Malayalam Singers in Bollywood
From time immemorial, there has been no dearth of gifted vocalists hailing from different parts of India who have always found a warm welcome in Bollywood. The state of Kerala has been instrumental in giving rise to some of the best voice talents for Indian films. They have a penchant for classical training and singing abilities that make them versatile performers.
There have been various Malayalam vocalists such as K.J. Yesudas and K.S. Chithra in the past who continue to mesmerize Hindi filmmakers to date. In fact, even today, they are ruling the South Indian film industry with their mellifluous voice talents. Some of the contemporary vocalists include Vijay Yesudas and Haricharan, to name a few.
In this article, we’ll explore the Top 10 Malayalam Singers in Bollywood, their careers, popular songs, achievements, and why they continue to inspire music lovers.
Top 10 Malayalam Singers in Bollywood
| Rank | Singer | Popular Bollywood Songs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | K.J. Yesudas | Gori Tera Gaon, Jab Deep Jale Aana |
| 2 | K.S. Chithra | Kehna Hi Kya (Hindi version), Payalein Chunmun |
| 3 | Hariharan | Tu Hi Re, Chappa Chappa Charkha Chale |
| 4 | M.G. Sreekumar | Jiya Jale |
| 5 | Sujatha Mohan | Dil Hai Sanam |
| 6 | Unni Menon | Yeh Haseen Wadiyan (Hindi version) |
| 7 | Vijay Yesudas | Bollywood collaborations and multilingual playback |
| 8 | Haricharan | Numerous Hindi dubbed and Bollywood projects |
| 9 | Shweta Mohan | Bollywood and multilingual playback songs |
| 10 | P. Jayachandran | Classic Hindi and Malayalam film songs |
1. K.J. Yesudas
Kattassery Joseph Yesudas is a very talented playback singer of India. This legend of a singer is often called the “Gana Gandharvan,” and has to his credit more than thousands of songs in over ten Indian languages. Yesudas first entered into Bollywood music scene in the seventies, and became an extremely successful singer of Hindi movies very soon.
It was his soothing voice and singing skills that captured the heart of many talented music directors.
Popular Bollywood Songs
- Gori Tera Gaon Bada Pyara
- Jab Deep Jale Aana
- Chand Jaise Mukhde Pe
- Ka Karoon Sajni
Major Achievements
- Padma Vibhushan
- Multiple National Film Awards
- Over 50 years of musical excellence
- Thousands of songs recorded across India
2. K.S. Chithra
K.S. Chithra is referred to by many as “The Nightingale of South India,” and her voice is so sweet that no other singer in the Indian music world can have it. Thousands of songs have been sung by her in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi languages.
Sweet voices suit love songs and spiritual songs.
Popular Hindi Songs
- Kehna Hi Kya (Hindi Version)
- Payalein Chunmun
- Piya Basanti (Album)
Awards
- Padma Bhushan
- Padma Shri
- Six National Film Awards
3. Hariharan
Hariharan is one of India’s most versatile playback singers. While renowned for his ghazal and fusion songs, he has also done many Bollywood songs.
He has an exceptionally beautiful voice that is a blend of Hindustani and Carnatic.
Hit Bollywood Songs
- Tu Hi Re
- Chappa Chappa Charkha Chale
- Nahin Saamne
- Roja Jaaneman
Achievements
- Padma Shri
- National Film Award
- Half of the famous fusion band Colonial Cousins
4. M.G. Sreekumar
M.G. Sreekumar is one of Malayalam cinema’s biggest playback stars. Although most famous in Kerala, he also gained recognition in Bollywood through memorable collaborations.
Popular Hindi Song
- Jiya Jale (with Lata Mangeshkar)
Career Highlights
- National Award-winning singer
- More than three decades in playback singing
- Television music judge and composer
5. Sujatha Mohan
Sujatha Mohan is admired for her soft, expressive vocals. She has sung in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi films.
Famous Hindi Songs
- Dil Hai Sanam
- Various dubbed Hindi film tracks
Achievements
- Kerala State Film Awards
- Tamil Nadu State Awards
- Thousands of playback recordings
6. Unni Menon
Unni Menon became widely known after collaborating with A.R. Rahman. His soothing voice won audiences across India.
Popular Hindi Songs
- Yeh Haseen Wadiyan
- Several Hindi dubbed versions of South Indian hits
7. Vijay Yesudas
The son of K.J. Yesudas, Vijay Yesudas has successfully carved his own identity in Indian playback singing. His rich voice has earned appreciation in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi projects.
Career Highlights
- National Film Award winner
- Playback singer in multiple languages
- Live performer across the world
8. Haricharan
Haricharan is one of the leading playback singers of the modern generation. His melodious singing has made him popular in both South Indian cinema and Hindi music projects.
Popular Songs
- Numerous multilingual film songs
- Hindi dubbed soundtrack performances
9. Shweta Mohan
Shweta Mohan is among the finest female playback singers in India. She is known for her crystal-clear voice and emotional renditions.
Career Highlights
- National Film Award winner
- Playback singer in multiple Indian languages
- Live concerts worldwide
10. P. Jayachandran
P. Jayachandran is a legendary playback singer admired for his romantic melodies and timeless classics. His smooth voice earned him respect in Malayalam cinema and recognition among Hindi music lovers.
Popular Songs
- Classic Malayalam hits
- Select Bollywood playback songs
Awards
- National Film Award
- Kerala State Film Awards
Why Malayalam Singers Are Successful in Bollywood
Malayalam singers continue to excel in Bollywood because of several qualities:
- Strong foundation in Carnatic classical music
- Excellent pronunciation in multiple languages
- Ability to perform romantic, devotional, classical, and modern songs
- Consistent versatility across different music styles
- Long-lasting careers with legendary composers
FAQs – Top Malayalam Singers in Bollywood
1. Who is the most famous Malayalam singer in Bollywood?
K.J. Yesudas is widely regarded as the most famous Malayalam singer in Bollywood. His timeless Hindi songs like “Gori Tera Gaon Bada Pyara” and “Jab Deep Jale Aana” remain classics.
2. Which female Malayalam singer is most popular in Bollywood?
K.S. Chithra is one of the most popular female Malayalam singers in Bollywood. She is known for her melodious voice and has sung several memorable Hindi songs alongside thousands of songs in other Indian languages.
3. Who is the best Malayalam playback singer?
There is no single answer, but K.J. Yesudas, K.S. Chithra, Hariharan, and M.G. Sreekumar are considered among the greatest Malayalam playback singers due to their exceptional contributions to Indian music.
4. Which Malayalam singers have won National Film Awards?
Several Malayalam singers have received National Film Awards, including:
- K.J. Yesudas
- K.S. Chithra
- Hariharan
- Vijay Yesudas
- Shweta Mohan
5. Which Malayalam singer sang “Gori Tera Gaon Bada Pyara”?
The evergreen Bollywood song “Gori Tera Gaon Bada Pyara” was sung by K.J. Yesudas for the movie Chitchor (1976).
Final Thoughts
The singers of Malayalam have contributed immensely to the field of Bollywood music. The greats like K.J. Yesudas, K.S. Chithra, and Hariharan have lent their voices to the creation of eternal songs, whereas singers like Vijay Yesudas, Haricharan, and Shweta Mohan continue the lineage.
It is due to their devotion, flexibility, and unique vocal skills that they have become among the most renowned playback singers in the country. Be it evergreen songs or film music, there is no denying the fact that they should be in every music enthusiast’s playlist.
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