# Sujatha Mohan

Sujatha Mohan is an Indian playback singer who is popular for singing in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu movies. She has also sung for Kannada, Badaga, Hindi and Marathi and more languages movies. As of 2021, she had recorded more than 18,000 songs. She is celebrated as the Melody Queen of South India, and is known by various affectionate titles: Bhava Gayika in Kerala, and Innisai Kuyil in Tamil Nadu. She is also known for her extensive history of collaboration with music composers like A. R. Rahman, Ilaiyaraja, M. M. Keeravani, Koti, Vidyasagar, Mani Sharma, and with the playback singers K. J. Yesudas, Hariharan, and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, over the years. Her husky voice and versatile singing style have garnered her a massive fan base.

## Personal life

Sujatha Mohan is the granddaughter of Paravoor T. K. Narayana Pillai, the first Chief Minister of the erstwhile State of Travancore–Cochin after India gained Independence. Her father, the late Dr. Vijayendran died when she was two years old. She completed her graduation in Economics from the St. Teresa's College, Ernakulam. She married Dr. V. Krishna Mohan on 9 May 1981. Her only daughter, Shweta Mohan, is also a singer. Radhika Thilak and G. Venugopal are her cousins.

### Vocal struggles

Sujatha Mohan experienced severe vocal issues for three years in the late 2010s. She struggled even to speak, making it impossible for her to take up singing assignments.
Though she was unable to perform, she worked extensively to regain her voice and eventually resumed singing, including recording songs again.

## Career

Mohan shot to fame in the seventies as Baby Sujatha, the schoolgirl who regularly used to sing with K. J. Yesudas in his stage shows all over the world. She recorded her first song, "Kannezhuthy Pottuthottu" when she was in the sixth standard. The song was composed by M. K. Arjunan for the 1975 Malayalam movie Tourist Bungalow. She recorded songs for Shyam in Kamam Krodham Moham and Salil Chowdhury in Aparadhi. Around this time, composer M. G. Radhakrishnan got her to record many non-film songs; the biggest hit among them was "Odakkuzhal Vili".
She debuted in Tamil through the song "Kaadhal Oviyam Kandein" from Kavikuyil (1977), tuned in Hameer Kalyani raga by Illayaraja, but it was not included in the film. Her first released song in Tamil was "Kalai Paniyil" from the Tamil film Gaayathri (1977), starring Sridevi and Rajinikanth with music by Ilaiyaraja. She sang for Ilaiyaraaja in Johnny, Kavikuyil and Ilamai Kolangal. After her marriage in 1981, she took a sabbatical from playback singing. She made a successful comeback in 1988 through Kadathanadan Ambadi, followed by the hit Chithram.
She used to sing ad jingles in the late 1980s for A. R. Rahman (such as the Premiere Cooker ad and the Tilda Rice ad). Then Rahman got her to sing "Pudhu Vellai Mazhai" from Mani Ratnam's 1992 film Roja, which became one of the biggest hit songs in India. The backing vocals for the song "Kadhal Roja" were also performed by Sujatha. She has had other hit songs, most of them with Rahman from films including Pudhiya Mugam (1992), Gentleman (1993), Jeans and Minsaara Kanavu (1997). She has also recorded some songs in Hindi, including "Dil Hai Sanam" (the Hindi version of "Thee Thee") from Chor Chor (Thiruda Thiruda), "Ishq Bina" from Taal, "Hai Jaana" from Pukar and "Ishwar Allah" from Earth, and provided backing vocals for the song "Tum Ho Meri Nigahom" from Kabhi Na Kabhi, all of them composed by A. R. Rahman. She has had many of her notable and successful songs under the musical direction of Rahman.
She made a strong comeback in the Malayalam film industry in the mid-1990s and most of her notable Malayalam songs were composed by Vidyasagar. Most of her hit songs from Telugu are composed by Mani Sharma.

## Awards

Mohan has received several awards and recognitions for her work in the South Indian film musical world. She was awarded the Kalaimamani award by the Government of Indian state Tamil Nadu in 2021. She has also received Kerala and Tamil Nadu state awards.

### Kerala State Film Awards

| Year | Category | Film | Song |
| 1996 | Best Female Playback Singer | Azhakiya Ravanan | "Pranayamani Thooval" |
| 1998 | Best Female Playback Singer | Pranayavarnangal | "Varamanjaladiya" |
| 2006 | Best Female Playback Singer | Rathri Mazha | "Baasuri" |

### Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

| Year | Category | Film(s) | Song(s) |
| 1993 | Best Female Playback Singer | Pudhiya Mugam, Gentleman | "Netru Illatha Mathram" "En Veetil Thottathil" |
| 1996 | Best Female Playback Singer | Minsara Kanavu, Avvai Shanmugi | "Poo Pookum Osai" "Rukku Rukku" |
| 2001 | Best Female Playback Singer | Dhill | "Un Samayil Arayil" |

### Kerala Film Critics Association Awards

| Year | Category | Film | Song |
| 1988 | Best Female Playback Singer | Chithram | Doore Kizhakkudikkum, Paadam Koyyum Munpe, Kaadumi Naadumellam |
| 1989 | Best Female Playback Singer | Vandanam | Meghangale, Anthiponvettam |
| 1990 | Best Female Playback Singer | Malootty | Mounathin Idanaazhiyil, Swargangal Swapnam Kaanum |
| 1991 | Best Female Playback Singer | Kizhakkunarum Pakshi, Kankettu | Kizhakunarumpakshi, Gopeehridayam Nirayunnu |
| 1992 | Best Female Playback Singer | Ulsavamelam | Ammakkoru Ponnumkudam |
| 1993 | Best Female Playback Singer | Meleparambil Anveedu, Dhruvam, Chenkol | Madhura Swapnangal, Thumbippenne, Pathira Paalkadavil |
| 1995 | Best Female Playback Singer | Oru Abhibhashakante Case Diary | Kanikkonnakal |
| 1996 | Best Female Playback Singer | Azhakiya Ravanan, Desadanam, Ee Puzhayum Kadannu | Pranayamanithooval, Engane Njan, Kaakka Karumban |
| 1997 | Best Female Playback Singer | Rishyasringan, Superman, Shibiram | Guru Brahma, Onathumbi paadu, Paadum Vaanampaadi |
| 1998 | Best Female Playback Singer | Pranayavarnangal, Janani | Varamanjalaadiya, Manjadi Manikkutta |
| 1999 | Best Female Playback Singer | Chandranudikkunna Dikkil, Saaphalyam | Manju Peyyana, Ambadi Payyukal, Ponnolappanthalil |
| 2001 | Best Female Playback Singer | Soothradharan, Pularvettam | Perariyam, Raavil Aaro, Ithile ithile |
| 2003 | Best Female Playback Singer | Vellithira, Kasthooriman | Kudamulla Kadavil, Azhage, Karkuzhali |
| 2004 | Best Female Playback Singer | Thudakkam | Amme Ennoru |
| 2005 | Best Female Playback Singer | Paranju Theeratha Visheshangal | Paadaanum |

### South Indian International Movie Awards

| Year | Category | Film | Song |
| 2022 | Best Female Playback Singer | The Priest | "Neelambale" |

### Other prominent awards and nominations

* 1997 - Dinakaran Cinema Awards for Best Female Playback Singer - Surya Vamsam
* 1997 - Cinema Express Awards for Best Female Playback Singer - Surya Vamsam
* 1998 - Dinakaran Cinema Awards for Best Female Playback Singer - Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen
* 2015 – Asiavision Awards for Best Female Playback Singer – Ottamandaram
* 2014 – Thikkurishi Award (shared with Shewta) for movie Ottamandaram
* 2013 – JFW magazine Women Achievers Award
* 2009 – Swaralaya Yesudas Award
* 2008 – Best female singer award in GMMA (Gulf Malayalam Music Awards)
* The Film Critics award 11 times
* Raju Pilakkad Film Award
* South Indian Bank women's achiever's award 2017
* Mirchi Music Awards 2018: Lifetime achievement
* Kamukara Purushothaman Kamukara Award 2019: Lifetime achievement (award from P. Susheela)
* Kalaimamani 2021

## Malayalam album songs

* "Ilamyel Kondu Njaan" – Ithal (2016)
* "Maayumee thaazvarayooram" – Album (2015)
* "Vaadyaghosham" – Kerala Piravi Day (2014)
* "Kanna Neeyengupoi" – Nandagopalam (2013)
* "Kayalthirakalil Kanneeralakalil" – Kulirmazhayai (2011)
* "Athramel Athramel" – Danaha (2011)
* "Ravereyayittum" – Pranayamarmaram (2009)
* "Ee Manjil" – Spandanam (2010)
* "Ennennum" – (2010)
* "Manju Peyyume" – Purple (2009)

## TV shows

Mohan has judged popular reality shows over South Indian television across Malayalam and Tamil languages.

### As judge

| Year | Title | Channel | Language | Notes |
| 2008-2009 | Airtel Super Singer 2 | Star Vijay | Tamil | |
| 2008-2009 | Munch star Singer Junior | Asianet | Malayalam | |
| 2010–2011 | Airtel Super Singer 3 | Star Vijay | Tamil | |
| 2010–2011 | Munch star Singer Junior season 2 | Asianet | Malayalam | |
| 2013 | Indian Voice | Mazhavil Manorama | Malayalam | |
| 2013–2014 | Airtel Super Singer 4 | Star Vijay | Tamil | |
| 2013–2014 | Indian Voice season 2 | Mazhavil Manorama | Malayalam | |
| 2014 | Surya Singer | Surya TV | Malayalam | |
| 2016 | Super Star Junior 5 | Amrita TV | Malayalam | |
| 2016-2017 | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs | Zee Tamil | Tamil | |
| 2017-2018 | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Seniors | Zee Tamil | Tamil | |
| 2018 | Super 4 | Mazhavil Manorama | Malayalam | |
| 2018 | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs season 2 | Zee Tamil | Tamil | |
| 2019 | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Seniors season 2 | Zee Tamil | Tamil | |
| 2019–2020 | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Keralam | Zee Keralam | Malayalam | |
| 2021–2022 | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs | Zee Keralam | Malayalam | |
| 2022 | Star Singer Junior 3 | Asianet | Malayalam | launch episode |
| 2023 | Top singer 3 | flowers TV | Malayalam | |
| 2023-2024 | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa season 2 | Zee Keralam | Malayalam | |
| 2023 | Shyamambaram | Zee Keralam | Malayalam | TV serial (cameo appearance) |
| 2023-2024 | Super Singer season 10 | Star Vijay | Tamil | |
| 2024 | Top Singer season 4 | Flowers TV | Malayalam | |