Sujatha Mohan is, without doubt, one of the most popular playback singers of the south to ever grace the film industry. A career spanning more than four decades, the mellifluous voice of the sensational female singer has dazzled the audience in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bangla and Hindi. With more than 10,000 songs to her credit, she is a true music legend of our times. On the occasion of her 59th birthday, Saregama remembers her magnificent singing career.
Sujatha was born on March 31, 1963 to Dr. Vijayendran in Kerala. Her grandfather Parur T.K. Narayana Pillai was the first chief minister of the erstwhile Travancore-Cochin State post India’s independence. In the 1970s, she became very popular as a musical child prodigy as she used to sing with the legendary singer K J Yesudas in his stage shows. She was fondly known as Baby Sujatha. Studying only in the sixth standard, she recorded her first song “Kannezhuthy Pottuthottu” for the Malayalam movie Tourist Bungalow 1975.
In the year 1977, she got the opportunity to work with legendary music composer Ilayaraaja. However, the debut song in Tamil didn’t make it into the film. Later, she sang Kalai Paniyil in the movie Gaayathri 1977. The Sridevi and Rajnikanth starer with Ilayaraaja’s music was a hit. By the year 1981, she chose to take a sabbatical from singing after she got married to Dr. V Krishna Menon.
How long can the talent stay hidden? Sujatha made a comeback in 1988 with a bang and sang the soulful and amazing song Kadathanadan Ambadim which was followed by songs in the hit movie Chitram. She went on to sing the biggest hit of all times Pudhu Vellai Mazhai for the superhit movie Roja 1992 under A.R Rehman. Some of the great Hindi songs that she sang include, Chor-Chor, Dil Hai Sanam, the song Ishwar Allah from the movie Earth and more.
Sujatha has received many awards for her contribution to the music world. Some of her awards include Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer 1996 for Pranayamanithooval from Azhakiya Ravanan and Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer 1999 for Varamanjaladiya from Pranayavarnangal. She was awarded Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer thrice as well. Today, Sujatha continues to deliver soulful songs, and she recently appeared as the judge of singing talent show in Kerala. Saregama wishes a very happy birthday to Sujatha Mohan. May you continue to deliver amazing songs for the fans and audience in the coming years.