If you are a ‘90s kid, you might have heard the melodious Piya Basanti on repeat. The sweet voice behind the song is none other than the talented KS Chithra. An Indian playback singer and a Carnatic musician, Chithra has recorded over 25,000 songs in her career spanning over four decades. She has recorded songs across various Indian languages and a few foreign languages. Chithra is a recipient of six National Film Awards, 36 different state awards, Padma Shri, and Padma Bhushan among many others. Her songs are always a treat for the ears. So, here are nine songs by KS Chithra that deserve a place in your playlist.

1. The Song Goes On (The Imagine Project)

Part of the album The Imagine Project, the song is part of the American Jazz pianist Herbie Hancock’s 46^th studio album. Released in 2010, the song features Chaka Khan, Wayne Shorter, and Anoushka Shankar along with KS Chithra. It is a cross-cultural album and that is evident in the song as well, which has elements of Indian classical music.

2. Piya Basanti Re (Piya Basanti)

Sung by KS Chithra and Ustad Sultan Khan, the song is a part of the 2000 album titled ‘Piya Basanti’. The album saw massive success and won MTV’s International Viewers Choice Award. Starring Nauheed Cyrusi, the soulful track tells the story of a girl who falls in love with a criminal at first sight.

3. Yeh Haseen Vaadiyan (Roja)

Yeh Haseen Vaadiyan is a romantic track from the 1992 movie Roja. Sung by S.P. Balasubramanium and KS Chithra, the song was shot in the snow-capped mountains and forests of Manali. Depicting the growing love between the newly married couple, Rishi and Roja, it is a love song that still makes hearts flutter.

4. Raat Humari Toh (Parineeta)

Sung by KS Chithra and Swanand Kirkire, this beautiful piece of music is from the visually delightful movie Parineeta. The song depicts the pain of the lovers, Lalitha and Shekhar, who have parted ways due to various misunderstandings.

5. Poove Poove (Devadoothan)

Poove Poove was part of the soundtrack of the 2000 hit Malayalam movie Devadoothan. A mystery-horror musical movie, the movie stars Mohanlal and Jaya Prada in lead roles. The award-winning score was composed by Vidyasagar. Poove Poove is a peppy number sung by P Jayachandran and Chithra.

6. Innale Ente (Balettan)

Featuring in the 2003 Malayalam movie Balettan, Innale Ente is a sad song which has a male version sung by KJ Yesudas and a female version sung by Chithra. With lyrics by Gireesh Puthencherry and music by M Jayachandran, the song portrays the helplessness of a son who is caught in his father’s double life and secrets.

7. Pakhiyan Ve (Sunset Point)

A Punjabi number from Gulzar’s album titled ‘Sunset Point’, this song is away from the ordinary for Chithra. The album is a musical love story narrated by Gulzar, with music by Vishal Bhardwaj. While the song doesn’t have the authentic flavour of a Punjabi folk song, it is one that showcases the versatility of KS Chithra.

8. Mana Madurai (Minsara Kanavu)

More popularly known as Ooh la la, Mana Madurai is the song that won Chithra her fifth National Award for best singer. Part of the musical score of the 1997 Tamil movie starring Kajol, Arvind Swamy, and Prabhu Deva, Minsara Kanavu, the soundtrack was composed by AR Rehman. The movie was also released in Hindi as Sapnay, for which Chithra lent her voice to the Hindi version of this song, Ek Bagiya Mein Rehti Hai.

9. Konji Pesida Venaam (Sethupathi)

A 2016 Tamil action thriller, Sethupathi stars Vijay Sethupathi and Remya Nambeesan in lead roles. The film’s music was well appreciated upon its release and the song Konji Pesida Venaam got Chithra the Best Playback Singer Female at the 2017 South Indian International Movie Awards.

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