When P.Susheela got introduced there was tough competition from many talented singers in the Industry like P.Leela, Jikki, MLV, T.S.Bhagawathi, Balasaraswathi devi, A.P.Komala, K.Rani, Jamuna Rani, M.S.Rajeswari etc. There was a uniqueness in everyone’s voice. MLV, P.Leela, A.P. Komala, bhagwathi are known for their classical skills, Jamunarani was known for western and club dance songs, Rajeshwari used to render voices to children, Balasaraswathi was known for her soothing lullabies, Jikki had a unique style of singing which was used for heroines and P.Susheela was used for melodies. Due to personal reasons, some singers like Jikki,Balasaraswathi,Rani reduced their singing in films. Some of them like MLV and P.Leela started concentrating more on classical music and a few of them couldn’t get chances because of P.Susheela wave. From 60’s P.Susheela was the undisputed queen of SFM for a long period of time. Infact, P.Susheela is the only one singer who enjoyed the stardom without a competition for almost 2 decades. (L.R.Easwari was mostly used for cabaret, western type songs and songs for second heroines ). S.Janaki was successful in 80’s but she had to face so many competitors like P.Susheela, Vani jayaram, S.P.shailaja, jency and Chitra (from mid 80’s). Vani jayaram was successful from mid-70’s and she was also facing tough competition from the same singers.
Chitra got introduced in mid-80’s, by then many Singers Like P.Susheela, S.Janaki, Vani jayaram, L,R.Easwari, S.P.Shailaja, Sasirekha, Jency, Uma Ramanan were successful in the Industry and everyone established an identity for themselves. She was supported by the successful music director of 80’s, Ilayaraja, who became the mentor and guide for her. The youthfulness in her voice brought the title “chinnakkuyil Chitra”. Because of her raise, in early 90’s, many senior singers slowly started fading from the industry and she was the “queen” of playback singing for a few years. She couldn’t enjoy the stardom for a long time, because of the new wave brought by A.R.Rahman. This new trend brought down the monopoly of all famous singers like SPB, Chitra etc because so many new and fresh voices were introduced to the industry.
In an Interview K.S.Chitra told that she was singing tracks for Smt.P.Susheela. One of albums I Could recollect is "Raaga Veena" (Link) Composed by Kannur Rajan.
In an Interview K.S.Chitra told that she was singing tracks for Smt.P.Susheela. One of albums I Could recollect is "Raaga Veena" (Link) Composed by Kannur Rajan.
I am not sure if Chitra rendered a song with either S.Janaki or L.R.Easwari. But, she rendered songs with P.Susheela in three languages Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. The famous one is “un nejna thottu solluen raasa” from the tamil movie “rajadhi raja”. But the song was not there in the movie. They have also sung another number , “thathedutha muthuppillai yaaro” for the movie “rettai vaal kuruvi”, which was also got cut when the movie was released. One more in PS+KSC combination is “idhu unakkahga paadum raagam” for a bhagyaraj’s movie “amma vandhachu”, that was also not shown in the movie. The next one “aanai katti poradikkum” is sung by Mano, P.Susheela and Chitra for the movie “niyaangal jeyikkattum” and … the song was picturised ,but the movie went unnoticed. “poonkaaviyam pesumoviyam” from “karpoora mullai” rendered by K.J.Yesudas, P.Susheela and Chitra became a hit. The solo version of “poonkaaviyam” rendered by P.Susheela was missing in the film . The Malayalam version also had the same song as “aalapnam thedum thaai manam”, again a hit. The Solo version “poonthennalo kanneerthumbiyo” wasn’t there. The movie makers didn’t pay much respect to senior singers because the names of P.Susheela and P.Leela were shown after chitra in the title card.
In telugu there was a beautiful number “ srungraniki ishta sakalamu” for the Sravana meghalu (1986). “pettu pettu aa” song from anna thammudu is sung by Mano, P.Susheela and Chitra. There is one more beautiful lullaby “chinni chinni kannayaku” from the movie “sriramachandrudu”.
In malayalam, they have sung together for a album, “Navami”, composed by Vidyadharan and the song is “navarathri maholsava”.
Last year (in 2013) , P.Susheela composed a musical album , “Sri simhachala swamy” in which Chitra also rendered a song “devaa vyasaparashara”.
I have listed some songs rendered in two different languages by both of them .
P.Susheela
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K.S.Chitra
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kanna varuvaaya -Tamil
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kannin maniye -Tamil
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college degree - tamil
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eenaati anuraga - Telugu
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varam thantha samikku - Tamil
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aadum neram (soora samharam- Tamil)
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paata paadana (Telugu)
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maasi maasam than -Tamil
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aasalanni needaipothe (telugu)
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aathukkulle theepudicha -Tamil
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aliveni enthu cheyvu (gaanam- malayalam)
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minnum ponnin kireedam (malayalam)
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11 comments:
Great study about the songs of P.Suseelamma and Mrs.K.S.Chithra.
Congratulations..
Dr.J.Silas.
Thanks doctor..
Thers only one isaiarasi Kalai. sir..only one gaana saraswathi...i accept we have legends and stalwarts like chitra, SJ, VJ...But susheelamma is a class apart..well if there is an indian singer who can be compared to PS ..it can be lataji alone..but in terms of language diversity, singing prowess, variety i think so far no one has matched Susheelamma..Susheelamma's songs of 50s.60s & 70s are etched in diamond.. esp the 60s period is Divine Intervention i would say ..by the inimitable Susheelaji !!!
I also want to congratulate the heroines of yesteryears padmini, savitri, saroja devi, kr vijaya, sowcar,devika..the list is endless.. for justifying the vocals of PS amma !!!
Singathin Kaazhgal pazhuthupattalum seetram kuraivathundoo... age catches up with everyone.. but the renditions of P Susheelamma are ageless miracles..they will withstand time ..the pride of a nation.. i wish the nation recognises such incredible talent... the ultimate and only one Gaana Saraswathi !!!
True.. Savithri's expressions are ultimate.
I wish the same.
Thank you for posting this wonderful information.
P.Susheela voice is best if you listen to the songs they both sung together
Excellent draft on PS and KSC. PS was undoubtedly the Queen of South Indian Cinema Music. Many tried their best to bring down her Glory, especially A famous Male singer who was an ungrateful person forgetting PS help/uplifting of him in his early career days. He used a famous MD, a Telugu director and a female singer in unison to remove PS from the Industry. But Fans across the Globe will never lose their respect and affection for PS. We will be always with her.
//especially A famous Male singer // I feel the same. He went and tell to all his fav MD's like "PS is taking long time for recording.. So use "so and so" instead of her". But GOD helped PS all the time.
I would like to know which singer it is? Os that S P B garu?
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