Bombay Sisters

Bombay Sisters
Background information
Born
  • C. Saroja
  • (1936-12-07) 7 December 1936 (age 87)
  • Trichur, Kerala
  • C. Lalitha
  • (1938-08-26)26 August 1938
  • Trichur Kerala,
Died
  • C. Lalitha
  • 31 January 2023(2023-01-31) (aged 84)
GenresCarnatic music
EducationS.I.E.S Matunga
Alma materDelhi University
AwardsPadma Shri (2020)

The Bombay Sisters, C. Saroja (born 7 December 1936) and C. Lalitha (26 August 1938 – 31 January 2023), were an Indian Carnatic music singing duo.[1] They received the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honour, in 2020.

Filmography

  1. Yar Jambulingam (Aadi Aadi Asaithal)
  2. Arunagirinathar (Kaithala Nirai Kani)

Early life

The Bombay Sisters, C. Saroja and C. Lalitha, were born in Trichur, in what is today Kerala, to Mukthambal and N. Chidambaram Iyer. The sisters were brought up in Bombay. Saroja and Lalitha had their education in the S.I.E.S Matunga, passed their intermediate privately from Bhopal, M.P. and completed their graduation from Delhi University. They had their musical training with H. A. S. Mani, Musiri Subramania Iyer and T. K. Govinda Rao. T. K. Govinda Rao played major role in training the nuances of Carnatic music, How to enhance the raga and its bhava while singing sangatis in a kriti[2] [3][4]

Career

After they were groomed in Carnatic music in Mumbai, the sisters moved to Chennai when the elder sister, Saroja, first received a fellowship at the Central College of Music in Madras (now Chennai). The younger sister, Lalitha, also later received a fellowship at the same college.[5] The duo got their name when Mouna Swamigal of Ambattur addressed them as 'Bombay Sahodarigal' (transl. Bombay Sisters) and the name stuck.[5][6]

As part of the trend of duo singing in Carnatic music, which started in the 1950s, with performers like Radha Jayalakshmi, and Soolamangalam Sisters,[7] Bombay Sisters began singing in 1963 when they started with light classical music, subsequently progressing to classical Carnatic music.[8] Their first major concert in Madras was at the Sai Baba temple in Mylapore, where they were bumped to the prime-time slot because of the unavailability of Madurai Mani Iyer.[9]

The duo sang in multiple languages including Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi and Marathi.[10] They stayed away from singing for film-songs through their career.[9] They were also known for promoting young musicians through endowments and scholarships.[8] They received the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honour, in 2020.[11]

Awards

Personal life

Lalitha was married to N. R. Chandran, former Advocate-General of Madras. She died on 31 January 2023, aged 84, in Chennai. She was suffering from cancer.[5]

Saroja is married to Rajaram, former chief secretary of the Lalit Kala Akademi.[6]

Discography

Source(s):[23][24][25][26]

Sanskrit

  1. Sri Venkatesa Suprabhatham & Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam
  2. Sri Parthasarathy Suprabhatham & Pasurangal
  3. Sri Kamakshi Suprabhatham
  4. Sri Raghavendra Suprabhatham & Sthothras
  5. Sri Mookambika Suprabhatham
  6. Sri Sharada Suprabhatham & Other Sthothras
  7. Sri Bhubaneswari Suprabhatham & Songs
  8. Sri Kalikambal Suprabhatham
  9. Siva Suprabhatham & Sthothras
  10. Sri Lakshmi Hayagreeva Stotram
  11. Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Stotram (1991)
  12. Sri Lakshmi Sahasranamam
  13. Mooka Panchasathi Vol 01,Vol 02, Vol 03, Vol 04
  14. Gangalahari
  15. Sri Bilva Ashtothara Sathanamavali
  16. Devi Mahathmayam Vol 01,Vol 02,Vol 03
  17. Sowdaryalahari
  18. Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam & Ashtothram
  19. Durga Sthothram
  20. Sree Mahishasuramardini Sthothram
  21. Sriman Narayaneeyam
  22. Sthothravali
  23. Sthothramala
  24. Sri Hanuman Chalisa & Other Hanumath Stothras (2008)
  25. Chinna Chinna Slogangal
  26. Krishna Karnamrutham
  27. Sivanandalahari
  28. Sri Vishnu Padadi Kesantha Sthothram
  29. AanandaLahari
  30. Dakshinamurthy Sthothram
  31. Adi Sankara SivasthuthiMala
  32. Aadithya Hridayam
  33. SriSthuthi Bhoosthuthi
  34. Padmanabha Sathakam
  35. Subrahmanyam (Kandarkalivemba)
  36. Sri Lalitha Trisathi and Other Devi Stothras
  37. Devi Sthothra Malika
  38. Devi Sthothra Mala
  39. Mahishasura Mardhini (Nadam Music)
  40. Ramaya Thubhyam Namah
  41. Valmiki Ramayanam
  42. Sri Dattathreya Sthothram
  43. Sri Bhubaneswari Suprabhatham and Ashtakam
  44. Sri Pudukkottai Bhuvaneswari Suprabhatham and Songs
  45. Sri Yogabigai Suprabhatham
  46. Sri Manik Prabhu Suprabhatham
  47. Sri Ganesa Sahasranamam

Malayalam

  1. Sapthaham (1991)
  2. Sundara Narayana Guruvayurappan Gananjali Vol. 8- CD 1
  3. Sundara Narayana Guruvayurappan Gananjali Vol. 8- CD 2

Tamil

  1. Sri Abirami Andhadhi
  2. Sri Guruvayurappa Suprabhatham
  3. Kandar Sashti Kavacham (Sangeetha Music)
  4. Daivegathenisai
  5. Ganapathi Aayiram Namangal
  6. Enn Annai
  7. Divyaprabadham
  8. Jaya Jaya Kali
  9. Kandar Sashti Kavacham (KRV Music)
  10. Karumari Amman Andhadi
  11. Koil Mani Osai
  12. Maagadu Amman Aaruvara Padalgal
  13. Maduraimeenakshi
  14. Mahishasuramardhini (Symphony music)
  15. Narayana Leelanjali
  16. Navagraha Krithis
  17. Pallikkarannai Parasakthi
  18. PoornayogaVibhavam
  19. Ramanar Suprabhatham
  20. Sai Bhajan
  21. Sakthiye Sakthi
  22. Saravana Sangeetham
  23. Shanmukha Suprabhatham
  24. Kudavarasi Amman Padalgal
  25. Sivadarisanam
  26. Sri Bhuvaneswari Kavacham
  27. Sri Hanumanchalisa & Songs
  28. Sri Panchamukha Herambha Ganapathi Kavacham (1993)
  29. Prasanna Venkatachalapathi pukazhmalai
  30. Raghavedra Songs
  31. Raghavendra Suprabhatham
  32. Raghavendra Navarathnamalai
  33. Sri Saneeswara Bhagavan Sthothram
  34. Sri Thiruchedur Suprabhatham
  35. Sri Venkatesa Suprabhatham (Tamil)
  36. Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam (Tamil)
  37. Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam (Tamil)
  38. Bhajagovindam & Mukundamala (1991)
  39. Aandal
  40. Vinayaka Agaval
  41. Thiruppugazh
  42. Sri Venkatesa Suprabhatham (symphony)
  43. Mahalakshmi Suprabhatham

Kannada

  1. Daasara Padagalu (1981).
  2. Devi Geethanjali (1991).
  3. Ambe Mookambe (1991).
  4. Kailasagirivasa Sri Manjunatha
  5. Navagraha Bhakthimala
  6. Srinivasa Vaibhava
  7. Varamahalakshmi
  8. Venkateswara Suprabhatha (Kannada)
  9. Goravanahalli Mahalakshmi Suprabhatha

Carnatic Vocal

  1. Popular Composition of Arunachala Kavirayar
  2. Popular Varnams
  3. Swathithirunal Devi Krithis
  4. Popular Melodies
  5. Sri Thygaraja Pancharathna Krithis
  6. Sri Annamayya Krithis
  7. Thiruvayyaru Kshethra Krithis Vol 1&2
  8. Sri Muthuswami Dishithar Navagraha Krithis
  9. Kovur Pancharathna Krithis
  10. Thiruvoytiyur Pancharathna Krithis
  11. Sri Thyagaraja's Lalgudi Pancharatna Krithis
  12. Srirangam Pancharathna Krithis
  13. Ragam Tanam Pallavi
  14. Popular Thillanas
  15. Enticing Melodies
  16. Classical Vocal - Bombay Sisters
  17. Periyasami Thooran Songs
  18. Panchalinga Krithis

References

  1. ^ Saravanan & Hari Krishnan. "Interview with Bombay Sisters". ChennaiOnline.com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  2. ^ "Bombay Sisters - A Sruti Interview". www.sruti.com. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  3. ^ "Bombay sisters in concert". The Hindu. 22 September 2007. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  4. ^ "C Saroja & C Lalita – The Bombay Sisters". Carnatica.com. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  5. ^ a b c Bureau, The Hindu (31 January 2023). "Lalitha Chandran of Bombay sisters dies at 84 in Chennai". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 4 February 2023. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  6. ^ a b "Bombay Sisters speak about their successful journey". 11 December 2018.
  7. ^ "Sisters in song". The Hindu. 30 January 2010.
  8. ^ a b Charukesi (5 January 2012). "In complete harmony". The Hindu.
  9. ^ a b "C Lalitha, younger of noted Carnatic duo Bombay Sisters, dies at 84 in Chennai". The Times of India. 1 February 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  10. ^ "Concert by Bombay sisters". New Straits Times. 16 February 1994. p. 13. Retrieved 3 August 2009.[permanent dead link‍]
  11. ^ a b Review, Team Friday (2 February 2023). "Remembering C. Lalitha of the Bombay Sisters". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  12. ^ "Padma Awards 2020 Announced". pib.gov.in.
  13. ^ The Hindu Net Desk (26 January 2020). "Full list of 2020 Padma awardees". The Hindu.
  14. ^ "Bombay Sisters to get Isai Perarignar Award". The Hindu. 11 November 2006. Archived from the original on 5 December 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  15. ^ "Indian Heritage – December Madras (Chennai) Music Season – Awards 1998 to 2010". indian-heritage.org. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  16. ^ "Profile – Bombay Sisters". ChennaiOnline.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  17. ^ "Sheer hard work has brought us this far". The Hindu. 28 September 2007. Archived from the original on 5 November 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  18. ^ "Sangita Kalanidhi award for Bombay Sisters". The Hindu. 20 July 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  19. ^ "Understanding of bhava is needed". The New Indian Express. 16 May 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  20. ^ "Saregama in air-conditioned comfort". The Hindu. 16 February 2010. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  21. ^ "Award for Bombay Sisters". The Hindu. 7 December 2013. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  22. ^ a b "C Lalitha of 'Bombay sisters' passes away". English.Mathrubhumi. February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  23. ^ "Bombay Sisters Albums and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  24. ^ "Bombay Sisters". Discogs. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  25. ^ "Bombay Sisters – Top Albums – Listen on JioSaavn". JioSaavn. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  26. ^ "Bombay Sisters albums and discography". Last.fm. Retrieved 5 February 2023.