ സന്തോഷിച്ചിരിക്കുകയാണ്! ചെറുമകളെ വീഡിയോയിൽ കാട്ടി സുജാത!". The Times of India - Samayam. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
- ↑ "Malayalam Singer Sujatha Mohan Biography, News and Awards". nettv4u.
- ↑ "Sujatha on her journey: There's been nothing else apart from singing". The Times of India. 23 March 2024.
- ↑ "Sujatha Mohan: Biography". Filmy Focus. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ↑ "Singer Sujatha recalls her Tamil debut with Ilayaraja -Kavikuyil film". Manorama Online (in Malayalam). 15 May 2026.
- ↑ "It happened one day..." The Hindu. Archived from the original on 15 December 2007. Retrieved 14 July 2007.
- ↑ "We get our due in stage shows". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 5 September 2006. Retrieved 15 April 2010.
- ↑ "Sujatha Mohan on five decades as a singer". The Hindu. 1 August 2025.
- ↑ "Kerala State Film Awards 2006". The Web India.
- ↑ "Why has Sujatha Mohan missed a National Award? Daughter Shweeta Mohan speaks from the heart, reacts to Kalaimamani award". The Times of India. 26 September 2025.
- ↑ "Ten Interesting Facts About Sujatha Mohan, Judge Of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Keralam". Zee Keralam. 8 November 2019.
- ↑ "Married to a singer". The New Indian Express. 28 May 2012. Archived from the original on 22 November 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ↑ "It was difficult to even speak for three years – Sujatha Mohan". Karma News. 25 January 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
- ↑ "Happy Birthday Sujatha Mohan: Five melodious songs of the expert singer". The Times of India. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ↑ "കേരള ഫിലിം ക്രിട്ടിക്സ് അവാര്ഡ് 1977 - 2012". Kerala Film Critics Association. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
- ↑ "Film Critics Award 1991". Archived from the original on 11 October 2020 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Keralam Li'l Champs: From Anagha Ajay to Avani, all you need to know about the finalists". The Times of India. 24 March 2022.
External links
[edit]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
- Living people
- Indian women playback singers
- Kerala State Film Award winners
- Telugu-language playback singers
- Tamil-language playback singers
- Malayalam-language playback singers
- Kannada-language playback singers
- Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners
- Hindi-language playback singers
- Film musicians from Kerala
- Singers from Kochi
- Women musicians from Kerala
- 20th-century Indian women singers
- 21st-century Indian women singers
- 1963 births
- St. Teresa's College alumni
- Kerala Film Critics Awards winners