P. Susheela
P. Suseela | |
---|---|
Guinness Book of World Records for singing most songs in Indian languages | |
Spouse |
Mohan Rao
(m. 1957; died 1990) |
Children | 1 |
Awards | Full list |
Honours |
|
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, Veena |
Website | psusheela |
Pulapaka Suseela (born 13 November 1935) is an Indian playback singer associated with the South Indian cinema primarily from
The song "Naalai Intha Velai".
Personal life
Susheela was born in Andhra Pradesh, India, as the daughter of Pulapaka Mukunda Rao, a leading advocate in Vizianagaram, Vizianagaram District, Andhra Pradesh State. She was married to Dr. Mohan Rao, who died in 1990; they have a son named Jayakrishna. Her niece, Sandhya Jayakrishna, who later became her daughter-in-law, is a singer who debuted with A. R. Rahman in Iruvar. Susheela has two grand daughters, one of whom is Shuba Sri, the lead guitarist with music director Thaman S.
Education
After schooling, Susheela joined Maharaja's Music College under the tutelage of Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu who was the Principal, in Vizianagaram, and completed Diploma in Music from Andhra University in First Class.
P. Susheela went on to become the most successful playback singer of South India from 1950 to 1990.
Career
Debut : 1951–1954
Born into a music-loving family, Susheela had been nurtured with formal classical music training at a very young age. She used to participate in all the musical competitions at her school and Vizianagaram town events. She developed the crucial nuances in singing songs with apt expressions and modulations through her extensive training during those days. She also sang a few songs for the All India Radio (AIR) for their private program telecasts.
In 1951, music director
Breakthrough : 1955 – 1960
It was not easy for a newcomer to foray into the musical scene in the 1950s with the domination of eminent female vocalists like P. Leela, M. L. Vasanthakumari, Jikki among others ruling the playback industry. Yet, Susheela made her own mark with her distinct and clear vocals. The year 1955 saw Susheela rising to popularity with her back to back hit songs both in Tamil and Telugu film industries. Missamma released in 1955 had hugely popular songs backed with strong carnatic classical essence. Susheela created a huge impact among the listeners with her effortless renditions of the toughest notations. The same year released Tamil film Kanavane Kan Kanda Deivam made her a household name in Tamil Nadu.[12]
Thus began a huge legacy of Susheela, who sang in almost all the films produced since 1955 through 1960s and 1970s till 1985. The legendary Tamil musicians
Successful domination : 1960 – 1985
The early 1960s saw Susheela grow as an undisputed lead female singer across all the south Indian language films putting all the older veteran singers to the background. The year 1960 saw Susheela entering the Malayalam films with the
The 1970s also saw Susheela in her prime form winning almost all the awards both nationally and in all the four states of Southern India. She also recorded Hindi songs during this period with music directors like
Shift to non-films : 1985– 2000s
With
Comeback : 2005– present
Susheela made a comeback by rendering her voice to her own song Raksha Raksha Jaganmatha which was released 72 years ago and was released as a single for the movie, Aadai, starring Amala Paul.[16] Susheela also recorded a Tamil song for the film 'LKG' in 2018, alongside
P. Susheela Trust
The P. Susheela Trust, formed in 2008, has a monthly pension payment scheme and a few musicians in need are being benefited through it. On every 13 November there would be a musical concert during which a senior artist(s) chosen by a panel is conferred with the Lifetime Achievement award and the P Susheela Trust award. The proceedings of the concert would go towards the Trust maintenance.[17]
The Lifetime achievement awards so far have been conferred upon
Guinness World Records
As verified on 28 January 2016, Susheela has reportedly recorded up to 17,695 solo, duet and chorus backed songs in over six Indian languages since the 1960s, not counting some lost early recordings. She has now been recognized by both the Guinness Book of World Records and Asia Book of Records for singing most songs in Indian languages.[18]
Statistics
Telugu
Susheela has sung more than 12000 songs in Telugu. S. P. Balasubrahmanyam's first duet in Telugu was with P. Susheela. "SPB has sung his first song with me", says the legendary P. Susheela and SPB recorded more than 4000 duets with P. Susheela. She has recorded more than 2000 songs to K.V.Mahadevan's music. She has recorded more than 2500 songs to K.Chakravarthy's music. She won three national awards for Telugu songs. Before going to USA and UK (in the late '70s), Susheela and SPB recorded 19 duets in one day over 18 hours in addition to a few solo songs.
Tamil
She has sung more than 6000 songs in Tamil, including devotionals. She has sung around 1000 duets with T. M. Soundara Rajan. She also rendered more than 1500 Songs in MSV music. She won two national awards for Tamil songs.
Kannada
Susheela has recorded more than 5000 songs in
Malayalam
She has sung more than 1500 songs in Malayalam. The musician
Other languages
Susheela has sung more than 300 songs in other languages, including 100 film songs in
Awards
Civilian and State Government honours
Year | Award | Honouring Body |
---|---|---|
1991 | Kalaimamani | Government of Tamil Nadu |
2004 | Raghupathi Venkaiah Award | Government of Andhra Pradesh |
Gaana Saraswathi | Government of Karnataka | |
2008 | Padma Bhushan | Government of India |
2019 | J. Jayalalithaa Special Kalaimamani Award | Government of Tamil Nadu |
National Film Awards
She was the first recipient of the national award for female playback singing in 1969.
Year | Movie | Song | Language |
---|---|---|---|
1969 | Uyarndha Manithan | Naalai Intha Velai Parthu | Tamil |
1971 | Savaale Samali | Chittuk Kuruvikkenna Kattuppaadu | |
1978 | Siri Siri Muvva | Jummandi Naadham | Telugu |
1982 | Meghasandesam | Aakulo Aakunai | |
1983 | M.L.A. Edu Kondalu | Entha Beeda Vade |
Filmfare Awards South
State Awards
Year | Award | Movie | Song |
---|---|---|---|
1969 | Tamil Nadu State Award
|
Uyarntha Manithan/Lakshmi Kalyanam | "Paal Polave Vaan" / "Brindavanathukku" |
1971 | Kerala State Award | Oru Penninte Katha | "Poonthen Aruvi Ponmudi Puzhayude" |
1975 | Kerala State Award | Chuvanna Sandyakal | "Poovukalku Punya Kaalam" |
1977 | Nandi Award | Daana Veera Soora Karna | "Kalagantino Swamy" |
1978 | Nandi Award | Naalaaga Endaro | "Kalyanini Kanulunna Manusuku Kanipinchu" |
1981 | Tamil Nadu State Award | Anbulla Athaan | "Aazhakkadal Neenthi Vanthen" |
1982 | Nandi Award | Meghasandesam | "Aakulo Aakunai" |
1984 | Nandi Award | Sangeetha Samrat | "Entha Sogasugaade" |
1987 | Nandi Award | Viswanatha Nayakudu | "Kavi Jana Samaaja Bhoja" |
1989 | Nandi Award | Godavari Pongindi | "Eppatla Godavari Pravahistondi" |
1989 | Tamil Nadu State Award | Varam | "Magane Magane Kannurangu" |
2002 | Nandi Award | Many movies | Many songs |
Other Awards
- "Kamban Pugazh" award from All Ceylon Kamban Kazhakam, Sri Lanka, 2016
- Best singer of the decade Award from Dr. Subbarami Reddy in 2001
- Lifetime Achievement Award at 7th South Indian International Movie Awards
bharathi daasan award by Tamil Nadu Govt - |
KalaimaamaNi award by Tamil Nadu Govt- 1991 |
Raghupati Venkaiah Award award by Andhra Pradesh Govt. -2004 |
kamukara award by kerala Govt. |
Screen -videocon lifetime achievement award -1996 |
LifeTime Achievement Award by American Telugu Association - 10 July 2004 at Chicago, USA. |
Sangeetha Kala bharathi by Detroit Telugu Association (1979) |
Telugu Association of North America – 1995 |
Awards for Excellence by IAAFA in 1993 |
Telugu Association of Southern California – 1995 |
AVM ’50 award – 1997 |
North American Alumini Association |
DTA – 1989 |
Madhura Gaana Madhuri Award |
Award by Telugu Association of Greater Chicago |
K.B.Sundaramabal Award |
K.V.Rao Jyothi Rao award -1999 |
Ghantasala Award for 2003 (11/22/2003) |
Tamilnadu MGR Cine Cultural Academy Award -1994 |
Subbaraami reddy award -1996 |
Award by Indian Performing Rights Society |
Award Presented at Andhra Pradesh Rashtra Yuva Janostav |
Bharath kalachar -2001 (gaana kala bharathi) |
Kala Saagar Award |
Award – Tribute To Shivaji -2003 |
Jayshree International – Life Time Achievement Award – Kalabushan ( presented by Smt Jayachitra) |
Thyagaraja Ganasabha – Only singer to be presented this award by Thyagraja Ganasabha Andhra Pradesh. |
Krishna Pushkara Award |
Yesudas Award |
Kamukara – Lifetime Achievement Award |
Gaana Saraswathi by Sangeeth Melody Orchestra |
Aasthana Gayini in Shri Kalahasthi Shiva Temple |
Madras film fans association award - 26 times |
Dr. Rajkumar Award-2020 by Raghavendra Chitravani Foundation |
Discography
1950s
Year | Film | Song | Composer(s) | Writer(s) | Co-Singer(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1956 | Tenali Raman
|
"Chandana Charchita Nila Kalebara", "Thennavan Thaai Nattu Singaarame" | Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy | A. Maruthakasi, K. S. Gopalakrishnan | |
1958 | Uthama Puthiran | "Mullai Malar Mele", "Anbe Amudhey", "Unnazhagai Kanniyargal" | G. Ramanathan | A. Maruthakasi, K. S. Gopalakrishnan | |
1958 | Sabaash Meena | "Aanaaga Pirandhadhellam", "Kaanaa Inbam Kannidhadheno", "Erungammaa Summaa Erungammaa" | T. G. Lingappa | K. Jamuna Rani, T. A. Mothi, J. P. Chandrababu, T. G. Lingappa |
1960s
Year | Film | Song | Composer(s) | Writer(s) | Co-Singer(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1967 | Kaavalkaaran | "Ninaithen Vanthai", "Mellappo Mellappo", "Kattazhagu Thangamagal" | M. S. Viswanathan | Vaali, Alangudi Somu | |
1967 | Sakshi | "Atu Yennela Itu Yennela", "Dayaledha Neeku Dayaledha", "Silipoda Sinnoda Cheera Dochukunnoda", "Amma Kadupu Challaga" | K. V. Mahadevan | Daasarathi Krishnamacharyulu
|
P B Srinivas
|
1969 | Deiva Magan | "Kaathalikka Katrukollungal", "Koottathileya Yarthan" | M. S. Viswanathan | Kannadasan |
1980s
Year | Film | Song | Composer(s) | Writer(s) | Co-Singer(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1986 | Swati Mutyam
|
"Laali Laali" | Ilaiyaraaja | C. Narayana Reddy | |
1988 | Swarnakamalam | "Ghallu Ghallu" | Ilaiyaraaja | Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
"Shiva Poojaku" | |||||
"Koluvai Vunnade" |
1990s
Year | Film | Song | Composer(s) | Writer(s) | Co-Singer(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1991 | Coolie No. 1 | "Kalaya Nijama" | Ilaiyaraaja | Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry | Ilaiyaraaja |
Dalapathi (D) | "Aada Janmaku" | Ilaiyaraaja | Rajasri | ||
1993 | Padmavyuham (D) | "Kannulaku Choopandam"(Female) | A. R. Rahman | Rajasri | |
1995 | Kunti putrudu | "Gummalu Thommidi"(Female) | Ilaiyaraaja |
References
- ^ Naig, Udhav (29 March 2016). "P. Susheela enters Guinness World Records". The Hindu. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
- ^ "Happy Birthday PSusheela". IndiaGlitz.com. 13 November 2014. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
- ^ "About". The Southern Nightingale.
- ^ Amanda Weidman. "South Asian Popular Culture Voices of Meenakumari: Sound, meaning, and self-fashioning in performances of an item number".
- ^ "Voice defying age". The Hindu. 14 April 2006. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014.
- ^ "A well composed tribute to a veteran singer". The Hindu. 17 March 2009.
- ^ "Accent is on novelty". The Hindu. 18 May 2001. Archived from the original on 17 September 2015.
- ^ "Melody Queen P. Susheela - Interviews". psusheela.org.
- ^ Dore, Shalini (19 July 2013). "Tamil Songwriter Vaali Dies at 83". Variety.
- ^ "Sixteenth National Awards For Films" (PDF). 13 February 1970. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 February 2012.
- ^ Times of India, Entertainment. "National Awards Winners 1968: Complete list of winners of National Awards 1968". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Melody Queen P. Susheela - About Smt. P. Susheela". psusheela.org.
- ^ "Untitled Document". psusheela.org.
- ^ Sunayana Suresh (26 February 2017). "P. Susheela enters the Guinness world records". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
- ^ "Melody Queen P. Susheela". psusheela.org.
- ^ "Legendary singer, P Susheela, sings for Amala Paul's Aadai". Cinema Express.
- ^ "All for the noble cause of music". 14 May 2012.
- ^ "Singer P Susheela enters Guinness World Records". @businessline. 29 March 2016.
- ^ "Melody Queen P. Susheela - Kannada Page". psusheela.org.
- ^ "Melody Still Rules Kannada Music, Says SPB". The New Indian Express. 6 August 2014.
- ^ "Melody Queen P. Susheela - Malayalam Page". psusheela.org.
- ^ "Melody Queen P. Susheela - Hindi". psusheela.org.
- ^ "Filmfare Awards presented". Telugucinema.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
External links
- Official website
- P. Susheela at IMDb