Madhushree

Madhushree
Background information
Birth name	Sujata Bhattacharya
Also known as	Madhushree
Occupations	Playback singer, Singer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2001-present
Website	http://www.madhushree.com

Madhushree (born Sujata Bhattacharya) is an Indian singer, who sings in Hindi,Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films. A familiar voice in A. R. Rahman's compositions, Madhushree hails from a musically inclined family, having previously been trained in classical and western styles music. Her father wanted her to be a classical singer, Madhushree joined the Rabindra Bharati University and completed her masters, but her desire was always to be a playback singer.

Early life

Madhushree was born as Sujata Bhattacharya in a Bengali family in Kolkata to Amarendranath and Parbati Bhattacharya, who were her initial teachers.^[1] She was taught classical music by Sangeetacharya Pt. Amiya Ranjan Bandyopadhyay, a noted exponent of the Bishnupur Gharana^[2][3] and excelled in Thumri and Khayal.^[1] Later she started working for the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, through which she was deputed to teach classical music in Surinam.^[1]

Career

On Javed Akhtar's recommendation, she then made her playback singing debut through Rajesh Roshan's Moksha. She has then gone on to sing songs in films like Yuva, Aayitha Ezhuthu, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Ham Hain Ispal Yahan and Kuch Naa Kaho,Tu Bin Bataye,In Lamhon Ke Daaman Meand her most recent albums include A. R. Rahman Raanjhana,and , . Her song Vaaji Vaaji in A.R.Rahman's Kabhi Neem Neem was well received and got her several nominations and Start Dust Award.

She sang 3 songs in A.R.Rahman's Tehzeeb, for which she has been credited as Sujata Bhattacharya. They are considered by critics, to be among the best songs sung by her^{[citation needed]}. But the song she is known for most is "Kabhi Neem Neem" from Yuva (2004). She also sung a song 'In Lamhon Ke Daaman Mein' from the movie Jodhaa Akbar, music directed by A. R. Rahman. She won the 20th Edition of Lions Gold Award for All Time Film Versatile Playback Singer and the ceremony was held at Bhaidas Hall in Mumbai.^[4]

Originally hailing from a Bengali background, Madhushree sang Hindi Tamil and Telugu for many composers. Her voice became an instant hit, especially under the discography of A. R. Rahman. Since she 10 year associated with A.R.Rahman, mostly people thought she is South Indian. Madhushree is based in Mumbai and her next films are Dirty Politics, Dushehra, Welcome back. Recently released her romantic album "Pal Ek Ehsaas", which is very much appreciated on youtube, for which she composed the music with Robby Badal

Discography

Hindi

South (Tamil/Telugu/Kannada)

Albums

• Debut Album: Lagi Lagan

Released: 08-08-08 Released by: Royant Music & Big Music Music by: Robby Badal

Songlist:

1. Piya Lagi Laganiya
2. Lagi Lagi
3. Manat Nahi
4. Aye Na Balam
5. Jabse Shyam Sidhare
6. Babul Mora
7. Piya Lagi laganiya (Video Edit)
8. Lagi Lagi (House Remix)
9. Barsan Lagi

In a music review published on PlanetBollywood.com, Amanda Sodhi comments, “It is great that finally someone has attempted to come out with an album that fuses thumri and world music genres—Lagi Lagan is an album worth listening to especially in a year when the music industry has continuously been disappointing…Aye Na Balam, Jabse Shyam Sidhare and Babul Mora are definitely the best tracks in the album. The rest of the songs do take more than one listen to get into, but are also enjoyable.” ^[5]

• Nandagopalam

References

External links

• Madhushree's Official Website
• Madhushree at the Internet Movie Database
• Madhusree MaNiA by Dinesh Scaran
• PlanetBollywood.com Interview of Madhushree by Amanda Sodhi