National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer | |
---|---|
The 2020 recipient Nanjiyamma | |
Awarded for | Best Vocal Performance by a Female Playback Singer |
Sponsored by | Directorate of Film Festivals |
Reward(s) |
|
First awarded | 1968 |
Last awarded | 2020 |
Most recent winner | Nanjiyamma |
Highlights | |
Highest Recipient | K.S.Chitra (6 awards) |
First winner | P. Susheela |
The National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer is an honour presented annually at the National Film Awards of India since 1968 to a female playback singer for the best renditions of songs from soundtracks within the Indian film industry. Throughout the years, accounting for ties and repeat winners, the Government of India has presented 46 Best Female Playback Singer awards to 24 female playback singers. Until 1974, winners of the National Film Award received a commemorative plaque and certificate; since 1975, they have been awarded with a "Rajat Kamal" (silver lotus), certificate and a cash prize that amounted to ₹50,000 (US$630) in 2013. The first recipient was P. Susheela, who was honoured at the 16th National Film Award (1968) for her renditions from the Tamil film Uyarntha Manithan. The singer who won the most Rajat Kamal awards is K S Chithra with six wins, followed by P. Susheela with five. As of 2013, two singers—S. Janaki and Shreya Ghoshal—have won the award four times, and two—Lata Mangeshkar and Vani Jairam—have won it thrice. The award has been won twice by Asha Bhosle, Alka Yagnik and Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar. S. Janaki, K. S. Chithra, and Shreya Ghoshal have won the award for their renditions in three languages. Shreya Ghoshal is the sole recipient of the award for two songs in the same year in two languages. Uthara Unnikrishnan is the youngest winner, picking up the award at the age of 10 for the rendition of a song from the Tamil film Saivam (2014). No award was given for this category in 1973.
Wins | Image | Recipient(s) |
---|---|---|
6 | K.S Chithra | |
5 | P. Susheela | |
4 | S. Janaki | |
4 | Shreya Ghoshal | |
3 | Lata Mangeshkar | |
3 | Vani Jairam | |
2 | Asha Bhosle | |
2 | Alka Yagnik | |
2 | Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar |
List of award recipients, showing the year (award ceremony), song(s), film(s), language(s) and citation.
Year | Image | Recipient(s) | Song(s) | Film(s) | Language(s) | Citation | Refs. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1968 (16th) |
P. Susheela | "Paal Polave" | Uyarndha Manithan | Tamil | – | [1] | |
1969 (17th) |
K. B. Sundarambal | – | Thunaivan | Tamil | – | [2] | |
1970 (18th) |
– | Sandhya Mukhopadhyay | • "Amader Chhuti Chhuti" • "Ore Sakol Sona Molin Holo" |
• Jay Jayanti • Nishi Padma |
Bengali | – | [3] |
1971 (19th) |
P. Susheela | "Chittukuruvikkena Kattupaadu" | Savaale Samali | Tamil | – | [4] | |
1972 (20th) |
Lata Mangeshkar | "Beeti Naa Bitaai Raina" | Parichay | Hindi | – | [5] | |
1973 (21st) |
No awards | [6] | |||||
1974 (22nd) |
Lata Mangeshkar | "Roothe Roothe Piya" | Kora Kagaz | Hindi | – | [7] | |
1975 (23rd) |
Vani Jairam | "Yezhu Swarangalukkul" | Apoorva Raagangal | Tamil | – | [8] | |
1976 (24th) |
P. Susheela | "Jhummandi Naadham" | Siri Siri Muvva | Telugu | – | [4] | |
1977 (25th) |
S. Janaki | "Senthoora Poove" | 16 Vayathinile | Tamil |
For purity of diction and melodic excellence; for emotive suggestiveness and lyrical appeal; for a quality of expression which is intensely moving; for rendering the theme song "Senthoora Poove" with deep feeling, reflecting the romantic dreams of youth, slowly merging into the shadows of tragic destiny. |
[9] | |
1978 (26th) |
– | Chhaya Ganguly | "Aap Ki Yaad Aati Rahi Raat Bhar" | Gaman | Hindi |
For a hauting rendition of Makhdun Mohluddin's famous ghazal "Aap Ki Yaad Aati Rahi Raat Bhar". The chastity of style, the purity of enunciation and the freshness of voice contribute to make it into a memorable song. |
[10] |
1979 (27th) |
Vani Jairam | – | Sankarabharanam | Telugu | – | [11] | |
1980 (28th) |
S. Janaki | "Ettumanoor Ambalathil Ezhunnallathu" | Oppol | Malayalam |
For the serenity and pathos with which each rendering is imbued and for adding a new dimension to the theme of the film. |
[12] | |
1981 (29th) |
Asha Bhosle | "Dil Cheez Kya Hai" | Umrao Jaan | Hindi |
For the style with which she invests the rendering of the ghazals that form a part of the texture of the film. |
[13] | |
1982 (30th) |
P. Susheela | "Priye Charusheele" | Meghasandesam | Telugu |
For her immense contribution to the musical excellence of the film. |
[14] | |
1983 (31st) |
P. Susheela | "Entho Beeda Vaade Gopaludu" | M. L. A. Yedukondalu | Telugu |
For her fine flight of voice in the endearing of Gopal's magical childhood in the song "Gopaludu" from the film. |
[15] | |
1984 (32nd) |
S. Janaki | "Vennello Godhari" | Sitaara | Telugu | – | [16] | |
1985 (33rd) |
K. S. Chithra | "Paadariyen" and "Naan oru Sindhu" | Sindhu Bhairavi | Tamil |
For melifluous rendering of songs, both in the folk and the classical moulds, bringing about a melodious synthesis between the two. |
[17] | |
1986 (34th) |
K. S. Chithra | "Manjal Prasadavum" | Nakhakshathangal | Malayalam |
For her melodious rendering of songs. |
[18] | |
1987 (35th) |
Asha Bhosle | "Mera Kuchh Saamaan" | Ijaazat | Hindi |
For her rendition with high professional skill and expression, of the many nuances of emotion and meaning of the highly poetic lyrics. |
[19] | |
1988 (36th) |
K. S. Chithra | "Indupushpam Choodi Nilkum" | Vaishali | Malayalam |
For her clear and tuneful rendering of the song. |
[20] | |
1989 (37th) |
Anuradha Paudwal | "He Ek Reshami Gharate" | Kalat Nakalat | Marathi |
For her clear and mellifluous rendering of the song. |
[21] | |
1990 (38th) |
Lata Mangeshkar | – | Lekin... | Hindi |
For singing with outstanding expressions with the rarest and purest of styles. |
[22] | |
1991 (39th) |
Vani Jairam | "Aanati Neeyaraa" | Swathi Kiranam | Telugu |
For the texture and clarity of her voice, which enlivened the classical song sung for the child prodigy. |
[23] | |
1992 (40th) |
S. Janaki | "Inji Iduppazhagi" | Thevar Magan | Tamil |
For melodious rendering of an innocent love song. |
[24] | |
1993 (41st) |
Alka Yagnik | "Ghoonghat Ki Aad Se" | Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke | Hindi |
For her ability to identify herself with the characters and render the delicate nuances of human feelings in complex situations. |
[25] | |
1994 (42nd) |
Swarnalatha | "Porale Ponnuthaaye" | Karuththamma | Tamil |
For her extraordinarily compassionate song upon which much of the crucial dramatic action in the film is enacted. |
[26] | |
1995 (43rd) |
Anjali Marathe | "Bhui Bhegalali Khol" | Doghi | Marathi |
For her melodious and heart rendering song expressing the aridness of life. |
[27] | |
1996 (44th) |
K. S. Chithra | "Mana Madurai" | Minsara Kanavu | Tamil |
For her soulful rendering of the song. |
[28] | |
1997 (45th) |
K. S. Chithra | "Paayalein Chhun Mun" | Virasat | Hindi |
For her effortless and playful rendering of the song. |
[29] | |
1998 (46th) |
Alka Yagnik | "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" | Kuch Kuch Hota Hai | Hindi |
Her rendering of this theme song brings out the different moods and emotion and adds greatly to the impact of the film. |
[30] | |
1999 (47th) |
– | Jayshree Dasgupta | "Hriday Amar Prokash Holo" | Paromitar Ek Din | Bengali |
For soulful rendering by the singer expressing the inner world of a mentally challenged character in this film. |
[31] |
2000 (48th) |
– | Bhavatharini Ilaiyaraaja | "Mayil Pola Ponnu Onnu" | Bharathi | Tamil |
For the song which is outstanding because it depicts the velvet voice of the diva. |
[32] |
2001 (49th) |
Sadhana Sargam | "Pattu Cholli" | Azhagi | Tamil |
For her lilting and touching rendering of the song. |
[33] | |
2002 (50th) |
Shreya Ghoshal | "Bairi Piya" | Devdas | Hindi |
For her soulful rendering of the song. |
[34] | |
2003 (51st) |
Tarali Sarma | "Kimote Bhokoti" | Akashitorar Kothare | Assamese |
For her tuneful rendition of a devotional song without instrumental accompaniment. |
[35] | |
2004 (52nd) |
K. S. Chithra | "Ovvoru Pookalume" | Autograph | Tamil |
For expressive and soulful rendition of the song with powerful voice throw suitable to the text and the scene. |
[36] | |
2005 (53rd) |
Shreya Ghoshal | "Dheere Jalna" | Paheli | Hindi |
For her evocative rendition of a song that treads the fine balance between the classical and popular genre of Hindi film music. |
[37] | |
2006 (54th) |
Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar | – | Antarnad | Konkani |
For the sonorous rendering that gives conviction to the central character of a classical vocalist. |
[38] | |
2007 (55th) |
Shreya Ghoshal | "Yeh Ishq Haaye"[39] | Jab We Met | Hindi |
For her mellifluous voice and rich tonal quality. Her rendition evokes the beauty of nature through its subtle nuances. |
[40] | |
2008 (56th) |
Shreya Ghoshal | • "Pherari Mon" • "Jeev Dangla Gungla Rangla Asa" |
• Antaheen • Jogwa |
Bengali Marathi |
For her wide ranging rendition of human emotions. |
[41] | |
2009 (57th) |
Nilanjana Sarkar | "Boye Jay Sudhu Bish"[42] | Houseful | Bengali |
For the haunting texture of a voice that blends the melody, words and rhythm. |
[43] | |
2010 (58th) |
Rekha Bhardwaj | "Badi Dheere Jali" | Ishqiya | Hindi |
For a sensual and evocative rendering of a heart longing for the beloved. |
[44] | |
2011 (59th) |
Roopa Ganguly | • "Dure Kothao Dure Dure" • "Aaji Bijan Ghare" |
Abosheshey | Bengali |
For her husky and haunting voice that brings a gentle, nostalgic tone and tenor to the film Abosheshey. The languid raw sensuality of her singing is heightened by the absence of musical accompaniment. |
[45] | |
2012 (60th) |
Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar | "Palakein Naa Moondon" | Samhita | Marathi |
Gifted with an earthy and haunting voice the singer gives ample evidence of her classical moorings, without any instrumental embellishments. |
[46] | |
2013 (61st) |
Bela Shende | "Khurkhura" | Tuhya Dharma Koncha | Marathi |
The singer has evoked the requisite emotions of the theme of the film. She has displayed a rare variety in the rendering of this composition. |
[47] | |
2014 (62nd) |
– | Uthara Unnikrishnan | "Azhagu" | Saivam | Tamil |
For evoking an emotional resonance through the purity and innocence of her voice. |
[48] |
2015 (63rd) |
Monali Thakur | "Moh Moh Ke Dhage" | Dum Laga Ke Haisha | Hindi |
For a delightful and soulful rendition of a song of love. |
[49] | |
2016 (64th) |
Iman Chakraborty | "Tumi Jaake Bhalobasho" | Praktan | Bengali |
For conveying the emotion of 'letting go' in the most mellifluous and soothing manner. |
[50] | |
2017 (65th) |
Shashaa Tirupati | "Vaan Varuvaan" | Kaatru Veliyidai | Tamil | – | [51] | |
2018 (66th) |
Bindhu Malini | "Mayavi Manave" | Nathicharami | Kannada |
For rendering a haunting melody that appears to be the voice of the conscience of the protagonist. |
[52] | |
2019 (67th) |
Savani Ravindra | "Raan Petala" | Bardo | Marathi | – | ||
2020 (68th) |
Nanjiyamma | • "Kalakkatha" • "Daivamakale" |
Ayyappanum Koshiyum | Malayalam |
For the preservation of a tribal folk song in all its nativity. |
[53] |