Bollywood is grieving the loss of one of its iconic figures, Sharda Rajan Iyengar, the legendary singer and composer who has left an indelible mark on the industry, know her family and husband
Known for her unconventional yet mesmerizing voice, Sharda passed away at 86 after a brave battle with cancer.
Singer Sharda Rajan Iyengar death reason, biography, age, husband, family, songs, albums
Sharda Rajan: The voice that transcended norms
We are saddened to hear about the demise of renowned playback singer Sharda Rajan Iyengar who is known for singing in films such as An Evening in Paris (1967), Around The World (1967), Sapnon Ka Saudagar (1968), and Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971). Her songs Titli udi ud jo chali from pic.twitter.com/3lPmqXkU6t
— Cinemaazi (@cinemaazi) June 15, 2023
Born as Sharda Rajan Iyengar in a Tamil family, Sharda’s journey into the spotlight was propelled by the renowned Raj Kapoor, who introduced her to acclaimed music directors Shankar-Jaikishan. Her debut in the 1966 film “Sooraj” marked the beginning of her illustrious career. The film’s song “Titli Udi,” delivered in Sharda’s distinctive, childlike voice, was a breath of fresh air amidst the prevalent tunes of the era, setting her apart from her contemporaries.
This groundbreaking song fetched her a Filmfare award, a significant achievement that she shared with the legendary Mohammed Rafi. Amidst the era where Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhonsle dominated the music scene, Sharda carved out her unique niche with her refreshing vocal style.
Sharda Rajan Iyengar also known as Sharda or Sharada was born in Kumbakonam in the Thanjavur district in Tamil Nadu in India (then-Madras Presidency, British India) and she was born on Monday, 25 October 1937 (age 85 years; at the time of death).
She learnt Sanskrit and Vedic culture from her grandfather and was interested in music since childhood and performed in many school functions. She later pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Arts and learnt under many esteemed gurus including Pandit Jagannath Prasad, Pandit Laxman Prasad Jaipurwale, and Smt. Nirmala Devi Aroon, the mother of Indian actor Govinda. She was performing at a show in Tehran, Iran when Raj Kapoor, the famous Indian actor and director, spotted her and asked her to give a voice test at R. K. Studios and later ventured into a musical career in Bollywood.
She was born into a Vaishnavite Iyengar family in Tamil Nadu and there is not much information about her parents. She had a sister named Srithala Rajan and a brother named Desikan Bharathan who was a scientist and died in August, 2018.
She had a daughter named Sudha Madeira who is married to Dudley Madeira and a son who is named Shammi Rajan.
Spouse: Chalam, Thota Tharani, Bharat Bhushan
Sharda Rajan has a musical Journey that was beyond boundaries
Throughout her career, Sharda lent her voice to various films including “An Evening in Paris,” “Around The World,” “Gumnaam,” “Sapno Ka Saudagar,” and “Kal Aaj aur Kal.” Her songs became the on-screen expressions of many celebrated actresses like Vyjayanthimala, Mumtaaz, Rekha, Sharmila Tagore, and Hema Malini.
Sharda’s talent was not confined to any linguistic barriers. She sang in all major Indian languages, collaborating with the prominent music directors of her time. As she ventured into the 70s, Sharda expanded her repertoire by launching her pop album and stepping into music direction.
Sharda Rajan’s final curtain call
In the 1980s, the movie “Kaanch Ki Deewar” featured Sharda’s last song. But because she loved music, she came back in 2007 with an album of Mirza Ghalib ghazals called “Andaaz-e-Bayan.”
Sharda stayed in touch with her friends, even though she was no longer in the spotlight, by posting snippets from her best days on Twitter. Her website, TitliUdi.com, showed how many different sides of her personality she had, as she taught children how to sing and use puppets.
The demise of Sharda Rajan marks the end of an era. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of fans and the annals of Bollywood’s music history. As the industry mourns her loss, it’s clear that Sharda’s contribution will continue to inspire future generations of artists.
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