Renowned singer Kalyani Menon passes away at 80

Famous classical and playback singer Kalyani Menon breathed her last on Monday at a private hospital in Chennai. She was 80.

Kalyani pursued a parallel career in film music even while being a famous name in Carnatic music. Her early songs in cinema include Ilaiyaraaja's Sevvaaname Ponmegame from the Tamil film, Nallathoru Kudumbam, and V Dakshinamoorthy's Illam Nira Vallam Nira from the Malayalam film, Thacholi Marumakan Chandu. She continued to sing in many Malayalam and Tamil films over the years, like Sujatha, Savaal, Vazhvey Maayam, Jimmy, Dweepu and Aval Ente Swapnam.

After a brief sabbatical from film music during the late 80s, she made her comeback with a host of AR Rahman songs in the 90s including Indiraiyo Ival Sundariyo from Kaadhalan and Kuluvalile from Muthu. She is also famous for singing the classical portions in songs like Alaipayuthe from Maniratnam's film of the same name, and Omana Penne (Vinnaithaandi Varuvaya). She last contributed to the viral song, Govind Vasantha's Kathale Kathale, from 96.

Her long, successful career saw her collaborating with top music directors including Ilaiyaraaja, Baburaj, MS Viswanathan, Baburaj, V Dakshinamoorthy, G Devarajan, and Vidyasagar. She was equally revered for her devotional numbers including Mookambika Stotram, Sri Guruvayurappan Suprabatham, Narayaneeyam and Ukundamala.  

Kalyani was given the Kalaimamani Award in 2010 by the Government of Tamil Nadu for her contribution to Carnatic and film music. She also received the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award for her achievements in devotional music.

She is survived by her two sons, one of whom is the famous filmmaker-cinematographer, Rajiv Menon.