K S. Chithra often credited as Chitra, is a six time National Film Award winning playback singer who has made her mark in the Indian (film) music playback industry. Known as the Nightingale of South India, she has lent her voice to Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Oriya, Hindi, Assamese and Bengali films. Born on July 27, 1963, in Trivandrum, 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. Chithra received her extensive training in Carnatic music from Dr. K. Omanakutty, after she was selected for the National Talent Search Scholarship from the Central Government from 1978–1984. She is married to Vijayashankar, an engineer and businessman. Her only daughter Nandana, was born in 2002. Chitra was introduced to Malayalam playback singing by M. G. Radhakrishnan in 1979 and went on to become a regular singer for many malayalam musicians including Raveendran and the likes. Her duets with K.J. Yesudas in Malayalam and S.P. Balasubrahmanyam in all other languages are the most hummed songs by the music lovers. She made her debut in the Tamil film industry in Chennai under the guidance of film music composer Ilaiyaraaja.Poojaikketra poovithu song Film- Neethana Antha kuil is the first song in Tamil music by Illaya raja. Her knowledge of South Indian languages and Hindi enables her to render songs with originality and perfection. Ilaiyaraaja has contributed so much to Chitra's glory. Fazil was doing a remake his Malayalam movie in Tamil Poove Poochudava a strong subject movie with wonderful music of Illayaraja . Raja heard Chitra’s voice in the Malayalam version and got impressed by that and asked her for audition. Then her turn came for the movie Nee thana antha kuyil with a beautiful song “Poojaiketa Poovidhu”. “Antha Kuyil has incidentally become China Kuyil of South India”. Since then, she has sung some wonderfully melodious songs mostly with classical overtures in Tamil Films and it is astounding that Illayaraja & A. R. Rahman have fetched her some memorable songs leading to the National awards. She also delivered some most memorable songs for Deva, Vidyasagar, M. M. Keeravani, Hamsalekha, Raj Koti, Rajan-Nagendra and many other south Indian music directors. She gave a touch of vibrance and youthfulness to many Actresses in southern Cinema with her lovely voice. She is the inspiration for many upcoming female playback singers. Chitra is also a house hold name in Bollywood music. She has recorded many memorable Hindi songs for various music directors of bollywood namely Anand-Milind, Anu Malik, Rajesh Roshan, Viju Shah and many others. She also recorded the Hindi versions of her own Tamil songs sung for A. R. Rahman. Currently Chitra is also busy as a Reality singing talent shows judge in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Awards Chithra has recorded more than 25 thousands of film and non-film songs till date. During her illustrious career which is still continuing, numerous recognitions have come her way including six National Awards for best female playback singer. She is just behind K.J. Yesudas who has won 7 national awards as a singer. This is the highest number of national awards awarded to any female playback singer. She has won the awards for the following films: Stage performance Chithra has performed all over India, Middle East, Singapore, Malaysia, UK, France, U.S.A., Canada, Australia, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Norway and Denmark. Audiotracks 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. |
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Date of birth | : July 27, 1963 | |
Family | : Husband - Vijayashankar, Daughter - Nandana, Father - late Krishnan Nair, Mother- , Elder sister- K.S. Beena | |
Address | : 9, Anantha,Ramakrishna Street, Devaraj Nagar, Saligramam, Chennai-93. | |
Debut Film | : Attahaasam | |
 | : Interview with K.S Chitra |
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Born in Thiruvananthapuram the capital of Kerala state, K.S.Chitra, with her melodious voice, has built a formidable reputation as a playback singer for South Indian as well as Hindi films. She has to her credit, over 11,000 songs in languages like Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali and Oriya.
From her young age she learned the basics in music from her father, late Krishnan Nair who was a singer and composer of repute. The gifted singer learned music at the graduate and post-graduate levels and completed her B A in music with the third rank from the university. She went on to complete her MA in music from Kerala University, for which she was chosen under the aegis of the National Talent Search Scholarship programme and was trained by Professor K.Omanakutty.
Ms Chitra got a chance in films when Prof. K.Omanakutty introduced her to her brother Mr. M.G.Radhakrishnan, a famous music director in Malayalam film industry. Her first songs were for the films like 'Attahaasam', 'Snehapoorvam Meera', and 'Njaan Ekananu' and from then on there was no looking back. Her expressive melodious voice got her plenty of offers and she was soon making a mark in Malayalam films to the extent that she has today monopolised Malayalam film music. Ilayaraja gave her the big break into Tamil films through his film 'Nee Thaanaa Antha Kuyil' but it was with 'Sindhu Bhairavi' she became a known name in Tamil industry which also won her the National Award for best playback singer. Ms Chitra's foray into Hindi film music was with the song 'Saathiya, ye tune kya kiya' in the film 'Love'. Some of the Hindi films that she has given hit songs are 'Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya', 'Aks', 'Ashoka', 'Rangeela' etc. She is one singer who has successfully broken the North-South divide and blazed a trail of glory in both worlds.
She has won the National Award for the best playback singer five times. For ' Sindhu Bhairavi' (Tamil, 1986),' Nakhashatangal' (Malayalam, 1987), ' Vaishali' ( Malayalam, 1989 ), Minsara Kanavu ( Tamil, 1996 ), Virasat (Hindi, 1997).
The Kerala government has heaped upon her the best playback singer award more than 12 times and she has the unique distinction of being the first female singer in the history of South Indian film playback singing to be honoured by all the four southern state governments as the best playback singer.
Chitra who has a strong base in classical music has an ability to pick up even the most difficult pitch with ease. Ms Chitra has many albums especially devotional music to her credit. She has also tried her hand in pop music and made an album with the 'Voodoo Rapper'. Her hugely successful albums include 'Piya Basanti'; her collaboration with sarangi exponent Ustad Sultan Khan, 'Sunset Point', where she worked with Gulzar and Bhupinder. She has had the opportunities to work with famous music directors like Salil Choudhary, Anu Malik, Nadeem-Shravan and world renowned music maestro A R Rahman. But she remains her simple down to earth self with the trademark pleasant smile. This immensely talented singer continues to impress her numerous fans with memorable songs.
| K. S. Chithra കെ.എസ്.ചിത്ര | |
|---|---|
 K.S.Chitra | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Chithra Krishnan Nair |
| Born | July 27, 1963 Trivandrum, India  |
| Genres | 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, is an Indian playback singer who has made her mark in the Indian (film) music playback industry. Popularly known asChinna 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 recepient of six National Film Awards, fiveFilmfare Awards and more than thirty different state film awards.[3]
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[edit]Personal life
Personal life
Born on July 27, 1963, in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), 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 did post-graduation in music in 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. Her only daughter Nandana, was born in 2002.
[edit]Professional career
Professional career
Chithra was introduced to Malayalam playback singing 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 "Poojaikketra 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 film Poove Poochoodava.[4][3] It was director Fazil who cast her for this film.[citation needed]
By the mid-eighties, she became the most sought after female singer in Malayalam. She recorded many hit songs for the above listed composers 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 and Telugu 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. M. Keeravani, Hamsalekha, Sharreth, Raj-Koti, Rajan-Nagendra, S. A. Rajkumar, Mani Sharma, Harris Jayaraj, Devisri Prasad and many other south Indian music directors.[5]
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.
Currently, she is one among the panel of judges in the singing reality shows at Kerala (Idea Star Singer) and Tamil Nadu (Airtel Super Singer Junior).[6]
[edit]Awards
Awards
Chithra has won six National Awards for best female playback singer.[7][8] She is just behind K.J. Yesudas who has won 7 national awards as a singer. 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 and is the only female playback singer to have won the best female singer awards from all the four state governments in South India.[8] She has won the awards for the following films:
- 2005 - Padma Shri - India's fourth highest civilian honours[9]
- 2004 - Best Female Playback Singer - (Song: "Ovvoru Pookkalume") Autograph, Tamil Film[10]
- 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)
She has also received 15 awards for the best female playback singer from Kerala State Government, 8 awards from Andhra Pradesh State Government, 4 awards from Tamil Nadu State Government and 3 awards from Karnataka State Government. She is the only playback singer to be recognised by all the four state governments in South India for her contributions.
- 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" (Devaragam)
- 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 Veera Gadha) , "Thankathoni" (Mazhavilkkavadi)
- 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" (Seetha Ramayyagari Manavaraalulu)
- 2004 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Kandamma Kandamma" (Maharaja)
- 2000 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Srigandhada Gombe" (Yajamana)
- 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)
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)
[edit]Other achievements
Other achievements
Chithra was also 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 Excelence' Award by the Rotary Club of Coimbatore.[11] 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.
[edit]Stage performance
Stage performance
Chithra has performed all over India, Middle East, Singapore, Malaysia, UK, France, U.S.A., Canada, Australia, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Norway and Denmark.
[edit]Audiotracs Recording Label
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.
[edit]Discography
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
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.[11] 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.
[edit]Latest Film Songs
Latest Film Songs
[edit]2011
2011
| Song Title | Film | Language | Music Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Nuvve Nuvve" | Prema Kaavali | Telugu | Anoop Rubens |
| "Nattuvazhiyorathe Poomarachillayil" | Gadhaama | Malayalam | Bennet Veetrag |
[edit]2010
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 |
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