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Radha Jayalakshmi

Radha (born 1932) [1] and Jayalakshmi (1932 - 2014),[2] popularly known as Radha Jayalakshmi (Tamil: ராதா ஜெயலட்சுமி), were an Indian Carnatic music vocalist duo as well as playback singers in films in the 1940s and 1950s. They later became teachers and trained notable Carnatic music singers. Jayalakshmi was the playback singer of the duo, but was credited as Radha Jayalakshmi in the cine field. Radha was her cousin and singing partner on stage performances. They were early vocalists in the duo singing trend in Carnatic music which started in the 1950s and includes performers like Bombay Sisters and Soolamangalam Sisters. In recent times, the trend has been continued by popular Carnatic music singers like Priya Sisters, their disciples, Ranjani Gayatri, Mambalam Sisters, Akkarai sisters, and others.[3]

Radha and Jayalakshmi
ராதா ஜெயலட்சுமி
Radha, Jayalakshmi
Background information
Born1932
DiedJayalakshmi - May 27, 2014(2014-05-27) (aged 82)
GenresCarnatic music
Occupationvocalist

The duo was awarded the 1981 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in Carnatic Music – Vocal, given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama[4] Vidushi Jayalakshmi died in Chennai on 27 May 2014.[5]

Early life and training

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Radha and Jayalakshmi's singing style belongs to the G. N. Balasubramaniam school, and they received their training in classical vocal music from the noted vocalist and teacher himself.[6]

Career

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Jayalakshmi has rendered songs in her trained, cultured and 'ringing' sweet voice in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada movies from the late 1940s to the early 60s.

She also has a few playback singing credits from the 1970s.

In Deivam, Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan had both Radha and Jayalakshmi render Thiruchendooril Por Purindhu, a devotional song set in Thiruthani. This is perhaps the only film song sung by Radha of the duo. But both have given stage performances throughout India.

The singers had no longer been giving performances towards the time of Jayalakshmi's death, but instead had shifted their efforts to teaching Carnatic music and were regarded as great teachers. Shanmukhapriya and Haripriya, popularly known as the Priya Sisters, were their students.[7]

Music composers Jayalakshmi sang for

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Jayalakshmi's most memorable songs date from the 50s films.

Playback singers Jayalakshmi sang with

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Jayalakshmi was often paired to sing with the male singers T. M. Soundararajan, Seerkazhi Govindarajan and A. M. Rajah. Other male singers she sang with include T. A. Mothi, Ghantasala, S. Balachander, Thiruchi Loganathan, K. Prasad Rao, V. N. Sundaram, Subrahmanyam and Pithapuram Nageswara Rao.

She also sang duets with female singers, most notably with P. Leela and Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi. Others are M. L. Vasanthakumari, P. A. Periyanayaki, N. L. Ganasaraswathi, A. P. Komala, T. V. Rathnam, M. S. Rajeswari, S. Janaki, K. Rani and Jikki.

The singing actors she sang with were K. R. Ramasamy and S. Varalakshmi.

Death

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Jayalakshmi of the duo, died, aged 82, in Chennai on 26 May 2014.[8]

Filmography

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Main article: List of songs recorded by Radha Jayalakshmi

References

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  1. ^ "Radha Jayalakshmi". Archived from the original on 22 December 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  2. ^ "Carnatic singer dead in Chennai". The Hindu. 28 May 2014.
  3. ^ "Sisters in song". The Hindu. 30 January 2010.
  4. ^ "SNA: List of Akademi Awardees". Sangeet Natak Akademi Official website. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012.
  5. ^ "Vidushi Jayalakshmi is no more". 27 May 2014.
  6. ^ "GNB, the good friend". The Hindu. 23 May 2003. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. ^ "We owe it to Radha-Jayalakshmi". The Hindu. 4 April 2008. Archived from the original on 9 April 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
  8. ^ "Carnatic singer dead in Chennai". The Hindu. 28 May 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
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