- K. S. Chithra
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"Chithra" redirects here. For other uses, see Chitra (disambiguation).
K. S. Chithra
കെ.എസ്.ചിത്ര
K.S.ChitraBackground information Birth name Chithra Krishnan Nair Born July 27, 1963
Thiruvananthapuram, IndiaGenres Playback singing, Carnatic music Occupations Singer Instruments Vocals Years active 1982–present Labels Audiotracs K. S. Chithra (Malayalam: കെ. എസ്. ചിത്ര) often credited as Chithra (or Chitra), is an Indian playback singer who has made her mark in the Indian (film) music playback industry. Popularly known as Chinna Kuyil (Little Nightingale) of South India,[1] she has lent her voice to Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Oriya, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Badaga and Punjabi films. She has recorded more than 15,000 film songs[2] and is a recipient of six National Film Awards, five Filmfare Awards and more than thirty different state film awards.[3]
Contents
Personal life
Born on July 27, 1963, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, into a family of musicians, Chithra’s talent was recognized and nurtured from an early age by her father, the late Krishnan Nair. He was also her first guru (teacher). Chithra received her extensive training in Carnatic music from Dr. K. Omanakutty, and got a Masters in Music from the University of Kerala.[3] She was selected for the National Talent Search Scholarship from the Central Government from 1978–1984.[1] She is married to Vijayashankar, an engineer and businessman. Their only daughter Nandana died aged 8, in an accident in April 2011.[4][5]
Professional career
Chitra was introduced to Malayalam playback by M. G. Radhakrishnan in 1979 and went on to become a regular singer for many Malayalam musicians, including Raveendran.[3] Attahasam, Snehapurvam Meera and Njaan Ekananu were the first few films which she recorded her songs.[3] She also performed live concerts with K. J. Yesudas in India and abroad and that was a turning point in her career.[3] Veteran music directors such as Raveendran, Shyam, Jerry Amaldev, Kannoor Rajan and Johnson also helped her move up in her career ladder.[3] She made her debut in the Tamil film industry through the song "Poojaikketha Poovithu" from the film Neethana Antha Kuyil, 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.[3][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 1984 directed by himself.
By the mid-eighties, she became the most sought after female singer in Malayalam and Tamil. She recorded many hit songs for the most famous composers in Malayalam and numerous songs for Ilaiyaraaja in Tamil. She has been acredited as the only female singer to have sung the maximum number of songs for the Academy Award winning composer A. R. Rahman for his Tamil film songs. She also sang for veteran composers such as G. Devarajan, M. S. Viswanathan, K. V. Mahadevan, Ouseppachan, Deva, Vidyasagar, Bharadhwaj, Chakravarthy, M. Jayachandran, M.G.Sreekumar, M. M. Keeravani, Hamsalekha, Sharreth, Raj-Koti, Rajan-Nagendra, S. A. Rajkumar, Mani Sharma, Harris Jayaraj, Devisri Prasad and many other south Indian music directors.[7]
She has recorded many memorable Hindi songs for various music directors in Bollywood, namely A. R. Rahman, Anand-Milind, Anu Malik, Rajesh Roshan, Viju Shah, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Naushad, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Jatin-Lalit and many others. She also recorded the Hindi versions of her own Tamil songs sung for A. R. Rahman.
Apart from playback singing, she also appeared among the panel of judges in the singing reality Television shows at Kerala (Idea Star Singer) and Tamil Nadu (Airtel Super Singer Junior).[8]
Awards
Chithra has won six National Awards for best female playback singer.[9][10] This is the highest number of national awards awarded to any female playback singer. She has won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer 15 times.[10] She has won the following awards:
- 2005 - Padma Shri - India's fourth highest civilian honours[11]
- 2004 - Best Female Playback Singer - (Song: "Ovvoru Pookkalume") Autograph, Tamil Film[12]
- 1997 - Best Female Playback Singer - (Song: "Payalein Chun Mun") Virasat, Hindi Film
- 1996 - Best Female Playback Singer - (Song: "Maana Madurai" (Ooh La La La)) Minsaara Kanavu, Tamil Film
- 1989 - Best Female Playback Singer - (Song: "Indupushpam Choodi Nilkum Raathri") Vaishali, Malayalam Film
- 1987 - Best Female Playback Singer - (Song: "Manjal Prasadavum") Nakhakshathangal, Malayalam Film
- 1986 - Best Female Playback Singer - (Song: "Padariyen Padippariyen") Sindhu Bhairavi, Tamil Film
- 2009: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Malayalam) - "Kunnathe Konnakyum" (Pazhassiraja)
- 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Malayalam) - "Oduvil Oru" (Thirakkatha)
- 2006: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Malayalam) - "Kalabham Tharam" (Vadakkumnathan)
- 2006: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) - "Araluva Hoovugale" (Autograph)
- 2004: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Telugu) - "Nuvvostanante" (Varsham)
Kerala State Film Awards:
- 2005 - Best Play Back Singer - "Mayangipoyi" (Nottam)
- 2002 - Best Play Back Singer - "Karmukil Varnante" (Nandanam)
- 2001 - Best Play Back Singer - "Mooli Mooli" (Theerthadanam)
- 1999 - Best Play Back Singer - "Pular Veyilum" (Angane Oru Avadhikkalathu)
- 1995 - Best Play Back Singer - "Sasikala Charthiya" (Devaraagam)
- 1994 - Best Play Back Singer - "Parvanenthu" (Parinayam)
- 1993 - Best Play Back Singer - "Ponmeghame" (Sopanam) , "Rajahamsame" (Chamayam) , "Sangeethame" (Gazal)
- 1992 - Best Play Back Singer - "Mounasarovaram" (Savidham)
- 1991 - Best Play Back Singer - "Thaaram" (Keli) , "Swarakanyakamar" (Santhwanam)
- 1990 - Best Play Back Singer - "Kannil Nin Meyyil" (Innale) , "Palappoove" (Njan Gandharvan)
- 1989 - Best Play Back Singer - "Kalarivilakku" (Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha) , "Thankathoni" (Mazhavilkavadi)
- 1988 - Best Play Back Singer - "Indupushpam" (Vaishali)
- 1987 - Best Play Back Singer - "Eenam marannakatte" (Eenam Maranna Kattu) , "Thalolam Paithal" (Ezhuthappurangal)
- 1986 - Best Play Back Singer - "Manjalprasadavum" (Nakhakshathangal)
- 1985 - Best Play Back Singer - "Oreswaram Ore Niram" (Ente Kaanakuyil), "Poomaname" (Nirakkootu) , "Aayiram Kannumai" (Nokettadoorathu Kannum Nattu)
- 2004 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Ovvoru Pookalume" (Autograph)
- 1995 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Kannalane" (Bombay)
- 1990 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Vanthathey Kungumam" (Kizhakku Vasal)
- 1988 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Ninnukkori Varanam" (Agni Natchathiram)
Andhra Pradesh State Film Awards:
- 2009 - Best Female Playback Singer- "Kalavaramaye Madilo" (Kalavaramaye Madilo)
- 2004 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Nuvvostanante Neddontana" (Varsham)
- 1999 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Marala Telupuna" (Swayamvaram)
- 1996 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Priya" (Srikrishnarjuna Vijayam)
- 1993 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Venuvai Vachhanu" (Matrudevobhava)
- 1992 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Akasana" (Sundarakanda)
- 1991 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Endharo"(Rajeswari Kalyanam)
- 1990 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Kaliki Chilaka" (Seetharamaiah Gari Manavaralu)
Karnataka State Film Awards:
- 2005 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Kandamma Kandamma" (Maharaja)
- 2001 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Busu Busu Nagappa" (Arunodaya)
- 1997 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Hele Kogile Impagalaa" (Nammoora Mandara Hoove)
Andhra Pradesh State TV Nandi Awards:
- 1998 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Anweshitha" (Anweshita Etv Serial)
- 2009 - Best Female Playback - "Kunnathe Konnakkyum" (Pazhassiraja)
- 2007 - Best Female Playback - "Chellathamare" (Hallo)
- 2005 - Best Female Playback - "Enthu Paranjalum" ('Achuvinte Amma)
- 2003 - Best Female Playback - "Enthinai Nin Idam Kannin" (Mizhi Randilum)
- 2000 - Best Female Playback - "Varmukile"(Mazha)
- 1999 - Best Female Playback - "Thumbayum Thulasiyum" (Megham)
Lata Mangeshkar Award:
- 2011 - Lata Mangeshkar Award(2011)
Jai Hind Film Awards
- 2010 - Best Female Playback Singer Award - "Kunnathe Konnakyum" (Pazhassiraja)
Radio Mirchi Awards (South)
- 2010 - Radio Mirchi Listeners Choice Award - K. S. Chitra - "Kunnathe Konnakyum"(Pazhassiraja)
Swaralaya -Eenam Awards
- 2010 - Decade's Best Talent in Malayalam Music - K. S. Chitra
South Scope Film Awards
- 2010 - Best Female Playback Singer Award - "Kunnathe Konnakyum" (Pazhassiraja)
Major achievements
- Chithra is presently awarded with an honorary Doctorate by the Chennai based Sathyabama University for her tremendous achievement in the field of cinema music.[13]
- Andhra Pradesh Government for Cultural Council has conferred the "Bharath Ratna Lata Mangeshkar Award" on Chithra for her contribution towards Indian film music.[14]
- She has also been honoured with the Kalaimamani title from Tamil Nadu Government in 1997, the Swaralaya Yesudas Award in 2004, Kalaiselvam title from the South Indian Nadigar Sangam in 2002, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from Global Malayalee Council in London in 2003.
- She has also received numerous mainstream awards like MTV Video Music Award, Screen – Videocon Award, Film Fans Association Awards, and Cinema Express Awards. Chithra was also awarded the 'Vocational Excellence' Award by the Rotary Club of Coimbatore.[15]
- Recognising her contribution to the music world, Smt. Chithra has been conferred the Padma Shri title by the Government of India in 2005.
- In 2010, she bagged C. Cheriyan Memorial Award by Cochin Fine Arts Society, Swaralaya - Eenam Award for Best Female Singer and Chakkulathamma Swaravarsha Award.
- Her song "Kehna Hi Kya (Kannalane)" from the film Bombay (1995) was included in The Guardian's "1000 Songs Everyone Must Hear" list.[16]
Sneha : Chithra's Fund Raising Organization
Chithra, along with a Kerala based satellite channel, Asianet Cable Vision (ACV), has jointly launched a fund raising organization Sneha to raise funds for the betterment and welfare of long forgotten and aged musicians who have lost their careers to the emerging technological elements in the music industry. She has launched this organization on the occasion of her completion of three decades in the music playback industry. Chithra has remarked that the fund would provide help to the musicians with financial impediments and those suffering from health problems.
A cultural event named Chitra Pournami was held on 15 February 2011 at Thiruvananthapuram to celebrate the 30 glorious career years of Chithra and also to officially launch this organization. The who's who of South Indian music industry attended the event and felicitated Chithra with a Tamboora instrument. The prominent personalities being K. J. Yesudas, V. Dakshinamurthy, Sreekumaran Thampi, P. Susheela, Hariharan, M. G. Sreekumar, Sharath, Sujatha Mohan, Unni Menon, Minmini among others felicitated Chithra and praised her noble cause and intentions to help for the ailing musicians. [17]
Stage performance
Chithra has performed all over India, Middle East, Singapore, Malaysia, UK, France, US, Canada, Australia, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Norway and Denmark.
Audiotracs Recording Label
Chithra, who is a Grade A artiste of All India Radio and Doordarshan, has established her own recording label, Audiotracs, to promote new talents in the music world by giving them opportunities to collaborate with her as singers, lyricists and music directors.
Discography
Studio albums
She has in her credit, private albums in Hindi, namely Piya Basanti and Sunset Point. The former was penned by Ustad Sultan Khan and was certified Gold while the latter was penned by Gulzar.[15] Her first ghazal album with Ghulam Ali and Asha Bhosle is ready for release.[2] In 2006, she released an album in dedication to Smt.M.S.Subbulakshmi named My Tribute. It is a collection of krithis and bhajans dedicated to Smt.M.S.Subbulakshmi.[2] Sony Music is planning to release a solo album soon owing to success of Piya Basanti.
Latest Film Songs
2011
Song Title Film Language Music Director "Gopi Murali" Female Unnikrishnan Malayalam Shaji Sukumaran "Gopa Balannistam" Arabiyum Ottakavum P. Madhavan Nairum Malayalam M. G. Sreekumar "Thudiyolam Thulli" Priyapetta Nattukkare Malayalam Aji Saras "Chengathir Kaiyum" Snehaveedu Malayalam Illayaraja "Nilaavu Pole Oramma" Naayika Malayalam M. K. Arjunan "Onnum Mindathe" Arabipponnu Malayalam M. Jayachandran "Uyire Uyire" Soozhnilai Tamil Dhina "Devulle Mechinadi" Sri Rama Rajyam Telugu Illayaraja "Ramayanamu Sri Rama" "Omkaram Harimuraliyil" Ninnishtam Ennishtam 2 Malayalam Dr. C. V. Ranjith "Ondinchu Kannali" Vinayaka Geleyara Balaga Kannada V. Harikrishna "Enikkoru Nilaavinte" Bhakthajanangalude Sradhakku Malayalam Natesh Sankar "Thoomanjin Chillada" Vaadamalli Malayalam Shyam Balakrishnan "Itti Mudduladi" Chandamama Kadha Telugu Rajasekhar Sharma "Ninna Leni" 180 Telugu Sharreth "Sellathe Jeevame" Sooriya Nagaram Tamil Fen Viallee "Santhikkatha Kangalil" 180 Tamil Sharreth "Haalinanta Manasavane" Rowdy Hrudaya Kannada M. Shivakumar "Kannanchali" "Arike Ninnalum" China Town Malayalam Jassie Gift "Idhu Varayil" Saghakkal Tamil Daya Rathnam "Murattu Maaman" Bodinayakanur Ganesan Tamil John Peter "Vanamaali" Natakame Ulakam Malayalam Johnson "Thevara Poomazhayil" "Oru Naal Mattum" Seedan Tamil Dhina "Atchu Vellam" Vetrivel Tamil K. Haran "Nuvve Naachavu" Aha Naa Pellanta Telugu Raghu Kunche "Nattuvazhiyorathe Poomarachillayil" Gadhama Malayalam Bennet Veetraag "Nuvve Nuvve" Prema Kaavali Telugu Anoop Rubens 2010
Song Title Film Language Music Director "Naan Poghiren" Naanayam Tamil James Vasanthan "Vaaliba Vaa Vaa" Goa Tamil Yuvan Shankar Raja "Oru Varam Tharughirai" Kola Kolaya Mundhirika Tamil V. Selvaganesh "Prananathan Enikku Nalkhiya" Kadaksham Malayalam M. Jayachandran "Kathirunnu Njaan" Sadgamaya Malayalam M. Jayachandran "Aaro Padunnu" Kadha Thudarunnu Malayalam Ilayaraja "Sol Pechu Kekkadha" Thillalangadi Tamil Yuvan Shankar Raja "Paadan Ninakkoru" Oru Naal Varum Malayalam M. G. Sreekumar "Enthedi Enthedi" Shikkar Malayalam M. Jayachandran "Sree Raghunadhki" Lava Kusa – The Warrior Twins Hindi L. Vaidyanathan "Ramayan Divya Katha" "Nammakame Iyyara" Komaram Puli Telugu A. R. Rahman "Manavaatti Penne" Sakudumbam Shyamala Malayalam M. G. Sreekumar "Chinnumari Pappumari" School Master Kannada V. Sreedhar "Sathathanthriyakum" Paattinte Palazhy Malayalam Dr. Suresh Manimala "Ponnum Noolil" "Asar Usko" "Udayasooryane" "Ammakkuruvi" "Poovanangal" Inganeyum Oral Malayalam Mohan Sithara "The Song Goes On" The Song Goes On English Herbie Hancock "Poonchillayil" Chekavar Malayalam Rahul Raj "Raavil Neela Mazha" Nilaavu Malayalam Reji Wayanad "Ishtangal Okayum" Punyam Aham Malayalam Isaac Thomas Kottukapalli "Manikanda Swamy" Thathwamasi Malayalam Ramesh Narayanan "Thaake Merupulaku" Mouna Ragam Telugu S. A. Rajkumar "Raave Raave" Eedu Jodu Telugu Satyam Ratnala "Dhoom Dhoom" Hoo Kannada V. Harikrishna "Sarigama Sari" "Anuragayamune" Yakshiyum Njanum Malayalam Sajan Madhav "Maalakhapole" Mummy & Me Malayalam Seso Joseph "Venmukhilin" "Aimbathu Kilo Thangam" Kutti Pisasu Tamil Deva "Panchakshariki Kalyanam"' Panchakshari Telugu Chinna "Aaha Veenaiyil" Pen Singam Tamil Deva "Eno Onthara" Ee Sanje Kannada Jai Shiva "Hey Janmabhoomi" Matte mungaru Kannada X. Paul Raj "Selai Kattiya" Magizhchi Tamil Vidhyasagar "Manasaare" Taare Kannada C. R. Bobby "Chendulla Cheluve" Neneyuve Ninna Kannada C. R. Bobby "Chitrasalabhame" Karayilekku Oru Kadal Dooram Malayalam M. Jayachandran "Hridhayathin" "Anamika" Fiddle Malayalam Ramesh Balakrishna "Meera Than" Bombay Mittai Malayalam Paris V. Chandran "Omkaram" Nagavalli Telugu Gurukiran "Sughavasi Sughavasi" Easan Tamil James Vasanthan "Etho Raavil" Sahasram Malayalam M. Jayachandran "Ragada Ragada" Ragada Telugu Thaman "Silakka" Mirapakaya Telugu Thaman "Andaralaaga" Kudirithe Cup Coffee Telugu Yogeshwara Sharma "Kogilegoo" Hori Kannada Renu Kumar References
- ^ a b Nair, Sulekha (23 January 2001). "Nightingale of the south". Express India. http://www.expressindia.com/fe/daily/20010123/fsm21016.html. Retrieved 11 December 2010.
- ^ a b c K. Jeshi (8 December 2006). "Song all the way". The Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/12/08/stories/2006120800010200.htm.
- ^ a b c d e f g S.R. Ashok Kumar (21 July 2005). "One more feather in her cap". The Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/2005/07/21/stories/2005072113740200.htm.
- ^ "KS Chithra's daughter reportedly drowned and died in Emirates Hills pool". Emirates247.com. 14 April 2011. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ "Singer Chithra's daughter drowns in dubai". Khaleej Times. 14 April 2011. http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2011/April/theuae_April392.xml§ion=theuae. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ http://www.kollywoodsingers.com/kollywoodsingers.htm
- ^ http://www.kschitra.info/articles01.htm
- ^ http://www.chennaionline.com/city360/events/20092603042654/airtel-super-singer-junior-2.col Airtel Super Singer Junior 2
- ^ "Padma Shri K. S. Chithra". http://www.stateofkerala.in/kerala%20celebrities/k-s-chithra.php. Retrieved 11 December 2010.
- ^ a b c "Audience determines today's music, says K S Chitra". The Hindu. 29 April 2007. http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/401200704291870.htm. Retrieved 11 December 2010.
- ^ "Padma Awards Directory (1954-2009)". Ministry of Home Affairs. http://www.mha.nic.in/pdfs/LST-PDAWD.pdf. Retrieved 11 December 2010.
- ^ "52nd National Film Awards". http://pib.nic.in/archieve/others/2005/52_NFA_Awards.pdf. Retrieved 11 December 2010.
- ^ http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/sathyabhama-doctorates-for-scientist-stars/273901.html
- ^ http://www.news.manatelugumovies.net/2011/09/sunitachitrashankar-receive-lata.html
- ^ a b Subha J Rao (28 October 2004). "Musically yours". The Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/10/28/stories/2004102800810100.htm.
- ^ "Love: part one of 1000 songs everyone must hear". The Guardian. 14 March 2009. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/table/2009/mar/14/love-1000-songs-everyone-must-hear. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- ^ http://www.24dunia.com/english-news/shownews/0/Chitra-launches-fund-for-unemployed-musicians/8979679.html
External links
- K. S. Chithra at the Internet Movie Database
- Listen to Chitra and others Tamil/Hindi/Telugu songs
- KS Chithra at MSI
- All Malayalam songs of KS Chithra
National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer 1968–1980 No Award (1968) · P. Susheela (1969) · K. B. Sundarambal (1970) · Sandhya Mukherjee (1971) · P. Susheela (1972) · Lata Mangeshkar (1973) · No Award (1974) · Lata Mangeshkar (1975) · Vani Jairam (1976) · P. Susheela (1977) · S. Janaki (1978) · Chhaya Ganguly (1979) · Vani Jairam (1980)
1981–2000 S. Janaki (1981) · Asha Bhosle (1982) · P. Susheela (1983) · P. Susheela (1984) · S. Janaki (1985) · K. S. Chithra (1986) · K. S. Chithra (1987) · Asha Bhosle (1988) · K. S. Chithra (1989) · Anuradha Paudwal (1990) · Lata Mangeshkar (1991) · Vani Jairam (1992) · S. Janaki (1993) · Alka Yagnik (1994) · Swarnalatha (1995) · Anjali Marathe (1996) · K. S. Chithra (1997) · K. S. Chithra (1998) · Alka Yagnik (1999) · Jayshree Dasgupta (2000)
2001–present Bhavatharini Ilaiyaraaja (2001) · Sadhana Sargam (2002) · Shreya Ghoshal (2003) · Tarali Sarma (2004) · K. S. Chithra (2005) · Shreya Ghoshal (2006) · Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar (2007) · Shreya Ghoshal (2008) · Shreya Ghoshal (2009) · Nilanjana Sarkar (2010) · Rekha Bhardwaj (2011)
Categories:- 1963 births
- Living people
- National Film Award winners
- Assamese playback singers
- Bollywood playback singers
- Indian female singers
- Indian film singers
- Kannada playback singers
- Kerala State Film Award winners
- Kollywood playback singers
- Malayalam playback singers
- People from Thiruvananthapuram
- Recipients of the Padma Shri
- Tamil playback singers
- Telugu playback singers
- Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners
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