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Nithyasree Mahadevan (born 25 August 1973), also referred to as S. Nithyashri, is a Carnatic musician and playback singer for film songs in many Indian languages. Nithyashree has performed in all major sabhas in India. She has released more than 500 albums. She is best known for her rendition of the A. R. Rahman composition, "Kannodu Kaanbadhellam" - her playback debut song in the Tamil movie Jeans.[1]

Nithyasree Mahadevan
Born	S. Nithyasree (1973-08-25) 25 August 1973 (age 48) Thiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupation	Singer
Years active	1987 – Present
Spouse(s)	V. Mahadevan (died.2012)
Parent(s)	Iswaran Sivakumar (father) Lalitha Sivakumar (mother)
Honours	Kalaimaamani (2000) Honorary Doctorate(2008)
Musical career
Genres	Carnatic Indian classical music Playback singing Filmi
Instruments	Vocals, Veena
Labels	HMV EMI RPG AVM Productions Inreco Vani Amutham Music Charsur Digital Workshop Carnatica Rajalakshmi Audio
Musical artist

Family

Nithyasree was born to Lalitha Sivakumar and Iswaran Sivakumar. Her paternal grandmother, D. K. Pattammal,[2] and her grand-uncle, D. K. Jayaraman,[3] were prominent Carnatic vocalists who were established disciples of Ambi Dikshithar, Papanasam Sivan, Koteeswara Iyer, T.L.Venkataramayyar and others. Her maternal grandfather was the mridangam maestro, Palghat Mani Iyer.[4]

Nithyasree first learnt music from her mother, Lalitha Sivakumar.[3] Like her mother,[5] Nithyasree was also the disciple of D. K. Pattammal,[6] and would accompany her in concert. Her father, an accomplished mridangist and disciple of his father-in-law Palghat Mani Iyer, constantly shows his support and accompanies her when she performs.[7] Nithyasree has also been vocally accompanied in some concerts by her niece and disciple, Lavanya Sundararaman.[8][9]

Nithyasree was married to V. Mahadevan, until his death in 2012.[10] Tanujashree and Tejashree, their two daughters,[4][11] have also accompanied their mother on stage in concerts.[12]

Musical career

First performance

Nithyasree's first public Carnatic performance was at the age of 14.[5] The 1 hour concert, which was scheduled between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm, was held for the Youth Association For Classical Music on 10 August 1987. Prominent Carnatic musicians that were present at the concert, included D. K. Pattammal, D. K. Jayaraman, as well as the chief guest at that concert, K. V. Narayanaswamy.[13]

Thematic presentations

She has given numerous concerts consisting of only patriotic songs to commemorate the 50th year of Indian Independence, a few with D. K. Pattammal before her grandmother stopped performing in public.

D. K. Jayaraman and D. K. Pattammal were known for singing and popularising the compositions of Papanasam Sivan, having learnt them directly from the composer himself. Nithyasree has continued this tradition. She has also given a lecture demonstration in Coimbatore for Manoranjitham on "Papanasam Sivan – A Legend", and made two special thematic albums that solely contained his compositions.

Like D. K. Pattammal, Nithyasree presented a concert consisting solely of compositions set to raga Bhairavi. Nithyasree's concert was presented in 1994 over a duration of 3 hours, and consisted of 17 compositions in total.[14] Similarly, in 1999, her album "BHAIRAVI" was released by Charsur Digital Workstation which solely consisted of a Ragam Tanam Pallavi in ragas containing the name "Bhairavi".

Like D. K. Pattammal, Nithyasree has also popularised compositions of Gopalakrishna Bharathi. She presented a paper on the Life and Contribution of Gopalakrishna Bharathi for the Music Department of PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore. Her three thematic albums that solely consisted of his compositions have been very popular, both online and offline.

Nithyasree Mahadevan has more than 750 albums to her credit on various themes and titles which are very popular among rasikas.

Touring

Nithyasree Mahadevan has performed in all major sabhas all over India and has presented her concerts in the United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Germany, France, Singapore, Malaysia, Switzerland, Belgium, New Zealand, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, and various other destinations throughout the world.[7]

Playback singing

List of songs recorded by Nithyasree Mahadevan Nithyasree Mahadevan made her debut as a playback singer after being invited by prominent music producer, A. R. Rahman to record a song for the Tamil film, Jeans. Her playback debut song "Kannodu Kaanbadhellam" became an instant hit after the film's release,[15] and won her the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for 1998.

After her instant success in 1998, Nithyasree began recording more songs for A. R. Rahman in the same combination, like "Minsara Kanna" for the 1999 film Padayappa, "Sowkiyama Kannae" for the 1999 film Sangamam, and "Manmatha Maasam" for the 2001 film Parthale Paravasam. These songs again were successfully received in digital stores following the release of the 2006 compilation Introducing A. R. Rahman.[16]

Some of her other Tamil film songs include "Kumbakonam Sandhayile" from New released in 2004, "Oru Nadhi Oru Pournami" from Samurai released in 2002, "Kana Kaangiren" from Ananda Thandavam, "Ore Manam" from Villain and "Thaai Thindra Mannae" from the film Aayirathil Oruvan released in 2010.[16]

Nithyasree also recorded songs for films which were in other South Indian languages, including "Raa Raa" for music director Gurukiran in the 2004 Kannada film Apthamitra, "Vaaraai" for music director Vidyasagar in the 2005 Telugu-dubbed film Chandramukhi, and "Varuvayi Thozhi" for composer Ouseppachan in the 2012 Malayalam film Arike.

Year	Film	Language	Song title	Music Director	Co-Singer
1998	Jeans	Tamil	Kannuodu Kaanbadhalam	A. R. Rahman
1998	Jeans (Dubbed version)	Telugu	Kannulatho Choseve	A. R. Rahman
1999	Padayappa	Tamil	Minsara Poove	A. R. Rahman	Srinivas & Palakkad Sreeram
1999	Narasimha (Dubbed version)	Telugu	Meriseti Puvvaa	A. R. Rahman	Srinivas & Palakkad Sreeram
1999	Sangamam	Tamil	Sowkiyama Kannae	A. R. Rahman
2000	Kshemamga Velli Labhamga Randi	Telugu	Joru Joruga	Vandemataram Srinivas	Sukhwinder Singh
2000	Manasunna Maaraju	Telugu	Eddulabandi Ekki	Vandemataram Srinivas	Sukhwinder Singh
2000	Moodu Mukkalaata	Telugu	Chinavaada Chinavaada	M. M. Srilekha	Mano
2000	Pennin Manathai Thottu	Tamil	Thiyagarajarin	S. A. Rajkumar	P. Unni Krishnan
2000	Sri Srimati Satyabhama	Telugu	Ice Cream Cuppulo	S. V. Krishna Reddy
2001	Chandu	Telugu	Prema Nee Chirunama	K.Veeru	Jojo & Ramu
2001	Grama Devathe	Kannada	Shivaraja	Dhina	Shankar Mahadevan
2001	Grama Devatha	Telugu	Shankaruni Charithanni	Dhina	Harish Raghavendra
2001	Love Channel	Tamil	Desingu Raja	Deva
2001	Paarthale Paravasam	Tamil	Manmadha Masam	A. R. Rahman	Shankar Mahadevan
2001	Paarthale Paravasam	Telugu	Manmadha Masam	A. R. Rahman	Shankar Mahadevan
2001	Sigamani Ramamani	Tamil	Uyir Paravai	Chandrabose
2002	Panchathantiram	Tamil	Vandhaen Vandhaen	Deva	Sujatha & Kamal Haasan
2002	Samurai	Tamil	Oru Nadhi Oru Pournami	Harris Jayaraj	Tushara
2002	Sri Bannari Amman	Tamil	Kallaanalum Kanavanthan	T. Rajendar	Swarnalatha
2002	Villain	Tamil	Orae Manam	Vidyasagar	Hariharan
2003	Parasuram	Tamil	Jack And Jill	A. R. Rahman	Surjo Bhattacharya & Mathangi
2004	Naani	Telugu	Markandeya	A. R. Rahman	Shankar Mahadevan & Manikka Vinayagam
2004	New	Tamil	Kumbakonam Sandhaiyile	A. R. Rahman	Shankar Mahadevan & Manikka Vinayagam
2003	Sena	Tamil	Thirathathu Kathal	D. Imman	Unni Menon
2004	Apthamitra	Kannada	Raa Raa	Gurukiran	Rajesh Krishnan
2004	Ennavo Pudichirukku	Tamil	Iru Vizhi	Subhash Jawahar
2004	Naani	Telugu	Markandeeya	A. R. Rahman	Shankar Mahadevan
2005	ABCD	Tamil	Thavam Ondru	D. Imman	P. Balram
2005	Chandramukhi (Dubbed version)	Telugu	Vaarai Naan Unnai Thedi	Vidyasagar
2005	Kannadi Pookal	Tamil	Hey Silu Silu	S. A. Rajkumar	Sirkazhi G. Sivachidambaram
2005	Mogudu Pellam O Dongodu	Telugu	Sata Koti Manmadha	Kabuli
2006	Gandugali Kumara Rama	Kannada	Sarasake Baaro	Gurukiran	Hariharan
2006	Kalabha Kadhalan	Tamil	Pattuselai	Niru	Krishnaraj & Sriram
2008	Vallamai Tharayo	Tamil	Aayiram Yaanai	Bharadwaj
2009	Ananda Thandavam	Tamil	Kana Kaangiren	G. V. Prakash Kumar	Shubha Mudgal & Vinitha
2009	Naan Avanillai 2	Tamil	Manmadha Leelai	D. Imman	Shail Hada & Benny Dayal
2010	Aayirathil Oruvan	Tamil	Thaai Thindra Mannae	G. V. Prakash Kumar	Vijay Yesudas & Shri Krishna
2010	Super Cowboy	Telugu	Kanna Namora Alakinchara	G. V. Prakash Kumar	Navin Iyer & D.A.Srinivas
2010	Yuganiki Okkadu	Telugu	Singaarinchina	G. V. Prakash Kumar	Vijay Yesudas
2012	Arike	Malayalam	Varavayi Thozhi Vadhuvayi	Ouseppachan
2015	Panjumittai	Tamil	Kaattu Karuvamulla	D. Imman	T. L. Maharajan
2018	Mohini	Tamil	Mohini's Rage	Melvin
2018	NOTA (Dubbed version)	Telugu	Raja Raja Kula	Sam C. S.	Abhay Jodhpurkar
2021	Udanpirappe	Tamil	Karambakudi Kanaga	D.Imman	Jeyamoorthy

Music Director and Composer

Nithyasree Mahadevan has composed music for songs,[16] and has composed background scores for studio album recordings.

Semmozhi Anthem

Nithyasree Mahadevan was one among the singers who sang the "Semmozhiyaana Thamizh Mozhiyaam" song for the World Classical Tamil Conference 2010. She also appeared on the screen after Aruna Sayeeram and was followed by S. Sowmya.

Television works

Nithyasree has appeared as a guest judge in various reality TV music talent shows, often aired on Tamil language TV channels. She first appeared as a guest judge in Sun TV's Sapthaswarangal. She later appeared as a guest judge in several episodes and rounds of Zee Tamil's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2009 Challenge,[17][18] before appearing as a judge for STAR Vijay in seasons 2, 3, and 4 of Airtel Super Singer Junior, seasons 3, 4, and 5 of Airtel Super Singer,[19] the debut episode of Super Singer Celebrity Season,[20] and Nippon Paint Super Singer Junior season 5. She also appeared as a guest judge on episodes 22 and 23 of Indian Voice which was aired in October 2012 on Mazhavil Manorama, a Malayalam language TV channel, and as a guest judge for the finals of season 6 of Raj TV's Raja Geetham,[21] which was held on 6 August 2015 at Kamarajar Arangam,[22] and subsequently aired on 15 August 2015.[22] Nithyashree appeared as a special guest for the debut season of Zee Tamil's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs. In March 2018, she returned as a special guest in the classical round of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Seniors, a week after the tribute round to music director M. S. Viswanathan featuring special guests Vani Jairam and P. Susheela was telecast. During March 2018, Nithyashree also made her first appearance as a special guest judge in Sun TV's Sun Singer.

Nithyasree was also a permanent judge in reality TV music talent shows. In 2014, Nithyasree was a permanent judge in season 3 of Raj TV's Carnatic music reality-talent show, Tanishq Swarna Sangeetham,[23][24] having previously appeared as a guest judge at various levels in earlier seasons of the show.[25] Nithyasree also appeared as a permanent judge in the debut season of Jaya Super Singer South India which was aired on Jaya TV between 2014 and 2015.

She sang several advertisement jingles for various companies, including more recently Sree Kumaran Thangamaligai which was recorded and aired on various Tamil language TV channels. Nithyasree has also sung title songs for various TV serials which were recorded and telecast in South India, including Chithi - a mega serial originally aired on Sun TV.[26]

Serial name	Music Director	Channel(s)
Chithi	Dhina	Sun TV
Krishnadasi	D. Imman	Sun TV & Raj TV
Metti Oli	Dhina	Sun TV
Buvaneshwari	Ramesh	Sun TV
Arasi	Kiran	Sun TV
Mythili	S. P. Venkatesh	Kalaignar TV
Uravugal	D. Imman	Sun TV
Kanchana		STAR Vijay
Anni		Jaya TV
Engirundho Vandhal		Jaya TV
Kakka Kakka		Raj TV

Titles, awards and other recognition

Nithyasree is a "Top Rank" graded artist of Akashvani,[5] and All India Radio, Chennai.[6] She received the "Best Concert Award" for 6 years from the Madras Music Academy,[5] and won the Kalaimamani award from the Government of Tamil Nadu, who subsequently appointed her as a member in the Expert Committee panel in the "IYAL ISAI NATAKA MANDRAM". During her career, Nithyasree has been bestowed with numerous other titles, and won numerous other awards and prizes.

Year	Honour	Honouring bestowed or presented by	Ref
1987	Best Main Artist Award	YACM
1989	Papanasam Sivan Tambura Prize		[27]
1990	First Prize in AIR music competition (Indian National Level)	All India Radio
1990	"Best Promising Artiste"	Mohanam Maharajapuram Santhanam Trust
1994	"Yuva Kala Bharathi"	Bharath Kalachar	[6]
1994	"Innisai Mamani"	Tamil Nadu Goodwill and Welfare Association	[6]
	National Unity Centre Award		[27]
	Best Pallavi Music Reciter Award		[27]
1996	M. L. Vasanthakumari Memorial Award	Mylapore Academy
1999	"Naadha Bhooshanam"	Shanmukhanandha Sangeetha Sabha (Delhi)
1999	"Ugadhi Puraskar"	Madras Telegu Academy
1999	"Sunadhavinodhini"	Swami Omkaaraananda
1999	"Bala Ratna"	Bala Tripura Sundari Trust Nemili
1999	"Gaanaamrutha Vaani"	All Ceylon Hindu Congress (Colombo)
1999	Kannadhasan Award		[27]
1999	Kalaignar Award		[27]
2000	Kalaimamani	Government of Tamil Nadu	[28]
2000	Melvin Jones Award for Extraordinary Person	Lions Club Chennai
2000	"Sangeetha Shikhamani"	Madras Telugu Association
2001	"Isai Peroli" and award	Karthik Fine Arts	[29]
2001	Vani Kala Sudhakara Award	Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha, presented on 10 December 2001	[30]
2001	Desiya Orumaipadu Maiyam Award
2001	"Navarasa Gana Nayaki"	Tamil Aanmeega Peravai
2002	"Udhavum Oli"	Vasantha Memorial Trust Coimbatore
2002	Sivaji Award
2002	"Sangeetha Parambarya Rathna"	Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham	[27]
2003	Shanmuka Shikamani Award	Shanmukanandha Fine Arts (Mumbai)
2003	Excellence Award	Rotary Club
2004	"Isai Mani Makutam"	Rajalakshmi Fine Arts Coimbatore
2004	"Padma Sadhana" (Title)	Padma Sarangapani Cultural Association (conferred by Madras High Court judge, Justice T.V.Masilamani on 3 January 2004 in Virugambakkam, Chennai)	[31]
2006	"Tamil Isai Vani"	Dubai Tamil Kudumbam
2006	"Isai Kalai Tharakai"	Canberra Music Association
2006	"Naadha Kovidha" (Title)	Naadhabrahmam (conferred by Madras High Court judge, Justice M. Chockalingam on 26 December 2006 in Chennai)	[32]
2008	Jayarathna Virudhu Award	Jayadhaarini Trust (conferred on 22 October 2008 in Chennai)	[33]
2008	Honorary Doctorate of Literature	Sathyabama Autonomous University on 19 April 2008	[34]
2008	"Sangeetha Kala Shironmani"	Nungambakkam Cultural Academy
2010	"Gaana Padmam" Award (and Title)	Brahma Gana Sabha, presented on 3 December 2010 in Chennai	[35][36]
2010	"Sangeetha Kalasarathy" Award (and Title)	Parthasarathy Swami Sabha, presented on 15 December 2010 in Chennai	[37]
2010	Acharya Award	Naradha Gana sabha (Celebrating Teachers Day)
2011	Sangeetha Hamsa Award	Hamsavinodhini, presented on 1 December 2011 at Arulmigu Kasi Viswanathar Temple, West Mambalam.	[38]
2011	"Isai Mamani" Award	Shri Rama Bhaktha Jana Samaj, presented on 20 December 2011	[39]
2011	P. Obul Reddy Award of Excellence	Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai
2012	"M. S. Subbulakshmi Puraskar"	Visakha Music Academy, presented on 12 January 2012	[40]
2012	Award Of Proficiency	Tamil Nadu Brahmins Association (TAMBRAS)
2013	"Sangeetha Ulagin Naayaki"	Aadhi Shankarar Aanmeega Peravai at Kutthalam
2013	"Sivan Isai Selvi" (Title)	Papanasam Sivan Rasigar Manram (conferred by vocalist P. S. Narayanaswamy in September 2013 at Narada Gana Sabha in Chennai)	[41]
2014	Isai Selvam Award	Presented by Karunanidhi under the banner of Muthamizh Peravai on 24 January 2014 in Chennai	[42]
2017	"Tamil Isai Thilakam" (Title)	Presented by New York Tamil Sangam on 28 May 2017
2017	Sangeetha Choodamani Award	Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, conferred by E. S. L. Narasimhan) on 5 August 2017	[43]
2018	Viswa Kala Bharathi Award	Bharat Kalachar	[44][45]

References

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