KS Chithra- The Nightingale Of South India’s 47 Years Of Melodious Journey
The Living Melody, who garnered the Indian music industry with her mellifluous singing, created history with her sweet melting voice, yet imprinted her contribution to the growth of Indian music, deep and clear. She is none other than the Nightingale of South India and the precious gem of the country KS Chithra, the Indian playback singer.
With a journey spanning over 47 years of creating melodious musical treats, the legendary singer is turning 61 today, July 27. The soul behind numerous songs, which claimed the special status of Evergreen, in the hearts of the people has contributed a lot to the country more than the music. Let’s have a look at the melodious journey of the evergreen artist.
Just like music has no barriers, the legendary singer has none as well, throughout the musical exploration Nightingale has delivered melodies in various Indian languages and blew the breeze in Malay, Latin, Arabic, Sinhalese, English, and French throughout her journey winning hearts across the globe.
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Born and brought up in a musician’s family with a father as a musical enthusiast and a mother as a musical teacher, music has been the language of this legendary singer. Pursuing her passion with a bachelor’s degree in music, she excelled in her skill in Carnatic music from her guru K. Omanakutty. Debuting her playback career director M. G. Radhakrishnan, introduced the singer to the audience with the film Attahasam in 1979.
With her melodious debut in Attahasam, the prowess of the singer blossomed with various accolades receiving her National Award in 1986 for the song Padariyen Padippariyen from the movie Sindhu Bhairavi. Back then it was just a start, now the veteran singer her adorned her shelves with 6 National Awards and 36 State Awards. She was also awarded India’s third-highest civilian honours Padma Bhushan in 2021 and Padma Shri in 2005.
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On making history, she also made an extensive history of collaboration with the best music composers of the country like A. R. Rahman, Ilaiyaraja, Hamsalekha, M. M. Keeravani, and with the playback singers K. J. Yesudas, and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam over the years.
She also represented the country on international stages as the recognition for her talent was not confined to the country, she has also received international recognition including the title Golden Voice of India by the world’s prestigious Royal Albert Hall, London in 2001, became the first Indian woman to be honored by British Parliament at House of Commons, United in 2003, in 2009, She became the first Indian artist to be honored by Government of China while performing live at the Qinghai International River Festival. and again received the title The Greatest Indian Singer of All Times from the British Parliament, United Kingdom in 2024.
With more than 2500 songs all over her career, her song Kannalane/Kehna Hi Kya from the film Bombay (1995) was included in the United Kingdom The Guardian‘s “1000 Songs Everyone Must Hear Before You Die” list. With all this prestigious recognition, the singer just smiles and enjoys her songs, just like she has never been a part of it. With talent, grace, and humblest nature she is the Nightingale of the country.
