Langbahn Team – Weltmeisterschaft

Sunitha Sarathy

Sunitha Sarathy
Background information
Birth nameSunitha Sarathy
BornChennai, Tamilnadu, India
GenresWestern Classical, Gospel, R&B
OccupationSinger
InstrumentVocalist
Years active2002–current

Sunitha Sarathy is an Indian vocalist and performer in both Indian contemporary and Western classical music genres.[1] She is also a gospel singer who performs in various church choirs. After having won the "Virgin Voice Choice" contest – a joint initiative of Channel V and Virgin Records in the year 2000, Sarathy debuted into film playback in the year 2002.

She debuted as a playback singer with the Tamil film Yei! Nee Romba Azhagey Irruke guest-singing the prelude and interlude portions of the song "Ini Naanum Naanillai" with Srinivas and Sujatha Mohan as the lead singers.[2] Sarathy has around 200 film songs in various languages, performances as singer-keyboardist-percussionist across a wide spectrum of Western music genres including classical, jazz, soul and R&B, neo-soul and quiet storm, and a prolific output of gospel songs to her credit.[3]

Early life

Coming from a family well-versed in Western music (classical jazz), Sarathy started singing in choirs from a young age of four. Her mother Susheela Sarathy is a pianist and conductor of leading Madras choirs at Santhome Church and Lazarus Church. Sunitha's irrepressible talent conquered all, including her initial flippancy. Her performances at Santhome – including devotionals in Latin and Franz Schubert's Ave Maria – elevated her to star status among Madras' church music circles. She has had the honour of rendering the 'Easter Proclamation' – a typical Catholic chant – for three years before an overflowing San Thome Basilica.

In 2000, Sarathy won the Virgin Voice Choice contest – a joint initiative of Channel V and Virgin Records. Out of 45,000 entries, 1,500 contestants were shortlisted. Ten made it to the finals in Mumbai, of which Sarathy emerged as a winner.

Career

Sunitha Sarathy was noticed by playback singer Srinivas after her victory in the talent hunt program. He offered her a small portion of a song which he was guest-composing for the film Hey! Nee Romba Azhaga Irukke in the year 2002. Soon later, composer Harris Jayaraj recorded her voice for a Love theme and dance theme in his Telugu film Vasu. However she got a big break and wider recognition after singing the full-length solo song "Thoodu Varuma" for the blockbuster Tamil film, Kaakha Kaakha in the same year.

Sarathy got a national recognition for her playback singing for a Hindi – Tamil bilingual film Yuva / Aaytha Ezhuthu in 2004 both directed by Mani Ratnam with music composition by A. R. Rahman. Soon after this, Sarathy recorded her voice for many successful soundtracks in various languages. Some of her notable works are for the films that include Mitr, My Friend, Anniyan, Polladhavan, Vallavan, Kana Kandaen, Don 2, Happy Days, Sainikudu, Cheluvina Chittara among others.[4][5] She also recorded the song "Warriors in peace" for the Mandarin film Warriors of Heaven and Earth composed by A. R. Rahman.

Sarathy performed for a song at the 2006 Asian Games.[6]

In July 2013, Sunitha Sarathy became the first solo female performer from India to be signed by AKG microphones as an endorsee[7]

July 2014 saw the launch of Sunitha Sarathy's School of Vocal Excellence, a performance oriented learning center for aspiring singers.

Discography

Tamil

Year Film Title Song Composer Co-singer(s)
2002 Hey! Nee Romba Azhaga Irukke "Ini Naanum Naanillai" Srinivas Srinivas, Sujatha Mohan
2003 Kaakha Kaakha "Thoodu Varumaa" Harris Jayaraj Febi Mani
Boys "Maaro Maaro" A. R. Rahman Karthik, George, Kunal Ganjawala, Annupamaa
Kurumbu "Adichchi Pudichchi" Yuvan Shankar Raja Devan Ekambaram
2004 Aaytha Ezhuthu "Yaakai Thiri" A. R. Rahman A. R. Rahman, Pop Shalini, Tanvi Shah
"Hey Goodbye Nanba" Shankar Mahadevan, Lucky Ali, Karthik
Arasatchi "Arakonathil" Harris Jayaraj
Kaadhal "Ivanthaana" Joshua Sridhar
New "New New" A. R. Rahman Blaaze, Karthik, Vijay Prakash, Tanvi Shah
Jana "Poochandi Vanthutta" Dhina
2005 Kana Kandaen "Chinna Chinna" Vidyasagar Tippu
Sachien "Dai Dai Kattikoda" Devi Sri Prasad Karthik
Anniyan "Stranger in Black" Harris Jayaraj Chennai Chorale
Kadhal FM "Un Udal" Aravind-Shankar Sandeep
Jithan "Ennai Thedi" Srikanth Deva Karthik
Englishkaran "Yeh Thiruda" Deva Srikanth Deva
Chinna "Bailare Bailare" D. Imman
Bambara Kannaley "Thakadhimi Thakadimi" Srikanth Deva
Aaru "Thottutae" Devi Sri Prasad Karthik
2006 Sivappathigaram "Kalloori Saalaikkul" Vidyasagar Karthik, Jack Smelly
Vallavan "Hip Hip Hurray" Yuvan Shankar Raja Nakul, Ranjith, Karthik
Saravana "Gori Thera" Srikanth Deva Silambarasan
Madrasi "Adho Andha Paravai" (remix) D. Imman D. Imman
Kedi "Chumma Chumma" Yuvan Shankar Raja
Chennai Kadhal "Angel Angel" Joshua Sridhar Karthik
2007 Polladhavan "Engeyum Eppodhum" Yogi B S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Yogi B
"Neeye Sol" G. V. Prakash Kumar Benny Dayal
Oram Po "Yaar Iraivanai" George Peter
Achacho "Eaye Eaye" M. K. S. Narula Khan
"Thottu Vidu"
Sivi "Neruppum" Dharan Ranjith
2008 Satyam "Chellame Chellame" Harris Jayaraj Balram, Bombay Jayashree
Nenjathai Killadhe "Hello Hello" Premgi Amaren Ranjith
Nepali "Wanna Become A Lady Bomb" Srikanth Deva Megha
Dhanam "Ulagam Kidakkuthu" Ilaiyaraaja
2009 Modhi Vilayadu "Paathi Kaadhal" Colonial Cousins Bombay Jayashree
Kudiyarasu "Ayndharai Adiyil" Karthik Raja Malgudi Subha
1977 "Arabi Kadal" Vidyasagar
Newtonin Moondram Vidhi "Mudhal Murai" F. S. Faizal S. J. Suryah, Sam P. Keerthan
2010 Jaggubhai "Thuru Thuru" Rafee
Paiyaa "Suthude Suthude" Yuvan Shankar Raja Karthik
Naanayam "Kooda Kooda" James Vasanthan
Kanimozhi "Penne Pogathey" Satish Chakravarthy Clinton Cerejo, Sam P. Keerthan, Timmy
2011 7aam Arivu "The Rise of Damo" Harris Jayaraj Hao Wang
Sadhurangam "Ennanna" Vidyasagar
Vithagan "Vegamaai" Joshua Sridhar Benny Dayal
2012 Leelai "Bubble Gum" Satish Chakravarthy Benny Dayal, Suvi Suresh, Leon James
Oru Kal Oru Kannadi "Kaadhal Oru" Harris Jayaraj Aalap Raju, Vedala Hemachandra
Mirattal "Zumba" Pravin Mani
2014 Kabadam "Hey Pulla" Sazzy Sachin
I "Ennodu Nee Irundhal" A. R. Rahman Sid Sriram
Yennai Arindhaal "Yaen Ennai" Harris Jayaraj Kharesma Ravichandran
Yaamirukka Bayamey "Ennamo Edho" S. N. Prasad Benny Dayal
Vingyani "X Chromosome Y Chromosome" Maris Vijay
2015 Purampokku Engira Podhuvudamai "Orea Oru Murai" Varshan Vijay Prakash, Ranjana
Iruvar Ondranal "Eno Unnai" Guru Krishnan
Romeo Juliet "Thoovanam" D. Imman Vishal Dadlani
2016 Navarasa Thilagam "Ayyayyo Vasama" Siddharth Vipin Karthik
Meen Kuzhambum Mann Paanaiyum "Hey Puthrajaya Poove" D. Imman Jithin Raj
2018 Tik Tik Tik "Tik Tik Tik" Yuvan Shankar Raja, Yogi B
Chekka Chivantha Vaanam "Sevandhu Pochu Nenju" A. R. Rahman Arjun Chandy, D. Sathyaprakash
NOTA "Yethikka Yethikka" Sam C. S. Benny Dayal
2019 Saaho "Bad Boy" Badshah Badshah, Benny Dayal
Bigil "Idharkuthaan" A. R. Rahman Dhee,  Arjun Chandy
Aladdin "Speechless" Alan Menken
2020 Mafia: Chapter 1 "Beast in the House" Jakes Bejoy Travis A. King
2021 Iruvar Ullam "Aadum Nenje" Vijay Antony
2022 Ward 126 "Vazhi Nadathidum" Varun Sunil Varun Sunil, Senthuzhan
Ponniyin Selvan: I "Climax Lament" (BGM) A. R. Rahman
Vaadi Vaadi (single) "Vaadi Vaadi" Harris Jayaraj Ravi G, Nicholas Samuel
2024 Brother "Badugas Night" Yogi Sekar
Teenz "Ikky Pikky" D. Imman Christopher Stanley

Other Languages

Year Song Film Title Language Composer Co-singer(s)
2002 "Give me Hugs" Mitr, My Friend English Vikesh Mehta
2003 "Warriors in Peace" Warriors of Heaven and Earth English/ Mandarin A. R. Rahman
"Seduction Saawariya" Boom Hindi Sandeep Chowta Sonu Kakkar
"Maaro Maaro" Boys Telugu A. R. Rahman Karthik, George, Kunal Ganjawala, Annupamaa
"Habibi" Tehzeeb Hindi
2004 "My Heart Beats" Prana Kannada
"Shaaba Shaaba" Runway Malayalam Suresh Peters Afsal
"Fanaa" Yuva Hindi A. R. Rahman A. R. Rahman, Tanvi Shah
"Hey Khuda Hafiz" Lucky Ali, Karthik
"Andathanama" Gharshana Telugu Harris Jayaraj Febi Mani
"La La Lahiri" Mass Devi Sri Prasad Venu
2005 "My Wish comes true" Kisna Hindi A. R. Rahman
"F TV Chiranjeevi" Andarivaadu Telugu Devi Sri Prasad KK
2006 "Bangaranni" Nuvvu Nenu Prema Telugu
"Byla Bylamo" Sainikudu Telugu Harris Jayaraj Lesle Lewis, Anushka Manchanda
2007 "Ye Cheekati" Happy Days Telugu Mickey J Meyer Ranjith
2008 "He Dil Deewana" Twenty 20 Malayalam Suresh Peters George Peter, Suresh Peters
2009 "Saregama Saregama" Jolly Days Kannada Mickey J Meyer Ranjith
2010 "Hey CM" Leader Telugu
"Non Stop" Namo Venkatesa Devi Sri Prasad Karthik
2011 "Dushman Mera" Don 2 Hindi Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Shankar Mahadevan
"The Rise of Damo" 7aam Arivu Telugu Harris Jayaraj Hao Wang
"Its a Game" Game Hindi Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
"Nuvvante Naaku" Mogudu Telugu Babu Shankar
2012 "Ellinda Banthu" Toofan Kannada Elvin Josuha Kunal Ganjawala
2019 "Bad Boy" Saaho Malayalam Badshah Badshah, Benny Dayal
"Breaking My Heart" Suryakantham Telugu Mark K Robin
"Speechless" Aladdin Telugu Alan Menken

References

  1. ^ Frederick, Prince (20 October 2011). "Sunitha Sarathy". The Hindu. Chennai, India.
  2. ^ "My First Break – Sunitha Sarathy". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 1 April 2010.
  3. ^ Frederick, Prince (20 October 2011). "Soaring notes". The Hindu. Chennai, India.
  4. ^ "Don 2: The Chase Continues". Archived from the original on 25 November 2011.
  5. ^ "Don 2 Music Review". 19 November 2011.
  6. ^ "Sunitha Sarathy – Climbing greater heights". Archived from the original on 28 November 2006. Retrieved 2 October 2010.
  7. ^ "HARMAN International".