Biography of Sharda Rajan Iyengar

Sharda Rajan Iyengar was a prominent Indian singer. She is best known for the song “Titli Udi” from the 1966 film Suraj. She was particularly active in the Hindi film music industry from the 1960s to the 1970s. Rajan Iyengar was the recipient of the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the song “Baat Zara Hai Aapas Ki” for the 1970 film Jahan Pyar Miley. On 14 June 2023, Singer Sharda Rajan Iyengar passed away at the age of 85. 

Sharda Rajan Iyengar was born on 25 October 1937 (age 85 years; at the time of death) in Tamil Nadu, India. 

Physical Statistics

Height (approx.): 5′ 4″

Hair Colour: Black

Eye Colour: Black

Family & Caste

Sharda Rajan Iyengar was born in a Vaishnavite Iyengar Hindu Brahmin family. The Times of India She has a daughter and a son named Sudha Madeira and Shammi Rajan. Sharda Iyengar earned training in Sanskrit and Vedic culture from her grandfather, who was a scholar.

Career

Singer

Indian actor Raj Kapoor once heard Sharda Rajan Iyengar singing at Shrichand Ahuja’s home in Tehran. He then invited Sharda Rajan Iyengar for a voice test. In 1966, she made her Bollywood debut with the song “Titli Udi” in the film Suraj.

Singer Sharda Rajan Iyengar posing with Raj Kapoor (extreme left)

In 1966, the song “Titli Uddi” was a huge hit. However, for the first time ever, “Titli Udi” and Mohd Rafi’s song “Baharo Phool Barsao” tied for best song at Filmfare.

Vyjayanthimala in a still from the song ‘Titli Udi’

Sharda did not win the award, but after this, Filmfare began presenting two awards – one for male singers and another for the female singers’ category. Iyengar received four consecutive nominations for best female playback singer from 1968 to 1971.

Sharda Rajan Iyengar while performing during a live singing show

Singer Sharda Iyengar was then awarded another Filmfare award. Later, she worked with Indian musician Shankar in his all films. In 1986, she lent her voice to the songs of the film Kaanch Ki Deewar.

Sharda Iyengar (middle) with Shankar (left) and Jaikishan (right)

Her songs were picturised on prominent veteran Indian actresses such as Vyjayanthimala, Sadhana, Saira Banu, Hema Malini, Sharmila Tagore, Mumtaz, Rekha, and Helen. Reportedly, Singer Sharda Rajan Iyengar also worked with the veteran Indian musicians Usha Khanna, Ravi, Dattaram, and Iqbal Qureshi. In 1971, she became the first Indian singer to record her own pop album in India. She released her Ghazal album titled Andaaz-e-Bayan Aur on 21 July 2007. The veteran Indian actress Shabana Azmi and music director Khayyam inaugurated this album. In 1980, Singer Sharda Rajan Iyengar, along with composer Shankar, penned the song “Ek Chehra jo Dil Ke Kareeb” for a film called Garam Khoon. 

Shankar Jaikishan with female singers, from left Dilraj Kaur, Sharda Iyengar, Anuradha Paudwal, Chandrani Mukherjii, and Alka Yagnik at a song recording for film Kaanch Ki Deewar.

Music Director

Apart from being a singer, Sharda Iyengar was an accomplished music director. she is known for directing music for the Indian films Maa Behen Aur Biwi, Tu Meri Main Tera, Kshitij, Mandir Masjid, and Maila Anchal. 

Death

On June 16, 2023, Sharda Iyengar died at the age of 85 in Mumbai. She had been battling cancer for the last six months. Her daughter announced the news of singer Sharda’s death on a social media platform. On the same day, Shankar Jaikishan Foundation in Mumbai released a condolence article publicly after the death of Titli Udi singer Sharda Rajan Iyengar.

Interesting Facts About Sharda Iyengar

• Her other names were Sharda and Sharada. 

• From an early age, Sharda Iyengar had a musical aptitude. When she was young, her family migrated to Iran.
  

  Young Sharda Iyengar

• Singer Sharda Iyengar is known for composing songs with veteran Indian singers like Mohammad Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar, Yesudas, Mukesh, and Suman Kalyanpur.

• Sharda Iyengar received the Life Achievement Award in 2017.
  

  Sharda Iyengar while receiving the Life Achievement Award

• Sharda Iyengar used to manage the official website ‘https://titliudi.com/’ and was a frequent Twitter user.

• Singer Sharda launched a special musical activity programme for kids called “Kid Music Zone,” which is both an entertainment and instructive program for children.
• Sharda Sinha is an Indian folk and classical singer. She is an accomplished Maithili and Bhojpuri singer from Mithila, India.

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