Swarnalatha

Swarnalatha (29 April 1973 – 12 September 2010) was an Indian playback singer. In a career spanning almost 22 years (from 1987 until her death), she recorded songs in many Indian languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Oriya, Punjabi, and Badaga.

She won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for her rendition of the song "Porale Ponnuthayi" from the film Karuththamma. The song was composed by A. R. Rahman, under whose musical direction she recorded many memorable songs. She was also the first female playback singer to receive a National Award in A. R. Rahman Music.

Personal life She was born to K. C. Cherukutty and mother Kalyani. Swarnalatha was trained to play harmonium and keyboard. Swarnalatha's family later moved to Bhadravathi in Shivamogga District, Karnataka where she grew up and had her education. She started singing at the age of 3. Surrounded by a family of musicians and music lovers, Swarnalatha was trained in Carnatic and Hindustani music. Her sister Saroja was her first music teacher.

Career Swarnalatha's family moved to Chennai to seek opportunities in the film industry for her singing talent. The first opportunity came from M. S. Viswanathan in 1987 when she recorded a duet with K. J. Yesudas, "Chinnachiru Kiliye" in the film Neethikku Thandanai.

Television

Swarnalatha appeared as a judge in many television singing competitions, notably in the 2001 Vijay TV reality show and in the 2004 Jaya TV Ragamalika.

Death Swarnalatha died at Malar Hospitals Ltd Adayar, Chennai at the age of 37, on 12 September 2010. She had Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Awards and recognitions +Awards Awards WinsNational Film AwardsTamil Nadu State Film AwardsCinema ExpressKalaimamaniTotal

National Award (Silver Lotus Award)-(Rajat Kamal) 1994– National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for "Porale Ponnuthayi" from Karuththamma

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards 1991 – Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback for "Povomma Oorkolam" from Chinna Thambi 1995 – Best Female Playback Singer for "Muquala Muqapala" from Kaadhalan 1996 – Best Female Playback Singer for "Akkadannu nanga" from Indian 1999 – Best Female Playback Singer for "Ulunthu vidaikayile" from Mudhalvan 2000 – Best Female Playback Singer for "Yevano Oruvan " from Alai Payuthey Government Honour 1994– Kalaimamani Award by the Government of Tamil Nadu

Recognition 2002 – The song "Rakkama Kaiya Thattu" from the movie Thalapathi (1991) was among the songs listed in a BBC World Top Ten music poll. It was performed by S. P. Balasubrahmaniyam and Swarnalatha

Frequent collaborations

Ilaiyaraja Swarnalatha has sung multiple songs for Ilayaraja and marked as one of the noted combinations in 90's. 'Povomaa Oorkolam' and 'Nee Yengae Enn Anbae' from the film Chinnathambi were hits. Government of Tamil Nadu honoured her with the award of Best Singer for the song "Povomaa Oorkolam". The song 'Raakkamma Kayyathattu' from the film Thalapathi figured in BBC's Hits List of World Songs.

She had sung several experimental songs for Ilayaraja such as "Sollividu VelliNilave', "Kanne Indru Kalyana Kathai" and "Ennai Thottu Allikonda".

A. R. Rahman A. R. Rahman and Swarnalatha association started from the year 1993. Their Combination is known for the magical songs such as "Mukkala Mukkabala", "Hai Rama yeh kya hua", which are the hit songs of 90's. She was the first female singer to receive National Award under Rahman's Music for the song "Porale ponnuthayi" from Karuthamma released in the year 1994. The last song she recorded with Rahman was "Kummi Adi" from the film Sillunu Oru Kadhal (2006).

Deva Swarnalatha sang for Deva from the year 1990. The song "Kanne Karisal" from Vaigasi Poranthachu marked their first association. The songs sung by her from the films Senthoorapandi (1993), Rasigan (1994), Baashha (1995), Vishnu (1995), Maanbumigu Maanavan (1996), Kadhal Kottai (1996), Arunachalam (1997), Anantha Poongatre (1999), Mugavaree (2000) and Chokka Thangam (2003) have been popular.

Discography