Mahalakshmi Iyer
Mahalakshmi Iyer is an Indian playback singer, best known for her Hindi and Tamil songs. She has sung in many other Indian languages as well, including Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Odia, Gujarati, Assamese, and Kannada.
Career
Mahalakshmi made her playback debut with the film Dus, which was also Shankar–Ehsaan–Loys' debut as music directors in 1996. The film never completed due to the sudden passing of the film's director. The album however was released in 1999 as a tribute. The same week she recorded for Dus, she also sang the track Ae Ajnabee with Udit Narayan for A. R. Rahman in Mani Ratnam's Dil Se.. which was her first release as a playback singer. Mahalakshmi continued singing for Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and A.R. Rahman in many films which followed.Since then she has also sung many serials, jingles, and original albums. She was part of several successful soundtracks such as Mission Kashmir, Yaadein and Saathiya and worked with some of the biggest music composers like A. R. Rahman, Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, Vishal-Shekhar, Jatin-Lalit and more.
She has sung for many Yash Raj Films' biggest hits like Dhoom 2, Bunty Aur Babli, Salaam Namaste, Fanaa, Ta Ra Rum Pum and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.
She was known for her performances in songs like "Kabhi Sham Dhale" from Sur – The Melody of Life, "Har Taraf" from Rishtey and for hit songs like "Chup Chup Ke" from Bunty Aur Babli, "Aaj Ki Raat" from and "Bol Na Halke Halke" from Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.
She sang on the Academy Award winning song "Jai Ho" for A. R. Rahman in the film Slumdog Millionaire. Specifically, she sang the Hindi words between the short "Jai Ho" chants, as well as portions of the verses.
In the past, she rendered background vocal to the very famous Ghazal of Pankaj Udhas named Aur Ahistaa. She has also rendered her voice to many private album remixes notably Aaja Piya Tohe Pyar and Baahon Mein Chali Aao, which was originally rendered by the legendary Lata Mangeshkar.
Personal life
Mahalakshmi comes from a Tamil musical family. Her mother is a Carnatic classical singer. She began learning Hindustani music at an early age as did her three sisters, Kalpana, Padmini and Shobha. Iyer grew up in Chembur, Mumbai, and is a graduate of R. A. Podar College of Commerce & Economics, Mumbai.Television songs
In 2013, Mahalakshmi Iyer sang a song with Udit Narayan titled "Ek dil banaaya, phir pyar basaaya", penned by Raghvendra Singh music direction of Navin Manish for Rajshri 's TV show Jhilmil Sitaaron Ka Aangan Hoga on Sahara One.Selected film songs
| Year | Song | Film | Language | Music director | Co-singer |
| 1997 | "Suno Gaur Se Duniya Walo " | Dus | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Udit Narayan, Shankar Mahadevan, Dominique Cerejo |
| 1998 | "Ae Ajnabee" | Dil Se.. | Hindi | A. R. Rahman | Udit Narayan |
| 1998 | "Meettatha Oru Veenai" | Poonthottam | Tamil | Ilaiyaraaja | Hariharan |
| 1999 | "Velli Malare" | Jodi | Tamil | A. R. Rahman | S. P. Balasubramanyam |
| 1999 | "Vanna Poonga" | Jodi | Tamil | A. R. Rahman | Srinivas |
| 1999 | "Tumne Na Humse" | Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi | Hindi | Vishal Shekhar | Solo |
| 1999 | "Dil Se Mere" | Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi | Hindi | Vishal Shekhar | Shekhar Ravjiani |
| 1999 | "Kurukku Siruthhavale" | Mudhalvan | Tamil, Telugu | A. R. Rahman | Hariharan |
| 1999 | "Dillagi Dillagi" | Dillagi | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Kavita Krishnamurthy, Alka Yagnik, Abhijeet, Udit Narayan, Sonu Nigam, Sukhwinder Singh, Shankar Mahadevan, Shaan, Jaspinder Narula |
| 1999 | "Kya Yeh Sach Hai" | Dillagi | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Shankar Mahadevan |
| 2000 | "So Jaa Chandaa" | Mission Kashmir | Hindi | Loy Mendonsa | Solo |
| 2000 | "Yaaro Yaarodi" | Alaipayuthey | Tamil | A. R. Rahman | Richa Sharma, Vaishali |
| 2000 | "Kandukonden Kandukonden" | Kandukondain Kandukondain | Tamil, Telugu | A. R. Rahman | Hariharan |
| 2000 | "Ennavo Ennavo" | Priyamanavale | Tamil | S. A. Rajkumar | Hariharan |
| 2000 | "Enakoru Snegidhi" | Priyamanavale | Tamil | S. A. Rajkumar | Hariharan |
| 2000 | "Pollatha Madhana Paanam" | Hey Ram | Tamil | Ilaiyaraaja | Annupamaa |
| 2001 | "Hasde Hasde" | Abhay | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Kamal Haasan |
| 2001 | "Siri Siri" | Aalavandhan | Tamil | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Kamal Haasan |
| 2001 | "Poove Vai Pesum" | 12B | Tamil | Harris Jayaraj | Harish Raghavendra |
| 2001 | "Mutham Mutham" | 12B | Tamil | Harris Jayaraj | KK |
| 2001 | "Ammammo Chaligavundi" | Deevinchandi | Telugu | S. A. Rajkumar | Sukhwinder Singh |
| 2001 | "Chilakamma Chilakamma" | Deevinchandi | Telugu | S. A. Rajkumar | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam |
| 2001 | "Dhin Dhinak" | Manasantha Nuvve | Telugu | R. P. Patnaik | Solo |
| 2001 | "Yaar Teri Bewafai" | Love You Hamesha | Hindi | A. R. Rahman | Solo |
| 2001 | "E Chota Nenunna" | Ninnu Choodalani | Telugu | S. A. Rajkumar | Hariharan |
| 2001 | "Yaadein Yaad Aati Hai" | Yaadein | Hindi | Anu Malik | Sunidhi Chauhan |
| 2001 | "Kadhal Aararo" | Narasimha | Tamil | Mani Sharma | Saisivan |
| 2001 | "Malai Kattru Vandhu" | Vedham | Tamil | Vidhyasagar | Hariharan |
| 2002 | "Har Taraf Tu Hi" | Rishtey | Hindi | Sanjeev Darshan | Shaan |
| 2002 | "November Madham" | Red | Tamil | Deva | Hariharan |
| 2002 | "Daayi Daayi Dhamma" | Indra | Telugu | Mani Sharma | KK |
| 2002 | "Chalka Chalka Re" | Saathiya | Hindi | A. R. Rahman | Richa Sharma, Vaishali |
| 2002 | "Kabhie Sham Dhale" | Sur – The Melody of Life | Hindi | M. M. Kreem | Solo |
| 2002 | "Goyyaka Koiyaakkaa" | Alaudin | Tamil | Mani Sharma | Karthik |
| 2002 | "Oohh Yeah" | Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai? | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | KK |
| 2002 | "Ghatothkacha Kalaadhara" | Pammal K. Sambandam | Tamil | Deva | Srinivas |
| 2003 | "Kannam Shivakka" | Aasai Aasaiyai | Tamil | Mani Sharma | Ranjith |
| 2003 | "Aao Milke Gaayen Aisa Gaana" | Armaan | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Shankar Mahadevan, Udit Narayan, Amitabh Bachchan |
| 2003 | "Main Gaaon" | Armaan | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Udit Narayan, Shaan |
| 2003 | "Okkasari Pilichavante" | Chantigadu | Telugu | Vandemataram Srinivas | Udit Narayan |
| 2003 | "Nenjam Oru Murai" | Vaseegara | Tamil | S. A. Rajkumar | Srinivas |
| 2003 | "Tere Ishq Mein" | Supari | Hindi | Vishal-Shekhar | Vishal Dadlani |
| 2003 | "Ee Nanna Kannaane" | Abhi | Kannada | Gurukiran | Udit Narayan |
| 2003 | "Jab Kabhi" | Jhankaar Beats | Hindi | Vishal-Shekhar | KK |
| 2003 | "Mujhe Tumse Muhabbat Hai" | ' | Hindi | Nadeem Shravan | Kumar Sanu |
| 2003 | "Mera Dil Dil Toh Lele" | ' | Hindi | Nadeem Shravan | Shaan |
| 2003 | "ABBG" | Kuch Naa Kaho | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Udit Narayan |
| 2003 | "Baat Meri Suniye" | Kuch Naa Kaho | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Shankar Mahadevan |
| 2003 | "Manmadha Manmadha" | Tagore | Telugu | Mani Sharma | Malikkarjun |
| 2003 | "Nindu Noorella " | Praanam | Telugu | Kamalakar | Sonu Nigam |
| 2004 | "Yeh Dhuaan" | Charas | Hindi | Raju Singh | Solo |
| 2004 | "Aakasam Sakshi Ga" | Adavi Ramudu | Telugu | Mani Sharma | Sonu Nigam |
| 2004 | "Rang Tumi Howane" | Rang | Assamese | Zubeen Garg | Zubeen Garg |
| 2004 | "Luxembourg Lux Sundari" | Samba | Telugu | Mani Sharma | Karthik |
| 2004 | "Athi Methani" | Balu ABCDEFG | Telugu | Mani Sharma | Ranjith |
| 2004 | "Asaanaa Asaanaa" | Kuththu | Tamil | Srikanth Deva | Subeeb Khan |
| 2004 | "Kuchh To Ho Raha Hai" | Shaadi Ka Laddoo | Hindi | Vishal-Shekhar | Shaan |
| 2004 | "Tum Kaho To" | Shaadi Ka Laddoo | Hindi | Vishal-Shekhar | Udit Narayan |
| 2004 | "Pyar Mein Sau Uljhane" | Kyun! Ho Gaya Na... | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Shankar Mahadevan, Vijay Prakash |
| 2004 | "Ishq Khudai" | Rudraksh | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Krishna, Shankar Mahadevan, Shweta Pandit |
| 2004 | "Ninna Mareyalare" | Kanchana Ganga | Kannada | S. A. Rajkumar | Udit Narayan |
| 2004 | "Abhi Nahi Aur Kabhi" | Stop! | Hindi | Vishal-Shekhar | Shaan, Sunidhi Chauhan, Sowmya Raoh |
| 2005 | "Chup Chup Ke" | Bunty Aur Babli | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Sonu Nigam |
| 2005 | "Thadava Thadava" | Style | Telugu | Mani Sharma | Karthik |
| 2005 | "Aakashaveedilo" | Orey Pandu | Telugu | Anand Raj Anand | Sonu Nigam |
| 2005 | "Miraksam" | ' | Hindi | Anu Malik | Sudesh Bhosle, Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan |
| 2005 | "Chandamama" | Athadu | Telugu | Mani Sharma | Ranjith |
| 2005 | "Koi Aisa Alam" | Karam | Hindi | Vishal-Shekhar | Sonu Nigam |
| 2005 | "Mudoche Kopalu" | Narasimhudu | Telugu | Mani Sharma | Karthik |
| 2005 | "Tu Jahaan" | Salaam Namaste | Hindi | Vishal-Shekhar | Sonu Nigam |
| 2005 | "Neredu Pallu" | Subash Chandra Bose | Telugu | Mani Sharma | Hariharan |
| 2005 | "Jaaniya Ve" | Dus | Hindi | Vishal-Shekhar | Hariharan |
| 2005 | "Dil Ke Arma Tarse" | Aanch | Hindi | Sanjeev Darshan | Sonu Nigam |
| 2005 | "Thumbs Up Thunder" | Jai Chiranjeeva | Telugu | Mani Sharma | Nihar |
| 2005 | "Koi Aisa Alam" | Karam | Hindi | Vishal-Shekhar | Sonu Nigam |
| 2006 | "Uyirilae" | Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu | Tamil, Telugu | Harris Jayaraj | Srinivas |
| 2006 | "I'm in Love" | Neal 'n' Nikki | Hindi | Salim-Sulaiman | Sonu Nigam |
| 2006 | "Choododdhu" | Pokiri | Telugu | Mani Sharma | Karthik |
| 2006 | "Dil Laga Na" | Dhoom 2 | Hindi, Tamil, Telugu | Pritam | Jolly Mukherjee, Suzanne D'Mello, Sukhbir |
| 2006 | "Go Go Gova" | Stalin | Telugu | Mani Sharma | Ranjith |
| 2006 | "Aaj Ki Raat" | ' | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Alisha Chinai, Sonu Nigam |
| 2006 | "Des Rangila" | Fanaa | Hindi | Jatin-Lalit | Solo |
| 2006 | "Chanda Chamke" | Fanaa | Hindi | Jatin-Lalit | Babul Supriyo |
| 2006 | "Varevva" | Ranam | Telugu | Mani Sharma | Mallikarjun |
| 2006 | "Rock N' Roll Soniye" | Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Shaan, Shankar Mahadevan |
| 2007 | "Bol Na Halke Halke" | Jhoom Barabar Jhoom | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Rahat Fateh Ali Khan |
| 2007 | "Jhoom Barabar Jhoom" | Jhoom Barabar Jhoom | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Shankar Mahadevan, KK, Sukhwinder Singh |
| 2007 | "Mudhal Naal Indru" | Unnale Unnale | Tamil | Harris Jayaraj | KK, Pop Shalini |
| 2007 | "Baat Pakki" | Just Married | Hindi | Pritam | Shaan, Sukhwinder Singh |
| 2007 | "Yeko Yeno" | Arasu | Kannada | Joshua Sridhar | Solo |
| 2007 | "Jab Chhaye" | Hattrick | Hindi | Pritam | Solo |
| 2007 | "Zara Gungunalein" | Laaga Chunari Mein Daag | Hindi | Shantanu Moitra | Babul Supriyo |
| 2007 | "Tenu Leke" | ' | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Sonu Nigam |
| 2007 | "Ta Ra Rum Pum" | Ta Ra Rum Pum | Hindi, Telugu | Vishal-Shekhar | Shaan |
| 2007 | "Kannadaasa Kannadaasa" | Thavam | Tamil | D. Imman | Harish Raghavendra |
| 2007 | "Teri Yaadein" | Kaisay Kahein... | Hindi | Pritam | Sukhwinder Singh |
| 2007 | "Manasa" | Munna | Telugu | Harris Jayaraj | Naresh Iyer, Krish |
| 2008 | "Jai Ho" | Slumdog Millionaire | Hindi | A. R. Rahman | Sukhwinder Singh, Vijay Prakash, Tanvi Shah |
| 2008 | "Shaava Shava" | Chintakayala Ravi | Telugu | Vishal-Shekhar | Shankar Mahadevan |
| 2008 | "Enduko" | Chintakayala Ravi | Telugu | Vishal-Shekhar | Sonu Nigam |
| 2008 | "Gup Chup" | One Two Three | Hindi | Raghav Sachar | Raghav Sachar |
| 2008 | "Jo Gumshuda" | Mission Istaanbul | Hindi | Anu Malik | Shaan, Ege |
| 2008 | "Endammaya" | Salute | Telugu | Harris Jayaraj | Naveen |
| 2008 | "Oh Ho Sanam" | Dasavathaaram | Tamil, Telugu, Hindi | Himesh Reshammiya | Kamal Haasan |
| 2008 | "Falak Tak Chal" | Tashan | Hindi | Vishal-Shekhar | Udit Narayan |
| 2008 | "Pyar Ki Dastan" | Luck by Chance | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Amit Paul |
| 2008 | "Dheem Dheem" | Accident | Kannada | V. Harikrishna | Sonu Nigam |
| 2009 | "Abacha" | Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam | Telugu | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Shilpa Rao |
| 2009 | "Mujh Jaisa Hero" | Love Khichdi | Hindi | Pritam | Gopal Rao |
| 2009 | "Maza Aa Gaya" | Victory | Hindi | Anu Malik | Sonu Nigam, Suresh Wadkar, Sudesh Bhosle, Sumitra Iyer, Altaf Raja |
| 2010 | "Sadka Kiya" | I Hate Luv Storys | Hindi | Vishal-Shekhar | Suraj Jagan |
| 2010 | "Chal Chal Bhosle Market" | ' | Hindi | Raju Singh | Shaan |
| 2010 | "Tera Mera Pyar" | Action Replayy | Hindi | Pritam | Karthik |
| 2010 | "Aaradha Kobamillai" | Bale Pandiya | Tamil | Devan Ekambaram | Raman Mahadevan |
| 2010 | "Charha De Rang" | Yamla Pagla Deewana | Hindi | Nouman Javaid | Ali Pervez Mehdi, Shweta Pandit, Rahul Seth |
| 2011 | "Laung da Lashkara" | Patiala House | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Hard Kaur, Jassi Sidhu |
| 2011 | "Rola Pe Gaya" | Patiala House | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Shankar Mahadevan, Hard Kaur, Earl |
| 2011 | "Mauka" | Aarakshan | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Raman Mahadevan, Tarun Sagar, Gaurav Gupta, Rehan Khan |
| 2011 | "Mala Sang Na" | Sharyat | Marathi | Chinar - Mahesh | Solo |
| 2012 | "Tore Niye Jai" | Khokababu | Bengali | Rishi Chanda | Zubeen Garg |
| 2012 | "Guti Guti Paye" | ' | Bengali | Shree Pritam | Shaan |
| 2012 | "Dhuan Dhuan" | ' | Bengali | Shree Pritam | Shaan |
| 2012 | "Kaal Mulaitha Poova" | Maattrraan | Tamil, Telugu | Harris Jayaraj | Javed Ali |
| 2012 | "Bechayan Sapne" | Chittagong | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Abhijeet Sawant, Gulraj Singh, Sameer Khan, Shankar Mahadevan |
| 2012 | "Khud Ko Tere" | ' | Hindi | Chirantan Bhatt | Solo |
| 2012 | "Meri Duniya Terey Dam Se" | Delhi Safari | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Shekhar Ravjiani, Shivam Mahadevan |
| 2012 | "Sajna Paas Aa Tu Jara" | Idiot | Bengali | Shree Pritam | Shaan |
| 2012 | "Jhor Othe Mone" | Idiot | Bengali | Shree Pritam | Zubeen Garg |
| 2013 | "O Bondhu Amar" | Khoka 420 | Bengali | Shree Pritam | Shaan |
| 2013 | "Govinda Jay Jay" | Khoka 420 | Bengali | Shree Pritam | Abhijeet Bhattacharya |
| 2013 | "Pagal Ami Already" | Khiladi | Bengali | Shree Pritam | Zubeen Garg |
| 2013 | "Mayanga " | Dhoom 3 | Tamil | Pritam | Abhishek Nailwal |
| 2014 | "Daatale Reshami" | Timepass | Marathi | Chinar - Mahesh | Chinar Kharkar |
| 2014 | "Concert Song" | 2 States | Tamil & Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Solo |
| 2014 | "Do Akhiyyan" | Badlapur Boys | Hindi | Sachin Gupta | Shaan |
| 2014 | "Nakhriley" | Kill Dil | Hindi | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Ali Zafar, Shankar Mahadevan, Gulzar |
| 2015 | "Xaliki Puwar" | Gaane Ki Aane | Assamese | Zubeen Garg | Solo |
| 2015 | "Angat Rangat" | Kaay Raav Tumhi | Marathi | Kanak Raj | Solo |
| 2015 | "Praju" | Timepass 2 | Marathi | Chinar - Mahesh | Rishikesh Kamerkar |
| 2015 | "Hapoon Namise Sua" | Khel - The Game | Assamese | Dhruva Phukan | Solo |
| 2015 | "Sune Sune" | Welcome Zindagi | Marathi | Soumil Shringarpure-Siddharth Mahadevan | Solo |
| 2015 | "Dooriyan" | I Love Desi | Hindi | Sham Balkar | Javed Ali, Sonu Kakkar |
| 2015 | "Un Mele Oru Kannu" | Rajinimurugan | Tamil | D. Imman | Jithin Raj |
| 2015 | "Abhas Ha" | ' | Marathi | Chinar - Mahesh | Solo |
| 2016 | "Ore Oru Vaanam" | Thirunaal | Tamil | Srikanth Deva | Shakthisree Gopalan |
| 2017 | "Dure Dure Tumi" | Nijanor Gaan | Assamese | Jatin Sharma | Siddharth Hazarika |
| 2018 | "Mon E Kemon" | Wrong Route | Bengali | Dev Sen | Imran Mahmudul |
| 2018 | "Ja Hobe Dekha" | Raja Rani Raji | Bengali | Lincon | Shaan |
| 2018 | "Runa Zuna" | Memory Card | Marathi | Mitesh-Pritesh | Javed Ali |
| 2018 | "Halwa Halwa" | Jaga Vegli Antyatra | Marathi | Rohan Pradhan & Rohan Gokhale | Siddharth Mahadevan |
| 2018 | "Heer" | Baa Baaa Black Sheep | Hindi | Gourav-Roshin-Shaan | Mika Singh |
| 2018 | "Nee Yaaro Nanage" | Amma I Love You | Kannada | Gurukiran | Santhosh Venky |
| 2019 | "Naa Raja" & "Koamaanae" | ' | Telugu, Tamil | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Shriram Iyer |
| 2019 | "Rae Raelaa Rae" & "Nanjukku" | ' | Telugu, Tamil | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Hamsika Iyer, Siddharth Mahadevan |
| 2019 | "Beimani Se" | Gone Kesh | Hindi | Bishakh Jyoti | Solo |
Awards and Honors
- Alpha award for Best Playback for Adhar
- Maharashtra Kala Niketan Award for Suna Yeti Gharaat
- 2016 Filmfare nomination for Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil – "Un Mele Oru Kannu"
- Best Play Back Singer Maharashtra State Award for Datle Dhuke