Sharda Rajan Iyengar was an Indian singer, lyricist and music director who sang many songs in Bollywood during the 1970s and 1980s. She died of cancer on June 14, 2023.
Wiki/Biography
Sharda Rajan Iyengar also known as Sharda or Sharada was born in Kumbakonam, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu state, India (The then Madras Presidency of British India). According to one source, she was born on Wednesday, October 25, 1933 (age 89; at time of death), and according to another source, she was born on Monday, October 25, 1937 (age 85; at time of death) . Her zodiac sign is Scorpio. She learned Sanskrit and Vedic culture from her grandfather. She has been interested in music since childhood and performed at many school events. She later studied for a Bachelor of Arts degree. Later, she studied under many revered masters, including Pandit Jagannath Prasad, Pandit Laxman Prasad Japurwal Prasad Jaipurwale) and Nirmala Devi (aka Nirmala Arun), the mother of Indian actor Govinda. When she was performing in Tehran, Iran, the famous Indian actor and director Raj Kapoor discovered her and asked her to come to RK Studios for a voice test. She later started her career as a musician in Bollywood.
Sharda Rajan Iyengar before sound test at RK Studios
appearance
Hair Color: Salt and Pepper
Eye color: black
family
She was born into a Brahmin Vaishnavite Iyengar family in Tamil Nadu.
Parents and siblings
There is not much information about her parents. She has a sister named Srithala Rajan and a brother named Desikan Bharathan, a scientist who died in August 2018.
Sharda Rajan Iyengar (right) with her brother Desikan Bharathan and sister Srithala Rajan
husband and children
Not much information is available about her husband. She has a daughter named Sudha Madeira who is married to Dudley Madeira and a son named Shammi Rajan.
Sharda Rajan Iyengar’s daughter Sudha Madeira and her husband Dudley Madeira
Sharda Rajan Iyengar’s sons Shammi Rajan and Karishma Kapoor (left)
other relatives
She has a granddaughter named Sonia Madeira Weld, who is married to Rahul Weld. She has a great-granddaughter named Lilia Weld. She has two grandsons named Vikrant Rajan and Vedant Rajan.
Sharda Rajan Iyengar’s daughter Sudha (second from left) and her family
Sharda Rajan Iyengar and her grandson Vedant Rajan
religion
She follows Hinduism.
address
She lives at 602, Jyoti Building, 68 Napeansea Road, Rungta Lane, Mumbai – 400006 Maharashtra, India
Profession
singer
After passing the vocal test, she received practical singing training from famous composers Shankar-Jaikishan and started singing under their guidance. She later sang in many films including Around the World on 8 Dollars, Suraj, Gumnaam, Pyar Mohabbat, Shatranj, One Night in Paris, Gunahon Ka Devta, Sapnon Ka Saudagar ” and “Ek Naari Ek Brahmachari”.
Sharda Rajan Iyengar’s early singing career
She came into limelight in 1966 with the song “Titli Udi” from the film “Suraj” and was nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Playback Singer. Sharda was jointly nominated with Mohammed Rafi for “Bahar Phool Barsao” and she had to share the award with Rafi as there was no separate category for singers at that time. The following year, the Filmfare Awards Committee began awarding separate awards to male and female singers. She was nominated for the Filmfare Award for four consecutive years from 1968 to 1971.
Sharda Rajan Iyengar and Mohammad Rafi (right)
During her career, she has sung songs with many other famous singers including Mohammad Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar, Yesudas, Mukesh and Suman Kha Yampur. She has also sung songs in Gujarati, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and English. Her songs were performed by almost all the major actresses of the 70s and 80s including Vyjayanthimala, Sadhana, Saira Banu, Hema Malini, Sharmila Tagore, Mumtaz, Rekha and Helen.
Sharda Rajan Iyengar (left) and Raj Kapoor (right)
She has also sung under the guidance of many renowned music directors including Usha Khanna, Ravi, Dattaram and Iqbal Qureshi.
She sang her last song for the 1986 Hindi film Kaanch Ki Deewar (1986); however, she continued to release albums, ghazals, and bhajans. On July 21, 2007, she released her ghazal album Andaaz-e-Bayaan Aur, which is a compilation of Mirza Ghalib’s ghazal music.
Sharda Rajan Iyengar sings in live show
lyricist
In 1980, she composed the song Ek Chehra Dil Ke Kareeb for the film Garam Khoon (1980) under the pseudonym Singaar, sung by Lata Mangeshkar and shot in Sulakshana Pandit.
Music Director
In the 1970s, she served as the music director for several films, including “Maa Behen Aur Biwi” (1974), “Tu Meri Main Tera” (1980), “Kshitij” (1974), “Mandir Masjid” ( 1977) and Maila Anchal (1981). In 1974, Mohammad Rafi sang the song “Achcha Hi Hua Dil Toot Gaya” for the film “Maa Behen Aur Biwi” directed by her, for which he was nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Male Singer.
Awards
- 1966 UP Film Reporter Award for Best Playback Singer
- The song Titli Udi from the 1966 film Suraj won the Filmfare Award for Best Playback Singer
Sharda Rajan Iyengar wins Filmfare Award for Best Playback Singer
- The song Baat Zara Hai Aapas Ki from the 1970 film Jahan Pyar Miley won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Singer
- Indian Music Composers Association Special Award 2021
- Bollywood Pulse Entertainment Lifetime Achievement Award 2023
Sharda Rajan Iyengar Lifetime Achievement Award
die
She passed away in Mumbai, India, on June 14, 2023, after battling cancer for many years. Her daughter Sudha announced her death to the world on Facebook.
Facts/Trivia
- In 1971, she became the first Indian female singer to release a pop album “Sizzlers”.
- She is a trained Tanpura player.
Sharda Rajan Iyengar as Tanpura
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education