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Nithyasree Mahadevan

Nithyasree Mahadevan
Born
S. Nithyasree

(1973-08-25) 25 August 1973 (age 51)
Thiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu, India
OccupationSinger
Years active1987 – Present
SpouseV. Mahadevan (died.2012)
Parent(s)Iswaran Sivakumar (father)
Lalitha Sivakumar (mother)
Honours
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocals, Veena
Labels

Nithyasree Mahadevan (born 25 August 1973) is an Indian Carnatic musician and playback singer. A prominent vocalist, she has performed at all major sabhas (music organisations) in India and has released over 500 albums. Mahadevan is also known for her work as a playback singer in Indian cinema, particularly for her debut song, "Kannodu Kaanbadhellam," composed by A. R. Rahman for the 1998 film Jeans.[1]

Early life and background

[edit]

Nithyasree was born to Lalitha Sivakumar and Iswaran Sivakumar. She comes from a distinguished musical lineage. Her paternal grandmother, D. K. Pattammal,[2] and grand-uncle, D. K. Jayaraman,[3] were celebrated Carnatic vocalists. Her maternal grandfather was the legendary mridangam virtuoso, Palghat Mani Iyer.[4]

Nithyasree's initial musical training was under her mother, Lalitha Sivakumar.[3] She later trained under her grandmother, D. K. Pattammal,[5] and frequently accompanied both her mother and grandmother in their concerts.[6] Her father, a skilled mridangam player, also accompanied her in performances.[7]

Musical career

[edit]

Carnatic music

[edit]

Nithyasree gave her first public concert at the age of 14 for the Youth Association For Classical Music on 10 August 1987.[6] The performance was attended by prominent musicians including D. K. Pattammal, D. K. Jayaraman, and the chief guest, K. V. Narayanaswamy.[8]

Throughout her career, Nithyasree has performed extensively across India and internationally, with concerts in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Singapore, among other countries.[7] She is known for her thematic presentations, continuing her family's tradition of popularising compositions by poets such as Papanasam Sivan and Gopalakrishna Bharathi. She has also performed unique concerts, such as a three-hour performance in 1994 consisting entirely of 17 compositions in the raga Bhairavi.[9] To commemorate the 50th year of Indian Independence, she performed several concerts featuring only patriotic songs.

Playback singing

[edit]

Nithyasree's career as a playback singer began in 1998 when A. R. Rahman invited her to record "Kannodu Kaanbadhellam" for the film Jeans. The song was an immediate success and earned her the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer.[10]

She continued to collaborate with Rahman on several popular songs, including "Minsara Kanna" for Padayappa (1999) and "Sowkiyama Kannae" for Sangamam (1999).[11] Her other notable film songs include "Thaai Thindra Mannae" from Aayirathil Oruvan (2010) and "Kana Kaangiren" from Ananda Thandavam (2009).[11] She has also recorded songs for films in other South Indian languages, including Kannada, Telugu, and Malayalam.

Personal life

[edit]

Nithyasree was married to V. Mahadevan until his death in 2012.[12] They have two daughters, Tanujashree and Tejashree,[4][13] who have occasionally accompanied her in concerts.[14]

Discography

[edit]

List of songs recorded by Nithyasree.

Year Film Language Song title Music Director Co-Singer
1998 Jeans Tamil Kannuodu Kaanbadhalam A. R. Rahman
Telugu Kannulatho Choseve
1999 Padayappa Tamil Minsara Poove A. R. Rahman Srinivas & Palakkad Sreeram
Telugu Meriseti Puvvaa
Sangamam Tamil Sowkiyama Kannae A. R. Rahman
Poovellam Kettuppar Poove Poove (Female) Yuvan Shankar Raja
2000 Kshemamga Velli Labhamga Randi Telugu Joru Joruga Vandemataram Srinivas Sukhwinder Singh
Manasunna Maaraju Eddulabandi Ekki
Moodu Mukkalaata Chinavaada Chinavaada M. M. Srilekha Mano
Pennin Manathai Thottu Tamil Thiyagarajarin S. A. Rajkumar P. Unni Krishnan
Sri Srimati Satyabhama Telugu Ice Cream Cuppulo S. V. Krishna Reddy
2001 Chandu Telugu Prema Nee Chirunama K.Veeru Jojo & Ramu
Grama Devathe Kannada Shivaraja Dhina Shankar Mahadevan
Telugu Shankaruni Charithanni Harish Raghavendra
Love Channel Tamil Desingu Raja Deva
Paarthale Paravasam Tamil Manmadha Masam A. R. Rahman Shankar Mahadevan
Telugu Manmadha Masam
2002 Panchathantiram Tamil Vandhaen Vandhaen Deva Sujatha & Kamal Haasan
Samurai Oru Nadhi Oru Pournami Harris Jayaraj Tushara
Sri Bannari Amman Kallaanalum Kanavanthan T. Rajendar Swarnalatha
Villain Orae Manam Vidyasagar Hariharan
2003 Parasuram Tamil Jack And Jill A. R. Rahman Surjo Bhattacharya & Mathangi
Sena Thirathathu Kathal D. Imman Unni Menon
2004 Apthamitra Kannada Raa Raa Gurukiran Rajesh Krishnan
Ennavo Pudichirukku Tamil Iru Vizhi Subhash Jawahar
New / Naani Kumbakonam Sandhaiyile A. R. Rahman Shankar Mahadevan & Manikka Vinayagam
Telugu Markandeya
2005 ABCD Tamil Thavam Ondru D. Imman P. Balram
Chandramukhi Telugu Vaarai Naan Unnai Thedi Vidyasagar
Kannadi Pookal Tamil Hey Silu Silu S. A. Rajkumar Sirkazhi G. Sivachidambaram
Mogudu Pellam O Dongodu Telugu Sata Koti Manmadha Kabuli
2006 Gandugali Kumara Rama Kannada Sarasake Baaro Gurukiran Hariharan
Kalabha Kadhalan Tamil Pattuselai Niru Krishnaraj & Sriram
2008 Vallamai Tharayo Tamil Aayiram Yaanai Bharadwaj
2009 Ananda Thandavam Tamil Kana Kaangiren G. V. Prakash Kumar Shubha Mudgal & Vinitha
Naan Avanillai 2 Manmadha Leelai D. Imman Shail Hada & Benny Dayal
2010 Aayirathil Oruvan Tamil Thaai Thindra Mannae G. V. Prakash Kumar Vijay Yesudas & Shri Krishna
Super Cowboy Telugu Kanna Namora Alakinchara Navin Iyer & D.A.Srinivas
Yuganiki Okkadu Singaarinchina Vijay Yesudas
2012 Arike Malayalam Varavayi Thozhi Vadhuvayi Ouseppachan
2015 Panjumittai Tamil Kaattu Karuvamulla D. Imman T. L. Maharajan
2018 Mohini Tamil Mohini's Rage Melvin
NOTA Telugu Raja Raja Kula Sam C. S. Abhay Jodhpurkar
2021 Udanpirappe Tamil Karambakudi Kanaga D. Imman Jayamoorthy

Music Director and Composer

[edit]

Nithyasree Mahadevan has composed music for songs,[11] and has composed background scores for studio album recordings.

Semmozhi Anthem

[edit]

Nithyasree Mahadevan was one among the singers who sang the "Semmozhiyaana Thamizh Mozhiyaam" song for the World Classical Tamil Conference 2010. She also appeared on the screen after Aruna Sayeeram and was followed by S. Sowmya.

Television works

[edit]

Nithyasree has appeared as a guest judge in various reality TV music talent shows, often aired on Tamil language TV channels. She first appeared as a guest judge in Sun TV's Sapthaswarangal. She later appeared as a guest judge in several episodes and rounds of Zee Tamil's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2009 Challenge,[15][16] before appearing as a judge for STAR Vijay in seasons 2, 3, and 4 of Airtel Super Singer Junior, seasons 3, 4, and 5 of Airtel Super Singer,[17] the debut episode of Super Singer Celebrity Season,[18] and Nippon Paint Super Singer Junior season 5. She also appeared as a guest judge on episodes 22 and 23 of Indian Voice which was aired in October 2012 on Mazhavil Manorama, a Malayalam language TV channel, and as a guest judge for the finals of season 6 of Raj TV's Raja Geetham,[19] which was held on 6 August 2015 at Kamarajar Arangam,[20] and subsequently aired on 15 August 2015.[20] Nithyashree appeared as a special guest for the debut season of Zee Tamil's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs. In March 2018, she returned as a special guest in the classical round of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Seniors, a week after the tribute round to music director M. S. Viswanathan featuring special guests Vani Jairam and P. Susheela was telecast. During March 2018, Nithyashree also made her first appearance as a special guest judge in Sun TV's Sun Singer.

Nithyasree was also a permanent judge in reality TV music talent shows. In 2014, Nithyasree was a permanent judge in season 3 of Raj TV's Carnatic music reality-talent show, Tanishq Swarna Sangeetham,[21][22] having previously appeared as a guest judge at various levels in earlier seasons of the show.[23] Nithyasree also appeared as a permanent judge in the debut season of Jaya Super Singer South India which was aired on Jaya TV between 2014 and 2015.

She sang several advertisement jingles for various companies, including more recently Sree Kumaran Thangamaligai which was recorded and aired on various Tamil language TV channels. Nithyasree has also sung title songs for various TV serials which were recorded and telecast in South India, including Chithi - a mega serial originally aired on Sun TV.[24]

Serial name Music Director Channel(s)
Chithi Dhina Sun TV
Krishnadasi D. Imman Sun TV & Raj TV
Metti Oli Dhina Sun TV
Buvaneshwari Ramesh Sun TV
Arasi Kiran Sun TV
Mythili S. P. Venkatesh Kalaignar TV
Uravugal D. Imman Sun TV
Kanchana STAR Vijay
Anni Jaya TV
Engirundho Vandhal Jaya TV
Kakka Kakka Raj TV

Titles, awards and other recognition

[edit]

Nithyasree is a "Top Rank" graded artist of Akashvani,[6] and All India Radio, Chennai.[5] She received the "Best Concert Award" for 6 years from the Madras Music Academy,[6] and won the Kalaimamani award from the Government of Tamil Nadu, who subsequently appointed her as a member in the Expert Committee panel in the "IYAL ISAI NATAKA MANDRAM". During her career, Nithyasree has been bestowed with numerous other titles, and won numerous other awards and prizes.

Year Honour Honouring bestowed or presented by Ref
1987 Best Main Artist Award YACM
1989 Papanasam Sivan Tambura Prize [25]
1990 First Prize in AIR music competition (Indian National Level) All India Radio
1990 "Best Promising Artiste" Mohanam Maharajapuram Santhanam Trust
1994 "Yuva Kala Bharathi" Bharath Kalachar [5]
1994 "Innisai Mamani" Tamil Nadu Goodwill and Welfare Association [5]
National Unity Centre Award [25]
Best Pallavi Music Reciter Award [25]
1996 M. L. Vasanthakumari Memorial Award Mylapore Academy
1999 "Naadha Bhooshanam" Shanmukhanandha Sangeetha Sabha (Delhi)
1999 "Ugadhi Puraskar" Madras Telugu Academy
1999 "Sunadhavinodhini" Swami Omkaaraananda
1999 "Bala Ratna" Bala Tripura Sundari Trust Nemili
1999 "Gaanaamrutha Vaani" All Ceylon Hindu Congress (Colombo)
1999 Kannadhasan Award [25]
1999 Kalaignar Award [25]
2000 Kalaimamani Government of Tamil Nadu [26]
2000 Melvin Jones Award for Extraordinary Person Lions Club Chennai
2000 "Sangeetha Shikhamani" Madras Telugu Association
2001 "Isai Peroli" and award Karthik Fine Arts [27]
2001 Vani Kala Sudhakara Award Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha, presented on 10 December 2001 [28]
2001 Desiya Orumaipadu Maiyam Award
2001 "Navarasa Gana Nayaki" Tamil Aanmeega Peravai
2002 "Udhavum Oli" Vasantha Memorial Trust Coimbatore
2002 Sivaji Award
2002 "Sangeetha Parambarya Rathna" Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham [25]
2003 Shanmuka Shikamani Award Shanmukanandha Fine Arts (Mumbai)
2003 Excellence Award Rotary Club
2004 "Isai Mani Makutam" Rajalakshmi Fine Arts Coimbatore
2004 "Padma Sadhana" (Title) Padma Sarangapani Cultural Association (conferred by Madras High Court judge, Justice T.V.Masilamani on 3 January 2004 in Virugambakkam, Chennai) [29]
2006 "Tamil Isai Vani" Dubai Tamil Kudumbam
2006 "Isai Kalai Tharakai" Canberra Music Association
2006 "Naadha Kovidha" (Title) Naadhabrahmam (conferred by Madras High Court judge, Justice M. Chockalingam on 26 December 2006 in Chennai) [30]
2008 Jayarathna Virudhu Award Jayadhaarini Trust (conferred on 22 October 2008 in Chennai) [31]
2008 Honorary Doctorate of Literature Sathyabama Autonomous University on 19 April 2008 [32]
2008 "Sangeetha Kala Shironmani" Nungambakkam Cultural Academy
2010 "Gaana Padmam" Award (and Title) Brahma Gana Sabha, presented on 3 December 2010 in Chennai [33][34]
2010 "Sangeetha Kalasarathy" Award (and Title) Parthasarathy Swami Sabha, presented on 15 December 2010 in Chennai [35]
2010 Acharya Award Naradha Gana sabha (Celebrating Teachers Day)
2011 Sangeetha Hamsa Award Hamsavinodhini, presented on 1 December 2011 at Arulmigu Kasi Viswanathar Temple, West Mambalam. [36]
2011 "Isai Mamani" Award Shri Rama Bhaktha Jana Samaj, presented on 20 December 2011 [37]
2011 P. Obul Reddy Award of Excellence Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai
2012 "M. S. Subbulakshmi Puraskar" Visakha Music Academy, presented on 12 January 2012 [38]
2012 Award Of Proficiency Tamil Nadu Brahmins Association (TAMBRAS)
2013 "Sangeetha Ulagin Naayaki" Aadhi Shankarar Aanmeega Peravai at Kutthalam
2013 "Sivan Isai Selvi" (Title) Papanasam Sivan Rasigar Manram (conferred by vocalist P. S. Narayanaswamy in September 2013 at Narada Gana Sabha in Chennai) [39]
2014 Isai Selvam Award Presented by Karunanidhi under the banner of Muthamizh Peravai on 24 January 2014 in Chennai [40]
2017 "Tamil Isai Thilakam" (Title) Presented by New York Tamil Sangam on 28 May 2017
2017 Sangeetha Choodamani Award Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, conferred by E. S. L. Narasimhan) on 5 August 2017 [41]
2018 Viswa Kala Bharathi Award Bharat Kalachar [42][43]
2022 “Excellence in music” Just for women(JFW achievers award-2022) [44]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Methil Renuka (2000). "Keeping tune with times". India Today. 25. Thomson Living Media India Limited: 292.
  2. ^ "Tamil Nadu / Coimbatore News : D.K. Pattammal's biography to be released". The Hindu. 20 November 2007. Archived from the original on 1 December 2007. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  3. ^ a b Aruna Chandaraju (20 May 2005). "Entertainment Bangalore / Music : Proud pedigree is not all". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Singer Nithyasree's husband ends life by jumping in river – The Times of India". Times of India. 21 December 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  5. ^ a b c d "The Hindu : Retail Plus Hyderabad : Audio Release". The Hindu. 17 October 2008. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d M.K.Balagopal (6 November 2003). "A masterly performance". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 31 December 2003. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  7. ^ a b Rayan Rozario (30 June 2003). "The Hindu : Singing soothing notes". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 August 2010. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  8. ^ "Jaya TV's Margazhi Mahautsavam". Season 2007. 31 December 2007. Jaya TV. Maximum Media. {{cite episode}}: Missing or empty |series= (help)
  9. ^ "Three Hours of Bhairavi". Sruti, india's premier music and dance magazine (122): 13. November 1994.
  10. ^ S.Aishwarya (9 June 2007). "Steeped in tradition - The Hindu". The Hindu. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  11. ^ a b c Sangeetha (31 July 2009). "Friday Review Thiruvananthapuram / Interview : Musical legacy". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 3 August 2009. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  12. ^ Petlee Peter; R. Sujatha (21 December 2012). "A big shock to music lovers – The Hindu". The Hindu. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  13. ^ Rajagopalan Venkataraman (21 December 2012). "Pall of gloom descends on Kotturpuram – The New Indian Express". New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 24 December 2012. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  14. ^ B. Ramadevi (21 December 2012). "The Hindu : Friday Review Chennai / Music : Deluge of ragas and songs". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 22 August 2010. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  15. ^ "Miss & Mrs: En Manadhai Nee Arivai - The Hindu". The Hindu. 31 July 2009. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  16. ^ "'SaReGaMaPa 2009 Challenge' - Zee TV Finals". Dinamalar (in Tamil). Chennai, Tamil Nadu. 31 October 2009.
  17. ^ G. Prasad (17 October 2011). "Children pitch it right at audition - The Hindu". The Hindu. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  18. ^ "TV Stars turn Super Singers – The Times of India". Times of India. 20 February 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  19. ^ "A Night of Melodious Music". New Indian Express. 12 August 2015. Archived from the original on 15 November 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  20. ^ a b "Independence Day double bonanza on Raj TV – The Times of India". Times of India. 14 August 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
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  22. ^ "Tribute to the Trinity – The Hindu". The Hindu. 11 April 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
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  24. ^ "Drama & TV awards". The Hindu. 14 September 2001. Archived from the original on 2 March 2003. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  25. ^ a b c d e f Sarath Malalasekera (24 August 2002). "Online Edition of Daily News". The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  26. ^ SVK (4 February 2000). "An atmosphere of tranquillity". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  27. ^ "Nithyashree awarded 'Isai Peroli'". The Hindu. 2 December 2001. Archived from the original on 21 April 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  28. ^ "Nithyashree honoured again". Kutcheri Buzz. 11 December 2001. Retrieved 26 March 2003.
  29. ^ "'Padma Sadhana' conferred on Nithyasree". The Hindu. 4 January 2004. Archived from the original on 16 January 2004. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  30. ^ "Title conferred on Nithyasree – The Hindu". The Hindu. 27 December 2006. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  31. ^ "JAYADHARINI TRUST". Jayarathna Awardees. Jayadharini Trust. Archived from the original on 9 October 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  32. ^ "Awards". Sathyabama University. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  33. ^ "Award for Nithyashri Mahadevan". Lakshman Shruthi. 4 December 2010. Archived from the original on 21 April 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  34. ^ Chennai December Season 2010 : Brahma Gana Sabha opens its new 'season'
  35. ^ "Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Awards humble me, says Nithyasree Mahadevan". The Hindu. 18 December 2010. Archived from the original on 21 December 2010. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  36. ^ "Hamsavinodhini Award for Nithyasree" (PDF). Mambalam Times. 26 November 2011. p. 3. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  37. ^ "Music Season 2010–2011 – Sri Rama Bhaktha Jana Samaj". Indian Heritage – December Madras (Chennai) Music Season. Saigan Connection. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  38. ^ "Visakha Awards". Sruti, india's premier music and dance magazine (329): 49. February 2012.
  39. ^ B. Vijayalakshmi (19 September 2013). "Nithyasree 'blessed' by saint-composer". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 18 April 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  40. ^ "Navigating party through tempests: Karunanidhi – The Hindu". The Hindu. 24 February 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  41. ^ "Nithyashree, Padmavathy, presented with awards – The Hindu". The Hindu. 6 August 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  42. ^ "Singer Nithyashree to be honoured with Viswa Kala Bharathi award". News Today. 5 December 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  43. ^ "Bharat Kalachar Awardees". Bharat Kalachar. 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  44. ^ "JFW ACHIEVERS AWARDS 2022- HIGHLIGHTS". JFW Just for women. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
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