Sharda
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Sharda


Sharda Rajan Iyengar or Sharda was a playback singer in Hindi films in the 1960s and 70s. She won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the cabaret "Baat zara hai aapas ki" in Jahan Pyar Miley (1970), though she is most remembered for her song, "Titli udi" in Suraj (1966)[1]. Then in 2007, she released a Ghazal Album ‘Andaaz – e – Bayan Aur’ based on Mirza Ghalib’s Ghazals, composed and sung by her

Early life

Sharda belonged to a conservative Brahmin family from Tamil Nadu and was inclined towards music from childhood.
[edit] Career

She got her first big break in Bollywood with the song "Titli udi in Suraj" (1966). She was promoted by Shankar of the Shankar Jaikishan duo. [5]

"Titli udi" turned out to be a top chartbuster in 1966. Thereafter she continued singing for Shanker in nearly all his films while he was alive. Her voice was last heard in "Kaanch ki Deewar" (1987).

She sang with most of the top singers like Mohd Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar, Yesudas, Mukesh and Suman Kalyanpur. She lent her voice to top leading ladies of the time like Vyjayanthimala, Saira Banu, Hema Malini, Sharmila Tagore, Mumtaz, Rajashree and even Helen. She was the first Indian female singer to cut out her own pop album in India sometime in 1968. She also performed on stage on several occasions like Filmfare Awards Functions, charity shows, naval functions, and many others.

Sharda was somehow never able to reach the top bracket of singers and she blames some of the highly successful singers of the time to have deprived her of her chances by indulging in dirty politics. She also has the distinction of being a BA graduate, a qualification that Shankar tried his level best to highlight claiming that if the heroine is a college going girl, then only Sharda can sing for her as the other female singers of the time had not been to college. This remark was not well received by others and worked against Sharda. The critics also took digs at her highly South Indian accented pronunciations and nasal intonations which were very obvious. But in spite of all that she did manage to create a certain section of the music listeners as her fans and well wishers.

Shankar tried his level best to promote Sharda as the new generation Lata in the late 60s but somehow things did not really work out. Besides Shankar she also recorded songs with Usha Khanna, Dattaram, Iqbal Qureshi and a few others.

She was nominated four times for the Filmfare Best Female Singer award and won it once. In the 1970s, she turned music director with films like "Mandir Masjid", "Maila Aanchal" and also penned lyrics for some songs specially for Shanker.

Sharda was the first female singer in India to introduce a pop album titled "Sizzlers"in 1971 which was released by HMV. Even though it is believed that Sharda was discovered by Musician Shankar she was actually offered a voice test by Showman Raj Kapoor when he first heard her singing in a function at Shrichand Ahuja's residence in Tehran.

Sharda was one of the prominent female singer to turn into a Music Director (besides Usha Khanna)& scored music for films wherein she used vocals of established singers like Kishore Kumar & Mohd Rafi & also encouraged new talent like Suresh Wadkar & Preeti Sagar. Even though she hasnt sang in films after 1987 she continues performing at her Musical Concerts in India & abroad. Sharda sang numerous songs for dancer Helen in films like Jahan Pyar Mile,Hare Kanch ki Choodiyaan,Dil Daulat Duniya,Elaan,Shatranj,Bhai Behen & Saazish.

Its interesting to note that Shankar composed a song for a film called Garam Khoon(1980)which was written by Sharda,sung by Lata Mangeshkar & picturised on Sulakshana Pandit. Sharda launched her own website www.titliudi.com in 2002 which showcases her biography,personal photographs,her journey in bollywood & her contact information.

Sharda conducts music lessons for children and aspiring singers. On 21 July 2007 Sharda released her Ghazal Album "Andaaz-e-Bayan Aur" compiling Mirza Ghalib's Ghazals. The Album was released at Juhu Jagriti Mumbai at the hands of veteran Actress Shabana Azmi. Music Director Khayyam was also present at the event where Sharda thrilled the audiences by singing a few songs from the album in her well preserved voice.
[edit] Filmfare Awards Nominations and Award

    Filmfare Best Female Playback Award:

    * 1968: Tumhari bhi jai jai-(Diwana) - nominated
    * 1969 - Mere ang ka rang -(Chanda Aur Bijli) - nominated
    * 1970 - Baat zara hai-(Jahan pyar miley) - won
    * 1971 - Aapke piche pad gayi-(Ek nari ek brahmchari) - nominated [6]

[edit] Popular songs

Besides Titli udi, Sharda's most popular tracks are:

    * Jaan e Chaman (Gumnaam) -with Mohd Rafi
    * Leja Leja mera dil (An Evening In Paris)
    * Chale jana zara (Around The World) - with Mukesh
    * Tum Pyar se dekho (Sapno Ka Saudagar) - with Mukesh
    * Woh Pari kahan se (Pehchan) - with Mukesh & Suman Kalyanpur
    * Kisike dil ko (Kal Aaj Aur Kal)
    * Jab bhi yeh dil udaas (Seema) - with Mohd Rafi