Sujatha Mohan is an Indian playback singer who is popular for singing in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu movies. She has also sung for Kannada, Badaga, Hindi and Marathi and more languages movies. As of 2021, she had recorded more than 18,000 songs.[3] She is celebrated as the Melody Queen of South India, she is known by various affectionate titles: Bhava Gayika in Kerala, and Innisai Kuyil in Tamil Nadu.[4] She is also known for her extensive history of collaboration with music composers like A. R. Rahman, Ilaiyaraja, M. M. Keeravani, Koti, Vidyasagar, Mani Sharma, and with the playback singers K. J. Yesudas and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, over the years.[3] Her husky voice and versatile singing style have garnered her a massive fan base.

Sujatha Mohan
Sujatha Mohan at a Live concert
Sujatha Mohan at a Live concert
Background information
Born (1963-03-31) 31 March 1963 (age 61)[1][2]
Kochi, Kerala, India
GenresPlayback
OccupationPlayback singer
Years active1975–1981
1988–Present
Labels
Spouse
V. Krishna Mohan
(m. 1981)
ChildrenShweta Mohan
RelativesParavoor T. K. Narayana Pillai (grandfather)
G. Venugopal (cousin)
Radhika Thilak (cousin)
Websitesujathamohan.com

Personal life

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Sujatha Mohan 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.[5] She married Dr. V. Krishna Mohan on 9 May 1981.[6] Her only daughter, Shweta Mohan, is also a singer. Radhika Thilak and G. Venugopal are her cousins.

Career

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Sujatha shot to fame in the seventies as Baby Sujatha, the schoolgirl who regularly used to sing with K. J. Yesudas in his stage shows all over the world. She recorded her first song, "Kannezhuthy Pottuthottu" when she was in the sixth standard. The song was composed by M. K. Arjunan for the 1975 Malayalam movie Tourist Bungalow. She recorded songs for Shyam in Kamam Krodham Moham and Salil Chowdhury in Aparadhi. Around this time, composer M. G. Radhakrishnan got her to record many non-film songs; the biggest hit among them was "Odakkuzhal Vili".

She debuted in Tamil through the song "Kaadhal Oviyam Kandein" from Kavikuyil (1977), tuned in Hameer Kalyani raga by Illayaraja, but it was not included in the film. Her first released song in Tamil was "Kalai Paniyil" from the Tamil film Gaayathri (1977), starring Sridevi and Rajinikanth with music by Ilaiyaraja. She sang for Ilaiyaraaja in Johnny, Kavikuyil and Ilamai Kolangal. After her marriage in 1981, she took a sabbatical from playback singing. She made a successful comeback in 1988 through Kadathanadan Ambadi, followed by the hit Chithram.

She used to sing ad jingles in the late 1980s for A. R. Rahman (such as the Premiere Cooker ad and the Tilda Rice ad). Then Rahman got her to sing "Pudhu Vellai Mazhai" from Mani Ratnam's 1992 film Roja, which became one of the biggest hit songs in India. The backing vocals for the song "Kadhal Roja" were also performed by Sujatha. She has had other hit songs, most of them with Rahman from films including Pudhiya Mugam (1992), Gentleman (1993), Jeans and Minsaara Kanavu (1997). She has also recorded some songs in Hindi, including "Dil Hai Sanam" (the Hindi version of "Thee Thee") from Chor Chor (Thiruda Thiruda), "Ishq Bina" from Taal, "Hai Jaana" from Pukar and "Ishwar Allah" from Earth, and provided backing vocals for the song "Tum Ho Meri Nigahom" from Kabhi Na Kabhi, all of them composed by A. R. Rahman. She has had many of her notable and successful songs under the musical direction of A. R. Rahman. She is considered as one of the Legendary Singers in India.

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. Most of her hit songs from Telugu are composed by Mani Sharma. She was also a judge in munch star singer junior, IDEA star singer, AIRTEL super singer (VIJAY TV).

Discography

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Awards

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Sujatha has received several awards and recognitions for her work in the South Indian film musical world. She has been awarded the Kalaimamani award by the Government of Indian state Tamil Nadu in 2021. She was also awarded Kerala, 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[8] 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"
Year Category Film Song
1998 Best Female Playback Singer Pranayavarnangal "Varamanjaladiya"
2001 Soothradharan "Perariyaam"
2004 Mampazhakkalam "Kandu Kandu"

Other prominent awards & nominations

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  • 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
  • Vanitha award for 'Kallai Kadavathu' in 'Perumazhakkalam'
  • Mathrubhoomi Award for 'Kallai Kadavathu' in 'Perumazhakkalam'
  • Raju Pilakkad Film Award
  • Lifetime Achievement Award from Zee Tamil saregamapa little champs she got the award from her mother
  • 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 2021
  • South India's Golden voice award from mazhavil Manorama 2023


Malayalam album songs

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  • "Ilamyel Kondu Njaan" – Ithal (2016)
  • "Maayumee thaazvarayooram" – Album (2015)
  • "Vaadyaghosham" – Kerala Piravi Day (2014)
  • "Kanna Neeyengupoi" – Nandagopalam (2013)
  • "Kayalthirakalil Kanneeralakalil" – Kulirmazhayai (2011)
  • "Athramel Athramel" – Danaha (2011)
  • "Ravereyayittum" – Pranayamarmaram (2009)
  • "Ee Manjil" – Spandanam (2010)
  • "Ennennum" – (2010)
  • "Manju Peyyume" – Purple (2009)

TV shows

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She has Judged several popular reality shows over South Indian television across Malayalam and Tamil languages.

As Judge
Year Title Channel Language Notes
2008-2009 Airtel Super Singer 2 Star Vijay Tamil
Munch star Singer junior Asianet Malayalam
2010–2011 Airtel Super Singer 3 Star Vijay Tamil
Munch star Singer junior season 2 Asianet Malayalam
2013 Indian Voice Mazhavil Manorama
2013–2014 Airtel Super Singer 4 Star Vijay Tamil
Indian Voice season 2 Mazhavil Manorama Malayalam
2014 Surya Singer Surya TV
2016 Super star junior 5 Amrita TV
2016-2017 Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs Zee Tamil Tamil
2017-2018 Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Seniors Zee Tamil
2018 Super 4 Mazhavil Manorama Malayalam
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs season 2 Zee Tamil Tamil
2019 Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Seniors season 2 Zee Tamil
2019–2020 Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Keralam Zee Keralam Malayalam
2021–2022 Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li'l Champs Zee Keralam
2022 Star Singer junior 3 Asianet launch episode
2023 Top singer 3 flowers TV
2023-2024 Sa Re Ga Ma Pa season 2 Zee Keralam
2023 Shyamambaram Zee Keralam TV serial (Cameo appearance)
2023-2024 Super Singer Season 10 Star Vijay Tamil
2024 Top singer season 4 Flowers TV Malayalam

References

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  1. ^ "Happy Birthday Sujatha Mohan". The Times of India. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  2. ^ Nair, Lekshmi (1 April 2020). "അവൾ സന്തോഷിച്ചിരിക്കുകയാണ്! ചെറുമകളെ വീഡിയോയിൽ കാട്ടി സുജാത!". The Times of India - Samayam. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Happy Birthday Sujatha Mohan: Five melodious songs of the expert singer". The Times of India. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  4. ^ "Sujatha Mohan: Biography". Filmy Focus. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  5. ^ "Ten Interesting Facts About Sujatha Mohan, Judge Of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Keralam". Zee Keralam. 8 November 2019.
  6. ^ "Married to a singer". The New Indian Express. 28 May 2012. Archived from the original on 22 November 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  7. ^ "കേരള ഫിലിം ക്രിട്ടിക്‌സ് അവാര്‍ഡ് 1977 - 2012". Kerala Film Critics Association. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  8. ^ "Film Critics Award 1991". Archived from the original on 11 October 2020 – via YouTube.
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