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{{Short description|Indian playback singer}}
{{Redirect|Chithra||Chitra (disambiguation){{!}}Chitra}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = K. S. Chithra
| image = K.S.Chithra Jan 2015 05.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Chithra in [[Kodungallur]], January 2015
| birth_name = Krishnan Nair Shantakumari Chithra
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1963|07|27}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kameshwari |first1=A |title=KS Chithra turns 57: Mohanlal, Priyadarshan, Aju Varghese and others wish ace singer |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/music/singer-ks-chithra-57th-birthday-wishes-6525548/ |access-date=27 May 2022 |work=The Indian Express |date=27 July 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Trivandrum]], [[Kerala]], [[India]]
| alma_mater = [[University of Kerala]]
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|music producer|Judge}}
| spouse = {{Married|Vijayashankar|1988}}
| years_active = 1979–present
| module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes
| background = solo_singer
| genre = {{flat list|
* [[Indian classical music]]
* [[playback singer|Playback singing]]
* [[Filmi]]
}}
| instrument = [[Vocals]]
| label = [https://www.facebook.com/Audiotracs Audiotracs]
}}
| honours = ''[[List of awards and nominations received by K. S. Chithra|See list]]''
| website = {{URL|www.kschithra.com}}
}}

'''Krishnan Nair Shantakumari Chithra''' (born 27 July 1963), always credited as '''K. S. Chithra''' or '''Chithra''', is an Indian [[playback singer]] and [[Carnatic music|Carnatic]] musician. In a career spanning over four decades, she has recorded over 25,000 songs<ref name="auto3">{{Cite news |last=Pradeep |first=K. |date=22 August 2019 |title=Celebrating 40 years of singer KS Chithra, the queen of melody |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/ks-chithra-walks-through-her-40-years-in-the-music-industry/article29221662.ece |access-date=13 July 2021 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/the-melody-down-south-top-five-female-playback-singers-in-south-industries-news-121655 |title= From KS Chithra To Chinmayi Sripada: Top Five Female Playback Singers In South |work= [[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]] |access-date= 9 February 2022}}</ref> in various [[Languages of India|Indian languages]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=K.S Chithra Odia Songs |url=https://gaana.com/artist/chitra/odia-songs |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=K.S Chitra Odia Song-Mani Nageswari(1995) |url=https://odiakhati.com/category/837/Mani_Nageswari_(1995).html |url-status=live}}</ref> as well as [[foreign languages]] such as Malay, Latin, Arabic, Sinhalese, English and French.<ref name="The Hindu">{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/chithra-in-concert-and-workshop/article8315215.ece |title=Chithra in concert and workshop |author=Article |newspaper=The Hindu |date=5 March 2016}}</ref> She is also known for her extensive history of collaboration with music composers like [[A. R. Rahman]], [[Ilaiyaraja]], [[Hamsalekha]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/Music-has-helped-me-live/article14181621.ece/amp/#aoh=16210546752876&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s |title=Music has helped me live |work=The Hindu |author=Bhumika K. |date=29 March 2016 |access-date=15 May 2021}}</ref> [[M. M. Keeravani]] and with the playback singers [[K. J. Yesudas]] and [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]] over the years. She is regarded as a ''''cultural icon'''' of South Indian states.<ref name="auto3"/> She is called as the ''''Melody Queen of Indian Cinema'''' and ''''Little Nightingale of Indian Cinema''''.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/the-melody-down-south-top-five-female-playback-singers-in-south-industries-news-121655 |title= From KS Chithra To Chinmayi Sripada: Top Five Female Playback Singers In South |work= [[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]] |access-date= 9 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= Melody Queen K.S. Chitra Hits - EP |url=https://music.apple.com/kw/album/melody-queen-k-s-chitra-hits-ep/1507577527 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= Melody Queen K.S. Chitra Hits |website=[[Spotify]] |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/1FQianc7N98I3YLS4rb4tp |url-status=live}}</ref> She was cited as the ''Golden Voice of India'' by the prestigious [[Royal Albert Hall]], [[London]], and her performance in the hall was applauded with much appreciation by a roomful of an international audience.<ref name="Passion Vista">{{cite news | url= https://www.passionvista.com/dr-k-s-chithra/ |title= The Delightful Synonym of Symphony |work= Passion Vista |date=25 January 2022 |access-date=25 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= Golden Voice Chitra Hits |url= https://music.apple.com/us/album/golden-voice-chitra/1417461004|url-status=live}}</ref>

Chithra is a recipient of six [[National Film Awards]], nine [[Filmfare Awards South]] and 36 different state film awards from six [[States and union territories of India|states of India]] such as 16 [[Kerala State Film Awards]], 11 [[Nandi Awards|Andhra Pradesh State Film Awards]], 4 [[Tamil Nadu State Film Awards]], 3 [[Karnataka State Film Awards]], 1 [[Orissa State Film Awards]], 1 [[West Bengal Film Journalists' Association Award for Best Female Playback Singer|West Bengal State Film Awards]].<ref name="Filmfare">{{cite web |url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/winners-of-the-65th-jio-filmfare-awards-south-2018_-28887.html |title=Winners of the 65th Jio Filmfare Awards (South) 2018 |author=Filmfare |publisher=Filmfare.com |date=16 June 2018}}</ref> She was awarded India's third-highest civilian honours [[Padma Bhushan]] in 2021 and [[Padma Shri Awards (2000–2009)|Padma Shri]] in 2005 for her valuable contributions towards the Indian musical fraternity.<ref name="auto" /><ref name="padmaawards">{{cite web |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1692337 |title=Padma Awards 2021 announced |publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs |access-date=26 January 2021}}</ref><ref name="The Times of India">{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/shinzo-abe-tarun-gogoi-ram-vilas-paswan-among-padma-award-winners-complete-list/articleshow/80453596.cms |title=Shinzo Abe, Tarun Gogoi, Ram Vilas Paswan among Padma Award winners: Complete list |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=25 January 2021 |access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref><ref name="bhushan" /> She is the first Indian woman to be honoured by [[British Parliament]] at [[House of Commons]], [[United Kingdom]].<ref name="etimes.in">{{Cite web |date=7 January 2022|title= EXCLUSIVE! KS Chithra: I believe in the magic of music|url= https://m.timesofindia.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/exclusive-ks-chithra-i-believe-in-the-magic-of-music/articleshow/88755835.cms |access-date=7 January 2022 |website=[[Time of India]]}}</ref> Her performance at the Qinghai international water and music festival in [[Qinghai]], [[China]], in 2009 changed this national talent into a global musical genius.<ref name="Passion Vista">{{cite news | url= https://www.passionvista.com/dr-k-s-chithra/ |title= The Delightful Synonym of Symphony |work= Passion Vista |date=25 January 2022 |access-date=25 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/the-melody-down-south-top-five-female-playback-singers-in-south-industries-news-121655 |title= From KS Chithra To Chinmayi Sripada: Top Five Female Playback Singers In South |work= [[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]] |access-date= 9 February 2022}}</ref> She was honoured with the [[Rashtrapati Award]] for First Ladies in the field of music felicitated by the [[Ministry of Women and Child Development]] at the [[Rashtrapati Bhavan]] on 20 January 2018.<ref name="thenewsminute.com">{{Cite web |date=22 January 2018 |title=India's 'first ladies': Rousing stories of 20 women who were pioneers in their fields |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/indias-first-ladies-rousing-stories-20-women-who-were-pioneers-their-fields-75167 |access-date=29 October 2020 |website=[[The News Minute]]}}</ref><ref name="etimes.in">{{Cite web |date=7 January 2022|title= EXCLUSIVE! KS Chithra: I believe in the magic of music|url= https://m.timesofindia.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/exclusive-ks-chithra-i-believe-in-the-magic-of-music/articleshow/88755835.cms |access-date=7 January 2022 |website=[[Time of India]]}}</ref>

==Early life==

Chithra received her training in [[Carnatic music]] from [[K. Omanakutty]], passed B.A. in music with first class and third rank from the [[University of Kerala]].<ref name="herself"/> She was selected to the National Talent Search Scholarship from the Central Government from 1978 to 1984.<ref name="night">{{cite news |last=Nair |first=Sulekha |title=Nightingale of the south |url=http://www.expressindia.com/fe/daily/20010123/fsm21016.html |access-date=11 December 2010 |newspaper=Express India |date=23 January 2001 |archive-date=11 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011030043/http://www.expressindia.com/fe/daily/20010123/fsm21016.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Playback singing==

=== Malayalam cinema ===
K. S. Chithra was introduced to [[Malayalam]] playback by [[M. G. Radhakrishnan]] in 1979 who recorded her voice for films and private albums.<ref name="herself">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/07/21/stories/2005072113740200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050722034447/http://www.hindu.com/2005/07/21/stories/2005072113740200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 July 2005|title=One more feather in her cap |author=S.R. Ashok Kumar |newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=21 July 2005}}</ref> ''Attahasam'', ''Snehapoorvam Meera'' and ''[[Njan Ekananu]]'' were the first few films in which she recorded her voice. She also performed live concerts with [[K. J. Yesudas]] in India and abroad.<ref name="herself" /> The song "Manjal Prasadavum" from the film ''[[Nakhakshathangal]]'' (1986) composed by [[Bombay Ravi]] got her the second [[National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer]]. For the same composer, she sang the song "Indupushpam Choodi Nilkum" for the film ''[[Vaisali (film)|Vaishali]]'' (1989) and won her third National Film Award. Her first [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer]] was for the song "Aayiram Kannumayi" from the film ''[[Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu]]'' (1986) composed by [[Jerry Amaldev]]. Since then, she has earned wide recognition by singing popular songs under the compositions of [[Raveendran]], [[Shyam (composer)|Shyam]], [[S. P. Venkitesh]], [[Mohan Sithara]],Salil Chowdary,[[Kannur Rajan]], [[Ilaiyaraaja]], [[Johnson (composer)|Johnson]], [[Ouseppachan]], [[M. K. Arjunan]], [[A. T. Ummer]], [[Berny Ignatius]], [[M. B. Sreenivasan]], [[Mohan Sithara]], [[Vidyasagar (composer)|Vidyasagar]], [[Ramesh Narayan]], [[Sharreth]], [[M. Jayachandran]] and Deepak dev.<ref name="herself" /> She is regarded as "Nightingale of Kerala (Vanambadi)" and recorded many successful songs in Malayalam. She recorded a number of songs for the composer [[S. P. Venkitesh]] and her maximum duet songs in Malayalam are with [[K. J. Yesudas]] and [[M. G. Sreekumar]]. As of 2017, she has won the Kerala State Awards for the record 16 times. Her latest song "Theerame" from the movie Malik 2021 became another awesome hit in Malayalam Music Industry .<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/love-and-longing-15-malayalam-songs-you-must-listen-now-102774|title=Of love and longing: 15 Malayalam songs that you must listen to now|date=31 May 2019|website=The News Minute}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/music/k-s-chithra-celebrates-40-years-of-her-musical-journey/articleshow/69097073.cms|title=K S Chithra celebrates 40 years of her musical journey - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=29 April 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/movie-news/celebrities-wish-ks-chithra-on-her-big-day-1.3008325|title=Celebrities wish KS Chithra on her big day|website=Mathrubhumi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/music/2019/04/16/singer-ks-chithra-remembering-daughter-nandana.html|title=Why singer Chithra feels a void?|website=OnManorama}}</ref>

=== Telugu cinema ===
Chithra's first Telugu song was "Paadalenu Pallavaina" from the dubbed version of Tamil film [[Sindhu Bhairavi (film)|''Sindhu Bhairavi'']] (1985) composed by Ilaiyaraaja. Her first song in a Telugu film is "Abba Daanisoku" from ''[[Aakhari Poratam]]'' (1988), sung alongside S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. She gained recognition for "Jallanta Kavvinta" from [[Geethanjali (1989 film)|''Geethanjali'']] (1989) and then went onto sing several songs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Prakash |first=P. V. D. S |title=సరిగమ స్వరాల కోయిల...చిత్ర |url=https://www.sitara.net/patala-pallaki/gaayakulu/k-s-chithra-krishnan-nair/13736 |access-date=27 September 2020 |website=[[Eenadu|Sitara]] |language=te}}</ref> Chithra received her first [[Nandi Awards|Nandi Award]], presented by [[Government of Andhra Pradesh]] for "Kalika Chilakala Koliki" from ''[[Seetharamayya Gari Manavaralu]]'' (1991). She won a total of 11 Nandi Awards as [[Nandi Award for Best Female Playback Singer|Best Female Playback Singer]] for various Telugu songs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964 - 2008) |trans-title=A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964 - 2008) |url=http://ipr.ap.nic.in/New_Links/Film.pdf |access-date=27 September 2020 |publisher=[[Andhra Pradesh (magazine)|Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh]]}}(in [[Telugu language|Telugu]])</ref>

=== Hindi cinema ===

{{Main|List of Hindi songs recorded by K. S. Chithra}}

Chithra was introduced to Hindi film music in 1985; she recorded her first Hindi song composed by [[S. P. Venkitesh]], which was not commercially released. For the 1991 Hindi film ''[[Love (1991 film)|Love]]'', composers [[Anand–Milind]], called upon her to sing duets song along with [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]] and since then, Chithra has recorded for around 200 Bollywood songs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/listicles/2016/jul/27/1514/ks-chithra-s-best-hindi-numbers |title=KS Chithra's best Hindi numbers |work=Cinestaan.com}}</ref>

Apart from film songs, Chithra recorded for many private albums of which ''[[Piya Basanti]]'' and ''Sunset Point'' became hugely popular and went on to win several laurels including the MTV Music Video Awards. The popularity of the former album made her known among the Northern part of Indians identify her as "Piya Basanti" Chitra.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/revisiting-piya-basanti/987487/ |title=Revisiting Piya Basanti |work=The Indian Express}}</ref>

=== Other Indian languages ===
{{Main|List of songs recorded by K. S. Chithra}}

== Television ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Year
!Work
!Role
!Network
|-
|2023
|[[Super Singer Junior Season 9|''Super Singer Junior 9'']]
|[[Judge]]
|[[Star Vijay]]
|}

==Performances==

===Work and association with music directors===

Chithra has sung over 25,000 songs.<ref name="auto3"/>

===Concerts===

Apart from playback singing, she also appeared among the panel of judges in the singing [[reality television]] shows at [[Kerala]] (''[[Idea Star Singer]]'' and ''Josco Indian Voice''),<ref>[http://www.josco-indianvoice.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423145208/http://www.josco-indianvoice.com/|date=23 April 2014}}</ref> at [[Tamil Nadu]] (''[[Airtel Super Singer Junior]]''),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/city360/events/20092603042654/airtel-super-singer-junior-2.col |title=Airtel Super Singer Junior 2 |access-date=3 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131072409/http://www.chennaionline.com/city360/events/20092603042654/airtel-super-singer-junior-2.col |archive-date=31 January 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> where she also won the award for Best Female Judge and at [[Andhra Pradesh]] ([[MAA TV]]) ''Super Singer''. Apart from this judgement panel she has appeared in music-shows like Swarabhishekam, Super Masti, Jhumandi Nadam. She is a regular singer in [[Ilayaraja]]'s, [[A.R. Rahman]]'s and [[S.P. Balasubrahmanyam]]'s concerts.{{citation needed|date=December 2014}} She has performed all over the world in [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam|SPB]]'s concerts along with [[S. P. Sailaja]], [[S. P. Charan]]. She has been a regular singer participating in all the concerts of SPB50-The World Tour, she has performed almost all around the world with [[S. P. B. Charan]], [[S. P. Sailaja]], [[Sunitha Upadrashta]] [[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]] & [[Shweta Mohan]].{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}

She had performed at the Royal Albert Hall<ref name="kschitra.info">{{cite web |url=http://www.kschitra.info/?page_id=164 |title=K S Chithra |work=Facebook |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130712051024/http://www.kschitra.info/?page_id=164 |archive-date=12 July 2013}}</ref> and House of Commons{{citation needed|date=June 2014}} in London. On 6 June 2009, she performed in Qinghai International Musical Journey on Water and Life concert with a rendition of "Tunga Tarange Gange" alongside other singers from nations located around various major rivers such as the [[Ganges]], [[Volga]], [[Rhine]], [[Danube]], [[Mississippi River|Mississippi]], and [[Amazon River|Amazon]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2009青海国际水与生命音乐之旅--世界防治荒漠化和干旱日主题音乐会_艺术中国 |url=http://art.china.cn/huodong/qhsysm/node_514800.htm |access-date=27 May 2022 |website=art.china.cn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=青海国际水与生命音乐之旅 2008,2009合集 2 DVD_孔夫子旧书网 |url=http://book.kongfz.com/item_pic.do?shopId=242215&itemId=1444555608&imgId=5 |access-date=27 May 2022 |website=book.kongfz.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=印度歌唱家K.S.奇西拉夫人演唱《奔流到恒河》_现场图片_艺术中国 |url=http://art.china.cn/huodong/qhsysm/2009-06/15/content_2963446.htm |access-date=27 May 2022 |website=art.china.cn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=青海国际水与生命音乐之旅——2009世界防治荒漠化与干旱日主题音乐会举行_新闻中心_新浪网 |url=http://news.sina.com.cn/o/2009-06-16/063315795534s.shtml |access-date=27 May 2022 |website=news.sina.com.cn}}</ref>

===Studio albums===
Chithra recorded her first studio album with Voodoo Rapper for the album called ''Ragga Raaga'' in 1993.{{citation needed|date=December 2014}} She recorded the albums in Hindi, ''[[Piya Basanti]]'' (2000) and ''Sunset Point''. She associated with [[Ustad Sultan Khan]] for ''Piya Basanti'' which was certified [[Music recording sales certification|Gold]].<ref name="Musically Yours">{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/10/28/stories/2004102800810100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050223010713/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/10/28/stories/2004102800810100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 February 2005 |title=Musically yours |author=Subha J Rao |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=28 October 2004}}</ref> ''Sunset Point'' had eight songs written and narrated by [[Gulzar]] and sung by Chithra and Bhupinder.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gulzaronline.com/gulsunset.htm |title=Gulzar's Sunset Point |publisher=Gulzaronline.com |access-date=28 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614035834/http://www.gulzaronline.com/gulsunset.htm |archive-date=14 June 2013}}</ref> In 2006, she released an album in dedication to [[M. S. Subbulakshmi]] named ''My Tribute''. It is a collection of ''[[Kritis]]'' and ''[[bhajans]]'' dedicated to Subbulakshmi.<ref name="My Tribute">{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/12/08/stories/2006120800010200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061210053546/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/12/08/stories/2006120800010200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 December 2006 |title=Song all the way |author=K. Jeshi |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=8 December 2006}}</ref> In 2009 she released ''Nightingale: A Salute to Lataji'', a musical tribute to [[Lata Mangeshkar]] on her 80th birthday.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/07/02/stories/2009070251360400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204005408/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/07/02/stories/2009070251360400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 February 2014 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |title=CHORDS AND NOTES |date=2 July 2009}}</ref> She also recorded many Malayalam albums for [[K. J. Yesudas]], [[M. Jayachandran]] and [[Sharreth]] compositions. She also planned a [[ghazal]] album with [[Ghulam Ali (Ghazal singer)|Ghulam Ali]] and [[Asha Bhosle]].<ref name="My Tribute" />

===International projects===
* Recorded with the Arab singer Jawad Ali for his album ''Amar Ul Hob''<ref name="kschitra.info"/>
* Recorded a song for the jazz pianist [[Herbie Hancock]]<ref>{{cite web |author1=John Kelman |title=Herbie Hancock: The Imagine Project |url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-imagine-project-herbie-hancock-herbie-hancock-music-review-by-john-kelman |website=All About Jazz |access-date=27 May 2022 |date=21 June 2010}}</ref>

==Public profile==
===Philanthropy===
Chithra, along with a Kerala-based satellite channel, Asianet Cable Vision (ACV), jointly launched a fundraising organisation, Sneha Nandana, to raise funds for the welfare of retired musicians who have lost their careers due to changes in the music industry.{{citation needed|date=December 2014}} She launched this organisation on the occasion of her completion of three decades in the music playback industry. She said that the fund would provide help to the musicians with financial impediments and those suffering from health problems.{{citation needed|date=December 2014}} A cultural event called Chithra Pournami was held on 15 February 2011 at [[Thiruvananthapuram]] to celebrate the 30th year of her career and also to launch this organisation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.24dunia.com/english-news/shownews/0/Chitra-launches-fund-for-unemployed-musicians/8979679.html |title=Chitra launches fund for unemployed musicians |publisher=24dunia.com |access-date=22 December 2011}}</ref>

===Awards, honours, and recognition===
{{See also|List of awards and nominations received by K. S. Chithra}}

Chithra is a recipient of six [[National Film Awards]], nine [[Filmfare Awards South]] and 36 different state film awards. She has won film awards from all the four south Indian states.<ref name="herself" /><ref name="Filmfare" /> She was awarded India's third highest civilian honour [[Padma Bhushan]] in 2021 and [[Padma Shri Awards (2000–2009)|Padma Shri]] in 2005 for her valuable contributions towards the Indian musical fraternity.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |title=Padma Awards Directory (1954–2009) |url=http://www.mha.nic.in/pdfs/LST-PDAWD.pdf |publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs |access-date=11 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510095705/http://www.mha.nic.in/pdfs/LST-PDAWD.pdf |archive-date=10 May 2013}}</ref><ref name="padmaawards" /><ref name="The Times of India"/><ref name="bhushan">{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Priyanka |date=25 January 2021 |title=SPB honoured with Padma Vibhushan posthumously; KS Chithra gets Padma Bhushan |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/spb-padma-vibhushan-ks-chitra-padma-bhushan-7161363/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 January 2021 |archive-date=25 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125174519/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/spb-padma-vibhushan-ks-chitra-padma-bhushan-7161363/ |website=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref> In 2019, she was honoured by [[Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi]], sovereign ruler of the [[Emirate of Sharjah]] and a member of the [[Federal Supreme Council (United Arab Emirates)|Federal Supreme Council]] of the United Arab Emirates, for successfully completing 40 years in Indian [[film industry]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2022|reason=previous source was just a landing page to a trade exhibition.}} She was honoured with the [[Rashtrapati Award]] by the [[Ministry of Women and Child Development]] of the [[Government of India]] at the [[Rashtrapati Bhavan]] on 20 January 2018.<ref name="thenewsminute.com" />

She received the [[MTV Video Music Award – International Viewer's Choice]] at the [[Metropolitan Opera House (Lincoln Center)|Metropolitan Opera House]], [[New York City|New York]] in 2001.<ref name="Hindustan at MTV Awards">{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bombay-times/Hindustan-at-MTV-awards/articleshow/1469710784.cms?from=mdr |title=Hindustan at MTV Awards |newspaper=The Times of India |date=9 September 2001}}</ref> She received [[honorary doctorate]]s from [[Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology|Sathyabama University]] in 2011<ref name="dr1">{{cite news |url=http://newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article469729.ece |title=Sathyabhama doctorates for scientist, stars |newspaper=The New Indian Express |date=13 May 2011 |access-date=22 December 2011}}</ref><ref name="dr2">{{Cite web |title=Honoris Causa 2011 - Satyabhama University |url=http://www.sathyabama.ac.in/sitepagetwo.php?mainref=0&firstref=100&secondref=25 |access-date=15 September 2020 |website=[[Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology]] |archive-date=16 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916182344/http://www.sathyabama.ac.in/sitepagetwo.php?mainref=0&firstref=100&secondref=25 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and from The International Tamil University, United States in 2018.<ref name="dr3">{{Cite web |date=12 November 2018 |title=Honorary Doctorate from International Tamil University, USA |url=https://www.facebook.com/1175148472579060/photos/a.1461780063915898/2016597535100812/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/1175148472579060/2016597535100812 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |url-access=limited|access-date=15 September 2020 |website=[[Facebook]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="dr4">{{Cite web |date=12 November 2018 |title=Honorary Doctorate from International Tamil University - USA |url=https://www.facebook.com/KsChitraSingerfanPage/posts/2066302696765659 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/434059773323301/2066302696765659 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |url-access=limited|access-date=15 September 2020 |website=[[Facebook]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> She is the only South Indian female singer who has presented her maiden concert at the world's prestigious concert hall [[Royal Albert Hall]] in London in 2001.<ref name="S P Balasubrahmanyam">{{cite web |title=Royal Albert Hall to echo with 'golden voices' of South |publisher=Press coverage and reviews |url=http://www.spbala.com/Royal_Albert_Hall_Indian_Express.asp |date=7 April 2001 |access-date=24 June 2017 |archive-date=24 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724185248/http://www.spbala.com/Royal_Albert_Hall_Indian_Express.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref> Her song "[[Bombay (soundtrack)|Kannalane/Kehna Hi Kya]]" from the film ''[[Bombay (film)|Bombay]]'' (1995) was included in ''[[The Guardian]]''{{'s}} "1000 Songs Everyone Must Hear Before You Die" list.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news |title=Love: part one of 1000 songs everyone must hear |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/table/2009/mar/14/love-1000-songs-everyone-must-hear |date=14 March 2009 |access-date=14 April 2011}}</ref>

==Personal life==

Chithra is married to Vijayashankar, an engineer and businessman.<ref>{{cite news |author1=K. Pradeep |title=Celebrating 40 years of singer KS Chithra, the queen of melody |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/ks-chithra-walks-through-her-40-years-in-the-music-industry/article29221662.ece |access-date=27 May 2022 |work=The Hindu |date=23 August 2019}}</ref> They had a daughter Nandana, who was born with [[Down's syndrome]]. Her daughter drowned in a pool in [[Dubai]] in 2011 when Chithra was about to perform at an [[A. R. Rahman]] concert.<ref>[http://www.emirates247.com/news/ks-chitra-s-daughter-reportedly-drowned-in-emirates-hills-pool-2011-04-14-1.381037 "KS Chithra's daughter reportedly drowned and died in Emirates Hills pool"]. Emirates247.com. 14 April 2011. Retrieved 14 April 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2011/April/theuae_April392.xml&section=theuae |title=Singer Chithra's daughter drowns in dubai |newspaper=[[Khaleej Times]] |date=14 April 2011 |access-date=14 April 2011 |archive-date=17 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110417065603/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data%2Ftheuae%2F2011%2FApril%2Ftheuae_April392.xml&section=theuae |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==

* {{IMDb name|id=0433889}}

{{K S Chithra|state=expanded}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Articles related to K. S. Chithra
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{{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 2020–2029}}
{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Art}}
{{National Film Award Best Female Playback Singer}}
{{SIIMA Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Telugu}}
{{Screen Award for Best Female Playback Singer}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Chithra, K. S.}}
[[Category:1963 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Assamese playback singers]]
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