Radha Jayalakshmi

Radha and Jayalakshmi popularly known as Radha Jayalakshmi (Tamil: ராதா ஜெயலட்சுமி), were Indian Carnatic music vocalist duo as well as playback singers in films in 1940s and 1950s, before they became music teachers. The person who does the playback singing is Jayalakshmi but was named as Radha Jayalakshmi in the cine field. Actually, Radha was her cousin sister and singing partner on the stage performances. They were early singers in the trend of duo singing in Carnatic music, which started in the 1950s, with performers like Soolamangalam Sisters, and later continued by Bombay Sisters, Ranjani-Gayatri and Priya Sisters.^[1]

The duo was awarded the 1981 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in Carnatic Music - Vocal, given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama ^[2]

Early life and training

Radha and Jayalakshmi were from G. N. Balasubramaniam school, where they learned classical vocal music from the noted vocalist and teacher himself.^[3]

Career

She had rendered her 'ringing' trained, cultured sweet voice in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada movies from the late 1940s till the end of 1950s. In the 50s, many music directors gave her memorable songs, including K. V. Mahadevan, S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, G. Govindarajulu Naidu, T. G. Lingappa, G. Ramanathan, Vedha, C. N. Pandurangan, S. Balachander, S. V. Venkatraman, Chittor V. Nagaiah, H. R. Pathmanaba Sastiri, Viswanathan Ramamoorthy. On rare occasion she had movies in her credit in the 1960s.

In Deivam, Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan had Radha and Jayalakshmi to render ‘Thiruchendooril Por Purindhu’, the song set in Thiruthani. This is perhaps the only film song to be sung by Radha of the duo.

Now they have stopped giving performances. But they are good teachers. They have performed throughout India. Shanmukhapriya and Haripriya, popularly known as the Priya Sisters, were their students.^[4]

Filmography

Playback Singer In Tamil

References

External links

• Radha Jayalakshmi at last.fm
• Radha Jayalakshmi songs