Lourde-Mary Rajeswari, better known as L. R. Eswari, is an Indian playback singer who has sung several songs in

Tamil Tamil may refer to: * Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia **Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils **Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia * Tamil language, nativ ...

Telugu Telugu may refer to: * Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of India *Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India * Telugu script, used to write the Telugu language ** Telugu (Unicode block), a block of Telugu characters in Unicode S ...

Malayalam Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 22 scheduled languages of India. Malayalam was des ...

Kannada Kannada (; ಕನ್ನಡ, ), originally romanised Canarese, is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by the people of Karnataka in southwestern India, with minorities in all neighbouring states. It has around 47 million native s ...

Hindi Hindi (Devanāgarī: or , ), or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi (Devanagari: ), is an Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in the Hindi Belt region encompassing parts of northern, central, eastern, and western India. Hindi has been de ...

Tulu Tulu may refer to: People *Derartu Tulu (born 1972), Ethiopian long-distance runner *Walid Yacoubou (born 1997), Togolese footballer nicknamed "Tulu" India *Tulu calendar, traditional solar calendar generally used in the regions of southwest Kar ...

, and English. She was awarded with the

Kalaimamani The Kalaimamani is the highest civilian award in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. These awards are given by the ''Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram'' (literature, music and theatre), a unit of the Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of ...

, the highest civilian award for Arts and culture in

Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is a States and union territories of India, state in southern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of India ...

, for her contributions to the

film industry The film industry or motion picture industry comprises the technological and commercial institutions of filmmaking, i.e., film production companies, film studios, cinematography, animation, film production, screenwriting, pre-production, post ...

. Her only Hindi song to date is "Udati Si Chidiya", hailing from the film PISTOLWALI, which was the dubbed version of the Jyothilakshmi starrer-Pilla Piduga

Career

She sang under the direction of famous composers like

M.S.Viswanathan Manayangath Subramanian Viswanathan (24 June 1928 – 14 July 2015), also known as M.S.V., was an Indian music director, singer and actor who predominantly worked in Tamil film industry. He was popularly known as ''Mellisai Mannar''. He compose ...

, T.K.Ramamoorthy,

K. V. Mahadevan Krishnankoil Venkadachalam Mahadevan (14 March 1918 – 21 June 2001) was an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, music producer, and musician known for his works in Tamil cinema, Tamil, Telugu cinema, Telugu, Malayalam cinema, Malayalam, and Kann ...

, Veda, V.Kumar, Shankar-Ganesh,

G. K. Venkatesh Gurusala Krishnadas Venkatesh (21 September 1927 – 17 November 1993) was an Indian film score composer who primarily worked in Kannada cinema during the 1960s, 1970s and until the late-1980s. He also composed music for Telugu, Malayalam and Ta ...

and

Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan (2 March 1935 – 8 September 2008) was an Indian classical music violinist and music composer. Early life Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan was born on 2 March 1935 and was trained by his father, Ramaswamy Sastry. He was the brother ...

. Her unique voice was considered to be suited for peppy numbers in the movies, be it a dance tune, folk song or a devotional track. Her song "Vaarayo Thozhi" from ''Paasa Malar'' was a popular choice for wedding music. She has also recorded many devotional albums in praise of the Goddess Amman which were hugely popular among the Tamil community and were played in many temples. Her "Chellatha" and "Karpoora Nayagi" numbers has won her a lot of fame among devotees. She sang Christmas songs "Varuvai Varuvai" and " Deivam Thantha Divya Kumaaran" composed by Dr Anand Chellappa. She has won the Kalaimamani Award and other states awards. Her Hindi song "Udati Si Chidiya" from the film ''PISTOLWALI'', music by Satyam shows her ability. She sang romantic songs filmed on heroines as well as cabarets filmed on dance-artistes and also folk songs. She made her everlasting impression in

film industry with her husky and peppy numbers. Till date most of her songs are very popular among the

audience. Her notable hits include "Maayadari Sinnodu" from ''Amma Maata'' (1971), "Masaka Masaka Cheekatilo" from '' Devudu Chesina Manushulu'' (1973), "Bhale Bhale Magadivo" from ''

Maro Charitra ''Maro Charitra'' () is a 1978 Indian Telugu-language romantic tragedy film written and directed by K. Balachander. It stars Kamal Haasan and Saritha in the lead with Madhavi appearing in prominent roles. The film deals with cross-cultura ...

'' (1978), "Arey Emiti Lokam" from ''

Anthuleni Katha ''Anthuleni Katha'' () is a 1976 Indian Telugu-language film directed by K. Balachander, starring Jaya Prada, with Fatafat Jayalaxmi, Rajinikanth and Sripriya in supporting roles. Kamal Haasan played a cameo. The film is a remake of the 1974 ...

'' (1976), "Malle Puvvulu Pillagaalulu" and "Theesko Coco Cola Esko Rammusoda" etc. In

language, Eswari has sung so many super hits songs. Her fun-filled songs like "Dooradinda Bandantha", "Rasika Rasika", "Joke Nanu Balliya", "O Geleya", "Yaavurayya E Mukka", "Sityako Sidukyako", "Sumabaleya Premada Siriye", "Bangara Nota", "Kanda Kanmaniye" made her name household in

Karnataka Karnataka (; ISO: , , also known as Karunāḍu) is a state in the southwestern region of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act. Originally known as Mysore State , it was renamed ''Karnat ...

P. Susheela Pulapaka Susheela (born 13 November 1935), popularly known as P. Susheela, is an Indian playback singer associated with the South Indian cinema primarily from Andhra Pradesh for over six decades. She is one of the greatest and best-known playba ...

and she sang many popular duets in their times – Unadhu Malar, Chiththira Poovizhi, Ninaithaal Sirippu, Thoodhu Sella etc.. She sang a popular duet "Gudilona Naa Swamy Koluvai Unnadu" with

S. Janaki Sistla Janaki (born 23 April 1938) is an Indian playback singer and occasional music composer from Andhra Pradesh. She is referred to respectfully as "Janaki Amma" and Nightingale of South India. She is one of the best-known playback singers in ...

in a Telugu movie ''Idalokam'', music by Chakravarthy, which remains a top hit till date. She rendered several duets with

in Kannada movies as well. She sang various duets with all the leading male singers also – Ghantasala, the Telugu doyen in his own music direction in Telugu movie ''Pandava Vana Vaasam'', and in K. V. Mahadevan's music direction in ''Prema Nagar'',

T. M. Soundararajan Thoguluva Meenatchi Iyengar Soundararajan (24 March 1923 – 25 May 2013), popularly known as TMS, was an Indian Carnatic musician and a playback singer in Tamil cinema for over six and a half decades. He sang over 10,138 songs from 3,162 fi ...

A. L. Raghavan A. L. Raghavan (1933 – 19 June 2020) was an Indian playback singer, who sang many songs in Tamil-language films. Biography Raghavan was born to a Saurashtra Brahmin family in Ayyampettai near Thanjavur to Lakshmana Bhagavathar, Raghavan ...

P. B. Sreenivas Prathivadhi Bhayankara Sreenivas (22 September 1930 – 14 April 2013) widely known as P. B. Sreenivas was an Indian playback singer, composer, harmonium player, lyricist, littérateur, and poet known for his works in South cinema, and Bollyw ...

, S.P. Balasubramaniam, K. J. Yesudas, J. P. Chandrababu,

C. S. Jayaraman Chidambaram Sundaram Jayaraman or C. S. Jayaraman (Tamil: சி. எஸ். ஜெயராமன்) (January 6, 1917 – January 29, 1995) was a noted actor, music director and a successful playback singer, whose numerous songs were feat ...

S. C. Krishnan S. C. Krishnan (1929-1983) was an Indian actor and playback singer who worked mainly in Tamil dramas and films. Early life He was born into a Saurashtra family as the fourth son of a jeweller ''Chelvam Achary'' in Sivaganga that was part of ...

Thiruchi Loganathan Thiruchi Loganathan (24 July 1924 – 17 November 1989) was a playback singer of the Tamil film industry. He is known for his work in movies such as ''Manthiri Kumari'' (1950) and '' Parasakthi'' (1952). He was married to Rajalakshmi, daughter ...

A. M. Rajah Aemala Manmadharaju Rajah, popularly known as A. M. Rajah, was an Indian playback singer and music director. Early life A. M. Rajah was born on 1 July 1929 in Cchamanchipuram, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh. His father died when he was thr ...

, Seerkazhi Govindarajan,Malaysia Vasudevan, & Jayachandran. She also sang duets with female singers with most notably with P. Suseela, S. Janaki,

Vani Jayaram Vani Jairam (born as Kalaivani on 30 November 1945), also credited as Vani Jayaram, is an Indian singer. She is best known as a playback singer in South Indian cinema. Vani's career started in 1971 and has spanned over five decades. She has don ...

K. Jamuna Rani K. Jamuna Rani (born 17 May 1938 in Andhra Pradesh, India) is an Indian playback singer who has sung over 6,000 songs in Sinhalese, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam lnguages. Life and career Rani was born to K. Varadarajulu and violinist ...

M. S. Rajeswari M. S. Rajeswari ( ta, எம். எஸ். ராஜேஸ்வரி; 24 February 1932 – 25 April 2018) was an Indian playback singer who has recorded over 500 songs in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada language films. Early life She ...

and

Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi ( ta, சூலமங்கலம் ஜெயலட்சுமி) and Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi ( ta, சூலமங்கலம் ராஜலட்சுமி), popularly known as Soolamangalam Sisters ( ta, � ...

. She sung "Kanda kanmaniye ammana araginiye o raja" a Kannada song for movie 'Balanagamma' in early 1960s. Thousands and thousands of Kannada kids might have grown listening to this song from their mothers, grannies and others.L.R Eswari is perhaps one of the most versatile singers in the history of Indian cinema.

Re-entry

After a long break, she made her re-entry through a rocky peppy Tamil Song "Kalasala Kalasala " in the 2011 movie ''

Osthe ''Osthe'' (''The Best'') is a 2011 Indian Tamil language, Tamil-language action comedy film directed by S. Dharani, a remake of the 2010 Bollywood film ''Dabangg''. It starred Silambarasan, Richa Gangopadhyay, Sonu Sood, Jithan Ramesh, Santhan ...

'' starring

Silambarasan Silambarasan Thesingu Rajendar, nicknamed as Simbu or his initials S. T. R., is an Indian actor, filmmaker and musician in Tamil cinema. He began his acting career by playing roles as a child artist in films directed by his father T. Rajendar, b ...

. Within a few days of this song release, it became a super hit and reached music box office top ratings. She sang the song "Naa Poondamallida" in the film ''

Thadaiyara Thaakka ''Thadaiyara Thaakka'' () is a 2012 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film written and directed by Magizh Thirumeni, starring Arun Vijay, Mamta Mohandas and Rakul Preet Singh. The title is derived from a devotional song titled ''Kanda Sh ...

'' the following year. She has also recently sang a

song for the movie ''

Victory The term victory (from Latin ''victoria'') originally applied to warfare, and denotes success achieved in personal Duel, combat, after military operations in general or, by extension, in any competition. Success in a military campaign constitu ...

'', named "Yakka Nin Magalu Nanage" with

Kailash Kher Kailash Kher (born 7 July 1973) is an Indian music composer and singer. He sings songs with a music style influenced by Indian folk music and Sufi music. He was inspired by the classical musicians' Pandit Kumar Gandharva, Pandit Hridaynath Ma ...

which also become super hit. In 2013, she sang a duet song called "Thagadu Thagadu" along with

T. Rajendar Thesingu Rajendar (born 9 May 1960), also known as Vijaya T. Rajendar or T. R., is an Indian actor, filmmaker, musician, cinematographer and distributor who works primarily in Tamil film industry. He is also a politician in Chennai, Tamil Nadu ...

in the movie '' Arya Surya''. In 2014 she sang the song "Jaipuril Jaipuril" in the movie '' Athithi'', music by

Bharathwaj Ramani Bharathwaj known professionally as Bharadwaj is an Indian music director, composer, singer-songwriter, and music producer, predominantly known for his work in Tamil cinema. He is trained in Hindustani, Western and Carnatic music and is a ...

. In 2020, she had sung a song for nayanthara movie " Mookuthi Amman" named aadi kuthu.

Notable songs

Tamil songs

Telugu songs

Malayalam songs

She had sung in around 200 Malayalam Films

Kannada songs

Onscreen appearances

*''

Thillalangadi ''Thillalangadi'' () is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language action comedy film directed by M. Raja. A remake of the 2009 Telugu film ''Kick'', it stars Raja's brother Jayam Ravi along with Tamannaah, and Shaam, who reprises his role from ''Kick'', an ...

'' (2010) as herself *'' Mookuthi Amman'' (2020) as herself

References

External links

*
The Titillating Voices of Two Tamil Playback Singers in Movie minutes
{{DEFAULTSORT:Eswari, L. R. 1939 births Living people Indian women playback singers Singers from Chennai Kannada playback singers Tamil playback singers Malayalam playback singers Telugu playback singers Indian Roman Catholics 20th-century Indian singers 20th-century Indian women singers Women musicians from Tamil Nadu