| Name |
P.
Susheela |
| Title |
Queen
of Melody |
| Profession |
Play
back Singer |
| Date
of Birth |
November
13, 1935 |
| Birth
Place |
Vijayanagaram,
Andhra Pradesh |
| Mother
tongue |
Telugu |
| Education |
Schooling:
till 8th std
Music: studied in Maharaja Music College in
Vijayanagaram and passed her diploma in first
class. Later joined the Sangeeta Academy, Chennai
under the guidance of Subramani Iyer and completed her Graduation in Music. |
| Family |
Father:Mukundarao
Mother:Sheshawataram
Husband:mohan rao
Son: Jayakrishnan
Daughter-in-law: Sandhya Jayakrishna
Granddaughters: Jayashree, Subashree |
| Debut |
a duet with A. M. Raja - 'Edhukku azhaithaai' for the movie, 'Petra Thaai' was
being made in 1951 in Tamil (Kanna Thalli in Telugu).
She was only 16 years old
|
| Introduced
by |
music
director Pendalya Nageswara Rao |
| Became
popular |
Especially songs like 'Endhan ullam thulli vilyaaduvadhum,' 'unnaik kan
thedudhe' brought out her talent for rendition. 'Brindha vanamum Nandha
kumaranum' and 'ariyaa paruvamada' set to Karaharapriya.
|
| Pronunciation |
was
perfect in all the language she sang |
| First duet with |
T.M.S:
Sellapillai(tamil)- 1952
Sirkazhi govindarajan- Engal veettu
mahalakshmi(tamil)
S.P.B- santhi nilayam(tamil)
Yesudas- Doctor(malayalam)
|
| Had
performed in |
Switzerland,
London, Paris, Canada, America, Singapore,
Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Srilanka, Gulf countries |
| Songs |
Her
favourite:' Mannavan Vandanadi' in the film
Thiruvarutchelvan
Her husband's favourite: ¯ý¨Éì ¸¡½¡¾ ¸ñÏõ ¸ñ½øÄ
|
| Acting
|
She
refused Director K.S. Gopalakrishnan offer
as 'Meera' in one his film. Has appeared as
herself in the film' manadhai Thirudi vittai'(Áɨ¾
¾¢ÕÊ Å¢ð¼¡ö) |
| Languages |
Very fluent in Telugu. She
can read and write in Tamil but not fluent while speaking. Cannot read or write
in Malayalam and Kannada.
|
| Food |
strict vegetarian
|
| Math |
was a very difficult subject for her
|
| Favourite
colour |
White.
Likes to wear white saree with red border |
| Instruments |
Knows
to play Veena
and fiddle |
| Career
bests |
were
the songs sung during the 60s and the early 70s |
| Facts |
- Meyyappa
Chettiar, the demanding perfectionist that
he was, appointed a Tamil teacher for Suseela to
train her in proper pronunciation of words.
-
Her son is not interested in music, however, her
daughter- in- law is a playback singer.
-
Her first film song was recorded in 1951 on a Telugu
new year's day in Prakash Studio.
-
Participated in all the music competitions even in
her school days. As a result her education suffered.
-
She is fifth of the nine children of her
parents. Lost her mother at a very early age.
-
1970 she participated in the programme
conducted by the Tamil artistes for the soldiers
stationed in Jalandar.
- M.G.R.
was a great fan of her songs.
- Avoids
cold items and hot spices in her food to
preserve her voice.
- In
Malayalam she had sung more than 2000 songs.
|
| Total
songs sung by her |
more than 40,000
|
| Before
singing the song |
"
I always ask for the story and the situation. So
while singing, it is easy to get into the skin of
the character, for which I am rendering the voice"
|
| About
her |
Vairamuthu:
'If
you tell me that my end is nearing, and ask me my
last desire, this is what I would ask: Please play
some song of P.Suseela and leave the room closing
the door noiselessly - I wish to live once
again before I die! |
| Advice
to the present generation |
I’ve
stopped giving advices. Those days have gone.
Today, they’ll advise us! |
| Future
plans |
"I
do not plan anything. Things just happen. I think
this was all pre-destined by God. But yes, I would
like to compose music for a video album." |
| Awards |
National
Awards:
Tamil - Uyarntha Manithan(1969)
Savaale samaaLi (1971)
Telugu- Siri Siri muvva(1977)
Megha Sandesam(1982)
M.L.A. Edu kondalu(1983)
State
Awards
*TamilNadu
State Award in 1969Uyarntha manithan /Lakshmi
kalyanam /, Anbulla Athaan /1981,
Varam /1989
*Andhra
Pradesh State Awards: 1975,1977,1978,1982,1983,1989
*Kerala
State Awards: 1971,1975
Life
Achievement Awards
*Bharathidaasan award, KalaimaamaNi award(1991)
by Tamil nadu Govt
*Raghupathy vangayya award by AndhraPradesh
Govt-2004
*Kamukara award by Kerala Govt.
*Screen -Videocon lifetime achievement award -1996
*Filmfare lifetime achievement award ()
Cinema express-Lifetime achievement award
Other
Awards
*LifeTime Acheievement Award by American Telugu Association - July 10, 2004 at Chicago, USA.
*Sangeetha Kala bharathi by Detroit Telugu Association (1979)
*Telugu Association of North America – 1995
*Awards for Excellence by IAAFA in 1993
*Telugu Association of Southern California – 1995
*AVM ’50 award – 1997
*North American Alumni Association
*DTA – 1989
*Madhura Gaana Madhuri Award
*Award by Telugu Association of Greater Chicago
*K.B.Sundaramabal Award
*K.V.Rao Jyothi Rao award -1999
*Ghantasala Award for 2003 (11/22/2003)
*Tamilnadu MGR Cine Cultural Academy Award -1994
*Subbaraami reddy award -1996
*Award by Indian Performing Rights Society
*Award Presented at Andhra Pradesh Rashtra Yuva Janostav
*Bharath kalachar -2001 (gaana kala bharathi)
*Kala Saagar Award
*Award – Tribute To Shivaji -2003
*Jayshree International – Life Time Achievement Award – Kalabushan ( presented by Smt Jayachitra)
*Thyagaraja Ganasabha – Only singer to be presented this award by Thyagraja
*Ganasabha Andhra Pradesh.
*Krishna Pushkara Award
*Yesudas Award
*Kamukara – Lifetime Achievement Award
*Gaana Saraswathi by Sangeeth Melody Orchestra
*Aasthana Gayini in Shri Kalahasthi Shiva Temple
*Madras film fans association award - 26 times
|
