Playback Singer

P. Susheela

Born 13 November 1935 · Andhra Pradesh

Recorded over 17,000 songs in multiple Indian languages, recognized by Guinness and Asia Book of Records.

📖Modern 🏛️Arts 📍Andhra Pradesh 🌐South India

Pulapaka Suseela is an Indian playback singer associated with the South Indian cinema for over six decades and is referred to as the "Evergreen Nightingale of Indian cinema". She is one of the best-known playback singers in India. She has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as well as by the Asia Book of Records for performing a record number of songs in different Indian languages. She is also the recipient of five National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer and the first woman playback singer to receive the national award.

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A detail that
surprised us

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P. Susheela holds a Guinness World Record for recording nearly 17,695 songs in multiple Indian languages, a feat unmatched by any other singer.

The Story

In 1951, P. Susheela recorded her debut song for the Telugu film "Kannatalli," marking the start of a career that would span over six decades with more than 17,000 recorded songs across Indian languages.

🌟 In 1969, she became the first female playback singer to win the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the Tamil film "Uyarndha Manidhan," with the song "Naalai Intha Velai."

3By the late 1960s and 1970s, she was the dominant female voice in Tamil cinema, singing classic hits for films like "Pava Manippu," "Palum Pazhamum," and "Uthama Puthiran," cementing her place in South Indian cinema.

4🎼 Trained under violin maestro Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu at Maharaja’s Music College, Vizianagaram, she earned a first-class diploma from Andhra University, blending classical rigor with cinematic appeal.

🏅 Awards & Honours

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Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1969, P. Susheela won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for "Naalai Intha Velai," becoming the very first woman to receive this honor in India’s national film awards history.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth

Birth in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh

Pulapaka Suseela was born to Pulapaka Mukunda Rao, a leading advocate, in Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh.

1935

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Career

Film playback debut with Kannatalli

Susheela recorded her first playback song for the Telugu film "Kannatalli," launching her singing career in cinema.

1951

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Career

Sang all songs for Tamil 'Akbar'

She rendered all six songs for the Tamil dubbed version of "Mughal-e-Azam" called "Akbar," which became popular despite the film’s failure.

1961

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Award

First woman to win National Film Award

Won National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for "Naalai Intha Velai" from the film "Uyarndha Manidhan," the first woman to do so.

1969

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Other

Death of husband Dr. Mohan Rao

Her husband, Dr. Mohan Rao, who supported her career from behind the scenes, passed away in 1990.

1990

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Award

Recognized by Guinness Book of World Records

Awarded by Guinness and Asia Book of Records for recording the highest number of songs in various Indian languages.

2000

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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 04

💡SURPRISING

She recorded songs in over a dozen languages including Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali, Sanskrit, Tulu, Badaga, Urdu, Punjabi, and even English, showcasing remarkable linguistic versatility.

IndianClassical.net

02 / 04

🔍LESSER KNOWN

Susheela trained under the legendary violinist Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu at Maharaja’s Music College, completing her diploma with first class honors from Andhra University.

Sony Biography

03 / 04

🔍LESSER KNOWN

The Tamil dubbed version of "Mughal-e-Azam," called "Akbar" (1961), flopped commercially, but all its Tamil songs sung by Susheela became popular and are still found on YouTube.

SongsOfYore

No quote recorded for P. Susheela yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons

Legendary Singer P Susheela Exclusive Interview | Ugadi Special | Vanitha Tv

🌱 What changed because of them

P. Susheela’s extensive body of work reshaped the soundscape of South Indian cinema, influencing generations of playback singers who followed. Her pioneering achievement as the first woman to win the National Film Award for playback singing paved the way for greater recognition of female vocalists in Indian cinema. Music institutions and film industries in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and beyond continue to honor her style of precise diction and emotive singing.

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