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P. Leela

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Pī Rīra

Aliases: Porayath Leela

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1934-05-19 （Chittur, Palakkad）
Died
2005-10-31 （Chennai） age 71
Nationality
India
Languages
Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, Bengali, Sanskrit, Odia, Gujarati, Marathi, Sinhala
Religion
Hinduism
Residence History
Chittur, Palakkad → Ernakulam → Mylapore, Madras (now Chennai) → St. Thomas Mount

Career

Occupations
Playback singer, Carnatic vocalist, Music director
Active Years
1948-2005
Memberships
Malayalam Cine Technicians' Association (MACTA) Honorary Membership
Influenced By
Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, V. Dakshinamoorthy, Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar
Influenced
K. J. Yesudas, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

Awards

Padma Bhushan
2006
Category: 芸術
Organization: Government of India
Result: 受賞（追贈）
Kalaimamani
1992
Organization: Tamil Nadu State Government
Result: 受賞
Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer
1969
Work: Ujjayiniyile Gaayika
Category: 最優秀プレイスイング歌手
Organization: Kerala Government
Result: 受賞
Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award
1983
Category: 最優秀古典音楽家
Organization: Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Kangkanam

1948 Tamil film playback

Debut film. Sang her first song 'Sree Varalakshmi' at age 13.

Debut playback

Maya Bazaar

1957 Telugu film playback

Sang several famous playback songs.

MythologyFamily

Missamma

1955 Telugu/Tamil film playback

Sang multiple hit songs.

ComedyRomance

Bibliography

  • List of songs by P. Leela

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Ganamani (gem-like voice)Classical discipline with emotional touchVersatility across languages
Recurring Motifs
Devotional songsMythological themes

Health

  • Asthma
    長期間
    Led to pneumonia complication in later years
  • Pneumonia
    2005年9月-10月
    Cause of death

Legacy

Renowned playback singer who recorded over 5,000 songs in South Indian languages, excelling in both Carnatic music and film songs. Posthumously awarded Padma Bhushan.

In Popular Culture

  • Memorial stage 'Thiruvarangu' built in Chittur (2018)

Quotes

  • One of the greatest vocal musicians of India, who made a name for herself by singing exquisite songs in her mellifluous voice in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu both for the film industry, as well as in Carnatic music.
    Source: Jayalalithaa (Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu) eulogy (2005)

Trivia

  • Had sung over 5,000 film songs by age 13
  • Described her vocal style as Ganamani
  • Music director for women-produced film 'Chinnari Papalu'