Latha Raju
Latha Raju is an Indian film singer and actress in Malayalam cinema during the 1970s.[1] Some of her popular Malayalam songs are "Pinchu Hridayam Devalayam" and "Manjakkilee Swarnakkilee Mayilppeelikkaattile Varnakkilee" from the film Sethubandhanam, "Ividuthe Chechikkinnale" (Azhakulla Saleena) and "Aaluvaappuzhakkakkareyoru Ponnambalam" (Aadyathe Kadha). She has also rendered songs in Tamil, Kannada and Tulu. She has dubbed for famous actresses like Suhasini, Shobhana, late Shobha and many other leading actresses in some of the landmark films in Malayalam. [2] She has won Kerala Film Critics Award in 2003 for lifetime achievement. Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy awarded her for contributions to Malayalam light music. In 2019 Kerala Government honoured her for her outstanding contributions to Malayalam cinema and music.
Latha Raju | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kochi, Kerala, India |
| Genres | Playback singing, Carnatic music |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1962–1999 |
| Labels | Audiotracs |
Personal life
Latha is the only child of singer Santha P. Nair and K. Padmanabhan Nair, who was a radio dramatist. Her first song was in the 1962 Malayalam film Snehadeepam. She post graduated in Master of Arts. She retired as director of marketing in Akashvani, Doordarshan, Chennai in 2011 and continued in the same post as a consultant till 2016. Her husband, J. M. Raju, himself a playback singer, produces music albums. The couple have two children, Aalap Raju and Anupama.[3] Her son Aalap Raju is also a musician and playback singer.[4]
Filmography
As a playback singer
- Thaatheyyam Kaattile - Kannum Karalum (1962)
- Onnaamtharam - Snehadeepam (1962)
- Maanathulloru - Moodupadam (1963)
- Poo Poocha Poochetti - Devaalayam (1964)
- Kannaaram Pothi - Murappennu (1965)
- Kannukalennal - Devatha (1965)
- Janmabhoomi Bharatam - Devatha (1965)
- Ponnaaram Chollaathe - Subaida (1965)
- Ichirippoovalan - Inapraavukal (1965)
- Paavakkutti - Kadathukaaran (1965)
- Ambaadi Thannil - Kadathukaaran (1965)
- Premaswapnathin - Chekuthaante Kotta (1967)
- Paampine Pedichu - NGO (1967)
- Kakkakkarumbikale - Ezhu Raathrikal (1968)
- Makkathu Poyvarum - Ezhu Raathrikal (1968)
- Ithuvare Pennoru - Kaliyalla Kalyaanam (1968)
- Thaarunya Swapnangal - Kaliyalla Kalyaanam (1968)
- Karayunna Nerathum - Velliyaazhcha (1969)
- Kezhakku Kezhakkorana- Thriveni (1970)
- Nammude Mathaavu - Abhayam (1970)
- Thirumayilppeeli - Swapnangal (1970)
- Kanninu Kannaaya - Priya (1970)
- Villukettiya - Line Bus (1971)
- Thallu Thallu - Aabhijaathyam (1971)
- Aattin Manappurathu - Aabhijaathyam (1971)
- Paappi Appacha - Mayilaadumkunnu (1972)
- Umma Tharumo - Preethi (1972)
- Aaluvaappuzhakkakare - Aadyathe Kadha (1972)
- Va Mammy Va Mummy - Panitheeraatha Veedu (1973)
- Kaattumozhukkum - Panitheeraatha Veedu (1973)
- Ividathe Chechikku - Azhakulla Saleena (1973)
- Pinchuhridayam - Sethubandhanam (1974)
- Manjakkilee - Sethubandhanam (1974)
- Padinjaroru Paalazhi - Chakravaakam (1974)
- Paanante Veenakku - Thumbolaarcha (1974)
- Atham Rohini - Thumbolaarcha (1974)
- Polalli - Prayaanam (1975)
- Maappilappaattile - Alibabayum 41 Kallanmaarum (1975)
- Vallaathe Vishakkunnu - Ayodhya (1975)
- Kandam Vechoru - Maanishaada (1975)
- Kaathu Kaathu - Manassoru Mayil (1977)
- Maanathoraaraattam - Manassoru Mayil (1977)
- Hindolaraagathin - Thuruppugulaan (1977)
- Ilaahi Nin Rehmath - Thuruppugulaan (1977)
- Nanma Nerum Amma - Aparaadhi (1977)
- Ammaykku Vendathu - Niraparayum Nilavilakkum (1977)
- Chentheekkanal - Agninakshathram (1977)
- Velutha vaavinte - Veedu Oru Swargam (1977)
- Kalyaanaraathriyil - Samudram (1977)
- Pankajaakshi - Sooryadaham (1980)
- Thulaabharamallo - Kochu Kochu Thettukal (1980)
- Achan sundara sooryan - Swarangal Swapnangal (1981)
- Pottichirikkunna - Kadhayariyaathe (1981)
- Nirangal Nirangal - Kadhayariyaathe (1981)
- Aayilyam - Naagamadathu Thampuraatti (1982)
- Punnarappenninte - Jambulingam (1982)
- Maama maama karayalle - Thuranna Jail (1982)
- Oorukaani malavazhiye - Aaroodham (1983)
- Rithumathiyaay - Mazhanilaavu (1983)
- Neelamalayude - Aa Penkutty Nee Aayirunnenkil (1985)
- Ennaaliniyoru Kadha - Kochuthemmaadi (1986)
- Aattavum Paattum - Kilippaattu (1987)
- Porunnirikkum Choodil - Sarvakalashaala (1987)
- Vaanil Vibhaatham - Chevalier Michael (1992)
References
- http://www.malayalachalachithram.com/profiles.php?i=770
- http://www.deccanherald.com/content/365192/veteran-playback-singer-latha-raju.html
- http://mathrubhuminews.in/ee/Programs/Episode/2808/generations-music-chakkarappanthal-episode-38/E
- http://ibnlive.in.com/news/there-is-no-stopping-for-veteran-playback-singer-latha-raju/430431-71-210.html