Nithyasree Mahadevan
Nithyasree Mahadevan (born 25 August 1973) is an Indian Carnatic musician and playback singer. A prominent vocalist, she has performed at all major sabhas (music organisations) in India and has released over 750 albums. Also known for her work as a playback singer in Indian cinema, particularly for her debut song, "Kannodu Kaanbadhellam," composed by A. Rahman for the 1998 film Jeans.
Nithyasree Mahadevan

Giri 89 · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Birth Name
- S.
- Born
- 25 August 1973
- Birthplace
- Thiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu, India
- Occupation
- Singer
- Spouse
- V.
- Nationality
- India
- Fields
- carnatic
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Nithyasree Mahadevan (born 25 August 1973) is an Indian Carnatic musician and playback singer. A prominent vocalist, she has performed at all major sabhas (music organisations) in India and has released over 750 albums. Also known for her work as a playback singer in Indian cinema, particularly for her debut song, "Kannodu Kaanbadhellam," composed by A. Rahman for the 1998 film Jeans.
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Nithyasree Mahadevan (born 1973) is an actress and singer, of Indian nationality. The actress was born in Thiruvaiyaru. The work spans carnatic.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 01 October 2026
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Key facts
Key facts
• Birth Name — S. Nithyasree • Born — 25 August 1973 • Birthplace — Thiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu, India • Occupation — Singer • Parents — Iswaran Sivakumar (father) Lalitha Sivakumar (mother) • Spouse — V. Mahadevan (died.2012) • Honours — * Kalaimaamani (2000) • Honorary Doctorate(2008) • Years Active — 1987 – Present
Early life and background
Early life and background
Nithyasree was born to Lalitha Sivakumar and Iswaran Sivakumar. She comes from a distinguished musical lineage. Her paternal grandmother, D. K. Pattammal, and grand-uncle, D. K. Jayaraman, were celebrated Carnatic vocalists. Her maternal grandfather was the legendary mridangam virtuoso, Palghat Mani Iyer. Nithyasree's initial musical training was under her mother, Lalitha Sivakumar. She later trained under her grandmother, D. K. Pattammal, and frequently accompanied both her mother and grandmother in their concerts. Her father, a skilled mridangam player, also accompanied her in performances.
Carnatic music
Carnatic music
Nithyasree gave her first public concert at the age of 14 for the Youth Association For Classical Music on 10 August 1987. The performance was attended by prominent musicians including D. K. Pattammal, D. K. Jayaraman, and the chief guest, K. V. Narayanaswamy. Throughout her career, Nithyasree has performed extensively across India and internationally, with concerts in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Singapore, among other countries. She is known for her thematic presentations, continuing her family's tradition of popularising compositions by poets such as Papanasam Sivan and Gopalakrishna Bharathi. She has also performed unique concerts, such as a three-hour performance in 1994 consisting entirely of 17 compositions in the raga Bhairavi. To commemorate the 50th year of Indian Independence, she performed several concerts featuring only patriotic songs.
Playback singing
Playback singing
Nithyasree's career as a playback singer began in 1998 when A. R. Rahman invited her to record "Kannodu Kaanbadhellam" for the film Jeans. The song was an immediate success and earned her the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer. She continued to collaborate with Rahman on several popular songs, including "Minsara Kanna" for Padayappa (1999) and "Sowkiyama Kannae" for Sangamam (1999). Her other notable film songs include "Thaai Thindra Mannae" from Aayirathil Oruvan (2010) and "Kana Kaangiren" from Ananda Thandavam (2009). She has also recorded songs for films in other South Indian languages, including Kannada, Telugu, and Malayalam.
Personal life
Personal life
Nithyasree was married to V. Mahadevan until his death in 2012. They have two daughters, Tanujashree and Tejashree, who have occasionally accompanied her in concerts.
Music Director and Composer
Music Director and Composer
Nithyasree Mahadevan has composed music for songs, and has composed background scores for studio album recordings.
Semmozhi Anthem
Semmozhi Anthem
Nithyasree Mahadevan was one among the singers who sang the "Semmozhiyaana Thamizh Mozhiyaam" song for the World Classical Tamil Conference 2010. She also appeared on the screen after Aruna Sayeeram and was followed by S. Sowmya.
Television works
Television works
Nithyasree has appeared as a guest judge in various reality TV music talent shows, often aired on Tamil language TV channels. She first appeared as a guest judge in Sun TV's Sapthaswarangal. She later appeared as a guest judge in several episodes and rounds of Zee Tamil's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2009 Challenge, before appearing as a judge for STAR Vijay in seasons 2, 3, and 4 of Airtel Super Singer Junior, seasons 3, 4, and 5 of Airtel Super Singer, the debut episode of Super Singer Celebrity Season, and Nippon Paint Super Singer Junior season 5. She also appeared as a guest judge on episodes 22 and 23 of Indian Voice which was aired in October 2012 on Mazhavil Manorama, a Malayalam language TV channel, and as a guest judge for the finals of season 6 of Raj TV's Raja Geetham, which was held on 6 August 2015 at Kamarajar Arangam, and subsequently aired on 15 August 2015. Nithyashree appeared as a special guest for the debut season of Zee Tamil's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs. In March 2018, she returned as a special guest in the classical round of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Seniors, a week after the tribute round to music director M. S. Viswanathan featuring special guests Vani Jairam and P. Susheela was telecast. During March 2018, Nithyashree also made her first appearance as a special guest judge in Sun TV's Sun Singer. Nithyasree was also a permanent judge in reality TV music talent shows. In 2014, Nithyasree was a permanent judge in season 3 of Raj TV's Carnatic music reality-talent show, Tanishq Swarna Sangeetham, having previously appeared as a guest judge at various levels in earlier seasons of the show. Nithyasree also appeared as a permanent judge in the debut season of Jaya Super Singer South India which was aired on Jaya TV between 2014 and 2015. She sang several advertisement jingles for various companies, including more recently Sree Kumaran Thangamaligai which was recorded and aired on various Tamil language TV channels. Nithyasree has also sung title songs for various TV serials which were recorded and telecast in South India, including Chithi - a mega serial originally aired on Sun TV. • Serial name — Music director — Channel(s) • Chithi — Dhina — Sun TV • Krishnadasi — D. Imman — Sun TV & Raj TV • Metti Oli — Dhina — Sun TV • Buvaneshwari — Ramesh — Sun TV • Arasi — Kiran — Sun TV • Mythili — S. P. Venkatesh — Kalaignar TV • Uravugal — D. Imman — Sun TV • Kanchana — STAR Vijay • Anni — Jaya TV • Engirundho Vandhal — Jaya TV • Kakka Kakka — Raj TV
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 1 entries
1973
Nithyasree Mahadevan was born on 25 August 1973.
Discography
List of songs recorded by Nithyasree. • Year — Film — Language — Song title — Music director — Co-singer • 1998 — Jeans — Tamil — Kannuodu Kaanbadhalam — A. R. Rahman • Telugu — Kannulatho Choseve • 1999 — Padayappa — Tamil — Minsara Poove — A. R. Rahman — Srinivas & Palakkad Sreeram • Telugu — Meriseti Puvvaa • Sangamam — Tamil — Sowkiyama Kannae — A. R. Rahman • Poovellam Kettuppar — Poove Poove (Female) — Yuvan Shankar Raja • 2000 — Kshemamga Velli Labhamga Randi — Telugu — Joru Joruga — Vandemataram Srinivas — Sukhwinder Singh • Manasunna Maaraju — Eddulabandi Ekki • Moodu Mukkalaata — Chinavaada Chinavaada — M. M. Srilekha — Mano • Pennin Manathai Thottu — Tamil — Thiyagarajarin — S. A. Rajkumar — P. Unni Krishnan • Sri Srimati Satyabhama — Telugu — Ice Cream Cuppulo — S. V. Krishna Reddy • 2001 — Chandu — Telugu — Prema Nee Chirunama — K.Veeru — Jojo & Ramu • Grama Devathe — Kannada — Shivaraja — Dhina — Shankar Mahadevan • Telugu — Shankaruni Charithanni — Harish Raghavendra • Love Channel — Tamil — Desingu Raja — Deva • Paarthale Paravasam — Tamil — Manmadha Masam — A. R. Rahman — Shankar Mahadevan • Telugu — Manmadha Masam • 2002 — Panchathantiram — Tamil — Vandhaen Vandhaen — Deva — Sujatha & Kamal Haasan • Samurai — Oru Nadhi Oru Pournami — Harris Jayaraj — Tushara • Sri Bannari Amman — Kallaanalum Kanavanthan — T. Rajendar — Swarnalatha • Villain — Orae Manam — Vidyasagar — Hariharan • 2003 — Parasuram — Tamil — Jack And Jill — A. R. Rahman — Surjo Bhattacharya & Mathangi • Sena — Thirathathu Kathal — D. Imman — Unni Menon • 2004 — Apthamitra — Kannada — Raa Raa — Gurukiran — Rajesh Krishnan • Ennavo Pudichirukku — Tamil — Iru Vizhi — Subhash Jawahar • New / Naani — Kumbakonam Sandhaiyile — A. R. Rahman — Shankar Mahadevan & Manikka Vinayagam • Telugu — Markandeya • 2005 — ABCD — Tamil — Thavam Ondru — D. Imman — P. Balram • Chandramukhi — Telugu — Vaarai Naan Unnai Thedi — Vidyasagar • Kannadi Pookal — Tamil — Hey Silu Silu — S. A. Rajkumar — Sirkazhi G. Sivachidambaram • Mogudu Pellam O Dongodu — Telugu — Sata Koti Manmadha — Kabuli • 2006 — Gandugali Kumara Rama — Kannada — Sarasake Baaro — Gurukiran — Hariharan • Kalabha Kadhalan — Tamil — Pattuselai — Niru — Krishnaraj & Sriram • 2008 — Vallamai Tharayo — Tamil — Aayiram Yaanai — Bharadwaj • 2009 — Ananda Thandavam — Tamil — Kana Kaangiren — G. V. Prakash Kumar — Shubha Mudgal & Vinitha • Naan Avanillai 2 — Manmadha Leelai — D. Imman — Shail Hada & Benny Dayal • 2010 — Aayirathil Oruvan — Tamil — Thaai Thindra Mannae — G. V. Prakash Kumar — Vijay Yesudas & Shri Krishna • Super Cowboy — Telugu — Kanna Namora Alakinchara — Navin Iyer & D.A.Srinivas • Yuganiki Okkadu — Singaarinchina — Vijay Yesudas • 2012 — Arike — Malayalam — Varavayi Thozhi Vadhuvayi — Ouseppachan • 2015 — Panjumittai — Tamil — Kaattu Karuvamulla — D. Imman — T. L. Maharajan • 2018 — Mohini — Tamil — Mohini's Rage — Melvin • NOTA — Telugu — Raja Raja Kula — Sam C. S. — Abhay Jodhpurkar • 2021 — Udanpirappe — Tamil — Karambakudi Kanaga — D. Imman — Jayamoorthy
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Nithyasree Mahadevan”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q4526771: Nithyasree Mahadevan
General reference · Wikidata
Titles, awards and other recognition
Nithyasree is a "Top Rank" graded artist of Akashvani, and All India Radio, Chennai. She received the "Best Concert Award" for 6 years from the Madras Music Academy, and won the Kalaimamani award from the Government of Tamil Nadu, who subsequently appointed her as a member in the Expert Committee panel in the "IYAL ISAI NATAKA MANDRAM". During her career, Nithyasree has been bestowed with numerous other titles, and won numerous other awards and prizes. • Year — Honour — Honouring bestowed or presented by — Ref • 1987 — Best Main Artist Award — YACM • 1989 — Papanasam Sivan Tambura Prize • 1990 — First Prize in AIR music competition (Indian National Level) — All India Radio • 1990 — "Best Promising Artiste" — Mohanam Maharajapuram Santhanam Trust • 1994 — "Yuva Kala Bharathi" — Bharath Kalachar • 1994 — "Innisai Mamani" — Tamil Nadu Goodwill and Welfare Association • National Unity Centre Award • Best Pallavi Music Reciter Award • 1996 — M. L. Vasanthakumari Memorial Award — Mylapore Academy • 1999 — "Naadha Bhooshanam" — Shanmukhanandha Sangeetha Sabha (Delhi) • 1999 — "Ugadhi Puraskar" — Madras Telugu Academy • 1999 — "Sunadhavinodhini" — Swami Omkaaraananda • 1999 — "Bala Ratna" — Bala Tripura Sundari Trust Nemili • 1999 — "Gaanaamrutha Vaani" — All Ceylon Hindu Congress (Colombo) • 1999 — Kannadhasan Award • 1999 — Kalaignar Award • 2000 — Kalaimamani — Government of Tamil Nadu • 2000 — Melvin Jones Award for Extraordinary Person — Lions Club Chennai • 2000 — "Sangeetha Shikhamani" — Madras Telugu Association • 2001 — "Isai Peroli" and award — Karthik Fine Arts • 2001 — Vani Kala Sudhakara Award — Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha, presented on 10 December 2001 • 2001 — Desiya Orumaipadu Maiyam Award • 2001 — "Navarasa Gana Nayaki" — Tamil Aanmeega Peravai • 2002 — "Udhavum Oli" — Vasantha Memorial Trust Coimbatore • 2002 — Sivaji Award • 2002 — "Sangeetha Parambarya Rathna" — Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham • 2003 — Shanmuka Shikamani Award — Shanmukanandha Fine Arts (Mumbai) • 2003 — Excellence Award — Rotary Club • 2004 — "Isai Mani Makutam" — Rajalakshmi Fine Arts Coimbatore • 2004 — "Padma Sadhana" (Title) — Padma Sarangapani Cultural Association (conferred by Madras High Court judge, Justice T.V.Masilamani on 3 January 2004 in Virugambakkam, Chennai) • 2006 — "Tamil Isai Vani" — Dubai Tamil Kudumbam • 2006 — "Isai Kalai Tharakai" — Canberra Music Association • 2006 — "Naadha Kovidha" (Title) — Naadhabrahmam (conferred by Madras High Court judge, Justice M. Chockalingam on 26 December 2006 in Chennai) • 2008 — Jayarathna Virudhu Award — Jayadhaarini Trust (conferred on 22 October 2008 in Chennai) • 2008 — Honorary Doctorate of Literature — Sathyabama Autonomous University on 19 April 2008 • 2008 — "Sangeetha Kala Shironmani" — Nungambakkam Cultural Academy • 2010 — "Gaana Padmam" Award (and Title) — Brahma Gana Sabha, presented on 3 December 2010 in Chennai • 2010 — "Sangeetha Kalasarathy" Award (and Title) — Parthasarathy Swami Sabha, presented on 15 December 2010 in Chennai • 2010 — Acharya Award — Naradha Gana sabha (Celebrating Teachers Day) • 2011 — Sangeetha Hamsa Award — Hamsavinodhini, presented on 1 December 2011 at Arulmigu Kasi Viswanathar Temple, West Mambalam. • 2011 — "Isai Mamani" Award — Shri Rama Bhaktha Jana Samaj, presented on 20 December 2011 • 2011 — P. Obul Reddy Award of Excellence — Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai • 2012 — "M. S. Subbulakshmi Puraskar" — Visakha Music Academy, presented on 12 January 2012 • 2012 — Award Of Proficiency — Tamil Nadu Brahmins Association (TAMBRAS) • 2013 — "Sangeetha Ulagin Naayaki" — Aadhi Shankarar Aanmeega Peravai at Kutthalam • 2013 — "Sivan Isai Selvi" (Title) — Papanasam Sivan Rasigar Manram (conferred by vocalist P. S. Narayanaswamy in September 2013 at Narada Gana Sabha in Chennai) • 2014 — Isai Selvam Award — Presented by Karunanidhi under the banner of Muthamizh Peravai on 24 January 2014 in Chennai • 2017 — "Tamil Isai Thilakam" (Title) — Presented by New York Tamil Sangam on 28 May 2017 • 2017 — Sangeetha Choodamani Award — Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, conferred by E. S. L. Narasimhan) on 5 August 2017 • 2018 — Viswa Kala Bharathi Award — Bharat Kalachar • 2022 — “Excellence in music” — Just for women(JFW achievers award-2022)

2011ம் ஆண்டு இசைப்பாடகி நித்தியஸ்ரீ மகாதேவா சிட்டிவேரத்தில்
Meera Yogeeswaran
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Methil Renuka. Keeping tune with times. India Today. Thomson Living Media India Limited. 25. 292. 2000.
- 2.Tamil Nadu / Coimbatore News : D.K. Pattammal's biography to be released. The Hindu. 20 November 2007.
- 3.Aruna Chandaraju. Entertainment Bangalore / Music : Proud pedigree is not all. The Hindu. 20 May 2005.
- 4.Singer Nithyasree's husband ends life by jumping in river – The Times of India. Times of India. 21 December 2012.
- 5.The Hindu : Retail Plus Hyderabad : Audio Release. The Hindu. 17 October 2008.
- 6.M.K.Balagopal. A masterly performance. The Hindu. 6 November 2003.
- 7.Rayan Rozario. The Hindu : Singing soothing notes. The Hindu. 30 June 2003.
- 8.Jaya TV's Margazhi Mahautsavam.
- 9.Three Hours of Bhairavi. Sruti, india's premier music and dance magazine. 122. 13. November 1994.
- 10.S.Aishwarya. Steeped in tradition - The Hindu. The Hindu. 9 June 2007.
- 11.Sangeetha. Friday Review Thiruvananthapuram / Interview : Musical legacy. The Hindu. 31 July 2009.
- 12.A big shock to music lovers – The Hindu. The Hindu. 21 December 2012.
- 13.Rajagopalan Venkataraman. Pall of gloom descends on Kotturpuram – The New Indian Express. New Indian Express. 21 December 2012.
- 14.B. Ramadevi. The Hindu : Friday Review Chennai / Music : Deluge of ragas and songs. The Hindu. 21 December 2012.
- 15.Miss & Mrs: En Manadhai Nee Arivai - The Hindu. The Hindu. 31 July 2009.
- 16.'SaReGaMaPa 2009 Challenge' - Zee TV Finals. Dinamalar. 31 October 2009.
- 17.G. Prasad. Children pitch it right at audition - The Hindu. The Hindu. 17 October 2011.
- 18.TV Stars turn Super Singers – The Times of India. Times of India. 20 February 2014.
- 19.A Night of Melodious Music. New Indian Express. 12 August 2015.
- 20.Independence Day double bonanza on Raj TV – The Times of India. Times of India. 14 August 2015.
- 21.Rhythm Divine – The Hindu. The Hindu. 14 March 2014.
- 22.Tribute to the Trinity – The Hindu. The Hindu. 11 April 2014.
- 23.Swarna Sangeetham, a talent hunt for Carnatic singers – The Hindu. The Hindu. 5 February 2012.
- 24.Drama & TV awards. The Hindu. 14 September 2001.
- 25.Sarath Malalasekera. Online Edition of Daily News. The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. 24 August 2002.
- 26.SVK. An atmosphere of tranquillity. The Hindu. 4 February 2000.
- 27.Nithyashree awarded 'Isai Peroli'. The Hindu. 2 December 2001.
- 28.Kutcheri Buzz. Nithyashree honoured again. 11 December 2001.
- 29.'Padma Sadhana' conferred on Nithyasree. The Hindu. 4 January 2004.
- 30.Title conferred on Nithyasree – The Hindu. The Hindu. 27 December 2006.
- 31.Jayadharini Trust. JAYADHARINI TRUST. Jayarathna Awardees.
- 32.Sathyabama University. Awards.
- 33.Lakshman Shruthi. Award for Nithyashri Mahadevan. 4 December 2010.
- 34.Chennai December Season 2010 : Brahma Gana Sabha opens its new 'season'
- 35.Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Awards humble me, says Nithyasree Mahadevan. The Hindu. 18 December 2010.
- 36.Mambalam Times. Hamsavinodhini Award for Nithyasree. 3. 26 November 2011.
- 37.Saigan Connection. Music Season 2010–2011 – Sri Rama Bhaktha Jana Samaj. Indian Heritage – December Madras (Chennai) Music Season.
- 38.Visakha Awards. Sruti, india's premier music and dance magazine. 329. 49. February 2012.
- 39.B. Vijayalakshmi. Nithyasree 'blessed' by saint-composer. Deccan Chronicle. 19 September 2013.
- 40.Navigating party through tempests: Karunanidhi – The Hindu. The Hindu. 24 February 2014.
- 41.Nithyashree, Padmavathy, presented with awards – The Hindu. The Hindu. 6 August 2017.
- 42.Singer Nithyashree to be honoured with Viswa Kala Bharathi award. News Today. 5 December 2018.
- 43.Bharat Kalachar Awardees. Bharat Kalachar. 2018.
- 44.JFW ACHIEVERS AWARDS 2022- HIGHLIGHTS. JFW Just for women.
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