Kavita Krishnamurthy has a unique mellifluous voice that is very soothing and, at the same time, very powerful. Being a classically trained singer, she is technically very sound with perfect Sur, Taal, Taan, and diction. She is the recipient of several awards, including four Filmfare awards ( “1942 – A Love Story”, “Yaarana”, “Khamoshi, and “Devdas”). She was also bestowed with the Padma Shri in 2005.
Early Life
Kavita Krishnamurti, born as Sharada Krishnamurthy on January 25, 1958, is an iconic singer who recorded thousands of songs in over 40 languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Kannada, Rajasthani, Bhojpuri, Telugu, Odia, Marathi, English, Urdu, Tamil, Malayalam, Gujarati, Nepali, Assamese, Konkani, Punjabi, and many others.
Born and brought up in Delhi, in a Tamil Iyer family, with her father, T.S. Krishnamurthy, working in the Education Ministry. She began her musical training at the insistence of her aunt, Protima Bhattacharya, who enrolled her to train under Surama Basu, where she was taught Rabindra Sangeet. She later received formal training in Hindustani classical music under the guidance of Sri Balram Puri.
Early Career of Kavita Krishnamurthy
Kavita moved to Mumbai at the age of 14 to pursue her dream of becoming a singer. Kavita enrolled at St. Xavier’s College, Bombay, where she obtained an Honours Degree in Economics. While in college, she started singing professionally on stage with the “great music director Hemant Kumar,” “Mukesh,” and “Manna Dey.”. She began her recording career in 1971. During her college days at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, she got an opportunity to record a song in the Bengali film “Shriman Prithviraj” in 1971 with Lata Mangeshkar.
She recorded her first song under Vilayat Khan’s composition in Kadambari (1976), a version of Aayega Anewala from Mahal.
Hema Malini’s mother, Jaya, was a family friend, and she introduced her to Laxmi Kant Ji in 1976. Maang Bharo Sajna (1980) was her first Hindi film under Sri Laxmikant Pyarelal, followed by Pyar Jhukta Nahin (1985), where she sang the third version of “Tumse Milkar Na Jane.”
Breakthrough of Kavita Krishnamurthy
Her real breakthrough with Karma (1986), which established her as a leading voice of the industry. In the film she sang “Na Jaiyo Pardes,” “Aye Watan Tere Liye,” and “Aye Sanam Tere Liye.” She recorded the famous song “Hawa Hawai” in Mr. India (1987) as a filler singer. Her rendition impressed everyone so much that it was decided to use it in the film. She also sang “Karte Hai Hum Pyaar Mr. India Se.”
With the success of Mr. India, she was became the voice of superstar Sridevi. Over the years and sang many songs for her in films like Nagina, ChaalBaaz, Nigahen, Khuda Gawah, Chandra Mukhi, Gumrah, Chaand Kaa Tukdaa, and many more. Some of the notable songs from these films were “Balma Tum Balma Ho Mere Khali Naam Ke,” “Tera Bimar Mera Dil,” “Na Jane Kahan Se,” “Saara Saara Dil Tum Kaam Karoge,” “Jugni Aayee Dhulhan Banke,” “Pyar Kiya Hai,” “Ranjha Ranjha Karte Karte,” “Tu Mujhe Kabool,” “Rab Ko Yaad Karoon,” and many more.
Collaborations
She also sang extensively for other superstar Madhuri Dixit in films like Uttar Dakshin, Khatron Ke Khiladi, Dayavan, Sailab, Jamai Raja, Prem Deewane, Phool, Yaarana, Rajkumar, Koyla, Wajood, Mohabbat, Devdas, Gaja Gamini, and Pukar. Some of the notable songs from these films include “Premiyon Ke Dil.” “Palak Ke Tale” “Naina Ho Gaye Banwre” “Kahe Saiyan Teri Meri” “Mera Piya Ghar Aaya” “Jaane Woh Kaisa Chor Tha” “Loye Loye” “Sanson Ki Mala” “Aankhon Ke Aage Peechhe” “Chori Chori” “Ki Toot Gayi” “Sanam Tum Hum Pe” “Do Sadiyon Ke Sangam” “Kay Sera Sera,” “Dola Re Dola,” “Kaahe Chhed,” “Maar Daala,” and many more.
Kavita has sung with luminaries like Manna Dey and Kishore Kumar, as well as contemporaries and juniors like Mohammad Aziz, Sudesh Bhosle, Udit Narayan, Sonu Nigam, and Shaan. Presently she is probably the only singer who has worked with legends like Naushad, Khayyam, OP Nayyar, Lakshmikant-Pyarelal, R.D. Burman, and also with Bappi Lahiri, A.R. Rahman, Anu Malik, Nadeem Shravan, Jatin Lalit, Ismail Durbar, and Shankar-Ehsan-Loy. Kavita has given her voice to superstars like Nutan, Helen, Shabana Manisha, Kajol, Karishma, Aishwarya, Kareena, and Rani Mukherjee.
Memorable Songs
Over the years, Kavita has sung for many more films like Insaf Ki Pukar, Batwara, Ram Lakhan, Suryaa, Hum, Saudagar, Yaara Dildara, Shola Aur Shabnam, 1942: A Love Story, Mohara, Bombay, Saaz, Khamoshi, Pardes, Bhairavi, Agnisakshi, Prem Agan, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan, Hum Dil de Chuke Sanam, Taal, Hum Saath Saath Hain, Vaastav, Khoobsurat, Dil Chahta Hai, Dil Vil Pyar Vyar, Jeena Sirf Tere Liye, The Rising, etc.
Kavita Krishnamurti’s filmography is extensive, showcasing her versatility and talent across various genres. Some of her notable songs include “Thare Vaaste Re Dhola,” “Bade Ghar Ki Beti Ke Nakhre Bade,” “Allam Gallam Sajana,” “Ilu Ilu,” “Bin Tere Sanam,” “Kisi Haseen Yaar Ki Talaash Hai,” “Dekho Dekho Tum” “Too Pagal Premi Awaara” “O Lal Dupatte Wali” “Solah Button Meri Choli” “Khal Nayak Hun Main” “Naale Naale Main Chala,” “Pyar Hua Chupke Se,” “Rim Jhim Rim Jhim” “Tu Cheez Badi Hai” “Kucchi Kucchi Rakkamma” “Balam Kesariya” “O Yaara Dil Lagana,” “Aaj Main Upar,” “Gupt Gupt,” “I Love My India,” “Neend Churai Meri” “Dhol Bajne Laga” “Satrangi Re” “Koi Mil Gaya,” “Nimbooda,” “Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan” “Mhare Hiwda” “Kay Sera Sera” “Main Albeli” “Kabhi Neem Neem” “Tumse Milke Dil Ka” “Aaj Ki Raat” “Iktara”
Known for her versatility, Kavita has seamlessly traversed various genres, from soulful melodies to upbeat numbers. Beyond Hindi films, Kavita Krishnamurti has explored devotional and regional music. Her soulful renditions and emotive expressions have earned her accolades and a special place in the hearts of music enthusiasts.
Others Works
Apart from her contributions to film music, Kavita Krishnamurti has also made significant contributions to non-film music. She has released several albums and performed in numerous concerts worldwide. Some of her notable non-film works include “Bhalobasi,” “Shiv Baba ko Yaad Kar, Dujone Dekha Holo,” “Together Tagore,” “Premer Neshay,” “Mohe Raam Dhun Laagi,” “Bhajan Stuti,” “Aadi Ganesh,” “Venkatesha Suprabhatam,” “Shiva Shlokas,” “Koi Akela Kahan,” “Mahalakshmi Stotram,” “Pop Time,” “Sai Ka Vardaan,” “Shagufthagi,” “Dil Ki Awaaz,” “Hasratein,” “Asmita, Mahiya,” “Hum Dono,” “Meera Ka Ram,” “Maa Shakti,” and many more.
Kavita travelled all over the world with her live concerts, including the US, Europe, Australia, East Asia, the Middle East, and South America. She has performed at venues like the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Kennedy Centre in Washington, D.C., Madison Square Garden, the Lincoln Centre in New York City, the Zhongshan Music Hall in Beijing, and many more.
In 1999, she married noted violinist L. Subramaniam and resides in Bengaluru. Kavita and her husband opened a musical institute, the Subramaniam Academy of Performing Arts, in Bengaluru in 2007.
Kavita Krishnamurthy on IMDB
