# Poornima (singer)

Poornima Shrestha (born 6 September 1960 as Sushma Shrestha), is an Indian playback singer. Starting as a child artist, she became a leading playback singer in Bollywood during the 1990s.

## Early life

Hailing from the Newar community from Nepal, Poornima was born as an Indian in Mumbai. Her father was music composer Bholanath Shrestha, who worked primarily with Hindi film music directors. He was from Kathmandu and settled in Kolkata and eventually in Mumbai.
Friend and assistant to Shankar–Jaikishan recommended her to Shankar. In spite of the prevailing custom of women playback singers singing for children, Shankar took the challenge of using an unknown child to sing "Hai Na Bolo Bolo" for the film Andaz. Sushama recorded her first song on 11 November 1969 with Mohammed Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur. She was the first successful child singer in Hindi films. She recorded a children's album called Bal Geet, which had S.Khale composing the songs and Shanta Shelke penning the lyrics. She sang four songs in it. The album proved a hit and gave her exposure. She also sang Marathi songs with ease.
Her career was planned to be launched at a function organised by the Punjab Association organised by Raj Kapoor, Pran and others.Tragedy struck the day before when her father suffered a cardiac arrest and died. She was undaunted and was encouraged by family and friends. She admitted to “almost giving up on her career for family”. She gave a performance that impressed many and enabled her to get a music scholarship. She sang many hit songs in her childhood, including "Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na". Music director R.D. Burman gave her some of her most memorable songs, "Ek Din Bik Jayega Mati Ki Mol", "Yaadoon Ki Baaraat", "Teri Hai Zameen Tera Aasman", "Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle" and "Kya Hua Tera Vada"; the later two earned her nominations for the Filmfare Best Female Playback Award becoming the youngest nominee in the category at the age of 11. She has acknowledged his contribution in her singing career:
   "R.D Burman was my guru and whatever I know of singing is thanks to him."
Poornima's early start gave her the chance to work with Naushad, Madan Mohan, C. Ramchandra, Salil Choudhury, Anil Biswas, Kalyanji-Anandji, Laxmikant–Pyarelal, S.D. Burman, and Shankar-Jaikishan.

## Career

She struggled as an adult singer during the mid 80s. Her marriage put a temporary halt to her singing career. Her last song as Sushma Shreshtha was in N.Chandra's Ankush: "Itni Shakti Humein Dena Data" (along with main singer Pushpa Pagdhare. Jingles took her attention where the professionalism made her settle to a steady work schedule.
In the 1990s, music company Tips suggested a change of name and image. Sushma took the name Poornima. Her song "Barsaat Mein Jab Aayega Saawan Ka Maheena" from Maa was a hit. Then came David Dhawan's Bol Radha Bol. "Tu Tu Tu Tu Tara" became an anthem and the remaining songs also succeeded. She continued her association with Dhawan and sang for all his No. 1 series including Haseena Maan Jayegi and Biwi No.1.
As an adult she sang for many music directors including Chitragupt, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Bappi Lahiri, Rajesh Roshan, M. S. Vishwanathan, Ravindra Jain, Anand-Milind, Anu Malik, Jatin–Lalit, Raamlaxman, Nadeem-Shravan, M.M.Kreem, Lesle Lewis, Viju Shah, Anand Raj Anand, Nikhil-Vinay, Vishal–Shekhar, Dilip Sen -Sameer Sen, Sukhwinder Singh, Ghulam Ali, Jeet-Pritam, Aadesh Shrivastava and Mani Sharma.
She sang popular numbers such as "Channe Ke Khet Main" from Anjaam, "Batti Na Bujha" from Gopi Kishan (both 1994), "Shaam Hain Dhuan Dhuan" from Diljale (1996), "Mr Lova Lova" from Ishq (1999) and in a series of David Dhawan films like such as Coolie No. 1 (1995), Judwaa (1997), Hero No. 1 (1997) and Biwi No.1 (1999) amongst others.
She sang for actresses including Sridevi, Jaya Prada, Juhi Chawla, Madhuri Dixit, Sarika, Manisha Koirala, Simi Garewal, Deepti Naval, Ramya Krishnan, Rambha, Sushmita Sen, Shilpa Shirodkar, Karishma Kapoor, Raveena Tandon, Kajol, Rani Mukherji, Madhu, Tabu, Preity Zinta, Ayesha Jhulka, Shilpa Shetty, Sonali Bendre and Mamta Kulkarni.
Poornima was one of the top-ten selling 1990s artists with her album Mera Dil Bole Piya Piya. Throughout the 1990s, Poormina along with Alka Yagnik and Kavita Krishnamurthy were the most prolific female playback singers.
No longer active in film playback singing, she performs live in India and other parts of the world.
Poornima has sung in many languages including Bengali, Nepali, Marathi, Bhojpuri, Punjabi, Gujarati, Oriya, Rajasthani, Assamese, Haryanvi, Garhwali and Arabic. Apart from films, she has sung numerous songs in genres such as Baal Geet (children's songs), Bhavgeet, Bhajan, Ghazal, Chutney and Indipop.

## Television

Poornima was one of the judges in the third season of singing reality show Bharat Ki Shaan: Singing Star, which aired on Doordarshan in primetime. She was also a judge in Bhojpuri language singing reality show Zilla Top which aired on Mahuaa TV.

## Selected discography
### Non-film albums

* Balgeet (Composer - Shrinivas Khale)
* Hasa Milano Hasa Baal Geete (Composer - C. Ramachandra)
* Marathi Disco
* Gujarati Geet
* Chutney Garbar
* Simply Darun
* Ankh Micholi
* Balma Bada Bavaali
* Jaal
* Bhatta Saheb
* Badal
* Jogan
* Patanga
* Shagufa
* Hello Hi
* Maashuka Bulbul (Composer - Lesle Lewis)
* Maiya Naiyya Taar Le
* Maiya Bhavani
* Maa Ka Darshan
* Chalo Darbar
* Raja Na Awjai
* Shudhu Monay Rekho
* Chutney Garbar
* Mera Dil Bole Piya Piya
* Beti Chalal Sasurar
* Bijuri Kaha Giri
* Navrya Ghari Maajhi Lekh Chal
* Sun Sharabi
* Ae Samdhi Ke Bete
* Abbe Daalab
* Tohke Chadhaib Laal Ohaar
* Goriya
* Sawan Aya Re
* Aartiyan

### Film

| Year | Film | Language | Song name | Composer | Notes |
| 1971 | Andaz | Hindi | "Hai Na Bolo Bolo" | Shankar–Jaikishan | As Sushma Shrestha |
| 1972 | Koshish | Hindi | "Humse Hai Watan Hamara" | Madan Mohan | |
| 1972 | Mere Bhaiya | Hindi | "Mere Bhaiya" | Salil Chaudhary | |
| 1972 | Janwar Aur Insaan | Hindi | "Aao Milke Sathi Banke Khele" | Kalyanji-Anandji | |
| 1973 | Jugnu | Hindi | "Deep Diwali Ke Jhute" | S.D. Burman | |
| 1973 | Aa Gale Lag Jaa | Hindi | "Tera Mujhse Hain Pehle Ka Nata Koi" / "Aye Mere Bete" | Rahul Dev Burman | Nominated -Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for ""Tera Mujhse Hain" |
| 1975 | Sunehra Sansar | Hindi | "Meri Jawani Meri Dushman Bani Re" | Naushad | |
| 1975 | Zakhmee | Hindi | "Aao Tumhe Chand Pe Le Jayen (Happy)" / "Aao Tumhe Chand Pe Le Jayen (Sad)" | Bappi Lahiri | |
| 1975 | Dharam Karam | Hindi | "Na Ho Bas Mein Tere" / "Ek Din Bik Jayega Mati Ke Mol (Sad)" | Rahul Dev Burman | |
| 1975 | Barah Ghante | Hindi | “Gun Gun Gaa Pankh Pakheru” | M. S. Vishwanathan | |
| 1977 | Hum Kisise Kum Naheen | Hindi | "Kya Hua Tera Wada" | Rahul Dev Burman | Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer |
| 1978 | Pati Patni Aur Woh | Hindi | "Thande Thande Pani Se Nahana Chahiye" | Ravindra Jain | |
| 1980 | The Burning Train | Hindi | "Teri Hai Zameen Tera Aasman" | Rahul Dev Burman | |
| 1980 | Sindoor | Nepali | "Ali ali haar ho" / "Nakkali he nakkali..." | Nati Kaji, Shiv Shankar | Co singer- Udit Narayan his first playback song |
| 1981 | Yaarana | Hindi | “Yaarana Yaar Ka Toote Kabhi Na” | Rajesh Roshan | |
| 1982 | "Juni" | Nepali | Title and other songs | Suresh Kumar | |
| 1985 | Ghar Dwaar | Hindi | “Koi Jaaye Kashi” | Chitragupt |
| 1986 | Ankush | Hindi | "Itni Shakti Humein Dena Data" | Kuldeep Singh | Last song as Sushma Shrestha |
| 1989 | Santaan | Nepali | "Kahawase aaibe Raam-Lachhuman" / "Piratii ko kitaab maa naulo paanaa thapchhaun" | Manohari Singh | Co-singers- Udit Narayan, Deepa Narayan Jha (Gahatraj), Prasaad Shrestha |
| 1990 | Tilhari | Nepali | "Nilo Nilo tyo aakaash" / "Dhartee bharee khojdaa khojdaa" | Jeewan Adhikari | Co-singer- Suresh Wadkar |
| 1991 | Kanyadaan | Nepali | ”Dhiki-chyau dhiki-chyau ghwaar ghwaar jaanto” / “Gaau swor kholera didi ra bahini” / “Teej ko rahar aayo baree lai)” / “Najaau na malaai chhodee, mukha modi, dil todi, chyaante mayalu” | Manohari Singh | Co-singers- Prakash Shrestha, Udit Narayan Deepa Narayan Jha (Gahatraj) and Prasaad Shrestha |
| 1991 | Baharon Ke Manjil | Hindi | "Sabse Badi Dosti” / “ Meri Jaan Duaa Karna” / “Tera Naam Likh Diya” / “Tum Tana Na Tana” / “ O My Sweetheart” | Raamlaxman | |
| 1992 | Bol Radha Bol | Hindi | "Main Hoon Gaon Ki Gori" / "Tu Tu Tu Tu Tara" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1992 | Maa | Hindi | "Barsat Mein Jab Aega" | Anu Malik | |
| 1992 | Saatwan Aasman | Hindi | “Mama Mia Mama Mia” / Tum Tum Ho Ke Nahi | Raamlaxman |
| 1992 | Dharam Yodha | Hindi | "Kal Raat Mujhse Tu" / "Chori Se Chupke Chupke" | Pappu Khan | |
| 1992 | Chamatkar | Hindi | "Jawani Deewani" | Anu Malik | |
| 1994 | Anjaam | Hindi | "Chane Ke Khet Mein" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1994 | Raja Babu | Hindi | "A Aa Ee O O O Mera Dil Na Todo (Female)" / "Sarkai Lo Khatiya" / "Ui Amma Ui Amma Kya Karata Hai" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1994 | Gopi Kishan | Hindi | "Haye Hukku Haye Hukku Haaye Haaye" / "Mera Mehboob Aayega" / "Batti Na Bujha" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1994 | Betaaj Badshah | Hindi | "Choodiyan Bajaoongi" / "Ek Chadar Do Sonewale" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1994 | Cheetah | Hindi | "Chu Chu Chu" / "Kashmakash Badhi To" | Jatin–Lalit | |
| 1994 | Udhaar Ki Zindagi | Hindi | "Dadaji Ki Chhadi Hoon Main" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1994 | Laadla | Hindi | "Dhik Ta Na Na" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1994 | Teesra Kaun | Hindi | "Title Song" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1994 | Eena Meena Deeka | Hindi | "Eena Ko Mil Gayee Meena" / "Maine Kya Julam Kiya" / "Saiyan Ke Saath Madhaiya Mein" / "Tere Dwar Khada Hai Jogi" / "Towel Mein Baahar Jaaogi" / "Parody Song" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1994 | Aao Pyaar Karen | Hindi | "Oee Maa Ye Kya Ho Gaya" | Aadesh Shrivastava | |
| 1994 | Vijaypath | Hindi | "Ladke Aaj Ke Ladke" | Anu Malik | |
| 1995 | Coolie No. 1 | Hindi | "Jeth Ki Dopahri Mein" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1995 | God and Gun | Hindi | "Ban Gayee Ban Gayee" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1995 | Vapsi Sajan Ki | Hindi | "Chadh Gaya Pyar Ka" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1995 | Veer | Hindi | "Dhoom Dhadaka" | Dilip Sen-Sameer Sen | |
| 1995 | Angrakshak | Hindi | "Dil Mera Udaas Hai" / "Suno Suno Pyar Hua" / "Padhna Likhna Chhodo" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1995 | Raghuveer | Hindi | "Dil Tera Deewana" | Dilip Sen-Sameer Sen | |
| 1995 | Jawab | Hindi | "Ek Tak Ant Thak" | Anu Malik | |
| 1995 | Taaqat | Hindi | "Love Me Love Me" / "Hun Huna Re Hun Huna" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1995 | Bewafa Sanam | Hindi | "Ooyee Ooyee Meri Amma" | Nikhil-Vinay | |
| 1995 | Miya Biwi Aur Saali | Hindi | “Gaali Gaali Tera Husn Ki Charcha” / “Chal Gaya Apna Chakkar” | M.M.Kreem |
| 1996 | Bhishma | Hindi | "Mere Sine Main Dil Mera Bole" | Dilip Sen-Sameer Sen | |
| 1996 | Loafer | Hindi | "Aao Chalo Hum Karein" / "Kuch Kuch Kuch Ho Raha Hai" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1996 | Himmat | Hindi | "Behaka Behaka Kadam Hai" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1996 | English Babu Desi Mem | Hindi | "Bharatpur Lut Gaya" / "Love Me Honey Honey" | Nikhil-Vinay | |
| 1996 | Mafia | Hindi | "Dil Mera Deewana Dhadke" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1996 | Saajan Chale Sasural | Hindi | "Doob Ke Dariya Mein" | Nadeem-Shravan | |
| 1996 | Apne Dam Par | Hindi | "Ek Ladki Phatakha" | Aadesh Shrivastava | |
| 1996 | Rangbaaz | Hindi | "Sawan Ki Raat Suhani" / "Sola Kiye The Pure" | Bappi Lahiri | |
| 1996 | Diljale | Hindi | "Shaam Hain Dhuan Dhuan" | Anu Malik | |
| 1996 | Masoom | Hindi | "Tukur Tukur Dekhate Ho Kya" | Anand Raj Anand | |
| 1996 | Muqadar | Hindi | "Chudiyan Bajau Ki Bajau Kangana" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1997 | Judwaa | Hindi | "Tu Mere Dil Mein Bas Ja" / "Oonchi Hai Building" / "Tan Tana Tan Tan Tan Tara" | Anu Malik | |
| 1997 | Ishq | Hindi | "Mr. Lova Lova" | Anu Malik | |
| 1997 | Hero No. 1 | Hindi | "Sona Kitna Sona Hai" / "Maine Paidal Se Ja Raha Tha" | Anand–Milind | Nominated – Zee Cine Award for Best Female Playback Singer for "Sona Kitna Sona Hai" |
| 1997 | Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat | Hindi | "Chanda Ki Chori" | Aadesh Shrivastava | |
| 1997 | Mr. and Mrs. Khiladi | Hindi | "Mujhe Hero Ban Jaane De" / "Jumme Ke Jumme" / "Samosa Mein Aaloo" | Anu Malik | |
| 1997 | Shapath | Hindi | "Chum Le Mere Balon" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1997 | Daava | Hindi | "Dil Mein Hai Tu" | Jatin–Lalit | |
| 1997 | Zameer | Hindi | "Dekho To Palat Ke" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1997 | Deewana Mastana | Hindi | "Hungama Ho Gaya" | Laxmikant–Pyarelal | |
| 1997 | Mrityudata | Hindi | "Illa Loo Illa Loo" / "Tak Jhoom" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1997 | Bhai | Hindi | "Mujhe Ek Bar" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1997 | Insaaf | Hindi | "Taana Tandaana" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1997 | Suraj | Hindi | Ek ladki naache raste mein | | |
| 1998 | Badmaash | Hindi | "Aashiq Aashiq" | Shyam-Surender | |
| 1998 | Kudrat | Hindi | "Ab Tak Hai Puri Azadi" | Rajesh Roshan | |
| 1998 | Sher-E-Hindustan | Hindi | "Chhuyi Muyi" / "Chikne Chikne Gaal" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1998 | Chandaal | Hindi | "Chod Chod N Kalaayi Sajna" / "Chod De Jaaneman" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1998 | Mard | Hindi | "Dil Dhadak Mera" | Dilip Sen-Sameer Sen | |
| 1998 | Hitler | Hindi | "Galon Se Khelun Main" | Dilip Sen-Sameer Sen | |
| 1998 | Vinashak | Hindi | "Godna God Mohe" | Viju Shah | |
| 1998 | Hatyara | Hindi | "Gore Gore Galo Wali" | Dilip Sen-Sameer Sen | |
| 1999 | Biwi No.1 | Hindi | "Biwi No 1" | Anu Malik | |
| 1999 | Haseena Maan Jaayegi | Hindi | "Panga Na Le Mere Naal" | Anu Malik | |
| 1999 | Gair | Hindi | "Aankhon Mein Mohabbat" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1999 | Maa Kasam | Hindi | "Angoorwali Bagiyan" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1999 | Sanyasi Mera Naam | Hindi | "Arrey Arrey" | Anand–Milind | |
| 1999 | Hote Hote Pyar Ho Gaya | Hindi | "Laddu Motichur Ka" | Anand Raj Anand | |
| 2000 | Chal Mere Bhai | Hindi | "Aaj Kal Ki Ladkiyan" | Anand–Milind | |
| 2000 | Jwalamukhi | Hindi | "Chan Chana Chan" | Anand–Milind | |
| 2000 | Agniputra | Hindi | "Choona Na Mera Ghungta" | Nikhil-Vinay | |
| 2000 | Shikari | Hindi | "Gora Pareshaan Hai" | Aadesh Shrivastava | |
| 2000 | Champion | Hindi | "Lelo Lelo" | Vishal–Shekhar | |
| 2001 | Prince No. 1 | Hindi | "Ab Tu Meri" | Mani Sharma | |
| 2001 | Zahreela | Hindi | "Hai Ram Buddhe Me" | Anand–Milind | |
| 2001 | Ittefaq | Hindi | "Raaton Ko" | Dilip Sen-Sameer Sen | |
| 2001 | Kyo Kii... Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta | Hindi | "Suno Miya Suno" | Anand Raj Anand | |
| 2002 | Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani | Hindi | "Roop Salona Tera Dekh Ke" | Anand Raj Anand | |
| 2002 | Marshal | Hindi | “Mujhe Dekho Na Aise | Ghulam Ali | |
| 2003 | Mudda | Hindi | "Godanva" | Jeet-Pritam | |
| 2003 | Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon | Hindi | "Phir Se Teri Makkhan Malai" | Amar Mohile | |
| 2004 | Inteqam: The Perfect Game | Hindi | "Jhanak Jhanak Jhan Payal Baje" | Anand–Milind | |
| 2004 | Police Force | Hindi | "Maina Kunwari" | Anand–Milind | |
| 2004 | Shart: The Challenge | Hindi | "Dil Tera Badmash" / "Yeh Chiquita Komastaas" | Anu Malik | |
| 2004 | Hulchul | Hindi | "Lut Gayee" | Vidyasagar | |
| 2006 | Mr 100% | Hindi | "Karta Hain Kabutar" | Vijay Kapoor | |
| 2006 | Ladies Tailor | Hindi | "Na Dikat Karo Na Disturb Karo" / "Parody" / "Maaf Karo" | Nishad Chandra | |
| 2007 | Sarhad Paar | Hindi | "Aadha Sach" | Anand Raj Anand | |
| 2008 | Dil Mile Na Mile | Hindi | "Yeh Dahekti Jawani" | Palash Chaudhari | |
| 2009 | Dushmani | Hindi | "Lehnge Se Lage Hawa" | Nikhil-Vinay | |
| 2009 | Sanam Teri Kasam | Hindi | "Ek Baar Ek Baar Pyaar Se" | Nadeem-Shravan | |
| 2013 | Khoka 420 | Bengali | "Solid Case Kheyechhi" | Shree Pritam | |
| 2015 | Miss Butterfly | Bengali | "Legeche Agun" | Shree Pritam | |

## Recognition

* 1973: Government of Maharashtra - Awarded for support to educational relief
* 1974: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award - Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle (Aa Gale Lag Jaa) - Nominated
* 1978: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award - Kya Huwa Tera Vada (Hum Kisise Kum Naheen) - Nominated
* 1998: Zee Cine Award - Best Playback Singer (Female) – Sona Kitna Sona Hain (Hero No. 1) - Nominated
* 2017: Mohammad Rafi Award - Presented by Vice President of India
* 2020: Global Film and Music Festival - Lifetime Achievement Award

## Personal life

She has a son Nishadh Chandra, who is a music composer.