Susheela

Susheela

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:����� ����� ���� ����
Acting   She refused  Director K.S. Gopalakrishnan offer as ‘Meera’ in one his film. Has appeared as herself in the film’ manadhai Thirudi vittai'(�ɨ� ���� Ţ��)
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 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 

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