Yahovayam Daivamen Idayan Athre

K. S. Chithra Awards & Achievement

 

Awards & Achievement
K.S. Chitra is a singer who has made her mark in the Indian (film) playback industry. Known as the “Nightingale of South India”, she has lent her voice to Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Oriya, Hindi and Bengali films. She made her debut in Malayalam, and since then, this talented singer had sung more than 18,000 songs! She has won 6 national awards in several Indian languages. She is equally well versed with Carnatic music , though it is rare to see her in stage. Chitra has proved over the years that music has no language but talent that prevails.

Padma Shri Award -2005 ( is an award given by the Government of India generally to Indian citizens to recognize their distinguished contribution in various spheres of activity including the Arts, Education, Industry, Literature, Science, Sports, Social Service and public life)


National Awards

Song(s)
Film(s)
Year
Language
Musician

‘Padariyen Padippariyen’

‘Naanoru sindhu’
Sindhu Bhairavi
1986
Tamil
Illayaraja


'Manjal Prasadavum'

Nakashathangal
1987
Malayalam
Bombay Ravi

'Indupushpam'

Vaishali
1989
Malayalam
Bombay Ravi

‘Ooh La La La’

Minsara Kanavu
1996
Tamil
A.R.Rahman

'Payalein Chun Mun’

Virasat
1997
Hindi
Anu Malik

'Ovvoru Pookalume'

Autograph
2004
Tamil
Bharathwaj

Kerala State Film Awards:
2005 - Best Play Back Singer - Nottam ('Mayangipoyi')
2002 - Best Play Back Singer - Nandanam ('Karmukil Varnante')
2001 - Best Play Back Singer - Theerthadanam ('Mooli Mooli')
1999 - Best Play Back Singer - Angane Oru Avadhikkalathu ('Pular Veyilum')
1995 - Best Play Back Singer - Devaragam ('Sasikala Charthiya')
1994 - Best Play Back Singer - Parinayam ('Parvanenthu')
1993 - Best Play Back Singer - Sopanam ('Ponmeghame'), Chamayam ('Rajahamsame'), Gazal ('Sangeethame')
1992 - Best Play Back Singer - Savidham ('Mounasarovaram')
1991 - Best Play Back Singer - Keli ('Thaaram'), Santhwanam ('Swarakanyakamar')
1990 - Best Play Back Singer - Innale ('Kannil Nin meyyil'), Njan Gandharvan ('Palappoove')
1989 - Best Play Back Singer - Oru Vadakkan Veera Gadha ('Kalarivilakku'), Mazhavilkkavadi ('Thankathoni')
1988 - Best Play Back Singer - Vaishali ('Indupushpam')
1987 - Best Play Back Singer - Eenam Maranna Kattu ('Eenam marannakatte'), Ezhuthappurangal ('Thalolam Paithal')
1986 - Best Play Back Singer - Nagakshathangal ( 'Manjalprasadavum')
1985 - Best Play Back Singer - Ente Kaanakuyil ('Oreswaram Ore Niram'), Nirakkootu ('Poomaname'), Nokettadoorathu Kannum Nattu ('Aayiram Kannumai')

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards:

2004 - Best Female Playback Singer - Ovvoru Pookalume (Autograph)
1995 - Best Female Playback Singer - Kannalane (Bombay)
1990 - Best Female Playback Singer - Various Films
1988 - Best Female Playback Singer - Various Films

Andhra Pradesh State Film Awards (Nandi Award):

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 - Chukkallara(Aapathbandhavudu)
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)

Karnataka State Film Awards:

2004 - Best Female Playback Singer - Kandamma Kandamma - (Maharaja)
2000 - Best Female Playback Singer - Various
1997 - Best Female Playback Singer - Various

(The first and only Singer male or female in the History of South Indian Film Playback singing to be honoured by All the Four Southern State Governments as the best Playback Singer.)

Filmfare Awards South:
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 (My Autograph)
2004: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Telugu) - Nuvvostanante (Varsham)

Asianet Film Awards:
2009 - Best Female Playback - Kunnathe Konnakkum (Pazhassiraja)
2007 - Best Female Playback - Chellathamare (Hallo)
2005 - Best Female Playback - Enthu Paranjalum (Achuvinte Amma)
2003 - Best Female Playback - Mizhi Randilum
2000 - Best Female Playback - Various
1999 - Best Female Playback - Megham

MTV Video Music Award for the Album “PIYABASANTI”. The first singer from South India to get the prestigious MTV Award

First winner of IMMIES award for 2003 in the category Hindi films best playback singer. This Award is instituted by IMI (Indian Music Industry)

Bollywood film award New York U.S.A for the best playback singer 2004. First South Indian singer to get this award

Cinema Express Award for 1986, 1987, 1988,1990,1991,1993,1994,1995,1998.

Film Fans Association Chennai Award - 20 times (This is the oldest film award in South India)

Gulf Malayalam music Awards (GMMA) – 2005, 2006, 2008

Gamma Indian Music Award, Malaysia for 1988,1989,1990,1996.

Other numerous awards given by Social, Cultural corporate, media Organizations. Like Kala Sagar, Film Critics etc.,

Screen - Videocon Award 1996 for the best playback singer in South Indian Languages.

Screen - Videocon Award 1997 for the best playback singer in South Indian Languages.

Screen - Videocon Award 1997 for the best playback singer in the Hindi film - " VIRASAT"

Ujala - Asianet award for the best playback singer 1999, 2000, and 2003, 2005, 2007(Malayalam)

Lux - Asianet award for the best playback singer 2001, 2006 (Kannada)

AMRITHA Mathrubhoomi awards for the best playback singer 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2008 (Malayalam)

Arabia 2000 films award for the best playback singer.

Tamil film Music Award 2008 of Kalainjar T.V.

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)


LIFE TIME ACHIEEMENT AWARDS

Conferment of “PADMASRI” by the President of India in 2005. (The first female singer from South India to be conferred with a PADMA award)

Title of "KALAIMAMANI" From Tamilnadu Government In 1997 for contributions to film music

Winner of the prestigious Dr. K. J. Yesudas lifetime achievement award from Swaralaya Kairali in 2004

National Excellence Award 2001 by LIMCA BOOK OF RECORDS

“For the sake of honour” award from Rotary International. 2001

“Vocational excellence” award from Rotary International in 2004

SIKHARAM - 15 life time achievement award 2005 from INDIA TODAY

JEEVAN TV - P. JAYACHANDRAN Lifetime Achievement Award 2005

Ugadi Purashkar by Madras Telugu Academy, Chennai. - 1994

Title of “KALAISELVAM” From South Indian Nadigar Sangam. 2002

Lifetime achievements award from Global Malayali council London in 2003.

Aginhotri life time achievement award 2007 from SAMORIN OF CALICUT

JANMASHTAMI life time achievement award 2008

VIRTUSO Music Awards 2005

TOP GRADE ARTISTE OF ALL INDIA RADIO AND DOORDARSHAN

NON-FILM REPERTOIRE:- Sung for Tharangini, Saregama, SONYBMG, MAGNASOUND, T-SERIES etc., and have own music label " AUDIOTRACS" licensed to MANORAMA MUSIC.

CONCERT PROGRAMMES AND TOURS: -Performed all over India, The entire Middle East, Singapore, Malaysia, U.K., France, U.S.A., Canada, Australia, Srilanka, Western European Countries like Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Nigeria etc.,

IMPORTANT STAGES
Royal Albert Hall London - First Indian female singer after Lata Mangeshkar to perform at Royal Albert Hall London.
House of Commons London - first Indian singer to perform at the British Parliament
Kennedy Centre - Washington. (U.S.A)
Skydome - Toronto (CANADA)
Esplanade - Singapore
Alexander Palace - London
Trump Taj Mahal - Atlantic City (U.S.A)
Superdome - Sydney (AUSTRALIA)
Rod Laver Arena - Melbourne (AUSTRALIA)

INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS
Recorded with Jawad Ali one of the most famous Arab singer for his new Album “AMAR UL HOB”

Recorded a song for Herbie Hancock legendary Jazz Pianist and the mentor of Michel Jackson

Invited by the Chinese government to perform in the famous Quinghai international water and music festival in Quing Hai, China.

Music Director Johnson Master-King of Melody

Hundreds of songs composed by Johnson have been known for their emotional intensity and mellifluous touch. Apart from film songs, he had also composed scores of devotional songs, especially Christian devotionals.

Johnson had twice won the national award and the Kerala Government's best music director award five times.

He also made a mark in background music in films and won the national award for the film Ponthanmada in that category.

Known as Johnson Master in South Indian film circles, he composed his most popular songs since early 2000 for films like Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal and Mazhavilkavadi. His other notable scores were for the hits Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam and Kireedom.

Johnson started his career with Bharathan's Aaravam in 1978. Till then he had worked with most of the leading film directors, lyricists, signers and artistes. He also excelled in handling instruments like guitar, drums and accordian.

Members of the film fraternity, including singers and fellow composers, expressed profound grief at his unexpected demise.

Mohammed Rafi Biography and achievements

One of the greatest playback singers of India, Mohammed Rafi is considered no less than a genius when it comes to varied styles of music. Born on December 24th, 1924, this great soul had the perfect blend of melody, emotions and energy, which reflected greatly in his songs. Be it the classically inclined songs of Baiju Bawara or the foot tapping songs of Kashmir Ki Kali, Muhammad Rafi gave each song the treatment it deserved. His contribution to the Hindi film industry has been fabulous and perhaps no singer till date has managed to capture the hearts of fans the way Mohamed Rafi has. We capture the fascinating life history of Rafi in this short biography of Mohd. Rafi.

Muhammad Rafi was born in Kotla Sultan Singh located near Amritsar in the then undividedPunjab. Rafi had five older brothers ad his father's name was Hajji Ali Mohammad. Lovingly addressed as "Pheeko" by his family, Rafi started showing his inclination towards music at a very early age when he used to imitate the chants of a wandering beggar in his village. In the year 1935, Rafi's family moved to Lahore. Rafi's love for music was recognized soon by his family and he was encouraged to pursue it further. Thus, Mohamed Rafi went on to seek training in Hindustani classical music from eminent personalities like Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan, Pundit Jiwanlal Matto and Firoze Nizami.

Rafi's first public performance was at the tender age of 13. One day Rafi along with his brother Hamid went to attend a performance by the renowned K.L. Saigal. But there was a power failure at the venue and the legendary singer refused to sing. When the audience began to lose patience, Rafi's brother Hamid requested the organizer to allow Rafi to keep the audience entertained till the power came back. He was allowed to do so and it turned out to be the correct exposure for him. Among the audience was seated the great composer Shyam Sunder who immediately recognized immense talent and untapped potential in Rafi. He invited Rafi to come to Bombay for a recording. From there on began the journey of the most versatile singer of India.

In the year 1944, Mohammed Rafi recorded his first song under music director Shyam Sunder. It was for a Punjabi movie named Gul Baloch. It was recognized by many and Rafi started to get more and more offers. Rafi also sang songs composed by Naushad for the movie Pehle Aap in the year 1944. He also acted in a couple of movies named Laila Majnu (1945) and Jugnu (1947). Another splendid performance was in the year 1946 when he sang the song "Tera Khilona Toota Balak" of the movie Anmol Ghadi. With the movie Jugnu (1947), Rafi bagged his first major hit. The song "Yahaan Badla Wafa Ka'' with Noor Jehan under Feroze Nizami went on to become a major hit with the public.

His music in the movie Baiju Bawara proved critics wrong and he went on to become one of the most demanded playback singers of that time. The film happened by accident. Talat Mehmood was the first choice for the film. Naushad, the music director caught Talat Mehmood smoking and was very annoyed. He then gave all the songs to Mohammed Rafi and the results were outstanding. In the year 1949, his song named "Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki" of the movie "Dulari" went on to become an anthem of sorts. There was no looking back thereafter and Rafi went on to produce hits after hits. He was the undisputed singer till the 70's.

He was patronized as the voice of the great actor Dev Anand during 1950's and 60's. He became the favorite singer of director O.P. Nayyar and sang many beautiful songs for him. Rafi also produced some of the greatest hits with S.D. Burman, which includes films like Tere Ghar ke Saamne (1957), Pyaasa (1957), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Guide (1965), Aradhana (1969) and Abhimaan (1973). In fact, he even sang a playback number for the great singer Kishore Kumar for the movie Raagini. Apparently, O.P. Nayyar was so fascinated by Rafi's music that he got him to sing "Man Mora Baawara" of this movie. Rafi sang with Asha Bhonsle and Lata Mangeshkar and belted out hits after hits. Rafi became the voice of noted actor Rajendra Kumar and sang many romantic songs for his movies. His boisterous style of singing suited the versatile actor Shammi Kapoor. One could not imagine a reserved and gentle person like Rafi singing the "Yahoo" number. But then, that was Rafi.

During the 1970's, Kishore Kumar came into the limelight with his hits in the movie Aradhana. Rafi's output declined and Kishore Kumar started to overshadow his popularity. However, Rafi's songs were still everyone's favorite and he proved that no matter how many singers come and go, his position would remain undisputed. During mid 70's Rafi made a huge comeback with the movie "Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahi" and won the national award for the song "Kya Hua Tera Waada".

His major hits in the 70's include Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Sargam (1979) and Karz (1980). The Qawali song "Pardah Hai Pardah" of the movie Amar Akbar Anthony was a superhit. Other hit songs in late 1970s include films like Laila Majnu (1976), Apnapan (1978), Qurbani, Dostana (1980) and The Burning Train (1980). On July 31st, 1980, this great singer went back home early after recording and dies due to a massive heart attack. His funeral procession was one befitting a king. Mohammed Rafi was a legend of legends and shall remain so till eternity.

Malakhamarude Bashayarinjalum

Mariame Ninte Chithrathil

Nalla Mathave