Without female singers Bollywood would be like an elephant without its trunk! There was a time when actresses themselves used to sing in the movies. But then someone experimented with the concept of playback singing and it proved to be such a big hit that now we can?t even imagine a Bollywood flick without playback singers.
There are so many talented singers in India that everyone doesn?t even get a chance to make it to Bollywood. Thus, selecting just five from a bunch of so many talented ladies certainly wasn?t a cakewalk. Therefore by no means think that talent is limited to these names only. These are just few of those many many talented girls and women out there.
5. Kavita Krishnamurthy
Her real name is Shradha Krishnamurthi. She stayed in Delhi till she was 15. Her mother was very keen that she learnt music while her dad wanted her to concentrate on academics. So first she graduated from St. Xavier?s College, Mumbai(doing BA in Economics) before entering the film industry.
Kavita has a very simplistic approach towards singing and that really adds a lot of beauty to the song. No matter how difficult or complex the song is, she sings it in such a sweet and simple way that you can?t help but get awed by her talent. When she sings, singing appears to be a very easy job(which it isn?t in reality).
(a) Pyar Hua Chupke Se(1942 A Love Story)
(b) Maar Dala(Devdas)
(c) Aaj Mein Upar(Khamoshi)
(d) Pyar Yeh Jane Kaisa Hai(Rangeela)
(e) Ishq Bina(Taal)
4. Sadhna Sargam
She is one of the most talented singers of Bollywood who wasn?t given the credit she deserved. The result? she has vanished from the Bollywood scene and right now creating heroics in the South. Music is in her genes. She is the daughter of famous classical singer Neela Ghanekar and has been trained by Pandit Jasraj for seven years on a national scholarship. I hope to see her back in Bollywood soon.
(a) Jab Koyee Baat Bigad Jaye(Jurm)
(b) Haar Kisi Ko Nahin Milta(Jaanbaaz)
(c) Gajar Ne Kiya Hai Ishara(Tridev)
(d) Saat Samandar(Vishwaatma)
(e) Pehla Nasha(Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander)
3. Chitra Singh
She is known as the nightingale of South India. Her voice is so melodious that even her expressions seem to be musical. She was born in Trivandrum and her father late Krishnan Nair was a well-known singer. She is a graduate in music but discontinued further studies in music as she already started getting offers to sing for movies. Chitra is only the 2nd Indian female singer to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London after Lata Mangeshkar.
(a) Payali Chunmun(Virasat)
(b) Raat Ka Nasha Abhi(Asoka)
(c) Tum Bin Kya Hai Jeena(Tum Bin)
(d) Yaroon Sun Lo Zara(Rangeela)
(e) Koi Mil Gaya(Koi Mil Gaya)
2. Shreya Ghoshal
Oh I can?t find the words to appreciate her. I?m a die-hard fan of Shreya Ghoshal. She is a 20-year-old girl hailing from my state of Rajasthan. She spent her childhood in Kota and then her father got himself transferred to Mumbai for her future prospects. She isn?t a singer but a magician. When she sings the listeners are awestruck by the aura of her voice. Very soon she?ll be at the number one spot!
(a) Bairi Piya(Devdas)
(b) Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai(Jism)
(c) Aayee Jo Teri Yaad(Saaya)
(d) Chann Chann(Munna Bhai MBBS)
(e) Vada Raha(Khakhi)
1. Lata Mangeshkar / Asha Bhosle
The first position will be shared by these two legends of playback singing. Majority of people find Lata as the greatest. There is some minority who feel Asha is more talented than Lata. I?d say they both are equally talented and deserve to be at the top.
Lata Mangeshkar was born in Indore in 1929 and even at 75 years of age she still is the queen of playback singing. The very recent Veer-Zara album proves the talent of this lady. At 75, when most of the old people even find it difficult to talk she is still able to sing in that melodious way for which she was always known for. Especially her duet?Do Pal? with Sonu Nigam really mesmerizes you. She has gone to the top the hard way. Her father died when she was just 13 and being the eldest sister it was upon her to take care of her family. Earlier on many music directors rejected her saying that her voice is far too sweet and such kind of voice won?t do in Bollywood, but later she changed all the trends and went on to become the queen of playback singing.
(a) Kuch Na Kaho(1942 A Love Story)
(b) Tera Bina Zindagi Se(Aandhi)
(c) Baahon Mein Chale Aao(Anamika)
(d) Yeh Raat Bheege Bheege(Chori Chori)
(e) Aaj Phir Jeene Kee(Guide)
Asha Bhosle?s voice although isn?t that sweet like Lata, but she has the gift of versatility. Give her anything - sensuous numbers, upbeat tracks or even ghazals and she will sing them with an effortless ease. Her Ghazals in Umrao Jaan, ?In Aankhon Ki Masti? and?Dil Cheez Kya Hai? proves her talent to the core. It?s a pity that she didn?t get better tracks to prove her worth. But as far as I?m concerned she is as talented as Lata if not more!
(a) Piya Tu Ab To Aaja(Caravan)
(b) Yeh Mera Dil Pyar Ka Diwana(Don)
(c) Radha Kaise Na Jale(Lagaan)
(d) Sharara(Mere Yaar Ki Shadi hai)
(e) Tumse Milke(Parinda)
© Tanmay Singh, 2004