K.S.Chithra

           

        K.S.Chithra a reputed playback singer in India. Her voice doesn’t require much Introduction in the entire world. She has made her record by singing above 26,000 songs till now in 13 languages. Singer Chitra born on 27^th July 1963 in Thiruvananthapuram of kerala into a family of musicians and was named Krishnan Nair Shantakumari Chithra. 

              Today she is celebrating her 51^st Birthday celebrations.She is famous for her songs in the languages Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, Oriya, Tamil, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Badaga, Sanskrit, Tulu, Urdu and Punjabi. She is popularly and fondly referred as Chinna Kuyil( Little Nightingale of South India) or Keralathinte Vanambadi ( Nightingale of kerala). 

Chithra Family

           

Chithra’s talent was recognized and nurtured from an early age by her father, the late Krishnan Nair. He was also her first guru (teacher). Her elder sister K. S. Beena is also a singer who has performed in many films as a playback singer. 

Chithra received her extensive training in Carnatic music from Dr. K. Omanakutty, and got a Masters in Music from the University of Kerala. She was selected for the National Talent Search Scholarship from the Central Government from 1978–1984. She is married to Vijayashankar, an engineer and businessman and settled in Chennai.

Introduction

            She was introduced to Malayalam Playback singing by M.G. RadhaKrishnan in 1979. “Attahasam", "Snehapurvam Meera" and "Njaan Ekananu" were the first few films which she recorded her songs. 

         Along with K. J. Yesudas, she also performed live concerts in India and abroad and that was a turning point in her career. Veteran music directors such as Raveendran, Shyam, Jerry Amaldev, Kannoor Rajan and Johnson also helped climb her career ladder. She made her debut in the Tamil film industry through the song "Poojaikketra Poovithu" from the film Neethana Antha Kuyil, which was composed by Ilaiyaraaja. She was given the title 'Chinna Kuyil' after singing the song "Chinna Kuyil Paadum" from the 1985 released film "Poove Poochudava". It was director Fazil who cast her for this.

            Later she might just remember the first step on this career ladder but no time for counting these steps. She became the busiest singer in many languages. She has been accredited as the only female singer to have sung the maximum number of songs for the Academy Award winning composer 

A.R.Rahman for his Tamil film songs.

Awards

            She is a winning singer who has made her mark in the Indian film Industry by six National film awards. This is the highest number of national awards awarded to any female playback singer. She has won the kerala state Film award for best singer 15 times. She is the only person to win kerala state film awards most number of times in a row for 11 times.

 She has won almost 77 awards in her career till now, among them few milestones are

Civilian Award
2005 - Padma Shri - India's fourth highest civilian honor
Special Honour:

· 1997 – Kalaimamani Award – Tamil nadu Government

· 2011 – Honorary Doctorate – Sathyabhama University,Tamil nadu

· 2011 – Bharath Ratna Lata Mangeshkar Award – Andhra Pradesh Government for Cultural Council.

National Film Awards:

· 1986 – Best Female Playback Singer – Song: "Padariyen Padippariyen, Naan Oru Sindhu" (Sindhu Bhairavi, Tamil)

· 1987 – Best Female Playback Singer – Song: "Manjal Prasadavum" (Nakhakshathangal, Malayalam)

· 1989 – Best Female Playback Singer – Song: "Indupushpam Choodi Nilkum Raathri" (Vaishali, Malayalam)

· 1996 – Best Female Playback Singer – Song: "Maana Madurai" (Minsaara Kanavu, Tamil)

· 1997 – Best Female Playback Singer – Song: "Payalein Chun Mun" (Virasat, Hindi)

·2004 – Best Female Playback Singer – Song: "Ovvoru Pookalume" (Autograph, Tamil) 

Filmfare Awards South:

· 2004: Best Female Playback Singer – Telugu – "Nuvvostanante" (Varsham)

· 2006: Best Female Playback Singer – Malayalam – "Kalabham Tharam" (Vadakkumnathan)

· 2006: Best Female Playback Singer – Kannada – "Araluva Hoovugale" (Autograph)

· 2008: Best Female Playback Singer – Malayalam – "Oduvil Oru" (Thirakkatha)

· 2009: Best Female Playback Singer – Malayalam – "Kunnathe Konnakyum" (Pazhassiraja)

Bollywood Movie Awards:

· 2004 – Best Playback Singer Female – "Koi Mil Gaya" (Koi Mil Gaya)

Star Screen Awards:

· 1998 – Best Female Playback – "Payale Chummun" (Virasat)

Other Awards:

· 2012 – Thikkurissy Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Naattuvazhiyorathe" (Khaddama)

· 2013 – Maa Music Award for Best Duet Song – "Nee Choopule" with Haricharan (Endukante... Premanta! Telugu Film )

· 2013 - K P Brhamanandan Memorial Awards for Best Female Singer (2013)