Manjari Babu

Manjari is an Indian playback singer and Hindustani vocalist. Her first stage performance was with Shiva, the Kolkata - based rock band, when she was in class eight.

Career

Manjari was introduced into the world of film music by Ilaiyaraaja in the Sathyan Anthikad movie, Achuvinte Amma. She sang two songs in the movie, a duet 'Swasathin Thalam' with Dr. K.J. Yesudas and a solo 'Tamarakuruvikku' in the movie. Since her début, she has worked with the likes of Ramesh Narayan, Ilayaraaja, M. G. Radhakrishnan, Kaithapram Vishwanathan, Vidyasagar, M. Jayachandran, Ouseppachan, Mohan Sithara and the late Raveendran Master and Johnson master She has also sung for albums such as Balabhaskar's Mazhayil Aaro Oral. She has sung over 300+ songs in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada and Telugu films and several devotional/Melody/Solo albums to her credit. Manjari also runs her own YouTube channel.

Since 2003, Manjari has performed Hindustani Classical concerts in India and the world over under the banner of "Soorya". Manjari also gained popularity as a Ghazal singer. She performed an exclusive Ghazal show titled 'Khayal' in 'Media One TV' featuring popular Ghazals of yesteryears.

Manjari won the Kerala State Film Award for the best female singer twice; first in 2004, for the song Mukilin makale in the film Makalkku and second in 2008 for the song Mullulla Murikkinmel in Vilapangalkappuram. Manjari is a playback singer and Live performer. She has set up her own band for Ghazal Concerts and performs at various venues in India and abroad. Manjari continues to pursue her studies in Hindustani Classical Music under the tutelage of Pandit Ramesh Julé of Kirana Gharana.

Films

Year Film Song(s) Notes 2004 Vamanapuram Bus Route Thane En 2005 Ponmudipuzhayorathu Oru Chiri Kandal 2005 Ponmudipuzhayorathu Mankutty 2005 Achuvinte Amma Thamarakuruvikku Asianet Award 2005 Achuvinte Amma Swasathin Thalam 2005 Makalkku Mukilin Makalee Kerala State Award 2006 Rasathanthram Ponnavani Paadam 2006 Moonamathoral Nilavinte 2006 Vadakkumnathan Paahi Param Porule 2006 Baba Kalyani Kai Niraye 2006 Classmates Chillu Jalaka Vathilil 2006 Note Book Iniyum Mounamo 2006 Photographer Enthe Kannanu 2006 Karutha Pakshikal Mazhayil 2006 Pothan Vava Nerane 2007 Vinodayathra Kaiyetha Kombathu 2007 Hello Mazhavillin Neelima, Bhajan 2007 Nasrani Eeran Meghame 2007 Sooryan Ishtakaari 2007 Paradesi Ananda Kannerin 2007 Hallo Mazhavillin 2007 Mayavi Muttathe Mulle 2007 Ali Bhai Punchiri 2007 Veeralipattu Aalilayum 2008 Positive Orikkal née paranju 2008 Vilapangalkappuram Mullulla Murikkinmel Kerala State Award 2008 Minnaminnikootam Kadalolam 2008 Novel Onninumallaathe 2008 Urangan Nee Enikku 2009 Pazhassi Raja Ambum Kombum 2009 Love in Singapore Magic Magic 2009 Bharya Swantham Suhurthu Mandara Manavatty 2009 Chattambinadu Mukkuti Chand 2009 My Big Father Nirathingale 2009 Vellathooval Kaatoram 2010 Yakshiyum Njanum Thenundo Poove 2010 Music Video Chandala-bhikshuki (based on Mahakavi Kumaran Asan's poem) Ajayan (director), Actors: Tom George Kolath as Ananda bhikshu (Buddha's disciple) and Jyothirmayi as Matangi (Chandala woman) 2010 Neelambari Indraneela Raaviloode 2010 Plus Two Manjadi Choppulla 2010 Holidays Thamara Valaya 2010 D Nova Oru Nertha 2011 Puthumukhangal Manimalar Kaavil 2011 Sahapathi 1975 Rakthapushpame 2011 Urumi Chinni Chinni *Various Awards – See Below 2011 China Town Innu Penninu 2011 Aazhakadal Ponmeghathin 2011 Uppukandam Brothers 2 Ishtam Nin Ishtam 2011 Raghuvinte Swantham Rasiya Kaatte Nee Kando 2011 Mohabbath Thennalin Kaikalil 2011 Atharu Peyyana 2011 Veeraputhran Inni Kadalin 2011 Manushya Mrigam Aalin Kombil 2011 Sandwich Paneneer Chempakangal 2011 Makaramanju Mosobathiya 2011 Paachuvum Kovalanum Manasse 2011 Vellaripravinte Changathi Naanam Chaalicha 2012 Padmasree Saroj Kumar Mozhikalum 2012 Nadabrahmam Pramadavaniyil 2012 Navagatharkku Swagatham Pokku Veyil 2012 Arike Ee Vazhiyil 2012 Naughty Professor Thalam Thiru Thalam 2012 Cinema Company Soni Lagdi 2012 Grihanathan Ragaveenayil 2012 Manthrikan Mukundante Vesham Kettum 2012 My Boss Enthinenariyilla 2012 Maad Dad Oru Naalum 2012 Poppins Valam Nadannu 2012 Madirasi Maari Poonkuyile 2012 ChaptersSandhya Sundara 2013 DraculaManju Pole 2013 SwasamVennilavin 2013 BanglesNinakkai Ente Janmam 2013 PakaramParayan Ariyatha 2013 PakaramDooram Theera 2013 RadioMukile Anadhiaai 2013 Ladies and GentlemanKandathinappuram 2013 Thomson VillaPoo Thumbi Va 2013 Thomson VillaMukkuttikal 2014 How Old are You Va Vayassu Chollidan 2014 Avarude Veedu Melle Manasinte 2015 Anarkali Aa Oruthi 2015 Njan Samvidhanam Cheyyum Maranno Swarangal 2015 Chirakodinja Kinavukal Omale Aromale 2016 Puthiya Niyamam Penninu Chilambunde 2016 King Liar Perumnuna Puzha 2017 Cappuccino Engane Padendu 2018 My Story Pathungi 2018 Khaleefa Kandeppol Pandu Pande 2018 Khaleefa Maathalappoo Mottu 2018 Thattinppurathu Achuthan Mangalakaraka 2019 Pathinettam Padi Vanchi bhoomi pathe 2019 March Randam vazham Tharapadam paadum Kerala Film Critics Association Award 2021 Varthamanam Anuragam 2021 Aanu(Yes) ManamOru Chirakayi Music Director/BGM/Singer-Manjari 2021 Nokkukuthi Pakalaruthiyavunnu 2022 Ayisha Vadakku Dhikkile 2022 Iru Kankaliluyir 2022 Nannayikoode Neeyam Kattin 2022 Puliyattam Thaalam Kotti 2023 Tha Thavalayude Tha Mizhiyilaaranu 2023 Rani: The Real Story Ellorem 2025e valayamNeelakuyile

Discography

Singles

In 2014, Manjari released her first Hindi Single titled 'Aiy Aiy Yaa' with Crescendo Music. The Lyrics of Alok Jha is composed by Santosh Nair. The video was shot in exotic locations of Dubai.

In 2015, Manjari released a Malayalam single titled 'Anuragam' which was composed and sung by the artist. She also featured in the video shot in Munnar under the direction of VK Prakash.

She has also sung title songs for several Malayalam television series like Swami Ayyapan, Ente Manasaputhri, Krishnakripasagaram, Jalam, Sreekrishnaleela, Ammakkilikkoodu and Amme Bhagavathy.

Manjari released her very first original Ghazal titled “Ab Etbaar Nahi” on 22 September 2020. This musical which is her own composition penned by Moid Rasheedi, won millions of hearts within the first day of release.

Manjari has composed her own ghazals and released it on her YouTube channel (Manjari Official Channel - Singer). The two ghazals penned by Moid Rasheedi has been sung and composed by Manjari. The ghazals "Chale Aaoo" and "Mujhe Yaad Hai Vo Mausam" has reached the hearts of many and received lots of accolades from across the world.

Television Smart Singer as Judge Pathinalam Raavu as Judge Khayal as Host and concept creator (Media One) Surya Super Singer as Judge (Surya TV) Star Singer Season 8 as Judge (Asianet) Star Singer Junior Season 3 as Judge (Asianet) Start Music Aaradhyam Paadum season 5 as Guest (Asianet) Musical Wife (Flowers TV)

Appeared Films Positive 2008 Rock Star 2015 Varthamanam 2019

Others Kerala Government Initiative - Praveshanolsavam (2023) Appeared TV Serials Aa Amma Amme Bhagavathy

Awards Kerala State Film Awards: 2004 – Best Playback Singer – Makalkku ('Mukilin Makale') 2008 – Best Playback Singer – Vilapangalkappuram ('Mullulla Murikkinmel')

Asianet Film Awards: 2006 – Best Female Playback – Rasathanthram ('Attinkara')

Mathrubhumi Film Awards: 2006 – Best Female Playback – Karuthapakshikal ('Mazhayil Ratrimazhayil') 2012 – Mathrubhumi Film Awards – Popular Singer of the Year -Urumi ('Chinni Chinni')

Kerala Film Critics Association Awards: 2012– Best Playback Singer (Female) -Urumi ('Chinni Chinni') 2019– Best Playback Singer (Female) -March Randam Vyazham ('Tharapadham paadum')

Film Awards: 2012 – Vanitha Film Awards – Best Female Playback -Urumi ('Chinni Chinni') 2012 – Ramu Kariat Film Awards – Best Female Playback- Urumi ('Chinni Chinni') 2012 – Surya/Film Producers Awards- Best Female Playback – Urumi ('Chinni Chinni') 2012 – Amrita Film Awards- Best Female Playback – Urumi ('Chinni Chinni') 2012 – Jaihind Film Awards- Best Female Playback – Urumi ('Chinni Chinni') 2012 – Kerala Film Critics Award- Best Female Playback Nominated : 2009 – Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback for "Kadaloram Vatsa" from Minnaminnikoottam Nominated : 2011 – Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback for "Chimmi Chimmi" from Urumi

Sahir and Adeeb International Award: 2016 – Sahir and Adeeb International Award for her contribution to Urdu language and ghazals

Television