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{{short description|Indian playback singer (1934 – 2005)}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist 
| name = P. Leela
| image = P Leela.jpg
| background = solo_singer
| caption = P. Leela
| native_name = പി. ലീല
| birth_name = Porayath Leela
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1934|5|19}}
| birth_place = [[Chittur]], [[Palakkad]], British India
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2005|10|31|1934|5|19}}
| death_place = [[Chennai]], India
| genre = [[Carnatic music]] and [[Playback singer|playback singing]]
| occupation = Singer, Composer
| instrument = Vocalist
| awards = Padma Bhushan, Kalaimamani
| years_active = 1948–2005
}}
{{More citations needed section|date=August 2025}}
[[File:PLeela.jpg|thumb|P Leela in late 1940s]]
'''Porayath Leela''' (19 May 1934 – 31 October 2005) was an [[Indian playback singers|Indian playback singer]], [[Carnatic music|a Carnatic]] vocalist, and a [[music director]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=P. Leela |url=https://musicbrainz.org/artist/be044867-c5ab-4e03-865c-165607d10326 |website=musicbrainz.org}}</ref> She began her career as a [[playback singer]] in the 1948 Tamil film ''[[Kangkanam]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=P. Leela, 'forgotten' singer who sang unforgettable film songs {{!}} Daily FT |url=https://www.ft.lk/d-b-s-jeyaraj/p-leela-forgotten-singer-who-sang-unforgettable-film-songs/10496-424077 |website=[[Daily FT]] |language=English}}</ref> She recorded songs in various [[Languages of India|Indian languages]], including [[Malayalam]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Kannada]], [[Hindi language|Hindi]], [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]], [[Odia language|Odia]], [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]], [[Marathi language|Marathi]], and [[Sinhalese language|Sinhala]]. Leela was posthumously awarded the ''[[Padma Bhushan]]'' in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PREVIOUS AWARDEES |url=https://dashboard-padmaawards.gov.in/?Award=Padma%20Bhushan |website=padmaawards.gov.in}}</ref>

During her career, Leela collaborated with composers such as [[V. Dakshinamoorthy]], [[Baburaj]], [[G. Devarajan]], [[Ghantasala (musician)|Ghantasala]], [[M. S. Viswanathan]], [[K. Raghavan]], [[Br Lakshmanan]], [[L. P. R. Varma]], [[B. A. Chidambaranath]], A.T. Ummer, [[M. K. Arjunan]], Johnson, [[Ouseppachan]], [[Ilaiyaraja]], as well as playback singers [[K. J. Yesudas]] and [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=P. Leela age, biography|url=https://www.last.fm/music/P.+Leela/+wiki|access-date=2021-07-14|website=Last.fm|language=en}}</ref> Leela described her vocal style using the term Ganamani''.''{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}

==Early life==
Leela was born in 1934 in [[Chittur taluk|Chittur]], [[Palakkad]], [[Kerala]], to V.K. Kunjanmenon (Menon) and Porayath Meenakshi Amma. She was the youngest of three daughters, with sisters Sharadha and Bhanumathi. Her father, V.K. Kunjanmenon, was a teacher at Ramavarma Higher Secondary School in [[Ernakulam]]. He encouraged his daughters to learn [[Carnatic music]], and Leela attributes her passion for singing to his influence.<ref>{{Cite web |title=P. Leela |url=https://www.veethi.com/india-people/p._leela-profile-2767-24.htm |access-date=2025-08-01 |website=veethi.com}}</ref>

By age 13, Leela had sung over 5,000 film songs in the South Indian languages of [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]], [[Telugu cinema|Telugu]], [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam]], and [[Kannada cinema|Kannada]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2012-05-19 |title=Singer P Leela - Business of Tollywood |url=https://www.businessoftollywood.com/singer-p-leela/ |access-date=2025-08-01 |website=businessoftollywood |language=en-US}}</ref> She has also recorded songs for [[Cinema of West Bengal|Bengali]] and [[Sinhala films]]. Leela sang during the same era as the Carnatic musicians [[M. S. Subbulakshmi|M.S. Subbulakshmi]], [[M. L. Vasanthakumari|M.L. Vasanthakumari]], and [[D. K. Pattammal|D.K. Pattammal]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2010-10-01 |title=P. Leela Female Playback Singer of India |url=https://singers-in-india.blogspot.com/2010/10/p-leela-female-playback-singer-of-india.html |access-date=2025-08-01 |website=singers in india}}</ref>

==Career==
{{More citations needed section|date=August 2025}}
Leela's first [[guru]] was Thiribuvana Manibhagavadhar, the uncle of musician [[T. V. Gopalakrishnan]]. Later, she learned from Paththamadai Krishna Ayyar, Maruthuvakudi Rajagopala Iyer, and Rama Bhagavathar. Leela was trained in Carnatic music by [[Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar]] and [[V. Dakshinamoorthy]]. Vadakkancheri Ramabhagavadhar was a close friend of Leela's father, Menon. He had settled down in Madras. He would invite Menon and Leela to [[Madras]] to learn music whenever he visited Ernakulam. The headmistress of the school where Leela was studying advised her father to take her to Madras for further music training.<ref name="thehindu-leela">{{cite news |last=Ramanathan |first=Sowmya |date=3 October 2021 |title=Remembering P. Leela, a versatile and gifted singer |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/remembering-p-leela-a-versatile-and-gifted-singer/article36811926.ece |access-date=2025-06-11 |newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref>

Menon resigned from his job in Ernakulam and took Leela to Madras in 1944. They stayed with Vadakkancheri Ramabagavathar in [[Mylapore]] and the 10-year-old Leela began learning in the [[gurukula]] style. Her father insisted that Leela do [[Sādhaka|sadhaka]] (practice music) early in the morning.

In Madras, Leela had opportunities to listen to concerts of singers like [[Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar]], [[S. Ramanathan (musician)|S. Ramanathan]], [[G. N. Balasubramaniam]], [[Chembai]], and others. Leela said this 'kelvi gnanam' (learning music by listening) helped her much in developing and refining her.<ref name=kabali>{{Cite news|title=Tribute to the Nightingale - P.Leela passes away|first=Satya|last=Kabali|url=http://www.telusuna.org/all-articles/p_leela.html |access-date=2025-08-05 |publisher=Telugu Sadassu North America}}</ref> In 1946, Leela participated in several music competitions in her city, receiving multiple awards. [[Durgabai Deshmukh]] gave Leela her first formal [[concert]] opportunity at [[Andhra Mahila Sabha|Andra Mahila Sabha]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}

=== Entry into film industry ===
The Columbia Recording Company was looking for a female voice. The manager at the time, Ganabathirama Iyer, recommended Leela. She was appointed as their artist, which paved the way for her entry into films.

In Tamil, ''[[Nandakumar (film)|Nandakumar]]'' was the first movie to introduce playback singing. [[A. V. Meiyappan|A.V. Meiyappa Chettiar]] came up with the idea of replacing the soundtrack with voice and the playback system was introduced in Tamil cinema in 1938. It gradually got accepted and many singers entered the movie world.

When she landed in Madras, she did not know Tamil or Telugu. She would write the songs in Malayalam and practice them to perfection. Once she started her career as a playback singer, she arranged for tutors and learned other languages.

She got her first offer to sing in 1948 for a Tamil movie. Her father was initially reluctant but later he was persuaded to accept. Leela made her first appearance as a playback singer in the movie ''Kangkanam''. She sang her first song, ''Sree Varalakshmi'', at age 13. C.H. Padmanabhasastry was the music director of the film. She sang all the songs for the heroine in that film. After her debut in ''Kangkanam'', she was the most sought-after playback singer in [[Cinema of South India|South Indian cinema]] for more than two decades, according to ''[[The Hindu]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/11/04/stories/2005110401660100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060523031827/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/11/04/stories/2005110401660100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 May 2006|title=Entertainment Chennai / Tribute : This nightingale will be heard forever|date=4 November 2005|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=27 February 2012}}</ref>

In 1948, she sang ''Paaduka Poonkuyile'' for the Malayalam movie ''Nirmala'', though ''[[Balan (film)|Balan]].'' The film was made in 1938 and it was the first Malayalam "talkie" with a soundtrack. ''Balan'' was produced by T.R Sundaram for Modern Theatres, Salem, with [[S. Nottani]] as the director.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}

=== Telugu movies ===
In 1949, Leela made her debut in [[Telugu cinema]] singing in three films: ''[[Mana Desam]]'', ''[[Keelu Gurram]],'' and ''[[Gunasundari Katha]]''. Singer and music director [[Ghantasala (musician)|Ghantasala]] (with whom Leela has sung the most songs) introduced Leela in ''Manadesam''. She sang all the songs for the heroine in the film ''Gunasundari Katha.''{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}

By the 1950s, Leela was recording playback songs in all major South Indian languages. Around the same period, she contributed to ''[[Shavukaru]]'', the debut production of [[Vijaya Productions]], which did not achieve commercial success at the box office.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}

She sang in the film ''Missamma'' (made as ''Missiyamma'' in Tamil) and worked as a music director for a film called '[[Chinnari Papalu]]' (Telugu) in 1968. The film was produced exclusively by women. She sang eight songs along with [[P. Susheela]] in the film ''[[Lava Kusa (1963 film)|Lava Kusa]]'' (1963).{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}

==Discography==
{{main|List of songs by P. Leela}}{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2025}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Film
! Songs
|-
| 1948
| ''[[Kangkanam]]''
|"Sree Varalakshmi"
|-
| 1948
| ''[[Thirumalisai Alvar]]''
| ''Giridhaari''
|-
| 1949
| ''[[Inbavalli]]''
| *Inbamana Mohini maane with [[T. R. Mahalingam (actor)|T. R. Mahalingam]]
|-
| 1949
| ''[[Gunasundari Katha]]''
| "Sri Tulasi Jaya Tulasi" "Upakara Gunalayavai"
|-
| 1951
|''[[Patala Bhairavi]]''
|"Pranaya Jeevulaku Devi Varaale" "Entha Ghaatu Premayo" "Kalavaramaaye Madilo"
|-
| 1951
|''[[Singari]]''
|"Jighu Jighu Samakku Paarungo" "O! Chellaiah Nee Vallaiah" "Kaanil Vennilaa Poleh" "Bhaarathi Enge Solladi" "Vaanavillaipoleh Oru Vaaliban"
|-
| 1952
|''[[Amarakavi]]''
|"Chedi Maraivile Oru Poongodi", "Yaanai Thandham Pole" and "Konji Pesum Kiliye" with [[M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar|MKT]] "Mullaich Chirippile" and "Mookuthi Minnudhu" with N. L. Ghanasaraswathi
|-
| 1953
| ''[[Bratuku Theruvu]]''
| "Andame Anandam Anandame Jeevita Makarandam"
|-
| 1954
| ''[[Pudhu Yugam (1954 film)|Pudhu Yugam]]''
| "Vaazhvinile Inba Saubhagyam" "Kaadhal Kondu Poovil Vandu" with [[Ghantasala (musician)|Ghantasala]] "Pudhu Yugam, Pudhu Yugam" with [[Jikki]]
|-
| 1954
| ''[[Vaira Malai]]''
| "Nadana Kala Rani" (Dance Drama) with [[A. P. Komala]] and [[G. K. Venkatesh]]
|-
| 1955
| ''[[Jayasimha (1955 film)|Jayasimha]]''
| "Eenaati Eehaayi Kalakadoyi Nijamoyi"
|-
| 1955
| ''[[Missamma]]''
| "Karuninchu Mary Matha" "Telusukonave Chelli" "Yemito Ee Maaya Challani Raja" ""Raavoyi Chandamaama" "Raaga Sudha Rasa"
|- "
| 1956
| ''[[Chiranjeevulu (1956 film)|Chiranjeevulu]]''
| "Thellavaaraga Vachhe Theliyaka Naasaami Malliparundevu Lera" "Kanupaapa Karuvaina Kanulenduko"
|-
| 1956
| ''[[Tenali Ramakrishna (1956 film)|Tenali Ramakrishna]]''
| "Jagamula Dayanele Janani Sadashivuni Manoharini"
|-
| 1956
| ''[[Tenali Raman]]''
| "Ulagellaam Unatharulaal Malarum", "Ulagellaam Unatharulaal Malarum (pathos)", "Aadum Kalaiyellam Paruva Mangaiyar Azhagu Koorum"
|-
| 1957
| ''[[Maya Bazaar]]''
| "Chinnari Sasirekha Vardhillavamm" "Vinnava Yashodamma" "Neekosame Ne Jeevinchunadi" "Neevena Nanu Thalachinadi" "Laahiri Laahiri Laahirilo" "Choopulu Kalasina Subhavela"
|-
| 1957
| ''[[Suvarna Sundari]]''
| "Bangaaru Vannela Rangaaru Sanjala Rangeli Yetenchene"
|-
| 1957
| ''[[Pathini Deivam]]''
| "Gnaanakkanna Ezhundhiru" (with [[T. M. Soundararajan]]) "Vaaraai Indre Mohana" "Chinna Chinna Vayasile" with group
|-
| 1957
| ''Babruvaahana''
| "Yelara Manohara Manasemo Vayyaraala"
|-
| 1958
| ''[[Uthama Puthiran (1958 film)|Uthamaputhiran]]''
| "Kathiruppan Kamalakannan"
|-
| 1958
| ''[[Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu]]''
| "Joharu Gaikonara Deva" "Rama Rama Saranam Bhadradri Rama Saranam"
|-
| 1958
| ''[[Pelli Naati Pramanalu]]''
| "Sreemanturalivai Cheluvondu Maata Mammu Deevimpuma Maa Andhramata"
|-
| 1959
| ''[[Abalai Anjugam]]''
| "Daaladikkum Paappaa Jaaliyaaga"
|-
| 1959
| ''[[Amudhavalli]]''
| "Anbum Amaidhiyum" (with [[T. R. Mahalingam (actor)|T. R. Mahalingam]]) "Singaara Vadivamaana Thithikkum" (with [[Sirkazhi Govindarajan]])
|-
| 1959
| ''[[Nalla Theerpu]]''
| "Azhagaana Maaran Yaaradi"
|-
| 1960
| ''[[Chavukkadi Chandrakantha]]''
| "Aadchiyum Soozhchchiyum Sernthaal" (with [[A. G. Rathnamala]]) "Malarvana Veedhiyile Vasantha Thaerile"
|-
| 1960
| ''Shanti Nivasam''
| "Kalanaina Nee Valape Kalavaramandaina Nee Talape"
|-
| 1960
| ''Raja Makutam''
| "Ooredi Peredi "Sadiseyako Gaali" "Amba Jagadamba" Edanunnado Ekkadunnado"
|-
| 1961
| ''[[Jagadeka Veeruni Katha]]''
| "Nanu Dayaganave Naa Moravinava" "Jalakaalaatalalo kalakalapaatalalo" along with P. Suseela and "Varinchi Vachchina Maanavaveerudu also along with P. Suseela""
|-
| 1961
| ''[[Kumara Raja (1961 film)|Kumara Raja]]''
| "Yettil Padithathodu Irundhuvidaathe" "Naan Vandhu Serndha Idam Nalla Idam" "Aanundu Paada, Pennundu Aada" (with [[J. P. Chandrababu]])
|-
| 1963
| ''[[Lava Kusha]]''
| "Ramakathanu Vinarayyaa Ihapara Sukhamulanosage" "Voorake Kanneeru Nimpa Karanamemamma" "Vinudu Vinudu Ramayana Gaatha Vinudee Manasara" "Sriraamuni Charithamunu Telipedamamma"
|-
|1965
|''[[Pandava Vanavasam]]''
|"Devaa Deena Baandhavaa" 
|-
|1966
|''[[Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam]]''
|"Swagatam Suswagatam" along with P. Suseela
|-
|1967
|''[[Rahasyam (1967 film)|Rahasyam]]''
|"Shrilalitha Shivajyothi Sarvakaamadaa" "Evo Kanulu Karuninchinavee" (duet with Ghantasala Master, who was the music director too for this movie)
|}
# ''[[Sampoorna Ramayanam (1971 film)|Sampoorna Ramayanam]]'' (1971)
# ''[[Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha]]'' (1966)
# ''Tirupathamma Katha'' (1963)
# ''Mahamantri Timmarasu'' (1962)
# ''[[Gundamma Katha]]'' (1962)
# ''[[Dakshayagnam (1962 film)|Dakshayagnam]]'' (1962)
# ''Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam'' (1961)
# ''Deepavali'' (1960)
# ''Sahasra Siracheda Apoorva Chinthamani'' (1960)
# ''[[Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam]]'' (1960)
# ''Krishna Leelalu'' (1959)
# ''Pelli Sandadi'' (1959)
# ''Mangalya Balam'' (1958)
# ''Dongallo Dora'' (1957)
# ''[[Panduranga Mahatyam]]'' (1957)
# ''Preme Daivam'' (1957)
# ''Sarangadhara'' (1957)
# ''Bhakta Markandeya'' (1956)
# ''[[Bhale Ramudu]]'' (1956)
# ''Jayam Manade'' (1956)
# ''[[Anarkali]]'' (1955)
# ''Vadina Gari Gajulu'' (1955)
# ''Vaddante Dabbu'' (1954)
# ''Oka Talli Pillalu'' (1953)
# ''[[Palletooru]]'' (1952)
# ''[[Pelli Chesi Choodu]]'' (1952)
# ''[[Patala Bhairavi]]'' (1951)
# ''Navvite Navaratnalu'' (1951)
# ''Paramanandayya Shishyula Katha'' (1950){{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}

== Personal life ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2025}}

Leela married a lawyer, but the marriage was unsuccessful. In her later years, she devoted herself to performing classical concerts and light music programs. She lived with her nieces and nephews in Defence Colony, [[St. Thomas Mount]] (Parangimalai).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-08 |title=Leela Biography, Age, Early Life, Career and More |url=https://tamilbio.net/leela-biography-age-early-life-career-and-more/ |access-date=2025-10-31 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Legacy, singing style==
She was known for her ability to sing both classical and light film music. Satya Kabali, an actor, said that Leela had an emotional touch and classical discipline which she imparted in film music.<ref name=kabali/>

On her death, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Jayalalitha said:

''“One of the greatest vocal musicians of India, who made a name for herself by singing exquisite songs in her mellifluous voice in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu both for the film industry, as well as in Carnatic music."''<ref>{{Cite web |title=P. Leela, ‘forgotten’ singer who sang unforgettable film songs {{!}} Daily FT |url=https://www.ft.lk/columns/p-leela-forgotten-singer-who-sang-unforgettable-film-songs/4-424077 |access-date=2025-10-31 |website=www.ft.lk |language=English}}</ref>

== Awards and recognition ==
{{More citations needed section|date=August 2025}}

===Government of India===

She was awarded [[Padma Bhushan]] posthumously for her contributions in the year 2006.<ref name="Padma Awards2">{{cite web|date=2015|title=Padma Awards|url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf|access-date=21 July 2015|publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India|archive-date=15 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015193758/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Tamil Nadu State===
She was awarded the [[Kalaimamani]] title in 1992<ref name=hinduobit/> by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=P. Leela, ‘forgotten’ singer who sang unforgettable film songs {{!}} Daily FT |url=https://www.ft.lk/columns/p-leela-forgotten-singer-who-sang-unforgettable-film-songs/4-424077 |access-date=2025-10-31 |website=www.ft.lk |language=English}}</ref>

===Kerala State===
Leela received the [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer|best playback singer award]] from the Kerala government in 1969 for the song ''Ujjayiniyile Gaayika'' from the movie [[Kadalpalam]].

She received a Certificate of Honour for the Growth and Development of Malayalam Films from the [[Government of Kerala|Kerala Government]].<ref name="lakshmansruthi">{{Cite web|title=P Leela - Profile {{!}} Lakshman Sruthi - 100% Manual Orchestra|url=http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/profilesmusic/p-leela.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021060944/http://www.lakshmansruthi.com/profilesmusic/p-leela.asp|url-status=usurped|archive-date=21 October 2011|access-date=2021-06-24|website=www.lakshmansruthi.com}}</ref>

===Other awards===
*Janmashtami Puraskaram instituted by Balasamskara Kendram for her efforts in spreading 'Narayaniyam', 'Jnanappana' and 'Harinamakeerthanam'<ref>{{Cite web |title=Balasanskara Kendra |url=https://balagokulam.in/english/balasanskara-kendra/ |access-date=2025-10-31 |website=ബാലഗോകുലം - Balagokulam Keralam |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award]] for Best Classical Musician (1983)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi|url=http://www.keralasangeethanatakaakademi.in/fa.php|access-date=2021-05-28|website=www.keralasangeethanatakaakademi.in|archive-date=13 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813144417/http://www.keralasangeethanatakaakademi.in/fa.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Kerala Film Critics Association Chalachithra Prathibha Awards for overall contributions to [[Malayalam cinema]].(1986)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Critics |first=kerala Film |title=CHALACHITRA PRATHIBHA AWARDS ചലച്ചിത്ര പ്രതിഭാ അവാര്‍ഡ് ഇതുവരെ |url=https://www.keralafilmcritics.com/2020/10/chalachitra-prathibha-awards.html |access-date=2025-11-11 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* Kamukara Awards<ref>{{Cite news|agency=Press Trust of India|date=2014-05-17|title=Baburaj selected for Kamukara Music award|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/baburaj-selected-for-kamukara-music-award-114051700695_1.html|access-date=2021-05-23}}</ref>
* Thyagaraja Bhagavthar special awards by the Tamil Nadu government<ref>{{Cite web|date=2006-02-11|title=Siddharth time has come - Tamil News|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/state-film-awards-announced-tamil-news-20363|access-date=2021-05-28|website=IndiaGlitz.com}}</ref>
*Madras Music Academy Gold Medal{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}
* [[Swaralaya Kairali Yesudas Award|Swaralaya Kairali Yesudas]] Special Jury Awards{{cn|date=November 2025}}
*Film fans awards{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}
*Life achievement awards by the sangam kala group-hero honda<ref>{{Cite web|agency=PTI|date=Feb 2, 2002|title=Award for Leela, Gokulapalan {{!}} Thiruvananthapuram News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/award-for-leela-gokulapalan/articleshow/149874665.cms|access-date=2021-07-19|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>
*Sivapadmam Award{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}
*Swathi Ratna award and Title by Malayali club Madras for propagating Swathi Thirunal krithis<ref>{{Cite web|title=Honours & Awards {{!}} Bharata Kalanjali|date=22 August 2018|url=https://bharatakalanjali.in/honours-awards/|access-date=2021-06-23|language=en-US}}</ref>
*Vayalar Memorial Cultural Award 1997" by Kala Kairali and Vayalar Memorial Cultural Award Academy.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}
*Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA<ref>{{Cite web|title=MACTA|url=https://www.mactaonline.com/|access-date=2021-05-30|website=www.mactaonline.com}}</ref>) honorary membership{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}

=== Titles ===
Leela has been awarded many titles, including:
*Curnool - Thyagaraja Sangeetha Sabha - "Ganamathi"
*Anbathur - Maunaswamigal - "Sangeetha Hamsani"
*Guntur - Guntur Cultural Academy - "Ganakokila"
*Chennai - St. Thomas Arts Academy - "Sangeetha Saraswathi"
*Trivandrum - Trivandrum Devaswom Board - "Kalaratnam"
*Newyork - Kannada Kota & Tamil Sangam - "Gana Varshini"
*Guruvayoor - Venkatachalapathi Temple - "Nada Sudha"
*Guruvayoor - Sangeerthana Trust - "Bakthi Gana Thilakam"
*Arni - Sri Thyagaraja Sabha - "Irai Isai Mamani"
*Guruvayoor - Guruvayoor Temple - "Sangeetha Narayani"
<ref name="lakshmansruthi" />

== Death ==
{{More citations needed section|date=August 2025}}
P. Leela died on 31 October 2005, at 00:40 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]] at [[Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre]] in Chennai. She was hospitalized in late September after suffering serious injuries sustained due to a fall in the bathroom in her home. Though she was operated on, her condition suddenly worsened due to [[pneumonia]], possibly a complication from her long-standing [[asthma]]. She went into a deep [[coma]] a day before she died. She was cremated with full state honours on the day of her death at Besant Nagar Crematorium.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}
The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, [[Jayalalitha]] eulogised her after her death.<ref name=hinduobit>{{Cite news|date=2016-01-14| title=Kerala News: P. Leela's death mourned|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/11/01/stories/2005110108140400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114193037/http://www.thehindu.com/2005/11/01/stories/2005110108140400.htm|archive-date=14 January 2016}}</ref>
===Memorial===
An open stage named Thiruvarangu was built in 2018 at her native place Chittur-Tathamangalam in her memory.<ref>{{Cite web|title=പി. ലീലയുടെ ഓര്‍മയ്ക്കായി ചിറ്റൂരില്‍ സ്ഥിരം വേദി|url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/palakkad/malayalam-news/singer-p-leela-1.2630880|access-date=2021-07-09|website=Mathrubhumi|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184517/https://www.mathrubhumi.com/palakkad/malayalam-news/singer-p-leela-1.2630880|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=P.Leela Smriti Mandapam in the city Chittur|url=https://in.worldorgs.com/catalog/chittur/amusement-park/pleela-smriti-mandapam|access-date=2021-08-11|website=in.worldorgs.com}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|0654901}}
* {{Cite web|url=http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/41475|title=P. Leela, 'Forgotten' Singer Who Sang Unforgettable Songs in Tamil Cinema|author=D. B. S. Jeyaraj|website=dbsjeyaraj.com|access-date=4 January 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180104050230/http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/41475|archive-date=4 January 2018|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

{{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 2000–09}}
{{Padma Award winners of Kerala}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Leela, P.}}
[[Category:1934 births]]
[[Category:2005 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian women playback singers]]
[[Category:Singers from Kerala]]
[[Category:Tamil-language playback singers]]
[[Category:Malayalam-language playback singers]]
[[Category:Kannada-language playback singers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in arts]]
[[Category:People from Palakkad district]]
[[Category:Film musicians from Kerala]]
[[Category:Women musicians from Kerala]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women singers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award]]

P. Leela - Revision history

Uravu: starting - done