Mahalakshmi Iyer is an Indian playback singer, best known for her Hindi, Assamese and Tamil songs. She has sung in many other Indian languages as well, including Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Odia, Gujarati and Kannada.[1]
Career
Her first song as a singer was from the Assamese album Zubeenor Gaan in 1996.
Mahalakshmi made her playback debut with the film Dus in 1997, but the film never completed and released due to the sudden passing of the film's director. The album however was released in 1999 as a tribute. She sang the track Ae Ajnabee with Udit Narayan for A. R. Rahman in Mani Ratnam's Dil Se.. which was her first release as a playback singer and considered to be her debut. Mahalakshmi continued singing for Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and A.R. Rahman in many films which followed.[2]
Since then she has also sung many serials, jingles, and original albums.[3] She was part of several successful soundtracks such as Mission Kashmir, Yaadein and Saathiya and worked with some of the biggest music composers like A. R. Rahman, Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, Vishal-Shekhar, Jatin-Lalit and more.
She has sung for many Yash Raj Films' biggest hits like Dhoom 2, Bunty Aur Babli, Salaam Namaste, Fanaa, Ta Ra Rum Pum and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.
She was known for her performances in songs like "Kabhi Sham Dhale" from Sur – The Melody of Life (2002), "Har Taraf" from Rishtey (2002) and for hit songs like "Chup Chup Ke" from Bunty Aur Babli (2005), "Aaj Ki Raat" from Don: The Chase Begins Again (2006) and "Bol Na Halke Halke" from Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.[4]
She sang on the Academy Award winning song "Jai Ho" for A. R. Rahman in the film Slumdog Millionaire (2008). Specifically, she sang the Hindi words between the short "Jai Ho" chants, as well as portions of the verses (most of which were sung by Sukhwinder Singh).[5]
In the past, she rendered background vocal to the very famous Ghazal of Pankaj Udhas named Aur Ahistaa. She has also rendered her voice to many private album remixes notably Aaja Piya Tohe Pyar and Baahon Mein Chali Aao, which was originally rendered by the legendary Lata Mangeshkar.
Personal life
Mahalakshmi comes from a Tamil musical family. Her mother is a Carnatic classical singer. She began learning Hindustani music at an early age as did her three sisters, Kalpana, Padmini and Shobha. Iyer grew up in Chembur, Mumbai, and is a graduate of R. A. Podar College of Commerce & Economics, Mumbai.[citation needed]
Assamese songs
Album songs
Film songs
Television songs
In 2013, Mahalakshmi Iyer sang a song with Udit Narayan titled "Ek dil banaaya, phir pyar basaaya", penned by Raghvendra Singh music direction of Navin Manish for Rajshri 's TV show Jhilmil Sitaaron Ka Aangan Hoga on Sahara One.
Film songs
| Year |
Song |
Film |
Language |
Music director |
Co-singer(s)
|
| 1997 |
"Suno Gaur Se Duniya Walo (Hindustani)" |
Dus |
Hindi |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Udit Narayan, Shankar Mahadevan, Dominique Cerejo
|
| 1998 |
"Ae Ajnabee" |
Dil Se.. |
Hindi |
A. R. Rahman |
Udit Narayan
|
| "Meettatha Oru Veenai" |
Poonthottam |
Tamil |
Ilaiyaraaja |
Hariharan
|
| 1999 |
"Velli Malare" |
Jodi |
Tamil |
A. R. Rahman |
S. P. Balasubramanyam
|
| "Vanna Poonga" |
Jodi |
Tamil |
A. R. Rahman |
Srinivas
|
| "Tumne Na Humse" |
Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi |
Hindi |
Vishal Shekhar |
Solo
|
| "Dil Se Mere" |
Hindi |
Vishal Shekhar |
Shekhar Ravjiani
|
| "Kurukku Siruthhavale" |
Mudhalvan |
Tamil, Telugu (dubbed version) |
A. R. Rahman |
Hariharan
|
| "Dillagi Dillagi" |
Dillagi |
Hindi |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Kavita Krishnamurthy, Alka Yagnik, Abhijeet, Udit Narayan, Sonu Nigam, Sukhwinder Singh, Shankar Mahadevan, Shaan, Jaspinder Narula
|
| "Kya Yeh Sach Hai" |
Hindi |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Shankar Mahadevan
|
| 2000 |
"So Jaa Chandaa" |
Mission Kashmir |
Hindi |
Loy Mendonsa |
Solo
|
| "Yaaro Yaarodi" |
Alaipayuthey |
Tamil |
A. R. Rahman |
Richa Sharma, Vaishali
|
| "Kandukonden Kandukonden" |
Kandukondain Kandukondain |
Tamil, Telugu (dubbed version) |
A. R. Rahman |
Hariharan
|
| "Ennavo Ennavo" |
Priyamanavale |
Tamil |
S. A. Rajkumar |
Hariharan
|
| "Enakoru Snegidhi" |
Priyamanavale |
Tamil |
S. A. Rajkumar |
Hariharan
|
| "Pollatha Madhana Paanam" |
Hey Ram |
Tamil |
Ilaiyaraaja |
Annupamaa
|
| 2001 |
"Hasde Hasde" |
Abhay |
Hindi |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Kamal Haasan
|
| "Siri Siri" |
Aalavandhan |
Tamil |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Kamal Haasan
|
| "Poove Vai Pesum" |
12B |
Tamil |
Harris Jayaraj |
Harish Raghavendra
|
| "Mutham Mutham" |
12B |
Tamil |
Harris Jayaraj |
KK
|
| "Ammammo Chaligavundi" |
Deevinchandi |
Telugu |
S. A. Rajkumar |
Sukhwinder Singh
|
| "Chilakamma Chilakamma" |
Deevinchandi |
Telugu |
S. A. Rajkumar |
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
|
| "Dhin Dhinak" |
Manasantha Nuvve |
Telugu |
R. P. Patnaik |
Solo
|
| "Yaar Teri Bewafai" |
Love You Hamesha |
Hindi |
A. R. Rahman |
Solo
|
| "E Chota Nenunna" |
Ninnu Choodalani |
Telugu |
S. A. Rajkumar |
Hariharan
|
| "Yaadein Yaad Aati Hai" |
Yaadein |
Hindi |
Anu Malik |
Sunidhi Chauhan
|
| "Kadhal Aararo" |
Narasimha |
Tamil |
Mani Sharma |
Saisivan
|
| "Malai Kattru Vandhu" |
Vedham |
Tamil |
Vidhyasagar |
Hariharan
|
| 2002 |
"Har Taraf Tu Hi" |
Rishtey |
Hindi |
Sanjeev Darshan |
Shaan
|
| "November Madham" |
Red |
Tamil |
Deva |
Hariharan
|
| "Daayi Daayi Dhamma" |
Indra |
Telugu |
Mani Sharma |
KK
|
| "Chalka Chalka Re" |
Saathiya |
Hindi |
A. R. Rahman |
Richa Sharma, Vaishali
|
| "Kabhie Sham Dhale" |
Sur – The Melody of Life |
Hindi |
M. M. Kreem |
Solo
|
| "Goyyaka Koiyaakkaa" |
Alaudin |
Tamil |
Mani Sharma |
Karthik
|
| "Oohh Yeah" |
Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai? |
Hindi |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
KK
|
| "Ghatothkacha Kalaadhara" |
Pammal K. Sambandam |
Tamil |
Deva |
Srinivas
|
| 2003 |
"Kannam Shivakka" |
Aasai Aasaiyai |
Tamil |
Mani Sharma |
Ranjith
|
| "Aao Milke Gaayen Aisa Gaana" |
Armaan |
Hindi |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Shankar Mahadevan, Udit Narayan, Amitabh Bachchan
|
| "Main Gaaon" |
Armaan |
Hindi |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Udit Narayan, Shaan
|
| "Okkasari Pilichavante" |
Chantigadu |
Telugu |
Vandemataram Srinivas |
Udit Narayan
|
| "Nenjam Oru Murai" |
Vaseegara |
Tamil |
S. A. Rajkumar |
Srinivas
|
| "Tere Ishq Mein" |
Supari |
Hindi |
Vishal-Shekhar |
Vishal Dadlani
|
| "Ee Nanna Kannaane" |
Abhi |
Kannada |
Gurukiran |
Udit Narayan
|
| "Jab Kabhi" |
Jhankaar Beats |
Hindi |
Vishal-Shekhar |
KK
|
| "Mujhe Tumse Muhabbat Hai" |
Qayamat: City Under Threat |
Hindi |
Nadeem Shravan |
Kumar Sanu
|
| "Mera Dil Dil Toh Lele" |
Qayamat: City Under Threat |
Hindi |
Nadeem Shravan |
Shaan
|
| "ABBG" |
Kuch Naa Kaho |
Hindi |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Udit Narayan
|
| "Baat Meri Suniye" |
Kuch Naa Kaho |
Hindi |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Shankar Mahadevan
|
| "Manmadha Manmadha" |
Tagore |
Telugu |
Mani Sharma |
Malikkarjun
|
| "Nindu Noorella " |
Praanam |
Telugu |
Kamalakar |
Sonu Nigam
|
| 2004 |
"Yeh Dhuaan" |
Charas |
Hindi |
Raju Singh |
Solo
|
| "Aakasam Sakshi Ga" |
Adavi Ramudu |
Telugu |
Mani Sharma |
Sonu Nigam
|
| "Luxembourg Lux Sundari" |
Samba |
Telugu |
Mani Sharma |
Karthik
|
| "Athi Methani" |
Balu ABCDEFG |
Telugu |
Mani Sharma |
Ranjith
|
| "Asaanaa Asaanaa" |
Kuththu |
Tamil |
Srikanth Deva |
Subeeb Khan
|
| "Kuchh To Ho Raha Hai" |
Shaadi Ka Laddoo |
Hindi |
Vishal-Shekhar |
Shaan
|
| "Tum Kaho To" |
Shaadi Ka Laddoo |
Hindi |
Vishal-Shekhar |
Udit Narayan
|
| "Pyar Mein Sau Uljhane" |
Kyun! Ho Gaya Na... |
Hindi |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Shankar Mahadevan, Vijay Prakash
|
| "Ishq Khudai" |
Rudraksh |
Hindi |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Krishna, Shankar Mahadevan, Shweta Pandit
|
| "Ninna Mareyalare" |
Kanchana Ganga |
Kannada |
S. A. Rajkumar |
Udit Narayan
|
| "Abhi Nahi Aur Kabhi" |
Stop! |
Hindi |
Vishal-Shekhar |
Shaan, Sunidhi Chauhan, Sowmya Raoh
|
| 2005 |
"Chup Chup Ke" |
Bunty Aur Babli |
Hindi |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Sonu Nigam
|
| "Thadava Thadava" |
Style |
Telugu |
Mani Sharma |
Karthik
|
| "Aakashaveedilo" |
Orey Pandu |
Telugu |
Anand Raj Anand |
Sonu Nigam
|
| "Miraksam" |
Waqt: The Race Against Time |
Hindi |
Anu Malik |
Sudesh Bhosle, Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan
|
| "Chandamama" |
Athadu |
Telugu |
Mani Sharma |
Ranjith
|
| "Koi Aisa Alam" |
Karam |
Hindi |
Vishal-Shekhar |
Sonu Nigam
|
| "Mudoche Kopalu" |
Narasimhudu |
Telugu |
Mani Sharma |
Karthik
|
| "Tu Jahaan" |
Salaam Namaste |
Hindi |
Vishal-Shekhar |
Sonu Nigam
|
| "Neredu Pallu" |
Subash Chandra Bose |
Telugu |
Mani Sharma |
Hariharan
|
| "Jaaniya Ve" |
Dus |
Hindi |
Vishal-Shekhar |
Hariharan
|
| "Dil Ke Arma Tarse" |
Aanch |
Hindi |
Sanjeev Darshan |
Sonu Nigam
|
| "Thumbs Up Thunder" |
Jai Chiranjeeva |
Telugu |
Mani Sharma |
Nihar
|
| "Koi Aisa Alam" |
Karam |
Hindi |
Vishal-Shekhar |
Sonu Nigam
|
| 2006 |
"Uyirilae" |
Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu |
Tamil, Telugu (dubbed version) |
Harris Jayaraj |
Srinivas
|
| "I'm in Love" |
Neal 'n' Nikki |
Hindi |
Salim-Sulaiman |
Sonu Nigam
|
| "Choododdhu" |
Pokiri |
Telugu |
Mani Sharma |
Karthik
|
| "Dil Laga Na" |
Dhoom 2 |
Hindi, Tamil (dubbed version), Telugu (dubbed version) |
Pritam |
Jolly Mukherjee, Suzanne D'Mello, Sukhbir
|
| "Go Go Gova" |
Stalin |
Telugu |
Mani Sharma |
Ranjith
|
| "Aaj Ki Raat" |
Don: The Chase Begins Again |
Hindi |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Alisha Chinai, Sonu Nigam
|
| "Des Rangila" |
Fanaa |
Hindi |
Jatin-Lalit |
Solo
|
| "Chanda Chamke" |
Fanaa |
Hindi |
Jatin-Lalit |
Babul Supriyo
|
| "Varevva" |
Ranam |
Telugu |
Mani Sharma |
Mallikarjun
|
| "Rock N' Roll Soniye" |
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna |
Hindi |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Shaan, Shankar Mahadevan
|
| 2007 |
"Bol Na Halke Halke" |
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom |
Hindi |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
|
| "Jhoom Barabar Jhoom" |
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom |
Hindi |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Shankar Mahadevan, KK, Sukhwinder Singh
|
| "Mudhal Naal Indru" |
Unnale Unnale |
Tamil |
Harris Jayaraj |
KK, Pop Shalini
|
| "Baat Pakki" |
Just Married |
Hindi |
Pritam |
Shaan, Sukhwinder Singh
|
| "Yeko Yeno" |
Arasu |
Kannada |
Joshua Sridhar |
Solo
|
| "Jab Chhaye" |
Hattrick |
Hindi |
Pritam |
Solo
|
| "Zara Gungunalein" |
Laaga Chunari Mein Daag |
Hindi |
Shantanu Moitra |
Babul Supriyo
|
| "Tenu Leke" |
Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love |
Hindi |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Sonu Nigam
|
| "Ta Ra Rum Pum" |
Ta Ra Rum Pum |
Hindi, Telugu (dubbed version) |
Vishal-Shekhar |
Shaan
|
| "Kannadaasa Kannadaasa" |
Thavam |
Tamil |
D. Imman |
Harish Raghavendra
|
| "Teri Yaadein" |
Kaisay Kahein... |
Hindi |
Pritam |
Sukhwinder Singh
|
| "Manasa" (Film Version) |
Munna |
Telugu |
Harris Jayaraj |
Naresh Iyer, Krish
|
| 2008 |
"Jai Ho" |
Slumdog Millionaire |
Hindi |
A. R. Rahman |
Sukhwinder Singh, Vijay Prakash, Tanvi Shah
|
| "Shaava Shava" |
Chintakayala Ravi |
Telugu |
Vishal-Shekhar |
Shankar Mahadevan
|
| "Enduko" |
Chintakayala Ravi |
Telugu |
Vishal-Shekhar |
Sonu Nigam
|
| "Gup Chup" |
One Two Three |
Hindi |
Raghav Sachar |
Raghav Sachar
|
| "Jo Gumshuda" |
Mission Istaanbul |
Hindi |
Anu Malik |
Shaan, Ege
|
| "Endammaya" |
Salute |
Telugu |
Harris Jayaraj |
Naveen
|
| "Oh Ho Sanam" |
Dasavathaaram |
Tamil, Telugu (dubbed version), Hindi (dubbed version) |
Himesh Reshammiya |
Kamal Haasan
|
| "Falak Tak Chal" |
Tashan |
Hindi |
Vishal-Shekhar |
Udit Narayan
|
| "Pyar Ki Dastan" |
Luck by Chance |
Hindi |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Amit Paul
|
| "Dheem Dheem" |
Accident |
Kannada |
V. Harikrishna |
Sonu Nigam
|
| 2009 |
"Abacha" |
Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam |
Telugu |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Shilpa Rao
|
| "Mujh Jaisa Hero" |
Love Khichdi |
Hindi |
Pritam |
Gopal Rao
|
| "Maza Aa Gaya" |
Victory |
Hindi |
Anu Malik |
Sonu Nigam, Suresh Wadkar, Sudesh Bhosle, Sumitra Iyer, Altaf Raja
|
| 2010 |
"Sadka Kiya" |
I Hate Luv Storys |
Hindi |
Vishal-Shekhar |
Suraj Jagan
|
| "Chal Chal Bhosle Market" |
Khichdi: The Movie |
Hindi |
Raju Singh |
Shaan
|
| "Tera Mera Pyar" |
Action Replayy |
Hindi |
Pritam |
Karthik
|
| "Aaradha Kobamillai" |
Bale Pandiya |
Tamil |
Devan Ekambaram |
Raman Mahadevan
|
| "Charha De Rang" |
Yamla Pagla Deewana |
Hindi |
Nouman Javaid |
Ali Pervez Mehdi, Shweta Pandit, Rahul Seth
|
| 2011 |
"Laung da Lashkara" (orig&remix) |
Patiala House |
Hindi |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Hard Kaur, Jassi Sidhu
|
| "Rola Pe Gaya" (orig & remix) |
Shankar Mahadevan, Hard Kaur, Earl
|
| "Mauka" (orig & remix) |
Aarakshan |
Raman Mahadevan, Tarun Sagar, Gaurav Gupta, Rehan Khan
|
| "Mala Sang Na" |
Sharyat |
Marathi |
Chinar - Mahesh |
Solo
|
| 2012 |
"Tore Niye Jai" |
Khokababu |
Bengali |
Rishi Chanda |
Zubeen Garg
|
| "Guti Guti Paye" |
Bikram Singha |
Bengali |
Shree Pritam |
Shaan
|
| "Dhuan Dhuan" |
Bikram Singha |
Bengali |
Shree Pritam |
Shaan
|
| "Kaal Mulaitha Poova" |
Maattrraan |
Tamil, Telugu (dubbed version) |
Harris Jayaraj |
Javed Ali
|
| "Bechayan Sapne" |
Chittagong |
Hindi |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Abhijeet Sawant, Gulraj Singh, Sameer Khan, Shankar Mahadevan
|
| "Khud Ko Tere" |
1920: Evil Returns |
Hindi |
Chirantan Bhatt |
Solo
|
| "Meri Duniya Terey Dam Se" |
Delhi Safari |
Hindi |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Shekhar Ravjiani, Shivam Mahadevan
|
| "Sajna Paas Aa Tu Jara" |
Idiot |
Bengali |
Shree Pritam |
Shaan
|
| "Jhor Othe Mone" |
Idiot |
Bengali |
Shree Pritam |
Zubeen Garg
|
| 2013 |
"O Bondhu Amar" |
Khoka 420 |
Bengali |
Shree Pritam |
Shaan
|
| "Govinda Jay Jay" |
Khoka 420 |
Bengali |
Shree Pritam |
Abhijeet Bhattacharya
|
| "Pagal Ami Already" |
Khiladi |
Bengali |
Shree Pritam |
Zubeen Garg
|
| "Mayanga (Malang)" |
Dhoom 3 |
Tamil (Dubbed version) |
Pritam |
Abhishek Nailwal
|
| 2014 |
"Daatale Reshami" |
Timepass |
Marathi |
Chinar - Mahesh |
Chinar Kharkar
|
| "Concert Song" |
2 States |
Tamil & Hindi |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Solo
|
| "Do Akhiyyan" |
Badlapur Boys |
Hindi |
Sachin Gupta |
Shaan
|
| "Nakhriley" |
Kill Dil |
Hindi |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Ali Zafar, Shankar Mahadevan, Gulzar
|
| 2015
|
"Angat Rangat" |
Kaay Raav Tumhi |
Marathi |
Kanak Raj |
Solo
|
| "Praju" |
Timepass 2 |
Marathi |
Chinar - Mahesh |
Rishikesh Kamerkar
|
| "Sune Sune" |
Welcome Zindagi |
Marathi |
Soumil Shringarpure-Siddharth Mahadevan |
Solo
|
| "Dooriyan" |
I Love Desi |
Hindi |
Sham Balkar |
Javed Ali, Sonu Kakkar
|
| "Un Mele Oru Kannu" |
Rajinimurugan |
Tamil |
D. Imman |
Jithin Raj
|
| "Abhas Ha" |
3:56 Killari |
Marathi |
Chinar - Mahesh |
Solo
|
| 2016 |
"Ore Oru Vaanam" |
Thirunaal |
Tamil |
Srikanth Deva |
Shakthisree Gopalan
|
| 2018 |
"Mon E Kemon" |
Wrong Route |
Bengali |
Dev Sen |
Imran Mahmudul
|
| "Ja Hobe Dekha" |
Raja Rani Raji |
Bengali |
Lincon |
Shaan
|
| "Runa Zuna" |
Memory Card |
Marathi |
Mitesh-Pritesh |
Javed Ali
|
| "Halwa Halwa" |
Jaga Vegli Antyatra |
Marathi |
Rohan Pradhan & Rohan Gokhale |
Siddharth Mahadevan
|
| "Heer" |
Baa Baaa Black Sheep |
Hindi |
Gourav-Roshin-Shaan |
Mika Singh
|
| "Nee Yaaro Nanage" |
Amma I Love You |
Kannada |
Gurukiran |
Santhosh Venky
|
| "Minugo Putta Taregale"
|
Saahasa Makkalu
|
Sharath Bilinele
|
|
| 2019 |
"Naa Raja" & "Koamaanae" |
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi |
Telugu, Tamil (Dubbed version) |
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Shriram Iyer
|
| "Rae Raelaa Rae" & "Nanjukku" |
Hamsika Iyer, Siddharth Mahadevan
|
| "Beimani Se" |
Gone Kesh |
Hindi |
Bishakh Jyoti |
Solo
|
Tamil songs
Awards and honors
References
External links
