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Hariharan
Background information
Born	(1955-04-03) 3 April 1955 (age 57) Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
Genres	Ghazal, filmi
Occupations	Singer
Years active	1977–present
Associated acts	Colonial Cousins, Leslie Lewis

Hariharan (Tamil: ஹரிஹரன் born 3 April 1955) is an Indian playback singer who has sung for Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi, Bhojpuri and Telugu films, an established ghazal singer, and one of the pioneers of Indian fusion music. His melody is strongly appreciated by the film fraternity. In 2004, he was honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India and is a two time National Award winner.

Hariharan, associating with Leslie Lewis, formed Colonial Cousins, a two-member band. They have cut many private music albums and also scored music for few feature films in chennai tamil cinema and Bollywoodcinema.

Early life[link]

Born in Kerala (Thiruvananthapuram) he grew up in Mumbai in a Tamil Iyer family, and has bachelor degrees in science and law. He did his collegiate studies from S.I.E.S.College. The son of renowned Carnatic vocalists, Shrimati Alamelu and the late H.A.S. Mani (full name:Anantha Subramani Iyer), he inherited his parents' musical talents. Alamelu was Hariharan's first guru (mentor). From her, he picked up Carnatic music skills. He was also exposed to Hindustani music from a young age. In his teens, inspired by the songs of Mehdi Hassan and Jagjit Singh, Hariharan developed a passion for ghazals and started training in Hindustani music from Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan. He used to put in thirteen hours of singing practice everyday. The committed Hariharan also put heart and soul into learning Urdu when he decided to become a ghazal singer.

Career[link]

Film career[link]

Hariharan performing at A R Rahman's concert, Sydney (2010)

At the start of his career, Hariharan did the concert circuit and also performed on TV. He sang for a number of TV serials (e.g., Junoon). In 1977, he bagged the top prize in the "All India Sur Singaar Competition" and was promptly signed on by the late music director Jaidev to sing for his new Hindi film Gaman (1978). His debut song "Ajeeb Saane He Mujh Par Qarar" in that movie became such a hit that it won him an Uttar Pradesh State Film Award, as well as a National Award nomination.^[1]

Hariharan entered the world of Tamil films in 1992 introduced by debutant music director A.R. Rahman with the patriotic song "Thamizha Thamizha" in Maniratnam's film Roja.^[2] He was judged best male playback singer in the 1995 Tamil Nadu State Government Film Awards for his soulful rendition of the song "Uyire Uyire" also by music director A.R Rahman in Maniratnam's Bombay (Hariharan sang the song with K.S. Chithra). Hariharan has been one of the most trusted singers of Rahman and has sung many songs for him in long list of movies that includes Muthu, Minsara Kanavu, Jeans, Indian, Mudhalvan, Taal, Rangeela, Indira, Iruvar, Anbe Aaruyire, Kangalal Kaithu Sei, Sivaji, Alaipayuthey, Kannathil Muthamittal, Guru, Enthiran etc. In 1998, Hariharan won the national award for the best playback singer for the soulful rendition of the song "Mere Dushman Mere Bhai" from the Hindi movie Border, composed by Anu Malik. Hariharan got another National Award for the Marathi song "Jiv Rangla" from Jogwa, set to tune by Ajay Atul in the year 2009.^[3]

He has sung more than 500 Tamil songs and nearly a thousand Hindi songs. He has also sung hundreds of songs in Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi and Bengali languages.

Hariharan has acted in a Tamil film with Khushboo, Power of Women, and played cameo roles in the Tamil film Boys and the Malayalam film Millennium Stars.

Ghazals[link]

Hariharan is one of the foremost Indian ghazal singers and composers with more than thirty albums to his credit.^[4] In his early career, he cut several successful ghazal albums, writing most of the scores himself. One of Hariharan's first ghazal albums was Aabshar-e-Ghazal with Asha Bhonsle, which went gold in sales.^[4] Another outstanding ghazal album was Gulfam, which not only hit double platinum in sales but also fetched Hariharan the Diva Award for the Best Album of the Year in 1994.^[4] The other major ghazal albums by him are Hazir (1992), Jashn (1996), Halka Nasha (1996), Paigham (1997), Kaash (2000), Lahore Ke Rang Hari Ke Sang (2005), and Guftagoo.^[4] His live concert recordings, Hariharan in Concert (1990), Saptarishi (1996) and Swar Utsav (2001) were run away successes. His latest ghazal album is Lafzz... (2008). Hariharan worked with tabla maestro Zakir Hussain on his album Hazir.^[4] The album Lahore Ke Rang Hari Ke Sang with renowned ghazal composers from Pakistan won him rave reviews and critical acclaim inside and outside India. A.R. Rahman was an avid listener of his ghazals way before roping him in to sing his first song in Tamil film music, "Thamizha Thamizha", for the film Roja.

Colonial Cousins[link]

The year 1996 was a career milestone; he formed the band Colonial Cousins with Mumbai-based composer and singer Leslie Lewis.^[5] Their first album, Colonial Cousins was a fusion album and was the first Indian act to be featured on MTV Unplugged.^[6] It won a string of awards including the MTV Indian Viewers' Choice award and Billboard Award for the Best Asian Music Group.^[4][6] By this single album, Hariharan established himself as one of the pioneers of Indian fusion music. The next albums by this band were The Way We Do It (1998) and Aatma (2001) but were fairly noticed. 2009 Tamil film Modhi Vilayadu had score and soundtrack composed by Colonial Cousins.^[7] They also scored the 2010 Tamil film Chikku Bukku.

Recent years[link]

In 2004, he was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri and Yesudas Award for his outstanding performance in music.^[8][9]

Hariharan collaborated with Pakistan based band Strings for a track called "Bolo Bolo".^[10] He released an album called Destiny with Punjabi / bhangra artist Daler Mehndi.^[11] He also coined the terminology "Urdu Blues" with his fairly successful album Kaash which featured musicians like Anandan Sivamani the percussion maestro, Ustad Rashid Mustafa on tabla, Ustad Liyaqat Ali Khan on sitar and Ustad Sultan Khan on sarangi. He also performed the Swagatham song in the 2010 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony held in New Delhi on 3 October.^[12]

He is currently appearing in a music show in Jaya TV named Hari Yudan Naan which is aired every Thursday, Friday and Saturdays at 9PM.^[13]

Hariharan collaborated with Sarangan Sriranganathan for "Sruthi" at the Sydney Hill Centre and the Melbourne Robert Blackwood Hall Australia in 2011^[14]

Hariharan has been selected as judge for Asianet Star Singer Season 6 programme, a very popular music contest television show for upcoming singers in Malayalam.

Major awards[link]

Civilian Awards

• 2004 – Padma Shri^[8]

National Film Awards

• 1998 – National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer: "Mere Dushman", Border
• 2009 – National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer: "Jeev Dangla Gungla Rangla", Jogva^[3]

Kerala State Film Awards

• 2011 – Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer – for the song "Pattu Paaduvaan" in the film "Pattinte Palazhi" music by Dr. Suresh Manimala

Swaralaya-Kairali-Yesudas Award

• 2004 – For his outstanding contribution to Indian film music^[9]

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

• 2004 – Best Male Playback Singer – for various films
• 1995 – Best Male Playback Singer – for the song "Koncha Naal" in the film Aasai

Nandi Awards

• 1999 – Best Male Playback Singer – for the song "Hima Semalloyallo" in the film Annayya

Asianet Film Awards

• 2011 – Best Male Playback Singer – for "Aaro Padunnu" from Katha Thudarunnu^[15]

Filmfare Awards South

• 2011 – Best Male Playback Singer – for "Aaro Padunnu" from Katha Thudarunnu

Discography[link]

Featured Albums[link]

Filmography[link]

For a complete list of major film songs, see Hariharan discography.

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Hariharan

• Hariharan at the Internet Movie Database

Anuradha Sriram
Background information
Birth name	Anuradha
Born	(1970-07-09) July 9, 1970 (age 41) Chennai, India
Genres	Playback singing, Carnatic and Hindustani MusicTV host Dubbing Artist
Occupations	Singer
Years active	1995–present

Anuradha Sriram (born 9 July 1970) is an Indian carnatic and playback singer who hails from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. She has sung in many Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi films.

Early life[link]

Anuradha Sriram Parasuram was born in Chennai to playback singer Renuka Devi and Meenakshi Sundaram Mohan in Chennai. She completed her Bachelors in Music from Queen Mary's College, Chennai and Masters Degree in Queen Mary's College Chennai. Anu is a Gold medalist in UG and PG. She received Govt Scholarship for her higher studies in Abroad (U.S). She learned Carnatic Classical music from the musical giant S. Kalyanaraman and Hindustani Classical Music from Manik Bua Takurdas.

Anuradha is from a Tamil Iyer family and completed her Master's in Ethnomusicology from Wesleyan University, U.S. (where one of her professors and mentors was T. Viswanathan) prior to her foray into music. She also studied Western classical opera music in the U.S.

Career[link]

Anuradha Sriram debuted with Tamil Cinema industry in the song "Malarodu Malaringu" from Bombay (film). in the year 1995 when she sang for AR Rahman. Her first solo was for A R Rahman in Indira.

She specializes in Carnatic music and has sung in over 1000 concerts worldwide. She is keenly interested in folk music. She has featured in a number of jugalbandhi or fusion concerts along with her husband, Sriram Parasuram, is a Hindustani maestro^[1]. She has sung more than 3000 songs in various languages.

Films[link]

Anuradha's cine career was triggered by her proficiency in the different raagas in Carnatic music and her distinguished educational background in music. She was eventually spotted by A. R. Rahman who gave her a chance in Ini Accham Accham Illai from Indira. Later, she worked with him in many hit film songs like Anbendra from Minsara Kanavu, Dil Se Re from Dil Se.., Anbe Anbe from Jeans, Ishwar Allah from Earth, Ishq Bina from Taal, Kaattu Sirukki from Raavanan ettc.

Personal life[link]

Anuradha Sriram is married to singer Sriram Parasuram (who received his Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology from Wesleyan, where he met Anuradha when she was a masters student)^[2].^[3] They have two sons named Jayant and Lokesh.

Filmography[link]

Anuradha has been active in films since 1997^[4].

Year	Song Title	Film Name	Language	Music Director
2012	"Sundara Purusha"	Murattu Kalai	Tamil	Srikanth Deva
2011	"Mele Mele"	Makaramanju	Malayalam	Ramesh Narayanan
	"Ore Kina"	Sevens	Malayalam	Bijibal
2010	"Empillo Apple O"	Ragada	Telugu	Thaman
	"Nudisale"	Kiccha Huccha	Kannada	S. Narayan
	"Kaanala Chilaka"	Villain	Telugu	A. R. Rahman
	"Kaattu Sirukki"	Raavanan	Tamil	A. R. Rahman
	"Ranjha Ranjha"	Raavan	Hindi	A. R. Rahman
2009	"Zulfane Khol"	Do Knot Disturb	Hindi	Nadeem-Shravan
	"Samba"	Daddy Cool	Malayalam	Bijibal
	"Sithhana Vaasalil"	Ragavan	Tamil	Gangai Amaran
2008	"Mozha Mozhannu"	Kuruvi	Tamil	Vidhyasagar
	"Aaha Biduru Bombege"	Gaalipata	Kannada	V. Harikrishna
	"Namma Ooru Nallarukku"	Seval	Tamil	G. V. Prakash Kumar
2007	"Pulari Ponn Prave"	Flash	Malayalam	Gopi Sundar
	"Pondicherry Sarakku"	Manikanda	Tamil	Deva
	"Inji Inji"	Manikanda	Tamil	Deva
	"Mama Mama Mama"	Manikanda	Tamil	Deva
2006	"Masti Maro"	Bangaram	Telugu	Vidhyasagar
	"Olli Olli Iduppey"	Aathi	Tamil	Dheena
	"Kode Kode Kobbarimithai"	Suntaragaali	Kannada	Sadhu Kokila
	"Vastaava"	Vikramarkudu	Telugu	M. M. Keeravani
2005	"Thai Maasam"	Majaa	Tamil	Vidhyasagar
	"Teri Kurti Sexy"	Vaada	Hindi	Himesh Reshammiya
	"Oh Priyasakhi"	Priyasakhi	Tamil	Bharadwaj
	"Nee Peru"	February 14	Tamil	Bharadwaj
	"Sanje Sooryane"	7'O Clock	Kannada	M. S. Madhukar
	"Goyyango"	Idhaya Thirudan	Tamil	Bharadwaj
	"Thachhuko Thachhuko"	Ponniyin Selvan	Tamil	Vidhyasagar
	"Appan Panna Thappula"	Thirupaachi	Tamil	Dheena
	"Uyire En Uyire"	Thotti Jaya	Tamil	Harris Jayaraj
2004	"Ae Sangdil Sanam"	Tum - A Dangerous Obsession	Hindi	Anu Malik
	"Jhin Min Jhini"	Maqbool	Hindi	Vishal Bharadwaj
	"Appadi Podu"	Ghilli	Tamil	Vidhyasagar
2003	"Someday O Someday"	Dum	Hindi	Sandeep Chowta
	"Bhangra Paa Le"	Talaash: The Hunt Begins	Hindi	Sanjeev Darshan
	"Okka Maggadu"	Seethaiah	Telugu	M. M. Keeravani
	"Cheli Chedugudu"	Gemini	Telugu	R. P. Patnaik
2002	"O Podu"	Gemini	Tamil	Bharadwaj
	"Dollu Dollu"	Mazhamegha Pravukal	Malayalam	Sree Ram
	"Vaaleduthhal"	Meesa Madhavan	Malayalam	Vidhyasagar
	"Kaan Ke Neeche"	Chor Machaaye Shor	Hindi	Anu Malik
	"Chadh Gayi Chadh Gayi"	Chor Machaaye Shor	Hindi	Anu Malik
	"Tum Tata Ho Ya Birla"	Chor Machaaye Shor	Hindi	Anu Malik
	"Dupatta"	Jeena Sirf Merre Liye	Hindi	Nadeem-Shravan
	"Chori Chori"	Om Jai Jagadish	Hindi	Anu Malik
	"Mujhe Rab Se Pyaar"	Ab Ke Baras	Hindi	Anu Malik
	"Aakashame Akaramaai"	Sri Manjunatha	Telugu, Kannada	Hamsalekha
2001	"Hari Gori"	Majunu	Tamil	Harris Jayaraj
	"Kalli Adi Kalli"	Nandha	Tamil	Yuvan Shankar Raja
	"Aayiye Aajaayiye"	Lajja	Hindi	Anu Malik
	"Chunari Chunari"	Monsoon Wedding	Multilingual	Anu Malik
	"Once Upon A Time In India"	Lagaan	Hindi	A. R. Rahman
	"Band Kamre Mein"	Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi	Hindi	Anu Malik
	"Malai Malai"	Chocklet	Hindi	Deva
	"Oru Ponnu Onnu"	Kushi	Tamil	Deva
	"Dupatta"	Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai	Hindi	Anu Malik
	"Satrangi"	Deewaanapan	Hindi	Aadesh Shrivastav
	Maangalya Kaalam	Vakkalathu Narayanankutty	Malayalam	Mohan Sithara
	"Raaja Raaja"	Preethsod Thappa	Kannada	Hamsalekha
	"Bangaaradinda"	Preethsod Thappa	Kannada	Hamsalekha
	"Sone Sone"	Preethsod Thappa	Kannada	Hamsalekha
2000	"Ammammalu Taatayyalu"	Nuvve Kavali	Telugu	Koti
	"Poo Virinjaachu"	Mugavaree	Tamil	Deva
	"Ethanai Manikku"	Karisakattu Poove	Tamil	Ilaiyaraaja
	"Roja Poonthottam"	Kannukkul Nilavu	Tamil	Ilaiyaraaja
	"Prem Jaal"	Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain	Hindi	Anand Raj Anand
1999	"Devudu Karunisthadani"	Prema Katha	Telugu	Sandeep Chowta
	"Pacific Lo"	Kalisundam Raa	Telugu	S. A. Rajkumar
	"Ishq Bina Kya"	Taal	Hindi	A. R. Rahman
	"Kaadhal Illamal"	Taalam	Tamil	A. R. Rahman
	"Chunari Chunari"	Biwi No.1	Hindi	Anu Malik
	"Nee Endhan Vaanam"	Monisha En Monalisa	Tamil	T. Rajendar
	"Vaanam Paadudhe"	Vaali	Tamil	Deva
	"Nilavai Konduvaa"	Vaali	Tamil	Deva
1998	"Chinna Chinna Kiliye"	Kannedhirey Thondrinal	Tamil	Deva
	"Dil Se Re"	Dil Se..	Hindi	A. R. Rahman
	"Santhosha Kannere"	Uyire	Tamil	A. R. Rahman
	"Anbe Anbe Kolladhe"	Jeans	Tamil	A. R. Rahman
	"Ishwar Allah"	1947 Earth	Hindi	A. R. Rahman
	"Kushalave Kshemave"	Yaare Neenu Cheluve	Kannada	Hamsalekha
	"Dayana Dayana"	Yaare Neenu Cheluve	Kannada	Hamsalekha
	"Ek Tarf Hai"	Gharwali Baharwali	Hindi	Anu Malik
	"Jo Tum Kaho"	Chhota Chetan	Hindi	Anu Malik
1997	"Pehli Pehli Baar"	Zor	Hindi	Agosh
	"Anbendra Mazhayilae"	Minsaara Kanavu	Tamil	A. R. Rahman
	"Maaro Maaro"	Suswagatham	Telugu	S. A. Rajkumar
	"Pelli Kala"	Preminchunkondam Raa	Telugu	Mahesh[disambiguation needed ]
1996	"Nalam Nalamariya Aaval"	Kadhal Kottai	Tamil	Deva
	"Un Uthattora"	Panchalankurichi	Tamil	Deva
	"Vantheyalla"	Panchalankurichi	Tamil	Deva
1995	"Ini Achham Illai"	Indira	Tamil	A. R. Rahman

References[link]

External links[link]

• Fans of Anuradha Sriram on Yahoo Music
• Interview of Anuradha Sriram
• Not quite a jugalbandhi!

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (May 2010)

Colonial Cousins is a band formed by Indian duo composed of singer Hariharan and singer-composer Leslie Lewis. They also have a largely successful career as solo artists as well. Their unique brand of music fused Indian and Western musical genres instantly won the hearts of young and old alike.^[1] The album hit platinum in sales in India alone and consistently busted the Indian music charts in 1996. Award upon award was piled on the duo, notably the MTV Asia Viewers' Choice Award, 1996, and the US Billboard's Viewers' Award, 1996. On 19 November 1998, the Colonial Cousins released their second album, The Way We Do It. They also released their third album Aatma on January 1, 2001. They have scored two Tamil films, Modhi Vilayadu (2009) and Chikku Bukku (2010).

History[link]

Formation[link]

It was during Lewis's jingles career that the idea of Colonial Cousins was conceived. Lezz had called in Hariharan to sing a jingle for him one evening in 1992. The lyrics for the jingle were late coming in. The restless Lezz began crooning something while strumming on his guitar, Hari felt inspired to jam with an alaap, and the result: the seamless fusion of Eastern and Western sounds that has become the quintessential characteristic of the Colonial Cousins.

When Hariharan and Leslie Lewis formed Colonial Cousins, little did they realise that their foray into popular vocal fusion would make them the hottest act in town. Being a ghazal singer in the Indian music industry for over two decades, Hariharan is well versed in Carnatic and Hindustani music. Besides releasing several ghazal albums, Hariharan has also lent his voice to many Hindi and Tamil films, and ended up winning several awards including the National Award as Best Singer for his song "Mere Dushman Mere Bhai" from the film Border.

Debut album[link]

In October 1996, under Magnasound Label, the duo released their debut album self-titled Colonial Cousins. The album broke all records including hitting platinum sales in India. The duo also won the MTV Asia Viewer's Choice Award and then later on bagged the US Billboard Viewer's Choice Award too.^[2] The song "Krishna" won the Star Videocon Award for Best Music Video.^[3] The exceptional Indian and Western music fusion generated a new genre of music and won hearts of millions of music lovers worldwide.

Their debut album opened up the doors for Indian sounds to be used in western sounding songs. The style is essentially fusion, with a lot of songs opening with recognisable Hindustani or Carnatic ragas and then segueing into a more pop style. A further cachet to the album is that the musicians who worked on it range from Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, winner of a Grammy Award for his invention of the 14-stringed guitar, to sessions musicians who have worked with the likes of Madonna, Boy George, Annie Lennox and other big names in the Western world. It was the first Indian act to be featured on MTV Unplugged.^[2]

The album had two major hit singles "Krishna" and "Sa Ni Dha Pa" ("Never Know the Reason") for both of which their music videos were repeatedly played on music channels.

[edit] The Way We Do It

The first Colonial Cousins album was a tour de force. On November 19, 1998, their second album, a sophomore effort, The Way We Do It, was a continuation of, and a departure from, that first effort. Lyrically low-key, musically rich and groove-ridden, this album saw Hari and Lezz establish themselves as India's premier fusion artists.

The album was a continuation in musical terms to the extent that Lezz and Hari had done what they do best individually, and fused it into a format that enriches and complements each other. That said, the album was also a departure sound-wise from their eponymous first album. While that has a softer sound to it, their second album was edgier and groovier.

The album has some successful singles like the title track "Way We Do It With You". Srinivas playing on it, "Dekhoon Main Jahan" penned by talented lyricist Javed Akhtar, "No Longer Mine" and "Lady".

[edit] Aatma

After two-and-a-half years in hibernation, Indipop fusion band Colonial Cousins, sprung into action with their third album Aatma. Released in April 2001, under the Sony label, the nine-track album was a delectable fusion of Indian vocals and contemporary instrumentation. Besides being busy in playback singing Hariharan had cut a ghazal album Kaash the previous year, while Lewis has been busy composing jingles and producing music.

Hariharan, an exponent of Carnatic music trained in Hindustani gayaki under the tutelage of Padamshree Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, displays vocal skills in his rich baritone in songs like “Guiding Star”, “Mata Pita” and "Dheem Dheem Dhirena".

Lewis, on the other hand, chips in with the pop element. While the English lyrics Lewis sings have depth and meaning, his vocals are delightfully sweet at places. One can easily detect a conscious attempt on his part to infuse his singing with emotion. Still, the saving grace of “Aatma” is the emphatic presence of Hariharan.

There is also a song "I Love You Girl" which Hariharan has dedicated to his daughter Divya. Its title "I love you girl", for Divya when "I’m Gone" says everything.

In Aatma, they have got back to square one and incorporated the same sounds and style that music buffs have come to identify with them.

[edit] Modhi Vilayadu

In 2009, the Colonial Cousins made a debut as music composers for Tamil film Modhi Vilayadu directed by Saran. The director of the film required a new trend of music and so roped in the Indipop duo thus opening doors for them to the Tamil Film Industry.^[4]

[edit] Chikku Bukku

Colonial Cousins scored their second soundtrack for the film Chikku Bukku (2010). Its audio was released on 13 August.^[5]

Discography[link]

• Colonial Cousins (1996)
• The Way We Do It (1998)
• Aatma (2001)
• Modhi Vilayadu (2009)
• Chikku Bukku (2010)

Awards and achievements[link]

• 1997: MTV Asia Viewer's Choice Award for Colonial Cousins
• US Billboard Viewer's Choice Award

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official Blog site
• Colonial Cousins catch the aatma of Indipop fusion [1]
• The Post “Colonial” Hariharan [2]

Shreya Ghoshal
Shreya Ghoshal at X Factor Finalists Introduction
Background information
Birth name	Shreya Ghoshal
Born	(1984-03-12) March 12, 1984 (age 28)
Origin	Durgapur, West Bengal, India
Genres	Ghazal, Filmi, Hindustani classical music
Occupations	Singer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1998–present
Labels	Sagarika
Website	shreyaghoshal.com

Shreya Ghoshal (born March 12, 1984) is an Indian singer. Best known as a playback singer in Hindi films, she also sings in other Indian languages including Bengali, Assamese, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya,^[1] Gujarati, Tamil and Telugu.

Ghoshal's career began when she won the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa contest as an adult. Her Bollywood playback singing career began with Devdas, for which she received National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer along with Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer and Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent.^[2] Since then, she has worked in more than 180 films and received four National Film Awards, four Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer and four Filmfare Awards South.

Biography[link]

Early years[link]

Ghoshal was born on March 12, 1984 to a Bengali Hindu family in Durgapur, West Bengal. She grew up in Rawatbhata, a small town near Kota, Rajasthan. Her father, Mr. Biswajeet Ghoshal, works as a nuclear power plant engineer for the Nuclear Power Corporation of India, whereas her mother is a literature post-graduate.^[3]

From the age of four, Ghoshal accompanied her mother on the harmonium. She got training in Hindustani classical music in Kota with Maheshchandra Sharma.^[4]

As a child, she won the children's special episode of the Sa Re Ga Ma (now Sa Re Ga Ma Pa) contest on Zee TV. Kalyanji, who also judged the competition, convinced her parents to move to Mumbai.^[5] She trained with Kalyanji for 18 months and continued her classical music training with Mukta Bhide in Mumbai.^[4]

She studied at Atomic Energy Central School (AECS) at Rawatbhata and Anushaktinagar (Mumbai). After graduation she enrolled at SIES College.^[3]

Career[link]

Shreya Ghoshal caught the attention of director Sanjay Leela Bhansali when she participated in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa for a second time, this time as an adult.^[2] In 2000, he offered her the opportunity to be the voice of Paro, the lead female character of the film Devdas, who was portrayed by Aishwarya Rai.^[2] Ghoshal sang five songs in the film. Her performance won her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer, as well as Filmfare's RD Burman Award for New Music Talent. She also won the National Film Award for the song "Bairi Piya".^[6]

She has received Filmfare awards in Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, and Kannada industries and State Film Awards from Malayalam, Tamil industries. She debuted in South through the song "Yen Chellam" in Vasantha Balan's Tamil film Album and got noticed after singing "Munbe Vaa" from Sillunu Oru Kaadhal under composer A. R. Rahman.^[7] She debuted in Malayalam through a studio album of composer Alphons Joseph and later gave voice to his song "Vida Parayukayano" from Big B.^[8] Her songs in Malayalam film Anwar became huge hits in South India and topped many charts for weeks. In 2010, Shreya sang for the English independent film "When Harry Tries to Marry"

She has also been a judge for Star Voice Of India-Chhote Ustaad with singer Kunal Ganjawala and composer Pritam.^[9] Ghoshal was one of the three judges in X Factor (India) with Sonu Nigam and Sanjay Leela Bhansali.^[10]

Discography[link]

• Bendhechhi Beena (1998)
• O Tota Pakhi Re (1998)
• Ekti Katha (1999)
• Mukhor Porag (2000)
• Rupasi Raate (2000)
• Banomali Re (2002)
• Jabo Tepantor (2003)
• Akasher Mukhomukhi (2002)
• Swapner Pakha (2003)
• Thikana (2006)
• Ustad & the Divas (2006)
• Krishna Bina Ache Ke (2007)
• Kanadau Vitthalu (2007)
• Big B (Malayalam,2007)
• Jete Daao Amay (2008)
• Mazhi Gaani – Shreya Ghoshal (2008)
• A Tribute to R. D. Burman (2010)
• Ei Aakash Tomari
• Milan Piyasi
• Rim Jhim
• Tumi Bolo Ami Shuni

Screen[link]

• 2003: Ghoshal made an on-screen appearance in the Saaya film song "Har Taraf"
• 2011: First advertisement for jewellery store Joyalukkas in 5 languages (Hindi,^[11] Kannada,^[12] Malayalam,^[13] Tamil,^[14] Telugu^[15])

Awards, nominations and recognitions[link]

National Film Awards^[16]

• 2003: National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Bairi Piya" (Devdas – Hindi)
• 2006: National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Dheere Jalna" (Paheli – Hindi)
• 2008: National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Yeh Ishq Haaye" (Jab We Met – Hindi)
• 2009: National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Jeev Rangala" (Jogwa – Marathi) & "Pherari Mon" (Antaheen – Bengali)

Filmfare Awards^[16]

Won

• 2003: Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent
• 2003: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (shared with Kavita Krishnamurthy) – "Dola Re" (Devdas)
• 2004: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai" (Jism)
• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Barso Re" (Guru)
• 2009: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Teri Ore" (Singh Is Kinng)

Nominated

• 2003: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Bairi Piya" (Devdas)
• 2006: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Agar Tum Mil Jao" (Zeher)
• 2006: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Piyu Bole" (Parineeta)
• 2007: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Pal Pal Har Pal" (Lage Raho Munna Bhai)
• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Yeh Ishq Haaye" (Jab We Met)
• 2010: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Zoobi Doobi" (3 Idiots)
• 2011: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Bahara" (I Hate Luv Storys)
• 2011: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Noor-e-Khuda" (My Name Is Khan)
• 2012: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Teri Meri" (Bodyguard)
• 2012: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Saibo" (Shor in the City)

Filmfare Awards South^[16]

Won

• 2006: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Tamil) – "Munbe Vaa" (Sillunu Oru Kaadhal)
• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Ninna Nodalenthu" (Mussanjemaatu)
• 2010: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Malayalam) – "Kizhakku Pookkum"(Anwar)^[17]
• 2010: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Tamil) – "Un Perai Sollum" (Angadi Theru)^[17]

Nominated

• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Aakasha Bhoomi" (Mussanjemaatu)^[18]
• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Moggina Manasali" (Moggina Manasu)^[18]
• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Tamil) – "Then Then" (Kuruvi)^[18]
• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Telugu) – "Merupulaa" (Chintakayala Ravi)^[18]
• 2009: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Tamil) – "Oru Vetkam" (Pasanga)^[19]
• 2009: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Hoovina Banadhande"(Birugali)
• 2009: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Yenu Helabeku" (Maleyali Jotheyali)
• 2009: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Malayalam) – "Chandhu Thottille" (Banaras)
• 2010: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Eradu Jedeyannu"(Jackie)^[20]
• 2010: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Yello Jinugiruva"(Just Math Mathalli)^[20]
• 2010: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Malayalam) – "Manju Mazha Kaattil"(Aagathan)^[20]

IIFA Awards^[16]

Won

• 2003: IIFA Best Female Playback Award (shared with Kavita Krishnamurthy) – "Dola Re" (Devdas)
• 2004: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai" (Jism)
• 2008: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Barso Re" (Guru)
• 2009: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Teri Ore" (Singh Is Kinng)

Nominated^[21]

• 2006: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Piyu Bole" (Parineeta)
• 2007: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Pal Pal Har Pal" (Lage Raho Munna Bhai)
• 2008: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Yeh Ishq Haaye" (Jab We Met)
• 2008: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Thode Badmash" (Saawariya)
• 2008: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Mere Dholna" (Bhool Bhulaiyaa)
• 2010: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Zoobi Doobi" (3 Idiots)
• 2011: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Bahara" (I Hate Luv Storys)

Zee Cine Awards^[16]

Won

• 2003: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer (shared with Kavita Krishnamurthy) – "Dola Re" (Devdas)
• 2006: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer – "Piyu Bole" (Parineeta)
• 2008: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer – "Barso Re" (Guru)
• 2012: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer - "Saibo" (Shor in the City)

Nominated^[21]

• 2007: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer – "So Jaoon Main" (Woh Lamhe)
• 2012: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer - "oh la la" (The Dirty Picture)
• 2012: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer - "Teri meri" (Bodyguard)

Screen Awards^[16]

Won

• 2004: Screen Award for Best Female Playback – "Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai" (Jism)
• 2006: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Piyu Bole" (Parineeta)
• 2008: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Barso Re" (Guru)
• 2011: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Bahara" (I Hate Luv Storys)^[22]
• 2012: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback - "Oh La La" (The Dirty Picture)

Nominated^[21]

• 2007: Screen Award for Best Female Playback – "O Saathi Re" (Omkara)
• 2008: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Yeh Ishq Hai" (Jab We Met)
• 2009: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Teri Ore" (Singh Is Kinng)
• 2010: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Zoobi Doobi" (3 Idiots)
• 2011: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Noor E Khuda" (My Name Is Khan)

State Film Awards^[16]

• 2006: Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback – "Munbe Vaa" (Sillunu Oru Kaadhal)
• 2009: Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer – "Chandhu Thottille" (Banaras)

Apsara Awards^[16]

Won

• 2008: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Barso Re" (Guru)^[23]
• 2009: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Teri Ore" (Singh Is Kinng)^[21]
• 2010: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai" (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi)^[24]
• 2012: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer - "Teri Meri" (Bodyguard)

Nominated^[21]

• 2005: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Piyu Bole" (Parineeta)
• 2008: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Yeh Ishq Hai" (Jab We Met)
• 2009: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Aahista Aahista" (Bachna Ae Haseeno)
• 2010: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Aaj Dil" (Blue)
• 2011: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Bahara" (I Hate Luv Storys)
• 2012: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer - "Saibo" (Shor in the City)

Global Indian Film and Television Honours

Nominated

• 2006: Global Indian Film Awards for Best Playback Singer (Female) – "O Saathi Re" (Omkara)^{[citation needed]}
• 2007: Global Indian Film Awards for Best Playback Singer (Female) – "Pal Pal Har Pal" (Lage Raho Munna Bhai)^{[citation needed]}
• 2011: The Global Indian Film And Television Honors for Best Playback Singer Female – "Bahara" (I Hate Luv Storys)^{[citation needed]}

Winner

• 2012: The Global Indian Film And Television Honors for Best Playback Singer Female - "oh la la" (The Dirty Picture)

Asianet Film Awards

• 2011: Asianet Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Manjumazha" (Aagathan)
• 2012: Asianet Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer - Pranayam, Rathinirvedam

Other Awards^[16]

• 2003: Sansui Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Dola Re" (Devdas)
• 2003: Stardust Award – New Musical Sensation (Female) – (Devdas)^[25]
• 2004: Indian Telly Awards – Best Title Singer for a TV Show (Ye Meri Life Hai)
• 2005: Anandalok Puraskar – Best Playback Singer – (Manik)
• 2005: ETV Bangla Film Awards – Best Playback Singer – Female
• 2006: Bengal Film Journalists' Association – Best Female Playback Award – Shubho Drishti
• 2008: Zee Astitva Award – Excellence in Music
• 2009: Mirchi Music Award – Best Female Playback Singer (Kannada) – "Na Naguva Modalene" (Manasaare)^[26]
• 2009: Mirchi Music Award – Best Female Playback Singer (Malayalam) – "Chandhu Thottille" (Banaras)^[26]
• 2010: BIG Bangla Music Award – BIG Bangla singer of the year (Female)
• 2010: Gulf Malayalam Music Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Anuragavilochananayi" (Neelathamara)
• 2010: Star Anando Sera Bengali Award
• 2011: Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Manjumazha" (Aagathan)^[27]
• 2011: Vijay Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Mannippaya" (Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa)^[28][29]
• 2011: Vijay Music Awards – "Mannippaya" (Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa)^[30]
• 2011: Swaralaya Yesudas Award^[31]
• 2012: Big Star Entertainment Award for Best Female Singer - "Teri Meri" (Bodyguard)
• 2012: Maa Music Award for Best Female Singer - "Chali Chaliga" (Mr. Perfect) and "Seeta Seemantam"(Sri Rama Rajyam)

See also[link]

• List of Indian playback singers

References[link]