Soolamangalam Sisters

Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi (Tamil: சூலமங்கலம் ஜெயலட்சுமி) and Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi (Tamil: சூலமங்கலம் ராஜலட்சுமி), popularly known as Soolamangalam Sisters (Tamil: சூலமங்கலம் சகோதரிகள்) were Carnatic music sister-pair vocalists and musicians known for their devotional songs in Tamil. They were early singers in the trend of duo singing in Carnatic music, which started in the 1950s, with performers like Radha Jayalakshmi, and later continued by Bombay Sisters, Ranjani-Gayatri, Mambalam Sisters, Bangalore Sisters and Priya Sisters

Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi
Birth nameJayalakshmi
Born(1937-04-24)24 April 1937
OriginSoolamangalam Thanjavur district, Madras presidency, British India
Died29 June 2017(2017-06-29) (aged 80)[1]
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
GenresTamil devotional, tamil patriotic, film music
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, musician
Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
Birth nameRajalakshmi
Born(1940-11-06)6 November 1940
OriginSoolamangalam Thanjavur district, Madras presidency, British India
Died1 March 1992(1992-03-01) (aged 51)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
GenresTamil devotional, tamil patriotic, film music
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, musician

Early life and background

Born in Soolamangalam Thanjavur district – a village with musical heritage, of Karnam Ramaswmai Ayyar & Janaki Ammal, the sisters had their training in music from K. G. Murthi of Soolamangalam, Pathamadai S.Krishnan, Mayavaram Venugopalayyar.

The duo-sisters were very popular for their matchless rendition of National and Devotional songs. They had a hectic practice for about three decades and were much sought after for providing background music in films. Their Kanda Shasti Kavasam album is very popular with the Lord Muruga devotees.[2]

Notable songs
SongAlbums
Kanda shasti kavasam Kanda shasti kavasam album
Skanda Guru kavasam Kanda shasti kavasam album

Awards
  • Muruga Ganamrtha
  • Kuyil Isai Thilakam
  • Isaiarasi
  • Nadhakanal
  • Kalaimamani in 1992 by Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Mandram.

Filmography

Among the two of them, Jayalakshmi had rendered only a few songs in films and most of it would be duets with Rajalakshmi, whereas Rajalakshmi had more chance as a playback singer in films. Her voice suits all the categories of youthful, soft mellifluousness, evocative feelings, perfection of pronunciation and the best in devotional songs.

Music composers she sang for

Many of her songs are under K. V. Mahadevan's music direction all the while. Many of her songs were under T. G. Lingappa. She also sang under G. Ramanathan, Naushad, Letchumanan Kurunath, K. N. Dandayudhapani Pillai, Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, S. Rajeswara Rao, H. R. Padmanabha Sasthri, C. N. Pandurangan, G. K. Venkatesh, T. A. Kalyanam, V. Kumar, T. R. Pappa, M. S. Srikanth, Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan, S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, S. Dakshinamurthy, Chittor V. Nagaiah, M. K. Athmanathan, M. S. Viswanathan, T. K. Ramamoorthy, Maestro IlayarajaShankar-Ganesh, Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan, Rajan-Nagendra, Brother Lakshmanan, V. Dakshinamurthy, P. S. Divakar, Pukazhenthi and under her own music compositions. She sang more often in the 1950s while during the 1960s, she was only sought in songs that needed more than one female voice.

Playback singers she sang with

Rajalakshmi sang immemorable duets mostly with T. M. Soundararajan. Other include Seerkazhi Govindarajan, P. B. Sreenivas, S. C. Krishnan, J. P. Chandrababu, K. R. Ramaswamy, M. Balamurali Krishna, A. L. Raghavan and K. J. Yesudas.

She also sang duets with female singers with most notably with her sister Soolamangalam Jajalakshmi, P. Leela and P. Suseela. Others are L. R. Easwari, Radha Jayalakshmi, M. L. Vasanthakumari, T. V. Rathinam, K. Jamuna Rani, S. Janaki, Jikki, B. Vasantha, A. G. Rathnamala, M. R. Vijaya, Sarala and L. R. Anjali.

Music director

Rajalakshmi assisted S. M. Subbaiah Naidu in Konjum Salangai. Both Jayalakshmi and Rajalakshmi as music directors by the name Soolamangalam Sisters, composed music for films like Dharisanam (1970), Tiger Thaathachari (1974), Appothe Sonnene Kettiya (1979) and Pillaiyar (1984). They also sang under their own compositions.

Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi
YearFilmLanguageSongMusicCo-Singer
1948Adhithan KanavuTamilMadhuramaana RusiyullatheG. RamanathanT. R. Mahalingam
1952VelaikaranTamilMaane MarikozhundheR. SudarsanamT. S. Bagavathi, A. G. Rathnamala & Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
1955Kalyanam SeydhukkoTamilVaetti Kattina PombaleRamaneekaranSeerkazhi Govindarajan
1961ArasilangkumariTamilOorvalamaaga Maappillai PennumG. RamanathanT. M. Soundararajan & P. Suseela
Naaga NandhiniTamilValluvan VedhamR. SudharsanamSoolamangalam Rajalakshmi
Singame SingameSoolamangalam Rajalakshmi
1962Indira En SelvamTamilThitthikkum ThamizhileH. R. Padmanabha Sasthri & C. N. PanduranganSoolamangalam Rajalakshmi
1962SaradhaTamilManamagale Marumagale Vaa VaaK. V. MahadevanSoolamangalam Rajalakshmi & L. R. Eswari
1964Bhakta RamadasuTeluguMohanaakaara RaamaaChittor V. NagaiahSoolamangalam Rajalakshmi
Raamaa PaahimaamSoolamangalam Rajalakshmi
Pahimam SriramanteSoolamangalam Rajalakshmi
1974Tiger ThathachariTamilEzhumalai Vaasaa VengkadesaaSoolamagalam SistersSoolamangalam Rajalakshmi & K. Veeramani
1979Kandhar AlangaramTamilKandhanukku Alangaaram Kandhar AlangaaramKunnakkudi VaidyanathanSoolamangalam Rajalakshmi
1984PillaiyarTamilPillaiyar PillaiyarSoolamangalam SistersSoolamangalam Rajalakshmi

Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
YearFilmLanguageSongMusicCo-Singer
1948Krishna BakthiTamilKanavil Kandene Kannan Mel Kaadhal KondeneS. V. Venkatraman, G. Ramanathan & Kunnakudi Venkatarama Iyer
1952AanTamilNaan Raaniye RajavinNaushad
Aa Sududhe En Maname
1952AmarakaviTamilAnnai Thandhai AnbariyaadhaG. Ramanathan & T. A. KalyanamM. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar
1952VelaikaranTamilMaane MarikozhundheR. SudarsanamT. S. Bagavathi, A. G. Rathnamala & Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi
1954Kalyanam Panniyum BrammachariTamilAzhage AnandhamT. G. Lingappa
1954KanavuTamilThandhaka ThaganakaG. Ramanathan & V. Dakshinamoorthy
1954Raja GuruvuTeluguPrema Vina VaramemiK. N. Dandayudhapani PillaiGhantasala
Aa Daivamu Karunanidhi
1954Thuli VishamTamilSammadhitthaal Endrum SandhoshameK. N. Dandayudhapani PillaiK. R. Ramaswamy
1954ViduthalaiTamilInidhaana ThendralLetchumanan Kurunath
1954Vilayattu BommaiTamilKalai Chelvame VaazhgaveT. G. Lingappa
Kannil Prasannamaana Kaliye
Inba Vaanil UlaavumT. R. Mahalingam
Periyorgal Sollai Pola
1955MenakaTamilSugamaana Isaiyaagum VaazhveC. N. Pandurangan & VedhaK. R. Ramaswamy
1956AathmaarpanamMalayalamUllathu Chollu PenneV. DakshinamurthyT. S. Kumaresh
1956AniyathiMalayalamPaahisakala JananiBr LakshmananP. Leela
1957BaagyavathiTamilParuvam Kondu Asaindhu AadumS. Dakshinamurthy
1957Bhaktha MarkandeyaTamilAnbin Uruve NeeyeViswanathan-RamamoorthyP. B. Sreenivas
Andasaraasarangal
1957Magathala Nattu MaryTamilJaya Jaya Jayame Peruvadhu NijameR. ParthasarathyK. Rani
1957Raja RajanTamilAadum Azhage AzhaguK. V. MahadevanP. Leela
1957Rathnagiri RahasyaKannadaSharanara KaayoT. G. Lingappa
Ananda MahadaanandaJikki & K. Rani
Kivi Eradu Sakenayya
1957Thangamalai Ragasiyam TamilArul Puriyavo JegannathaT. G. Lingappa
Aanandham Pudhu AanandhamJikki & K. Rani
Iru Kaadhum Poddhaadhaiyaa
1957ThaskaraveeranMalayalamMalarthorum MandahaasamS. M. Subbaiah NaiduP. B. Sreenivas
Vannallo Vasanthakaalam
Aanandakaniye Vaaninmaniye
Maayaamoham Maaraathe Nee
1958Engal Kudumbam PerisuTamilEnnaalum Kaanaatha AananthameT. G. Lingappa
Naanum Neeyum JodiS. C. Krishnan
1958School MasterKannadaInnenu AanandaT. G. Lingappa
Naanu Neenu JodiPithapuram Nageswara Rao
Bhaameya Nodalu
1958Badi PantuluTeluguJaagela Ananda MandeeyaraaT. G. Lingappa
Neevu Nenu Jodu Ee Eddula Sakketa ChooduPithapuram Nageswara Rao
Bhaamanu Jerava Gopaalaa
1958Nalla Idathu SambandhamTamilJaalam Seivadhu NiyayamaK. V. MahadevanM. R. Radha (dialogues)
Sonnaalum Ketpadhillai
1958Neelavukku Niranja ManasuTamilOtrumaiye Namakku UyirnaadiK. V. MahadevanJikki
Kannaikkavarum Baradhakalai
Singaara SangeethameJikki & A. G. Rathnamala
1958Sabaash Meena TamilChitthiram PesudhadiT. G. Lingappa
Nalla Vaazhvu Kaanalaame
Inbatthin Vegamaa Idhayatthin Dhaagamaa
1959Deivame ThunaiTamilVadamadurai MannanS. M. Subbaiah NaiduS. Janaki, Kamala & Kumar
1959Kanniyin SabathamTamilAattatthil Sirandhadhu PitthalaattamT. G. LingappaM. L. Vasanthakumari
1959Mala Oru Mangala VilakkuTamilNaan Aada Nee Paadu KannaC. N. Pandurangan
Penn Manam PoleP. B. Sreenivas
1959Naalu Veli NilamTamilUnakkum Enakkum Isaindha PoruthamK. V. Mahadevan
Kaani Nilam VendumM. K. Athmanathan
1959President PanchatcharamTamilDesa Sudhanthiram Thedi VazhangiyaG. RamanathanP. Leela
1959Thanga PadhumaiTamilVarugiraal UmmaithediViswanathan-RamamoorthyM. L. Vasanthakumari
1959Thayapola Pillai Noolapola SelaiTamilSandhegam Theeradha ViyadhiK. V. Mahadevan
Vilai Mathippillaadha Arumporul KalaiyeP. Susheela
Paatti Sollum KadhaiSeerkazhi Govindarajan, Thiruchi Loganathan & L. R. Eswari
1960Chavukkadi ChandrakanthaTamilMannaa Mayangaadhe NeeG. RamanathanK. Rani
1960Kanaka Durga Pooja MahimaTeluguJeeviname PaavanamRajan-NagendraGhantasala
1960Paavai VilakkuTamilNee Sititthal Nan SirippenK. V. Mahadevan
Vetkamaaga Irukkudhu Enakku
1960Padikkadha MedhaiTamilOre Oru OorileK. V. MahadevanT. M. Soundararajan
1960Petra ManamTamilPaadi Paadi PaadiS. Rajeswara RaoJ. P. Chandrababu
Ore Oru Paisa Tharuvadhu Perisa
1960Ponni ThirunaalTamilPonggi Varum KaviriyeK. V. MahadevanSeerkazhi Govindarajan, Thiruchi Loganathan & L. R. Eswari
Matthalam Kotta Vari Sangam
Naattukkor ThandhaiyadiRadha Jayalakshmi
1960Ranadheera KanteeravaKannadaKarunada Vairamudi KanteeravaG. K. VenkateshRadha Jayalakshmi
Kabbina Billanu
1960SivagamiTamilAnggum Inggum Aattam PodaK. V. MahadevanT. M. Soundararajan
1960ThilakamTamilSandhegam Enum Oru SarakkuR. SudharsanamS. C. Krishnan
B.O.Y. Boy Enna PaiyanS. C. Krishnan
Aayi Mahamaayi Perai CholliL. R. Eswari & S. C. Krishnan
Karagam Karagam KaragamS. C. Krishnan
Bayaaskoppu Paatthiyaa Dappaskoppu PaatthiyaaT. M. Soundararajan
Thanjavoor Karagamadi Oh MariammaaT. M. Soundararajan, S. C. Krishnan & L. R. Eswari
1961Bhakta KuchelaMalayalamVikrama RaajendraBr LakshmananP. Leela
Madhu PakarenamP. Leela
Paaril Aarum Kandaal ViraykkumeP. Leela
1961Ellam UnakkagaTamilManasu Pola MaapillaiK. V. MahadevanP. Susheela & L. R. Eswari
1961Kumara RajaTamilAngadikadai VeedhiyileT. R. PappaA. G. Rathnamala
1961Naaga NandhiniTamilValluvan VedhamR. SudharsanamSoolamangalam Jayalakshmi
Singame SingameSoolamangalam Jayalakshmi
1961Panam PanthiyileTamilThattan KadaiyileK. V. MahadevanT. M. Soundararajan
1961Sabaash MapillaiTamilMutthu Pole Manjal Kotthu PoleK. V. MahadevanSeerkazhi Govindarajan
1961Thayilla PillaiTamilChinna Chinna OoraniyaamK. V. Mahadevan
1962Asthikkoru Aanum Asaikku Oru PonnumTamilKan Vizhitthu Penn OruthiK. V. Mahadevan
1962Azhagu NilaTamilMuthu Muthaai EnnamK. V. Mahadevan
1962Ethaiyum Thangum IthaiyamTamilUnakkum Enakkum Vegu Thooram IllaiT. R. Pappa
1962Indira En SelvamTamilKannipparuvam AvalH. R. Padmanabha Sasthri & C. N. PanduranganP. B. Sreenivas
Thitthikkum ThamizhileSoolamangalam Jayalakshmi
Ullaasa Mangai Ilaamal Ponaal
1962Konjum SalangaiTamilKaana Kan Kodi VendumS. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Orumaiyudan
Brahmma Thaalam PodaRadha Jayalakshmi
1962MaadappuraTamilOorukkum TheriyaadhuK. V. MahadevanT. M. Soundararajan
Oorukkum Theriyaadhu (pathos)
Kannirandum Thevaiyillai
Sirikka Therinthaal PodhumT. M. Soundararajan
Manadhil Konda AsaiyeP. Susheela
1962PattinatharTamilThanga Bommai PoleG. Ramanathan
1962Sengamala TheevuTamilAaduvom Poomaalai PoduvomK. V. MahadevanL. R. Eswari
Kannaal Pesuvom Kaiyai VeesuvomL. R. Eswari
1962SaradhaTamilManamagale Marumagale Vaa VaaK. V. MahadevanSoolamangalam Jayalakshmi & L. R. Eswari
1962Sreerama PattabhishekamMalayalamLankeshaBr LakshmananP. Leela
1963Chittoor Rani PadminiTamilVaanatthil Meen Ondru KandaiG. Ramanathan
1963Kaithiyin KathaliTamilChitthirai Poongkodi Thendralai MarandhuK. V. MahadevanA. L. Raghavan
1963KarnanTamilPoi Vaa Magale Poi VaaViswanathan-Ramamoorthy
1963KarnaTeluguPovamma Ika PoyiraViswanathan-Ramamoorthy
1963Kungumam TamilKungumam Mangala Mangaiyin KungumamK. V. MahadevanP. Susheela
1963Paar Magale PaarTamilVetkkamaai IrukkudhadiViswanathan-RamamoorthyP. Leela
1963Thulasi MaadamTamilMaiyai Thottu EzhuthiyavarK. V. MahadevanS. Janaki
1964Bhakta RamadasuTeluguMohanaakaara RaamaaChittor V. NagaiahSoolamangalam Jayalakshmi
Raamaa PaahimaamSoolamangalam Jayalakshmi
Pahimam SriramanteSoolamangalam Jayalakshmi
1964Chinnada GombeKannadaSevanthige ChedinanthaT. G. Lingappa
1964Magale Un SamatthuTamilAnnamidum KarangalinaalG. K. VenkateshL. R. Eswari
1964Muradan MuthuTamilSevvandhi PoochenduT. G. Lingappa
1964NavarathriTamilVandha Naal MudhalK. V. MahadevanK. Jamuna Rani, L. R. Eswari & L. R. Anjali
1964Veera PandiyanTamilUngalai Thozhudhu.... Theeradha Kobangal Thisai Thaavi NindraalRajan-Nagendra
1965MuthalaliMalayalamPonnaara MuthalaaliPukazhenthiS. Janaki & B. Vasantha
1965NaanalTamilKuyil Koovi ThuyilezhuppaV. Kumar
Kuyil Koovi Thuyilezhuppa (pathos)Major Sundararajan (dialogues)
1965Vazhkai PadaguTamilPoochoodi Pottu VaitthuViswanathan-RamamoorthyL. R. Eswari
1966Gowri KalyanamTamilVellai KamalathileM. S. Viswanathan
Thiruppugazhai Paada PaadaP. Susheela
1966Motor Sundaram PillaiTamilThulli Thulli VilaiyaadaK. V. MahadevanP. Susheela & L. R. Eswari
1967Bama VijayamTamilAani Muthu Vaangi VandhenM. S. ViswanathanP. Susheela & L. R. Eswari
1967Bhakta PrahladaTeluguAndhani SuraseemaniS. Rajeswara RaoP. Susheela & S. Janaki
1967Kandhan KarunaiTamilThirupparang Kundratthil Nee SiritthaalKunnakkudi VaidyanathanP. Susheela
Aarumugam Aana PorulK. V. MahadevanS. Janaki & Renuka
1967KarpooramTamilVanangidum Kaigalin VadivatthaiD. B. RamachandraP. Susheela
1967Manam Oru KuranguTamilPattanatthu Sandhaiyile Koodaik KaariD. B. Ramachandra
1967PadavidharaKannadaKarnaata SaamraajyaR. Rathna
1967Sundara Moorthy NayanarTamilThalaiye Nee VanangaaiS. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Parakkum En Killaigaal
Maadhar Pirai KanniyaaraiSeerkazhi Govindarajan
1967Pesum DheivamTamilNoorandu Kaalam VaazhgaK. V. MahadevanL. R. Eswari & Sarala
1967SeethaTamilNalam Kaakkum Kula DheivameK. V. MahadevanP. Susheela
1967Thanga ValaiyalTamilSonnale Vaai Manakkum VelmurugaK. V. Mahadevan
1968Neelagiri ExpressTamilThirutthani Murugaa Thennava ThalaivaaT. K. RamamoorthyP. Susheela
1968Thirumal PerumaiTamilKaakkai ChiraginileK. V. Mahadevan
Karai Eri Meen VilaiyadumP. Susheela
Margazhi Thingal
1969MagizhampooTamilVendiyadhai Vaarikolla VaarungaD. B. Ramachandra
1969Nirai KudamTamilDhevaa.... Ulagai Kaana NinaitthenV. KumarT. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela & K. Jamuna Rani
1969ThaalaattuTamilMalligaippoo PottuM. L. SrikanthT. M. Soundararajan
1970Arishina KumkumaKannadaSevavthige ChandinanthaT. G. Lingappa
1970JeevanadiTamilAruvi Magal AlaiosaiV. DakshinamoorthyK. J. Yesudas
1970KanmalarTamilThodudaiya Seviyan.... Odhuvaar Un Peyar OdhuvaarK. V. MahadevanM. Balamurali Krishna
1970Vietnam VeeduTamilEndrum Pudhidhaaga.... Ulagatthile Oruvan EnaK. V. MahadevanP. Susheela & A. L. Raghavan
1970Sri KrishnadevarayaKannadaKrishnana Hesare LokapriyaT. G. LingappaP. B. Sreenivas & S. Janaki
1970Yaen?TamilKannan Enakkoru PillaiT. R. Pappa
1971Aathi ParasakthiTamilTak Dina DinK. V. Mahadevan
1971Kulama GunamaTamilMuthe Maragadhame....Pillai Kali TheeraK. V. MahadevanP. Susheela
1971Sri Krishna Rukmini SatyabhamaKannadaDorakitu NanaginduR. Sudharsanam
1972Annai AbiramiTamilKunnakkudi Vaidyanathan
1972Appa TataTamilIllaadha Pillaikku NaanV. Kumar
1972DheivamTamilVaruvaandi Tharuvaandi MalaiyaandiKunnakkudi VaidyanathanM. R. Vijaya
1972Raman Thediya Seethai TamilYeannaa Neenga Enge PorelM. S. ViswanathanL. R. Eswari & Saibaba
1972Ragasiya Penn 117 TamilAasai Roja PaaruC. N. Pandurangan
1972Sree GuruvayoorappanMalayalamPeelippoomudiV. DakshinamurthyP. Leela
1973Maru PiraviTamilKaveri Maandhoppu KaniyoT. R. Pappa
1974Gumasthavin MagalTamilEzhuthi Ezhuthi Pazhagi VandhenKunnakkudi VaidyanathanM. R. Vijaya
Therodum Veedhiyile Dharisikka Kaathirundhen
1974Hemareddy MallammaKannadaNee Balle I Daasi NanadaaseyaP. S. Divakar
1974Tiger ThathachariTamilKalyanam Oru VizhaSoolamagalam RajalakshmiT. M. Soundararajan
Ezhumalai Vaasaa VengkadesaaSoolamangalam Jayalakshmi & K. Veeramani
1977Sorgam NaragamTamilSendhoor NizhalilShankar-Ganesh
1977Sri Krishna Leela TamilAnbe UyarndhadhuS. V. VenkatramanT. V. Rathinam
1978Thanga RanganTamilEnga Rngan Thanga RanganM. S. ViswanathanT. M. Soundararajan
Thuppariya Porom NaangaKovai Soundarajan
1979Kandhar AlangaramTamilKandhanukku Alangaaram Kandhar AlangaaramKunnakkudi VaidyanathanSoolamangalam Jayalakshmi
1984PillaiyarTamilPillaiyar PillaiyarSoolamangalam RajalakshmiSoolamangalam Jayalakshmi

Deaths

Though Jayalakshmi was the elder of the sisters, it was Rajalakshmi who left first. Rajalakshmi died on 1 March 1992, aged only 51 because of cardiac arrest and gastritis which lasted for about 12 years. Jayalakshmi was strongly affected by her sister's death. She died on 29 June 2017, aged 80.

References
  1. "IndiaGlitz - Kandha Sashti kavacham singer Jayalakshmi of Soolamanagalam Sisters passed away". indiaglitz. 29 June 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  2. "Music: Profiles of Artistes, Composers, Musicologists". saigan.com. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
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