P.Susheela Sings to "Urvashi" Sharada

                                             

     Sharada or Urvashi Sharadha (born 12 June 1945),  a well  known  South  Indian film actress (hailing from Andhra Pradesh)  is a three-time National Award winner (hence the title Urvashi because earlier the National film award for Best actress was designated as Urvashi award) and Indian Parliament member.   Initially she tried her hand in Telugu films by doing many supporting roles, but later shifted her focus to Malayalam film industry and made it to the top there. Even though a telugu speaking native, she garnered huge success  because of the strong feministic and sad characters she portrayed in her films  that  she is symbolized  as “Dukha putri”(sorrowful daughter) of Malayalam films. She is also a recipient of many awards in Telugu and Malayalam film industry, the latest being selected for the prestigious NTR National Award instituted by the Andhra Pradesh state government for the year 2010.

                                                                   

In this article we are going to discuss about P.Susheela – Sharadha combination in South film industry.  PS voice which is sweet, melodious, matured and dignified went on to suit Sharadha perfectly for all the strong female centered roles she played in her movies - be it any language. Sharadha like Savithri  portrayed strong roles and very few of her films had glamour content in them.

                                        Sharadha’s debuted in films  with a minor role in the Telugu film “Kanyasulkam”. Her first break (as a supporting artiste) came  from  the Akkineni Nageswara Rao starrer Iddaru Mitrulu(1961), which was a major hit. The song "chakkani chukka sarasaku raave raa" sung by P.Susheela was Sharadha’s first song in telugu and was composed by S.Rajeshwara Rao.  In 1963 Sharada started acting in Tamil Films and her debutant movie was "Kungumam". P.Susheela rendered "thoongatha kannintru ontru" and "kaalangal thorum thirudargalirunthaar" for her in this movie. "Thoongaatha kannintru ontru" was a evergreen hit. Her Debutant movie in Malayalam "Inapravukal" gave her the biggest break in her career and she went on to act in more than 125 movies in Malayalam.  In Inapravukal, P.Susheela rendered "Virinjathenthinu virinjathenthinu" and "Kuruthola perunalinupalliyil poyvarum" for sharada and both were hits.  So ,P.Susheela sang for her in all her debutant movies in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam. 

                                                                          

                             
                    P.Susheela rendered more than 80 songs fro Sharada in malayalam movies and most of them are good songs. Their successful streak continued in telugu movies where most of her songs were rendered by PS. It is assumed that P.Susheela rendered about 250 songs for sharadha in all the three languages. 

Let’s have a look at few hit numbers in different languges from this combination.                                                                      

                         Let’s start with Malayalam films – Three songs from the sensational hit “Tulabharam” was rendered by PS for sharadha.The top most hit was “Omana thingallil onam”, a melody number composed by Devarajan  rendered with Yesudas. Another song “gangayaarozhukunna naattil” composed by Baburaj  from the movie  Kaatu thulasi  was also a hit. One of the most super duper hits is “Raja shilpi nee enikkoru”  from Panchavan Kadu. Composed by Devarajan, this is a marvelous rendition by PS. I like to mention few hits,  “pancha thanthram kadhayile”, "thappu kottampuram",  “kanakapratheeksha than”, “ariyunnilla bhavaan”, “pandu mugal kottarathil”, “paamarampalunku kondu”, “chethi manthaaram thulasi”, “vadhoovaranmaaree”, “parasuramanmazhuverinju ”, “sindhoora megame”. “kalaba mazha peyyunna rathri”. “vrischika raathri than”, “oonjaala oonjaala”,  “omana thinkal pakshi”… and there are lots of hits in their combo.

                                                     Chandra Rashmi than - malayalam

                                       Coming to telugu films, she got a break as a heroine in telugu film “Shrimati” and PS sang all songs for her in this movie composed by Prasad. “The song “Mrogindhigudiloni ganta” a duet with Ghantasala is a hit from this movie.

                                         Later she tasted success as a heroine in combination with actor Shobhan babu. Most of their films were family oriented and so were a success with women audience. Let’s have a look at some songs for this pair. “Manavudu Danavudu” had  all songs by PS -the hits being “Anuvu anuvuna velasina deva(female version) and “Chakkani mana kapuram” MD was Aswathama.  Karthika Deepam , the super hit movie  had Sharadha, Sobhan and Sridevi in main roles. PS sang for sharadha in this movie. The songs “Arenikuma ee deepam” (PS+SJ) and “Ye maata, aha telusu” (PS,SPB) were hits. Sisindri chittibabu movie had 2 hit numbers composed by T.Chalapathi Rao, “Vastha velostha”, and"chittibabu chinnaribabu" by PS and chinnari chittibabu, a  solo by PS. Kalam Maarindi, mainly dealing with social issues like caste problems  had Sharadha playing a role of an cobbler’s daughter (of a low caste) and Sobhan playing the role of an bhramin youth   had some wonderful hit numbers .Ps sang all the numbers – “Mundarunna china dani” (PS-GS),Tholakari merupula(PS,GS) were melodies while “Om namo Narayana” a devotional by PS conveys the feelings of a woman who for the first time is allowed to enter the puja room and offer her prayers- a very beautiful number. Aradhana , the super hit hindi movie was remade as Kannavari kalalu –Sharadha playing the role of Sharmila tagore. The songs composed by V.Kumar “Oka naati maata”,  MAdhu   Volaka (PS,Ramakrishna).  Chinnari babu”(PS) were all hits.

                                  Visaali , again a hit movie of this pair had all songs by PS . Some notable numbers composed by Pughazenthi –Rara jabili, choodaku ala choodaku ,Ee reyi kaani  all duets with Ramakrishna. One more excellent movie is “Sharadha” where she played the title role of a young bride who goes into a shock when she comes to know of the death of her husband (played by shobhan). All songs were super hits and rendered by PS (kanne vadhuvuga –PS,GS, Repalle vechenu (PS), Radha lola Gopala(PS). MD is chakravarthi.  Idha lokam , one more hit movie had good numbers like “Nee manasu naa manasu” , o yabba o yabba –duets with Ramakrishna. DEvudu chesina pelli had sharadha portraying a double role and all songs were by PS. Composed by T.Chalapathi Rao, “Paatalu nerpeti” was a notable hit with Ramakrishna.

                                                   (repalle vechenu)                  

                                           Another major hit  was Balipeetam directed by Dasari which was again based on caste issues – this time sharadha playing a bhramin role with Sobhan playing the lower caste. Composed by chakravarthi ,the all time hit number “Kushalama neevu kushalamma” by PS,SPB( a song in the form of a letter written by the heroine to the hero and vice-versa),Maarali maarali, kalasi padutham (all by PS-SPB)  is from this movie. One more hit movie Kodallu vasthunnaru jagratha had  great melodies rendered by Ps,SPb for this pair. Notable numbers – "Akalaina aasalaina" (PS,SPB), "Oh koila ramanna" (Ps-SPB), another excellent number "tholi rathiri" by PS  is an highlight. In this song, the listeners will get a feeling that it is Sharadha herself who is rendering it ( along with the small dialogues) Another good number is “Paadave oh koyila” (MD - chakravarthi from Raghu ramudu.

                         Sharadha married actor chalam and the pair produced many movies under their banner. Some notable movies and songs – Tulabharam (not the same as Malayalam) had excellent numbers from PS. The most popular song until today in PS-Sharadha  combination is “Raadhaku neevera Pranam”. Composed by Satyam, this song has secured a place in the hearts of telugu people. Another super hit movie is sambarala rambabu , remake of tamil hit ethirneechal.chalam played the role of Nagesh and Sharadha the role of Jayanthi. A tidbit is that PS was so mesmerized by the male version of “Mama chandamama” that she had  expressed her desire to render a female version for the same number .So chalam out of respect for PS, created a situation in the movie to accommodate the female version. Other hit number sare “Kannule chooseyi” rendered by PS, PBS. MD V.Kumar was retained for the telugu version too.

                                                                             

                                    PaadethaNee namame – a veena number and ragamalika  from the movie “Amayakuralu” is another memorable hit in this combination composed by Rajeswara Rao.

                                      One more hit movie  is PAgabattina paduchu  with actor Harnath. This movie has very beautiful numbers composed by M.Ranga Rao like “Chiru navvuvelayentha”(PS,SPB) and “YEvo mouna ragalu”(PS).

                               Sharadha – ANR acted in movies like Mahatmudu (MD:KVM – song: yeduruga neevunte –PS,Ramakrishna, all song sby PS), Collector gari abbayi (MD  chakravarthi : Bangaru ledini) are some notable numbers.                                               
                               Sharadha- NTR combination ( Justice chowdury – “Nee tholi choopulone – MD: chakravarthi)  is a wonderful number.  

                                                              

                                                   Other good numbers in telugu include a  memorable Christian devotional number "Rajyamubalamu" from Rajadhi raju(MD:KVM),  annamaya kirtan "adhigo alladigo" from Kaliyuga deivam, "Ee veena painapalikina" ragam from abhimanavanthulu (MD: S.P.Kodandapani), Ikkade kalusukunnamu and Tholi reye idi from Jeevitham (MD: Ramesh Naidu), idi maikama Ps,SPB from Indradhanassu(MD:KVM).

                                                 When we have a look at the telugu list of songs under Ps-Sharadha combination, each and every song is truly marvelous, melodious and mellifluous.

Unlike Malayalam and telugu,  Saradha only only acted in a couple of tamil movies , she debuted with kungumam which had two songs by PS (already mentioned). Arunagirinathar had a song “Penn pirnatha” composed by G.Ramanathan and sung by PS for sharadha who plays the character of arunagirinathar’s  suffering wife. Gnana Oli had 2 lovely numbers “Mana media” by Ps and Amma kannu by PS,TMS(MD:KVM).MAzhai megham had a good number “Aagaya gangai” renered by PS,SPB(MD:KVM).

                                              ( Thoonagatha kannentru ontru)

To end, one can truly conclude that PS-Sharadha pair was truly successful in their journey ranging from devotional hits to social welfare numbers. Their period is one where strong female oriented  subjects were executed  to perfection in terms of acting and rendition.  They are truly one of the most inspiring  and best combinations in the south film industry.

Write-up Courtesy : Sreevidya Sanjay. United States

List of available songs.. 

Year		Language		Movie	Songs
1961		Telugu		iddaru mithrulu	chakkani chukka sarasaku
1963		Tamil		kungumam	thoongatha kann entru ontru
1963		Tamil		kungumam	kaalangal thorum thirudargal
1964		Telugu		Mulla kiritam	Aalinchi Paalinchi brova
1964		Telugu		Mulla kiritam	Eara veesi valavese paniye
1964		Tamil		arunagirinadhar	penn pirantha paavathi
1965		Telugu		kalam marindhi	Om narayana yedhi
1965		Telugu		kalam marindhi	Mundarunna chinnadani
1965		Telugu		kalam marindhi	tholakari merupula
1965		Malayalam		kaatu thulasi	gangayaru ozhugunna naatil
1965		Malayalam		InaPiravukal	kuruthola perunnalinu
1965		Malayalam		InaPiravukal	virinjathenthinu virinjathenthinu
1966		Telugu		srimathi	chelaregi cheekatilone
1966		Telugu		srimathi	reyi kanula nee
1966		Telugu		srimathi	Mrogindhi gudiloni ganta
1966		Telugu		srimathi	korikala
1966		Malayalam		jail	chithrakaarande hrudayam
1966		Malayalam		Jail	kalichiri maaratha prayam
1966		Malayalam		Thilothama	indee varnayane sakhee nee
1966		Malayalam		Thulabharam	bhoomidevi pushpiniyayi
1966		Malayalam		Thulabharam	omana thingalalil onam -happy
1966		Malayalam		Thulabharam	omana thingalalil onam
1967		Malayalam		arakillam	mayiladum mathilakathu ponnu
1967		Malayalam		arakillam	prema kavithakale
1967		Malayalam		arakillam	virahini virahini
1967		Malayalam		kasavuthattam	aaluvapuzhayil neen pidikkan
1967		Malayalam		kasavuthattam	mayilpeeli kannukondu
1967		Malayalam		kasavuthattam	mayil peeli(sad)
1967		Malayalam		kasavuthattam	pandu mughal kottarathil
1968		Telugu		manasamsaram	sukumara veeradi veera
1968		Malayalam		Midumidukki	kanakapratheekshathan
1968		Malayalam		Hotel HighRange	kai niraye swapnangal
1968		Malayalam		kaatu kurangu	ariyunnilla bhavaan ariyunnilla
1968		Malayalam		kaatu kurangu	vidhyarthini njan
1968		Malayalam		kaavaalam chundan	kanni ilam muthalle kalinjol
1968		Malayalam		yakshi	vilichu njan vili kettu
1968		Malayalam		aparadhini	vivaha mandapathil
1969		Telugu		manushulu maaraali	holiday holiday
1969		Telugu		manushulu maaraali	paapayi navvali
1969		Telugu		sambarala rambabu	Maama chandamama
1969		Telugu		sambarala rambabu	Poruginti Meenakshammanu
1969		Telugu		sambarala rambabu	Kannule navveyi
1969		Telugu		sambarala rambabu	mama chandamama
1969		Tamil		thulaabaram	poonchittu kannangaL (Pathos)
1969		Tamil		thulaabaram	poonchittu kannangaL ponmani
1969		Tamil		thulaabaram	vaadi thOzhi kadhanaayaki
1969		Malayalam		veettu mrigam	kanneer kadalil
1969		Malayalam		adimakal	chethimantharam thulasi
1969		Malayalam		Jwala	jwala njaanoru  dhukha
1969		Malayalam		Jwala	thaaraka poovanam
1969		Malayalam		Jwala	vadhoovaranmare priya
1969		Malayalam		koottu kudumbam	swapna chanchari nee nin
1969		Malayalam		kootu kudumbam	parasuraman mazhuverinju
1969		Malayalam		Nadhi	panchathanthram kadhayile
1969		Malayalam		Nadhi	thappukottampuram
1969		Malayalam		Susy	maanathe manthaginiyil
1969		Malayalam		susy	nazhikaikku nalpathu vattam
1969		Malayalam		Susy	rakthachandanam chaarthiya
1969		Malayalam		Susy	sindhoora meghame
1970		Telugu		pasidi manasulu	idelaa voyi nelaraja
1970		Telugu		pasidi manasulu	ninne valachithinoyi
1970		Malayalam		susy	prananadha nin
1970		Malayalam		minda pennu	anuraagam kannil
1970		Malayalam		Thara	kaaveri poonthennale
1970		Malayalam		Triveni	paamaram palungu kondu
1970		Malayalam		kuttavali	kalaba mazha peyyunna
1970		Malayalam		kuttavali	mavelil vanoru kaalam
1970		Malayalam		kuttavali	pampayattin karayilallo
1970		Malayalam		kuttavali	krishna kamalanayana
1971		Telugu		amayakuralu	paadetha neenamame
1971		Telugu		jeevitha chakram	Batthkamma battkamma
1971		Telugu		pagabattina paduchu	Yevo Mouna raagalu
1971		Telugu		pagabattina paduchu	chirunavvu vela yentha
1971		Telugu		sisindri chittibabu	chinnari chittibabu
1971		Telugu		sisindri chittibabu	Vastha vellostha
1971		Malayalam		aabhijatyam	vrichika raathrithan aramana
1971		Malayalam		Panchavan kaadu	rajashilpi nee enikkoru
1972		Telugu		maanavudu daanavudu	Anuvu anuvuna velasina
1972		Telugu		maanavudu daanavudu	chettantha magavadu
1972		Telugu		maanavudu daanavudu	nilu nilu  nilapadu
1972		Telugu		maanavudu daanavudu	chakkani mana kapuram
1972		Telugu		maanavudu daanavudu	krishna madhusudana
1972		Telugu		maanavudu daanavudu	pachani mana
1972		Tamil		gnana oli	ammAkkannu summAchchollu
1972		Tamil		gnana oli	manamEdai malargaludan
1972		Malayalam		theertha yatra	chandra kaladharanu
1972		Malayalam		theertha yatra	kollurilum kodunallorilum
1972		Malayalam		ghandarva kshethram	koohoo koohoo kuyilukal
1972		Malayalam		anveshanam	chandra rashmithan chandana
1972		Malayalam		anveshanam	chandra rashmithan (sad)
1972		Malayalam		brahmachari	parayoo nee parayoo
1973		Telugu		abhimanavanthulu	ee veena paina palikina
1973		Telugu		abhimanavanthulu	o manasu dochina
1973		Telugu		idha lokam	Nee manasu naa manasu
1973		Telugu		kannavari kalalu	babu chinnari babu
1973		Telugu		kannavari kalalu	baabu chinnari babu (sad)
1973		Telugu		kannavari kalalu	ee chilipi
1973		Telugu		kannavari kalalu	sorry so sorry
1973		Telugu		mallamma katha	antha sivamayame kaatha
1973		Telugu		Sarada	Radhalola gopala
1973		Telugu		Sarada	Repalle vechenu
1973		Telugu		jeevitham	maamiditopullona
1973		Telugu		jeevitham	chinare oh babu
1973		Telugu		jeevitham	tholireyi idhi tholireyi
1973		Telugu		jeevitham	Ikkade kalusukunnamu
1973		Telugu		jeevitham	anthe  nemo
1973		Telugu		abhimanavanthulu	cheyi kalipi manusu
1973		Telugu		abhimanavanthulu	vuyyala jampala
1973		Telugu		kannavari kalalu	madhu valaka pose
1973		Telugu		Sarada	Srimati gaariki
1973		Telugu		Sarada	Kanne vadhuvuga maaredhi
1973		Telugu		visaali	ee reyikani
1973		Telugu		visaali	edadi daatindhi
1973		Telugu		visaali	rara rara jabili maa babuku
1973		Telugu		visaali	nina dhaka
1973		Telugu		visaali	choodaku ala choodaku
1973		Malayalam		veendum prabhatham	oonjala oonjala -solo
1973		Malayalam		veendum prabhatham	oonjala oonjala - with Ambili
1973		Malayalam		veendum prabhatham	oonjala oonjala -with KJY
1974		Telugu		adambaralu anubandhaalu	Nee Rupam -ver2
1974		Telugu		kannavari kalalu	oka naati maata
1974		Telugu		palle paduchu	naa muddula
1974		Telugu		palle paduchu	padave podam
1974		Telugu		palle paduchu	nee inti illalu
1974		Telugu		Palle Paduchu	Ealaa ealaa jeevithana
1974		Telugu		tulabaram	cheruvalone dhooramulela
1974		Telugu		tulabaram	yevooru yemperu
1974		Telugu		tulabaram	Radhaku neevera Pranam[1]
1974		Telugu		tulabaram	oho eevoore naa
1974		Telugu		urvashi	Andani aakasam
1974		Telugu		urvashi	Evaru vintaaru
1974		Telugu		urvashi	pancha rangula chilakallaraa
1974		Telugu		adambaralu anubandhaalu	aashada maasana
1974		Telugu		adambaralu anubandhaalu	cheppave cheppave
1974		Telugu		adambaralu anubandhaalu	Nee Rupam
1974		Telugu		adambaralu anubandhaalu	yenati varamo ye nomu
1974		Telugu		devudu chesina pelli	Paatalu nerpeti
1974		Telugu		devudu chesina pelli	o chitti potti papallara
1974		Telugu		devudu chesina pelli	ee vela naalo
1974		Telugu		idha lokam	O yabba O yabba
1975		Telugu		sowbhagyavathi	valapula poola vanalo
1975		Telugu		vaikunthapali	dakhoo dakhoo
1975		Telugu		vaikunthapali	nidura po babu
1975		Telugu		vaikunthapali	narayana narayana
1975		Telugu		balipeetam	chandamame raave
1975		Telugu		balipeetam	Kalasi padutham
1975		Telugu		balipeetam	Kusalama neevu kusalmena
1975		Telugu		balipeetam	Maarali Maarali
1975		Telugu		bharathi	kanipinche devathale
1975		Telugu		bharathi	Echotane kadha
1975		Telugu		bharathi	andale
1975		Telugu		bharathi	sruthi chesina veena
1975		Telugu		bharathi	meenamma meenamma
1975		Telugulugu		bharathi	kanipinchele-sad
1975		Malayalam		abhimanam	chilanka kettiyal
1975		Malayalam		abhimanam	sreethilakam thirunetti
1975		Malayalam		Raagam	omana thinkal pakshi
1975		Malayalam		Raagam	omana thinkal pakshi - pathos
1976		Telugu		mahathmudu	Yentha madhram ee kshanam
1976		Telugu		mahathmudu	yethurika nee vunte
1976		Telugu		mahathmudu	yenthaka choosthunna
1976		Telugu		mahathmudu	chiti pappa
1976		Telugu		seelaniki siksha	evariki evaru
1976		Telugu		seelaniki siksha	subhamasthu
1976		Telugu		mahathmudu	paadanaa nepaadana
1976		Telugu		mahathmudu	chandamama veeni yapai
1976		Malayalam		kanyadaanam	randu nakshathrangal
1977		Telugu		bhale alludu	nidura pondi papalara
1977		Telugu		indradhanassu (old)	idi maikama
1977		Telugu		indradhanassu (old)	thadisina koka
1977		Telugu		seelaniki siksha	nee tadi tadi
1977		Tamil		mazhai megam	aaagaya Gangai indru
1977		Malayalam		aparajitha	sreeparvathy saraswathy
1977		Malayalam		aparajitha	gaana gandharvan
1977		Malayalam		agninakshatram	nithya sahaya mathave
1977		Malayalam		sreedevi	bhaktha jana priye
1977		Malayalam		amme anupame	neerada gandharva kanyakal
1977		Malayalam		Hridayame Sakshi	manassupole jeevitham
1978		Tamil		aval thantha uravu	manjal itta nilavaaka
1978		Malayalam		Anubhoothikalude Nimisha	mandhahasa madhurathalam
1978		Malayalam		mannu	kunnin meloru
1978		Malayalam		raghuvamsam	kanninte manipol
1978		Malayalam		sundari marude swapnangal	janmam thediyathinu
1979		Telugu		kaliyuga raavanasurudu	putteti bhanuda
1979		Telugu		kaliyuga raavanasurudu	nalla nallani kallu
1979		Telugu		karthika deepam	Arani kumayideepam
1979		Telugu		priyabandhavi	rara bhuvana sundara
1979		Telugu		karthika deepam	O maata aha thelusu
1979		Malayalam		chennaai valartha kutty	ashta mangalya subhrabathathil
1980		Telugu		kodalosthunnaru jagratha	O koyila rammana -solo
1980		Telugu		kodalosthunnaru jagratha	Toli rathiri meeradigina
1980		Telugu		mangala gowri	anuraaga devatha neeve
1980		Telugu		mangala gowri	chilaluvanti jeevithaalu
1980		Telugu		mangala gowri	manishi moha
1980		Telugu		mangala gowri	mangala gowri
1980		Telugu		raajadhi raju	Rajyamu balamu mahima
1980		Telugu		raajadhi raju	Siluvapai vralaade
1980		Telugu		raajadhi raju	arhatha leni variki
1980		Telugu		kodallosthunanru jagratha	vunnanu nenunnanu
1980		Telugu		kodallosthunanru jagratha	aakalaina aasalaina kowgilaina
1980		Telugu		kodalosthunnaru jagratha	O koyila rammana chinnavadu
1980		Tamil		thaai piranthaal	kannanukku per sootti[2]
1981		Telugu		alludugaru zindabad	ido amma paata
1981		Telugu		maa pelli katha	maata matandira maata
1981		Telugu		maa pelli katha	aa chitramasam nee
1981		Telugu		maro gurukshetra	nee gundela gakili
1982		Telugu		kaliyuga deivam	Adhigo Alladhigo
1982		Telugu		bandhalu anubandhalu	sari sari gama gama
1982		Telugu		bandhalu anubandhalu	unnadama devudu
1983		Telugu		Durga devi	perantaaniki piliche vela
1983		Telugu		raghuramudu	padave o -sad
1983		Telugu		swarajyam	manjukkanna
1983		Telugu		raghuramudu	Paadave o koyila
1983		Malayalam		nizhal moodiya nirangal	oru malaiyil
1984		Telugu		maarchandi mana chattalani	chitti chitti babuka
1984		Telugu		ugra roopam	srichakra simhasinee
1984		Telugu		ugra roopam	nee kannulalo veligindi
1984		Telugu		janani janmabhoomi	palukuthenela thalli
1984		Telugu		justice chowdury	Nee tholi choopulone
1985		Telugu		ee samajam maa koddu	nenanukkunadhi
1987		Telugu		agni puthrudu	hrudaya dhamarukam
1987		Telugu		collector gari abbayi	Bangaru ledini
1988		Telugu		kulala kurukshetram	chakkanamma chakkaleki
1988		Telugu		kulala kurukshetram	omkaramlo oyyaram
1991		Telugu		prema khaidhi	I love for U annadhi prema