Sujatha Mohan (, ), usually credited as Sujatha, is an award winning Indian playback singer who is popular for singing in Malayalam and Tamil movies. She has also sung for Telugu, Kannada and Hindi movies. She is widely popular for her evergreen melodies and her sweet voice is considered to be her biggest asset.
Family
Sujatha Mohan is the granddaughter of
Parur T. K. Narayana Pillai, the first
Chief Minister of the erstwhile
Travancore-Cochin State after
Independence. Her only daughter,
Shweta Mohan, is also a singer.
Career
Sujatha was shot to fame in the seventies as
Baby Sujatha, the schoolgirl who regularly used to sing with
K. J. Yesudas in his stage shows all over the world. She recorded her first song, "Kannezhuthy Pottuthottu" when she was in sixth standard. The song was composed by
M. K. Arjunan for the 1975 Malayalam movie
Tourist Bungalow. She recorded songs for
Shyam in
Kamam Krodham Moham and
Salil Chowdhury in
Aparadhi. Around this time, composer
M. G. Radhakrishnan got her to record many non-film songs; the biggest hit among them was "Odakkuzhal Vili".
She debuted in Tamil films through the song "Kaadhal Oviyam Kandein", but it was not included in the film. Her first released song in Tamil was "Kalai Paniyil" from the Tamil film Gayathri (1977), starring Sridevi and Rajinikanth with music by Ilaiyaraja. She sang for Ilaiyaraaja in Johnny, Kavikuyil and Ilamai Kolangal. After her marriage in 1981, she took a sabbatical from playback singing. She made a successful comeback in 1988 through Kadathanadan Ambadi, followed by the superhit Chithram.
She used to sing ad jingles in the late 1980s for A. R. Rahman (such as a Remanika Sarees ad). Then, Rahman got her to sing "Pudhu Vellai Mazhai" from Mani Ratnam's 1992 film Roja, which became one of the biggest hit songs in India. The backing vocals for the song "Kadhal Roja" were also performed by Sujatha. She has had other hit songs, most of them with Rahman from films including Pudhiya Mugam (1992), Gentleman (1993), Jeans and Minsaara Kanavu (1997). She has also recorded some songs in Hindi, including "Dil Hai Sanam" (the Hindi version of "Thee Thee") from Chor Chor (Thiruda Thiruda), "Ishq Bina" from Taal, "Hai Jaana" from Pukar and "Ishwar Allah" from Earth, and provided backing vocals for the song "Tum Ho Meri Nigahom" from Kabhi Na Kabhi, all of them composed by A. R. Rahman. She has had many of her notable and successful songs under the musical direction of A. R. Rahman.
She had a strong comeback in the Malayalam film industry in the mid-1990s and most of her notable Malayalam songs were composed by Vidyasagar. Most of her hit songs from Telugu are composed by Mani Sharma.
Popular songs
Tamil Hits
{|class="wikitable"
! Year !! Song Title !! Film !! Music Director
|-
|rowspan="2"| 1992 || "
Pudhu Vellai Mazhai" ||rowspan="2"|
Roja ||rowspan="2"|
A. R. Rahman
|-
| "
Kadhal Rojave"
|-
|rowspan="3"| 1993 || "Netru Illatha Matram" ||
Pudhiya Mugam ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
| "Enveetu Thottathil" ||
Gentleman ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
| "Aathangara Marame" ||
Kizhakku Cheemayile ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
|rowspan="5"| 1994 || "Kathirikka Kathirikka" || ''
Duet ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
| "
Kaatru Kuthirayile" ||
Kadhalan ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
| "Porale Ponnuthayi"* ||
Karuththamma ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
| "Vaadi Sathukkudi" ||
Pudhiya Mannargal ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
| "Innal Oru Ponnal" ||
Manitha Manitha ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
|rowspan="4"| 1995 || "Malarodu Malaringu" ||rowspan="2"|
Bombay ||rowspan="2"|
A. R. Rahman
|-
| "Idhu Annai Bhoomi"
|-
| "Ini Achham Illai" ||
Indira ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
| "Thilana Thilana" ||
Muthu ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
|rowspan="5"| 1996 || "Rukku Rukku" ||rowspan="2"|
Avvai Shanmughi ||
Deva
|-
| "Kaadhala Kaadhala"
|-
| "Naalai Ulagam" || ''
Love Birds ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
| "Mellisaye" ||
Mr. Romeo ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
| "Chittu Chittu Kuruvi" ||
Ullathai Allitha || Sirpi
|-
|rowspan="5"| 1997 || "Poo Pookkum Osai" ||
Minsara Kanavu ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
| "Oru Pattampoochi" ||
Kadhalukku Mariyadhai ||
Ilayaraja
|-
| "Chandiranai Thottadhu Yaar" ||
Ratchagan ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
| "Chalakku Chalakku" ||rowspan="2"|
Suryavamsam ||rowspan="2"|
S. A. Rajkumar
|-
| "Natchathira Jannalil"
|-
|rowspan="4"| 1998 || "Athisayam" || ''
Jeans ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
| "Saravana Bhava" ||
Kadhala Kadhala ||
Karthik Raja
|-
| "Garuda Garuda" ||
Natpukkaga ||
Deva
|-
| "Yedho Oru Paatu" ||
Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen ||
S. A. Rajkumar
|-
|rowspan="7"| 1999 || "Oru Poyyavadhu" ||
Jodi ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
| "Un Per Solla Asaidhaan" ||rowspan="2"|
Minsara Kanna ||rowspan="2"|
Deva
|-
| "Boy Frienda"
|-
| "Athikalayil Sevalai" ||
Nee Varuvai Ena ||
S. A. Rajkumar
|-
| "Iravaa Pagalaa" ||
Poovellam Kettuppar ||
Yuvan Shankar Raja
|-
| "Mudhal Murai" ||
Sangamam ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
| "Sotta Sotta Tajmahal" ||
Tajmahal ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
|rowspan="5"| 2000 || "Yengal Veettil" ||rowspan="2"|
Vanathai Pola ||rowspan="2"|
S. A. Rajkumar
|-
| "Vaanil Vennila"
|-
| "Purave" ||
Eazhaiyin Sirippil ||
Deva
|-
| "Aruppu Kottai" ||
Vallarasu ||
Deva
|-
| "Aalangatti Mazhai" ||
Thenali ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
|rowspan="17"| 2001 || "Un Azhagukku" ||
Aalavandhan ||
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
|-
| "Vaadi Vaadi Natukkatai" ||
Alli Thanda Vaanam ||
Vidhyasagar
|-
| "Un Samayal Araiyil" ||
Dhill ||
Vidhyasagar
|-
| "Desingu Raja" ||
Dumm Dumm Dumm ||
Karthik Raja
|-
| "Manjal Poosum" ||rowspan="2"|
Friends ||rowspan="2"|
Ilayaraja
|-
| "Penkaloda Potti"
|-
| "Paadava Paadava" ||rowspan="2"|
Little John ||rowspan="2"|
Pravin Mani
|-
| "Hey Mister"
|-
| "Azhagaana Sooriyan" ||
Manadhai Thirudivittai ||
Yuvan Shankar Raja
|-
| "Adhisaya Thirumanam" ||
Paarthale Paravasam ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
| "Chella Nam Veetukku" ||
Poovellam Un Vasam ||
Vidhyasagar
|-
| "Mazhaye O Mazhaye" ||
Punnagai Desam ||
S. A. Rajkumar
|-
| "May Matham Katru" ||
Shahjahan ||
Mani Sharma
|-
| "Rasika Rasika" ||
Star ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
| "Desing Rajathaan" ||
Thavasi ||
Vidhyasagar
|-
| "Kavidhaigal Sollavaa" ||
Ullam Kollai Poguthae ||
Karthik Raja
|-
| "Amul Baby" ||
Vaanchinathan ||
Deva
|-
|rowspan="10"| 2002 || "Maaya Maaya" ||
Baba ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
| "Theendi Theendi" ||
Bala ||
Yuvan Shankar Raja
|-
| "Thiru Thiruda" ||
Five Star || Parasuram
|-
| "Ini Naanum Naanillai" ||
Hey! Nee Romba Azhaga Irukke ||
Srinivas
|-
| "Sundari" ||
Kannathil Muthamittal ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
| "Sakala Kalavallavane" ||
Pammal K Sambantham ||
Deva
|-
| "Kadhal Pisase" ||
Run ||
Vidhyasagar
|-
| "Sil Sil Silala" ||
Unnai Ninaithu || Sirpi
|-
| "Thappu Thandaa" ||
Villain ||
Vidhyasagar
|-
| "Adi One Inch Two Inch" ||
Youth ||
Mani Sharma
|-
|rowspan="6"| 2003 || "Aasai Aasai" ||
Dhool ||
Vidhyasagar
|-
| "Nenjodu" ||
Kadhal Kondein ||
Yuvan Shankar Raja
|-
| "Dholna" ||
Parasuram ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
| "Maankuttiye" ||
Priyamana Thozhi ||
S. A. Rajkumar
|-
| "Thithikkuthe" ||
Thittikudhey ||
Vidhyasagar
|-
| "Azhakooril Poothavale" ||
Thirumalai ||
Vidhyasagar
|-
|rowspan="3"| 2004 || "Nenjam Ellaam" ||
Ayutha Ezhuthu ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
| "Kokkara Kokkarako" ||
Ghilli ||
Vidhyasagar
|-
| "Sakkara Inikkira Sakkara" ||
New ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
|rowspan="3"| 2005 || "Annanoda Paatu" ||
Chandramukhi ||
Vidhyasagar
|-
| "Rangola Hola" ||
Ghajini ||
Harris Jayaraj
|-
| "Mazhaye Mazhaye" ||
June R ||
Sharath
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2006 || "Ennai Konjam Konjam" ||
Aadhi ||
Vidhyasagar
|-
| "Atrai Thingal" ||
Sivappathigaram ||
Vidhyasagar
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2007 || "Ae Manpuru Mangaye" ||
Guru ||
A. R. Rahman
|-
| "Katrin Mozhiye" ||
Mozhi ||
Vidhyasagar
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2008 || "Chellam Chellam" ||
Kuselan ||
G. V. Prakash Kumar
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2010 || "Maanja Maanja" ||
Maanja Velu ||
Mani Sharma
|-
| "Unnai Ninaithadume" ||
Aadu Puli || Sundar C Babu
|-
|}
Malayalam
"Kunu Kune" from Yodha
"Pranayamanithooval" from Azhakiya Ravanan
"Ethrayo Janmamayi" from Summer in Bethlahem
"Varamanjaladiya" from Pranayavarnangal
"Kakkakarumban" from Ee Puzhayum Kadannu
"Perariya" from Soothradharan
"Manju Peyyanu" from Chandranudikkunna Dikhil
"Marannittum" from Randaam Bhavam
"Onnam Kili" from Kilichundan Mampazham
"Kandu Kandu" from Mampazhakkalam
"Thattam Pidichu" from Paradesi
"Aaroraal Pularmazhayil" from Pattalam
"Juneile Nilamazhayil" from Nammal Thammil
Telugu
"Paruvam Vaanaga" from Roja
"Na Cheli Rojave" from Roja
"Naathora Tamashalalo" from Ninne Pelladutha
"Sorry Sorry Sorry" from Bavagaru Bagunnara
"Cheppave Chirugaali" from Okkadu
"Gola Gola Rangola" from Ashok
"Jada Thoti kodithe" from Lakshmi Narasimha
"Kannu Kottina" from Balu
"Manasa Vacha Manasisthe" from Iddaru Mitrulu
"Sukku Sukku" from Lakshyam
"Abbabba Iddu" from Choodalani Vundi
"Yem Pilla Kusalama" from Chennakeshava Reddy
"Shukriya Shukriya" from Nuvve Kavali
"Sundari" from Amrutha
"Swagatham" from Sivaramaraj
"Raja Hamsavo" from Ganesh
"Gutthonkaya" from Kalyana Ramudu
"Chiguraku Chatu Chilaka" from Gudumba Shankar
"Ne Style Nakishtam" from Raghavendra
"Gusa Gusale Gumma Mamillu" from Annayya
"Mokka Jonna Thota" from Subhash Chandra Bose
"Ele Ele Maradala" from Annamayya
"Entha Pani Chesindi Prema" from Dongadu
"Kolo Koloyamma Kolo" from Abhimanyu
Hindi
"Dil Hai Sanam" Chor Chor (Thiruda Thiruda Hindi version)
"Ishq Bina Kya" from Taal
"Hai Jaana" from Pukar
"Tum Ho Meri Nigahom" from Kabhi Na Kabhi
"Ishwar Allah" from 1947 Earth
Malayalam album songs
Ravereyayittum from Pranayamarmaram - 2009
Ee Manjil from ''Spandanam - 2010
Online initiative
Sujatha was among the first mainstream artists to support the
Acethetik initiative, along with
M Jayachandran,
Madhu Balakrishnan,
M G Sreekumar. She recorded "Manju Puthappil" and other songs for the website.
Awards
Sujatha has received several awards and recognitions for her work in the South Indian film musical world.
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards:
2001 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Un Samayal Arayil" from Dhill
1996 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Poo Pookkum Oosai" from Minsara Kanavu
1993 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Netru Illatha Maatram" from Pudhiya Mugam
Kerala State Film Awards:
* 2008 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Bansuri" from Rathri Mazha
1999 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Varamanjaladiya" from Pranayavarnangal
1996 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Pranayamanithooval" from Azhakiya Ravanan
Asianet Film Awards:
* 2004 - Best Female Playback - "Kandu Kandu" from Mampazhakkalam
2001 - Best Female Playback - "Perariya" from Soothradharan
Other prominent awards:
2009 - Swaralaya Yesudas Award
Film Critics Award For Best Female Playback - 11 times
Cinema Express award
Dinakaran award
External links
Sujatha's official website
Songs by Sujatha
Listen to Sujatha's and others' Tamil/Hindi/Telugu songs
A collection of Sujatha's songs
Category:1964 births
Category:Living people
Category:Indian female singers
Category:Indian film singers
Category:Indian Hindus
Category:Kerala State Film Award winners
Category:Kollywood playback singers
Category:Malayalam playback singers
