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Trending in Kavita Krishnamurthy’s World

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Born
1958

From
India

Journey

Kavita Krishnamurthy, born Sharada Krishnamurthy in New Delhi, is an Indian playback and classical singer whose career has spanned more than five decades. Her musical foundation was established early through Rabindra Sangeet and Hindustani classical training under Balram Puri. By the age of eight, she was already winning music competitions, while her studies at St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai led her to perform professionally alongside established musicians. Her recording career began in the early 1970s, including an early Bengali film recording with Lata Mangeshkar. After years of stage work, jingles, and recording assignments, her association with composer Laxmikant helped move her into mainstream Hindi cinema. Her breakthrough came with "Karma," followed by prominent songs in "Mr. India," including “Hawa Hawai,” which brought her voice to a much wider audience. The 1990s became a defining period. Her performances in "1942: A Love Story," "Yaraana," and "Khamoshi: The Musical" earned three consecutive Filmfare Awards for Best Female Playback Singer. She later received a fourth for “Dola Re Dola” from "Devdas," shared with Shreya Ghoshal. Other major recordings include “Nimbooda,” “Aaj Main Upar,” “Mera Piya Ghar Aaya,” “Bole Chudiyan” and “Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast.” Krishnamurthy has also maintained a substantial presence beyond Hindi film music, recording in numerous Indian languages and working across devotional, ghazal, classical, pop and fusion projects. Her collaboration with violinist L. Subramaniam expanded this side of her career, including her participation in the international project "Global Fusion." In 2005, she received the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honours. She was also named Best Singer of the Millennium at the Stardust Millennium Awards and received an honorary doctorate from Jain University in 2015. With a repertoire extending across languages, film traditions and musical forms, Kavita Krishnamurthy has built a career that connects India's classical heritage with its cinema and popular music. Her extensive body of recordings and enduring stage career have secured her place among the significant female playback singers of Indian music.