Veteran singer and composer Sharda Rajan passed away on Wednesday after a long battle with cancer. She was 89.
Her daughter Sudha Madeira took to social media to make the announcement. Accompanied with photos of Sharda, she wrote, “With great sadness, my brother Shammi Rajan and I announce the passing this morning of our beloved mother, playback singer Sharda Rajan, after a long and brave battle with cancer. 25.10.1933 – 14.06.2023. Om Shanti.”
Sharda was born in a Tamil family and her full name was Sharda Rajan Iyengar. As per reports, she was introduced to music directors Shankar-Jaikishan by veteran actor Raj Kapoor. The singer got her Bollywood break with the song ‘Titli Udi’ from Sooraj (1966). The song turned out to be a chartbuster. Until 1966, the Filmfare award for best playback singer had only one category (either male or female). ‘Titli Udi’, however, was tied as best song along with Mohammed Rafi's ‘Baharo Phool Barsao.’
In 1970, Sharda won the Filmfare Award for the song ‘Baat Zara Hai Aapas Ki’ from Jahan Pyar Miley. During her career, Sharda had worked with all music maestros like Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar and Mukesh, among others. She lent her voice to actors like Vyjayanthimala, Sadhana, Saira Banu, Hema Malini, Sharmila Tagore, Mumtaz, Rekha and even Helen.
In the mid-70s she even wrote lyrics and debuted as a music director. She composed for films like Maa Behen Aur Biwi, Tu Meri Main Tera, Kshitij, Mandir Masjid and Maila Anchal.
In 2007, she released an album featuring her own compositions based on Mirza Ghalib’s ghazals. It was titled ‘Andaaz-e-Bayan Aur.’