Updated: July 2023 · Verified by TheCelebBio editorial team
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.
Height (approx.): 5′ 4″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
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.
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
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.
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