Ramani Ammal also popularly known by her stage number Rockstar Ramani Ammal is an Indian folk and playback singer. She rose to prominence after taking part in a television reality show Zee Tamil's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Seniors in 2017.[1] She received the nickname "Rockstar" from the judges of the inaugural edition of the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Seniors. She made her film debut as a playback singer in Kaadhal (2004).
Rockstar Ramani Ammal | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Rockstar |
| Born | 1954 Tamil Nadu, India |
| Genres | Playback singing, Devotional songs |
| Occupations | Singer |
| Years active | 2004-present |
Ramani Ammal was born in a middle-class family and had to sacrifice her studies due to the family background. She pursued her interest in music at her young age but became a house maid to earn an income.[1] She has also sung songs at wedding functions to keep her interest in music alive. She worked as a house servant for most part of her career before gaining her first opportunity to croon a song in a film.[2] She made her debut as a singer in the 2004 romantic drama film Kaadhal. She also crowned songs in Kathavarayan (2008), Thenavattu (2008) and Haridas (2013).[3] However she didn't receive much film opportunities and went back to do house work as a servant.
In 2017, she made her television debut at the age of 63 with the reality TV show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Seniors and subsequently became a popular household name for singing film songs mostly owing her passion towards veteran actor turned politician M. G. R.[4] She was one of the top ten finalists of the show and also emerged as the 1st runners-up in the Grand Finale which happened on 15 April 2018.[5][6] Following her success with Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, she received several film opportunities as a playback singer and crooned songs for Junga (2018), Sandakozhi 2 (2018), Kaappaan (2019) and Nenjamundu Nermaiyundu Odu Raja (2019).[7][8] She also conducted concerts in Sri Lanka, Singapore and United States.
In 2018, she also made a special appearance in one episode in television soap opera Yaaradi Nee Mohini.[9]
| Year | Film | Song(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Kaathavarayan | "Kaathavaraya Saamy" | |
| 2013 | Haridas | "Vellakuthirai" | |
| 2018 | Junga | "Rise of Junga" | |
| 2018 | Sandakozhi 2 | "Sengarattan Paaraiyila" | |
| 2019 | Nenjamundu Nermaiyundu Odu Raja | "Internet Pasanga" | |
| 2019 | Kaappaan | "Sirukki" | |