Nanjiyamma is a national award winner female playback singer who hails from a tribal community in Kerala. She garnered public attention after singing playback in the Malayalam film Ayyappanum Koshiyum in 2020.[1][2] The film's title song "Kalakkatha" written by herself in Irula language and composed by Jakes Bejoy attained popularity after its release on YouTube. The song received more than 10 million views in a month.[3][4]

Nanjiyamma
Nanjiyamama in 2020
Born
CitizenshipIndian
Occupations
  • Folksinger
  • Playback Singer
  • Farmer
Years active2020
Notable work"Kalakkatha" song from the movie Ayyappanum Koshiyum
AwardsNational Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer Kerala State Film Awards (Special Jury Award)

Early life and career

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She hails from an Irula community in Nakkupathi, a tribal village in Attappadi in Palakkad district, Kerala, India.[citation needed]

Nanjiyamma is a folksinger of the Azad Kala Samithi, led by Pazhani Swami, a tribal artist in Attappadi. Later in 2020, she was introduced into playback singing through the film Ayyappanum Koshiyum. She has also played the role of mother-in-law to the protagonist Biju Menon in the film. She finds a livelihood by farming and feeding cattle. She sings mostly folk songs that went past through generations. She first sung for a documentary for Mathrumozhi titled Aggedu Nayaga directed by Sindhu Sajan.[5] Nanjiyamma sung the promotional song for Government of Kerala's housing programme Life Mission and it was the first time Irula language was used for a public relations program in Kerala.[6][7]

Nanjiyamma was awarded the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer in the 68th National Film Awards of India for the song "Kalakkatha" song from the movie Ayyappanum Koshiyum.[8] She received special Jury Award of Kerala State Film Award in 2020.[9][10]

Discography

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Year Film Song(s) Composer
2024 Mayavanam "Kadanamma (Promo song)" Dr. Jagath lal
2022 Ulkkanal "Ele Le Le (Tribal Song)",Lyrics also
2022 Signature "Attappadi song"
2022 Chekkan "Athukku Antha"
2022 EMI "Thena Koyyana"
2022 Station 5 "Dakka Dakka"
2020 Ayyappanum Koshiyum "Adakachakko (Promo Song)" Jakes Bejoy
"Kalakkatha" ,Lyrics also
"Thaalam Poyi"
2015 Velutha Rathrikal "Hey Vannathi "
"Mallike"
"Muttolam Mundudutha"
"Hey Karadi"
2015 Aggedu Nayaga "Kakke Daage" Manakkala Goopalakrishanan
"Kelaye daage gogunthee"
"Akkare vantha pachakkiliye"
"Le le le karadi"

Filmography

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Year Film Role Notes
2020 Ayyappanum Koshiyum Kannamma's Mother Uncredited role
2020 Chunkan Nanjiamma Musical video
2020 The Prince of Mollywood Prithviraj Nanjiamma Musical video
also singer
2021 Payanam Herself Musical video
2022 Chekkan Muthassi
2022 EMI Singer
2022 Signature
2022 Ullkkanal
2022 Guardian Angel
2024 Mayavanam Singer Movie song

Television

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Show Network Notes
Bumper Chiri Aghosham Mazhavil Manorama
Naattupattu Janam TV
Parayam Nedam Kaumudy Participant
Salt and Pepper Kaumudy Presenter
Ruchiyathra Surya TV Presenter
Madhura Pathinettil Prithvi Surya TV Guest
Karthika Deepam Zee Keralam Special appearance
Singer for title song
Nanjiyamma's Tribal Village Food Umami@Kerala (YouTube Channel) Guest

References

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  1. ^ "Meet Nanjiyamma, the tribal artiste who is social media's darling". Manoramaonline.com. Archived from the original on 7 February 2020.
  2. ^ "Tribal woman from Attapadi to sing in Malayalam director Sachy's 'Ayyappanum Koshiyum". The New Indian Express.
  3. ^ "Kalakkatha-Title Song-Ayyappanum Koshiyum - Prithviraj-Biju Menon - Sachy-Ranjith - Jakes Bejoy". YouTube. February 2020.
  4. ^ "60-year-old Nanjamma goes viral with song in Malayalam film 'Ayyappanum Koshiyum' which earned her the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer". The Hindu.
  5. ^ "Aggedu Nayaga (Mathrumozhi) by Sindhu Sajan". Manorama Online.
  6. ^ "video of life mission housing". Deshabhimani.
  7. ^ "CMO Kerala on Life Mission". Facebook.
  8. ^ "Best Female Playback Singer: Nanchamma-". The Hindu. 22 July 2022.
  9. ^ "Special Jury Award for Nanjamma-". www.filmibeat.com.
  10. ^ "Special Jury Award for Nanjamma-". keralakaumudi.com.