Born in Thiruvananthapuram the capital of Kerala state, K.S.Chitra, with her melodious voice, has built a formidable reputation as a playback singer for South Indian as well as Hindi films. She has to her credit, over 11,000 songs in languages like Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali and Oriya.

From her young age she learned the basics in music from her father, late Krishnan Nair who was a singer and composer of repute. The gifted singer learned music at the graduate and post-graduate levels and completed her B A in music with the third rank from the university. She went on to complete her MA in music from Kerala University, for which she was chosen under the aegis of the National Talent Search Scholarship programme and was trained by Professor K.Omanakutty.

Her Career :

K.S.Chitra, she has lent her voice to Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Oriya, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Badaga and Punjabi films. She has recorded more than 15,000 film songs and is a recipient of six National Film Awards, five Filmfare Awards and more than thirty different state film awards

Chitra got a chance in films when Prof. K.Omanakutty introduced her to her brother Mr. M.G.Radhakrishnan, a famous music director in Malayalam film industry. Her first songs were for the films like 'Attahaasam', 'Snehapoorvam Meera', and 'Njaan Ekananu' and from then on there was no looking back. Her expressive melodious voice got her plenty of offers and she was soon making a mark in Malayalam films to the extent that she has today monopolised Malayalam film music. Ilayaraja gave her the big break into Tamil films through his film 'Nee Thaanaa Antha Kuyil' but it was with 'Sindhu Bhairavi' she became a known name in Tamil industry which also won her the National Award for best playback singer. Chitra's foray into Hindi film music was with the song 'Saathiya, ye tune kya kiya' in the film 'Love'. Some of the Hindi films that she has given hit songs are 'Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya', 'Aks', 'Ashoka', 'Rangeela' etc. She is one singer who has successfully broken the North-South divide and blazed a trail of glory in both worlds.

She has won the National Award for the best playback singer five times. For ' Sindhu Bhairavi' (Tamil, 1986),' Nakhashatangal' (Malayalam, 1987), ' Vaishali' ( Malayalam, 1989 ), Minsara Kanavu ( Tamil, 1996 ), Virasat (Hindi, 1997).

The Kerala government has heaped upon her the best playback singer award more than 12 times and she has the unique distinction of being the first female singer in the history of South Indian film playback singing to be honoured by all the four southern state governments as the best playback singer.

Chitra who has a strong base in classical music has an ability to pick up even the most difficult pitch with ease. Chitra has many albums especially devotional music to her credit. She has also tried her hand in pop music and made an album with the 'Voodoo Rapper'. Her hugely successful albums include 'Piya Basanti'; her collaboration with sarangi exponent Ustad Sultan Khan, 'Sunset Point', where she worked with Gulzar and Bhupinder. She has had the opportunities to work with famous music directors like Salil Choudhary, Anu Malik, Nadeem-Shravan and world renowned music maestro A R Rahman. But she remains her simple down to earth self with the trademark pleasant smile. This immensely talented singer continues to impress her numerous fans with memorable songs.

National award for Sindhu Bhairavi (Tamil film, year 1986), National award for 'Nakhaksthangal' (Malyalam film, year 1987), National award for 'Vaisali' (Malyalam film, year 1987), National award for 'Minsaara Kanavu' (Tamil film, year 1996), National award for 'Virasat' (Hindi film, year 1997), National award for 'Autograph' (Tamil film, year 2004), 14 awards from Kerala State Government, 6 awards from Andhra State Government, 4 awards from Tamilnadu State Government, 2 awards from Karnataka State Government, "Kalaimamani" title from Tamil Nadu Government(1997), "Kalaiselvam" title from the South Indian Nadigar Sangam (2002), Lifetime Achievement Award from Global Malayalee Council in London (2003), Dr. K. J. Yesudas Lifetime Achievement Award (2004), Padmashri title by the Government of India. Many Other awards .

Accolades and Credentials :

Awards

Chithra has won six National Awards for best female playback singer. This is the highest number of national awards awarded to any female playback singer. She has won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer 15 times. She has won the following awards:

Civilian Awards:

2005 - Padma Shri - India's fourth highest civilian honours
National Film Awards:
2004 - Best Female Playback Singer - (Song: "Ovvoru Pookkalume") Autograph, Tamil Film
1997 - Best Female Playback Singer - (Song: "Payalein Chun Mun") Virasat, Hindi Film
1996 - Best Female Playback Singer - (Song: "Maana Madurai" (Ooh La La La)) Minsaara Kanavu, Tamil Film
1989 - Best Female Playback Singer - (Song: "Indupushpam Choodi Nilkum Raathri") Vaishali, Malayalam Film
1987 - Best Female Playback Singer - (Song: "Manjal Prasadavum") Nakhakshathangal, Malayalam Film
1986 - Best Female Playback Singer - (Song: "Padariyen Padippariyen") Sindhu Bhairavi, Tamil Film

Filmfare Awards South:

2009: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Malayalam) - "Kunnathe Konnakyum" (Pazhassiraja)
2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Malayalam) - "Oduvil Oru" (Thirakkatha)
2006: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Malayalam) - "Kalabham Tharam" (Vadakkumnathan)
2006: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) - "Araluva Hoovugale" (Autograph)
2004: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Telugu) - "Nuvvostanante" (Varsham)

Kerala State Film Awards:

2005 - Best Play Back Singer - "Mayangipoyi" (Nottam)
2002 - Best Play Back Singer - "Karmukil Varnante" (Nandanam)
2001 - Best Play Back Singer - "Mooli Mooli" (Theerthadanam)
1999 - Best Play Back Singer - "Pular Veyilum" (Angane Oru Avadhikkalathu)
1995 - Best Play Back Singer - "Sasikala Charthiya" (Devaraagam)
1994 - Best Play Back Singer - "Parvanenthu" (Parinayam)
1993 - Best Play Back Singer - "Ponmeghame" (Sopanam) , "Rajahamsame" (Chamayam) , "Sangeethame" (Gazal)
1992 - Best Play Back Singer - "Mounasarovaram" (Savidham)
1991 - Best Play Back Singer - "Thaaram" (Keli) , "Swarakanyakamar" (Santhwanam)
1990 - Best Play Back Singer - "Kannil Nin Meyyil" (Innale) , "Palappoove" (Njan Gandharvan)
1989 - Best Play Back Singer - "Kalarivilakku" (Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha) , "Thankathoni" (Mazhavilkavadi)
1988 - Best Play Back Singer - "Indupushpam" (Vaishali)
1987 - Best Play Back Singer - "Eenam marannakatte" (Eenam Maranna Kattu) , "Thalolam Paithal" (Ezhuthappurangal)
1986 - Best Play Back Singer - "Manjalprasadavum" (Nakhakshathangal)
1985 - Best Play Back Singer - "Oreswaram Ore Niram" (Ente Kaanakuyil), "Poomaname" (Nirakkootu) , "Aayiram Kannumai" (Nokettadoorathu Kannum Nattu)

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards:

2004 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Ovvoru Pookalume" (Autograph)
1995 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Kannalane" (Bombay)
1990 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Vanthathey Kungumam" (Kizhakku Vasal)
1988 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Ninnukkori Varanam" (Agni Natchathiram)

Andhra Pradesh State Film Awards:

2009 - Best Female Playback Singer- "Kalavaramaye Madilo" (Kalavaramaye Madilo)
2004 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Nuvvostanante Neddontana" (Varsham)
1999 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Marala Telupuna" (Swayamvaram)
1996 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Priya" (Srikrishnarjuna Vijayam)
1993 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Venuvai Vachhanu" (Matrudevobhava)
1992 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Akasana" (Sundarakanda)
1991 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Endharo"(Rajeswari Kalyanam)
1990 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Kaliki Chilaka" (Seetharamaiah Gari Manavaralu)

Karnataka State Film Awards:

2004 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Kandamma Kandamma" (Maharaja)
2000 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Navileno Kunibeku" (Gattimela)
1997 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Hele Kogile Impagalaa" (Nammoora Mandara Hoove)

Andhra Pradesh State TV Nandi Awards:

1998 - Best Female Playback Singer - "Anweshitha" (Anweshita Etv Serial)
Asianet Film Awards:
2009 - Best Female Playback - "Kunnathe Konnakkyum" (Pazhassiraja)
2007 - Best Female Playback - "Chellathamare" (Hallo)
2005 - Best Female Playback - "Enthu Paranjalum" ('Achuvinte Amma)
2003 - Best Female Playback - "Enthinai Nin Idam Kannin" (Mizhi Randilum)
2000 - Best Female Playback - "Varmukile"(Mazha)
1999 - Best Female Playback - "Thumbayum Thulasiyum" (Megham)
Lata Mangeshkar Award:
2011 - Lata Mangeshkar Award(2011)

Jai Hind Film Awards:

2010 - Best Female Playback Singer Award - "Kunnathe Konnakyum" (Pazhassiraja)
Radio Mirchi Awards (South)
2010 - Radio Mirchi Listeners Choice Award - K. S. Chitra - "Kunnathe Konnakyum"(Pazhassiraja)
Swaralaya -Eenam Awards
2010 - Decade's Best Talent in Malayalam Music - K. S. Chitra
South Scope Film Awards
2010 - Best Female Playback Singer Award - "Kunnathe Konnakyum" (Pazhassiraja)

Major Achievements

Chithra is presently awarded with an honorary Doctorate by the Chennai based Sathyabama University for her tremendous achievement in the field of cinema music.

Andhra Pradesh Government for Cultural Council has conferred the "Bharath Ratna Lata Mangeshkar Award" on Chithra for her contribution towards Indian film music.

She has also been honoured with the Kalaimamani title from Tamil Nadu Government in 1997, the Swaralaya Yesudas Award in 2004, Kalaiselvam title from the South Indian Nadigar Sangam in 2002, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from Global Malayalee Council in London in 2003.

She has also received numerous mainstream awards like MTV Video Music Award, Screen – Videocon Award, Film Fans Association Awards, and Cinema Express Awards. Chithra was also awarded the 'Vocational Excellence' Award by the Rotary Club of Coimbatore.

Recognising her contribution to the music world, Smt. Chithra has been conferred the Padma Shri title by the Government of India in 2005.

In 2010, she bagged C. Cheriyan Memorial Award by Cochin Fine Arts Society, Swaralaya - Eenam Award for Best Female Singer and Chakkulathamma Swaravarsha Award.

Her song "Kehna Hi Kya (Kannalane)" from the film Bombay (1995) was included in The Guardian's "1000 Songs Everyone Must Hear" list.

Sneha : Chithra's Fund Raising Organization

Chithra, along with a Kerala based satellite channel, Asianet Cable Vision (ACV), has jointly launched a fund raising organization Sneha to raise funds for the betterment and welfare of long forgotten and aged musicians who have lost their careers to the emerging technological elements in the music industry. She has launched this organization on the occasion of her completion of three decades in the music playback industry. Chithra has remarked that the fund would provide help to the musicians with financial impediments and those suffering from health problems.

A cultural event named Chitra Pournami was held on 15 February 2011 at Thiruvananthapuram to celebrate the 30 glorious career years of Chithra and also to officially launch this organization. The who's who of South Indian music industry attended the event and felicitated Chithra with a Tamboora instrument. The prominent personalities being K. J. Yesudas, V. Dakshinamurthy, Sreekumaran Thampi, P. Susheela, Hariharan, M. G. Sreekumar, Sharath, Sujatha Mohan, Unni Menon, Minmini among others felicitated Chithra and praised her noble cause and intentions to help for the ailing musicians.