Sunitha Upadrashta
Sunitha Upadrasta (born 10 May 1978) is a playback singer, anchor, host, dubbing artist & actress in the Telugu film industry, also known as Tollywood.[1][2] She has received a National Award from All India Radio under light music category, two Film fare Awards for Best Female Playback Singer one each for Telugu and Kannada, 9 Nandi Awards; the highest award ceremony for excellence in Telugu cinema, theater, television, and Lifetime achievements in Indian cinema, presented annually by the earlier Government of combined state Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. She received her first Nandi award in the year 1999 and bagged the prestigious awards in a row for the years 2002 to 2006 and again for the years 2010 to 2012. She was also honored with Lata Mangeshkar Best Singer Award for 2011 by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. In the year 2019, Sunitha was honored with New Jersey state recognition award by the Senate and General assembly of the state of New Jersey passing a resolution to salute her excellence and contributions to the world of music and Indian Cinema, a rare felicitation given to an Indian artist by the state of New Jersey.
Sunitha Upadrasta | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 10 May 1978 |
| Origin | Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Genres | All Types |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Years active | 1995–present |
Sunitha's commercial singing career began in the year 1995 with the movie Gulabi and has established herself as a leading playback singer of Telugu Film Industry with her mellifluous voice. She is also known as an anchor and host for music based programs and flagship programs, one among them was anchoring the historical Amaravati foundation-laying ceremony in the year 2015. Sunitha is also associated as a judge to musical reality shows in various channels. Her contributions as a voice-over artist giving voice to over 110 actresses in more than 750 films.
Sunitha traveled extensively across 19 foreign countries offering her exclusive live performances across the world as an artist. Countries include USA (almost every year since 1999), UK, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania, South Africa, Australia, Scotland, Ireland, SriLanka, Thailand, Japan, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Maurutis
Early life
Sunitha was born on 10 May 1978 in Vijayawada & was raised in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh into a music loving family. Her parents Upadrasta Narasimha Rao and Sumathi (Maiden Name Malladi) are well known to music lovers at Vijayawada and Guntur.
Sunitha at the age of 6, got training in music from Pemaraju Surya Rao in Carnatic Vocal and Light music from Kalaga Krishna Mohan. At a very early age, she got many opportunities to participate and perform in several concerts, including well known programs featured by All India Radio. At the age of 13, she also participated in Tyagaraja Aradhana utsavalu along with her guru Pemmaraju Surya Rao. She received numerous awards and appreciations in various competitions for her performances as a child prodigy, one of the special mentions is her scholarship from Central Government to pursue her musical trainings.
Personal life
She got married at the age of 19 to Kiran Kumar Goparaju who works in the media and they later got divorced. The couple has two children, A boy and a girl – Aakash Goparaju and Shreya Goparaju. Shreya sang her debut song, "Tick... Tick... Tick..." in Telugu movie Savyasachi.
Career
Playback singing
She has begun her singing career as a playback singer in films at an age of 17. Sasi Preetham, a music director first gave her a chance to sing in her debut film Gulabi and her debut song is "Ee Vela Lo Neevu" written by Sirivennela Sitaramasastri. She sang single card for the National Film Award movie in Kannada Bhoomi Geetha in 1997, music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. Apart from that she also sang Telugu TV serial title songs such as Ruturagalu & Antarangalu. She received her first Nandi Award from the state of Andhra Pradesh for singing title song of Antharangalu in 1999.
She has worked under the supervision of music directors like Ilayaraja, Vidya Sagar, M.M. Keeravani, A.R Rahman, S.V. Krishna Reddy, Koti, Raj, Vandematharam Srinivas, Mani Sharma, Ramana Gogula, S.A. Raj Kumar, Sandeep Choutha, Micky-J-Mayer, Devisri Prasad, R.P. Patnaik, Chakri, Nihal, Kalyani Malik, Anup, Sunil Kashyap, Saluri Vasu Rao, Madhavapeddi Suresh, Saketha Sairam, Bunty, V. Harikrishna, Jassie Gift, S. Thaman etc. She rendered nearly 3000 songs in many south Indian films. She has sung in Telugu, Tamil and Kannada. Her recent song in the year 2020 "Neeli Neeli akaasam" from the movie "30 rojullo preminchadamela" touched a whopping 100M digital views.
Selective Telugu songs
| Year | Movie | Song(s) | Music Director(s) | Co-Singer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Gulabi | "Ee Velalo Neevu" | Sashi Preetam | |
| 1997 | Egire Paavurama | "Maaghaa Maasam" | S.V. Krishna Reddy | |
| "Gunde Gutiki" | ||||
| 1998 | Sri Sita Ramula Kalyanam Chootamu Raarandi | "Nee Oohallo" | M.M. Keeravani | |
| "Om Ani" | ||||
| "Raamayana Saaram" | ||||
| "Yevamma Computeramma" | ||||
| "O Prema" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | |||
| "Yevamma Vinavemamma" | ||||
| "Shuklam Baradharam" | ||||
| 1999 | Thammudu | "Pedhavi Datani" | Ramana Gogula | Ramana Gogula |
| 2000 | Badri | "Vevela Mainala Gaanam" | Ramana Gogula | |
| "Bangalakathamlo" | ||||
| "Chali Pidugullo" | ||||
| "Hey Chikitha" | ||||
| Yuvaraju | "Manasemo" | Ramana Gogula | ||
| "Tholivalape Tiyyanidi" | ||||
| "Chandamama" | ||||
| Tirumala Tirupati Venkatesa | "Abbo Naa Bangaru Laddu" | Vandemataram Srinivas | Sukhwinder Singh, Swarnalatha | |
| 2001 | Murari | "Alanati Ramachandruni" | Mani Sharma | Jikki, Sandhya |
| Naa Manasistha Raa | "Punnami Jabilli" | S.A. Rajukumar | SP. Balu | |
| "Kadantaava Cheppu" | ||||
| "Twinkle Twinkle Twinkle" | ||||
| 2002 | Aadi | "Nee Navvula" | Mani Sharma | Mallikarjun |
| 2003 | Vijayam | "Meghala Pallaki" | Koti | Tippu |
| Nenu Pelliki Ready | "Nuvvunte Chalu"(Female) | Chakri | ||
| "Mugguru Bhamala" | ||||
| Ela Cheppanu | "Meghala Pallakilona" | Koti | ||
| "Rangula Taaraka" | ||||
| Ee Abbai Chala Manchodu | "Chandamama Kathalo" | M.M. Keeravani | Kalyani Malik | |
| Gangotri | "Ganga" | M.M. Keeravani | SPB. Charan | |
| Maa Alludu Very Good | "Paluke Bangaramayena" | M.M. Keeravani | ||
| "Padaka Padaka" | MM Keeravani | |||
| Seethaiah | "Samayaniki" | M.M. Keeravani | ||
| "Adhishankarula" | SPB.Charan | |||
| Simhadri | "Nannedo Seyyamaku" | M.M. Keeravani | M.M. Keeravani | |
| 2 Much | "Papa Nee Votu" | K. Veeru | ||
| "Talentu Bayata Pettu" | ||||
| Anaganaga O Kurrodu | "Sakku Sakku" | Chakri | ||
| Appudappudu | "Nee Kalalu Kaavali" | R. P. Patnaik | ||
| 2004 | Siva Puthrudu | "Chirugali Veechene"(Duet) | Ilayaraja | R.P. Patnaik |
| Letha Manasulu | "Letha Manasulu" | M.M. Keeravani | ||
| Nenunnanu | "Nenunnanani" | M.M. Keeravani | M.M. Keeravani | |
| "Ryali Ravalapadu" | Tippu | |||
| Pallakilo Pellikuthuru | "Naa Peru Cheppukondi" | M.M. Keeravani | ||
| Athade Oka Sainyam | "Naa Paata Teta Telugu" | S.V. Krishna Reddy | ||
| "Maa Intiki Ninnu Pilichi" | ||||
| "Hey Apparao" | ||||
| Swarabhishekam | "Kudikannu Adirene" | Vidya Sagar | SP. Balu | |
| Anji | "Maanava Maanava" | Mani Sharma | ||
| Apparao Driving School | "Ninnu Chuse Velalone" | Ghantadi Krishna | ||
| 2005 | Chatrapathi | "Gundusudi" | M.M. Keeravani | M.M. Keeravani |
| "Summa Maasuriya" | ||||
| Allari Bullodu | "Andhamante Evaridi" | M.M. Keeravani | SPB. Charan | |
| Athadu | "Avunu Nijam" | Mani Sharma | ||
| Radha Gopalam | "Maa Muddu Radhamma" | Mani Sharma | ||
| "Nee Vaalu Jada" | ||||
| That Is Pandu | "Vennelona Adapillanu" | Mani Sharma | ||
| Manasu Maata Vinadhu | "Nuvvu Nijam" | Kalyan Koduri | ||
| Alex | "O Meghamala" | Bunty | ||
| Allari Pidugu | "Maa Subbalachamma" | Mani Sharma | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | |
| 2006 | Shiva 2006 | "Adaganidhe Cheppedi Yela" | Ilayaraja | Vijay Prakash |
| Vikramarkudu | "Jum jum Maya" | M. M. Keeravani | ||
| Godavari | "Andhanga Lena" | K.M. RadhaKrishnan | ||
| Sri Ramadasu | "Chalu Chalu' | M.M. Keeravani | ||
| "Idigidigo Naa Ramudu" | ||||
| "Nanubrovamani" | ||||
| "Thandrimatanu" | ||||
| Kokila | "Shubhamo Sukhamo" | Madhukar | ||
| Boss | "Yedho Thamasaga" | Kalyan Koduri | ||
| "Naa Kallu Valle" | ||||
| "Andhagadu Muttukunte" | ||||
| "Anaganaganaga" | ||||
| "Veluthunna" | ||||
| Chinnodu | "Hey Manasa" | Ramana Gogula | Venu | |
| Lakshmi | "Thara Thaluku Thara" | Ramana Gogula | ||
| 2007 | Sangamam | "Chinuku Chinuku' | M.M. Keeravani | |
| Yamadonga | "Noonugu Meesalodu" | M.M. Keeravani | ||
| Gita | "Neekosam Nennunantu" | Sunil Kashyap | ||
| Yogi | "Nee Illu Bangaram" | Ramana Gogula | Ramana Gogula | |
| Viyyalavari Kayyalu | "Neelala Neekallu" | Sri Krishna | ||
| Aata | "Yela Yela" | Devi Sri Prasad | ||
| Bookailas | "Venu Madhava" | M. M. Keeravani | ||
| Chirutha | "Ivvale" | Mani Sharma | ||
| Godava | "Okkasaari" | |||
| Gundamma Gaari Manavadu | "Chengaavi Rangu Cheera" | Vandemataram Srinivas | ||
| Manchu Kurise Velalo | "Andhama Nee Vooredhamma" | Usha Kanna, Krishna Mohan | ||
| "Choodalani Vundi" | ||||
| Nee Navve Chaalu | "Poola Pallaki" | Vandemataram Srinivas | ||
| O Chinnari korika | "Aataladukundam" | Nagendra Kumar Vepuri | ||
| Okkadunnadu | "Adugaduguna" | M. M. Keeravani | ||
| Veduka | "Mallela Mancham" | Anup Rubens | ||
| 2008 | Pandurangadu | "Govindhude Kokachutti" | M.M. Keeravani | |
| "Kosaladeshapu Kamalitho" | ||||
| Kanthri | "Vayassunami" | Mani Sharma | Hema Chandra | |
| Rainbow | "Aasha Chinni Aasha" | Nihal | ||
| "Manasa Chalinchake" | ||||
| "Challu Challu" | ||||
| "Naa Kallalo" | ||||
| "O Lalana" | ||||
| "Sala Sala" | ||||
| "Swamy Raa"(Thillana) | ||||
| Aalayam | "Neetho Vasthunna" | Koti | ||
| Bhuma | "Abba Yem Kandaluro" | Vandemataram Srinivas | ||
| 2009 | Nachav Alludu | "Enthentha Dhooram" | Koti | Hema Chandra |
| Vengamamba | "Alaka Nabambhu Chalada" | M.M. Keeravani | ||
| "Harinama"(Kruthi) | ||||
| "Hari Alasiti" | ||||
| "O Thalli Ganga" | ||||
| "Srikaramuganu" | ||||
| "Sri Rukminilola" | ||||
| "Thirukonda Harathi" | ||||
| Boni | "Nammaleni Kale Nijamayena" | Ramana Gogula | Deepu | |
| Saarai Veerraju | "Needho Naadho" | V. Sri Sai | Karthik | |
| "Veeche Gaali" | ||||
| Aa Intlo | "Hrudayavedhana" | Koti | ||
| 2010 | Jhummandi Naadam | "Entha Entha" | M.M. Keeravani | |
| "Sannayi Mogindhi" | ||||
| Vedam | "Egiripothe Entha Baguntundi" | M.M. Keeravani | M.M. Keeravani | |
| Subhapradam | "Nee Navve Kadadaka" | Mani Sharma | Karthik | |
| 2011 | Raaj | "Bheemavaram Bulloda" | Koti | |
| "Sutiga Chusava" | ||||
| Aha Naa Pellanta! | "Subhramanyam" | Raghu Kunche | ||
| "Saturday Evening" | ||||
| 2012 | Damarukam | "Kanya Kumari" | Devisri Prasad | Jaspreet Jasz |
| Shirdi Sai | "Saranu Saranu" | M.M. Keeravani | ||
| "Sai Ante Thalli' | ||||
| "Ekkadayya Sai" | ||||
| "Nee Padamulu" | ||||
| "Aarati" | ||||
| Aakashamlo Sagam | "Naaku Neevu Pranam" | Yasho Krishna | ||
| 2013 | Anthaka Mundu Aa Tarvatha | "Thamari Thone" | Kalyani Koduri | |
| "Nenea Aa Nenena" | ||||
| Intinta Annamayya | "Venkatadri Samam" | M.M. Keeravani | ||
| "Neeke Saranu" | ||||
| Maha Bhaktha Siriyala | "Ee Dehamu Pranamu" | Mangala Poornachandh | ||
| "Kalyana Sugunakara" | ||||
| 2014 | Lakshmi Raave Maa Intiki | "Aa Venneladaina" | K.M. RadhaKrishnan | |
| "Venu Gaana Lolude" | ||||
| Oohalu Gusagusalade | "Em Sandeham Ledu" | Kalyani Koduri | Kalyani Koduri | |
| Anamika | "Kshanam Kshanam" | M.M. Keeravani | ||
| "The Search" | ||||
| "Dead & Live" | ||||
| Ice Cream 2 | "Kiss Me" | Satya Kashyap | ||
| "Kiss Me"(Remix) | ||||
| Alibaba Okkade Donga | "Adugadugu" | Sai Srikanth | ||
| "Aakasham" | ||||
| April Fool | "Raa Raa" | Bunty | ||
| 2015 | Mariyaan | "Inka Konchem Sepu" | A.R. Rahman | Vijay Prakash |
| "Sonapareeya" | ||||
| Yes | "Ee Vela Madilona" | Indraganti Laxmi srinivas | ||
| "Premante Maayele" | ||||
| 2016 | Kalyana Vaibhogame | "Chakkandaala Chukka" | Kalyani Koduri | Kalyani Koduri |
| Manalo Okadu | "Madhuram" | R.P. Patnaik | ||
| Raagam | "Yeenadu Neepai Jaali Padadhe" | Sunil Kashyap | Sunil Kashyap | |
| Evaro Taanevvaro | "Kammani Kalalu" | S Sriram | ||
| Atu Itu Kaani Hrudayam Thoti | "Maruvaleni" | GP Raavin | ||
| Aa Mugguru | "Pachani Pandiri" | Sathya Kashyap | ||
| Jilakarra Bellam | "Vintha Vinthaga" | Vandemataram Srinivas | ||
| Sri Sri | "Nela Nichi" | E.S.Murthy | ||
| 2017 | Mixture Potlam | "Allari Godhari" | Madhavapeddi Suresh | |
| "Nee Maate" | ||||
| Om Namo Venkatesaya | "Vayyari Kalahamsika" | M. M. Keeravani | ||
| Malli Raava | "Malli Raava"(Reprise) | Shravan Bharadwaj | ||
| 2018 | Srinivasa Kalyanam | "Modalaudaam" | Mickey J Meyer | Anurag Kulkarni |
| "Vinavamma Toorupu Chukka" | ||||
| Mahanati | "Chivaraku Migiledi" | Mickey J Meyer | ||
| Bluff Master | "Ye Maayo Yemo Teliyade" | Sunil Kashyap | ||
| 2019 | NTR Mahanayakudu | "Ramanna Katha" | M.M. Keeravani | K. S. Chithra |
| Pranavam | "Edo Edo Kaavalantu" | Padmanav Bharadwaj | ||
| Oorantha Anukuntunnaru | "Alavaatu Lo Leni" | K. M. Radha Krishnan | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | |
| Paarari | "Siggu" | Mahith Narayan | Yazin Nizar | |
| 2020 | 30 Rojullo Preminchadam Ela | "Neeli Neeli Aakasham" | Anup Rubens | Sid Sriram |
| Local Boy | "Tholi Suryuda" | Vivek–Mervin | ||
| Nireekshana | "Kalalu Yenno" | Mantra Anand |
Selective Kannada songs
| Year | Movie | Song | Music Director(s) | Co-Singer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Bhoomi geetha | Boodyaviya habba habba
Nodiravva nodiravva Are kamali kamali |
Ilayaraaja | Ilayaraaja, Nepolean, SPB. Charan |
| 2007 | Savi Savi Nenapu | Sooryanu ee divasa | R.P. Patnaik | Rajesh |
| 2009 | Abhay | Baanu Kempadante | V. Hari Krishna | |
| 2010 | Cheluveye Ninne Nodalu | "Janumada Jodi" | V. Hari Krishna | Sonu Nigam |
| "O Priyathama" | ||||
| Modalasala | Prathama olava kavana | V. Hari Krishna | Srinivas | |
| 2011 | Hudugaru | Neerinalli Sanna Ale | V. Hari Krishna | Sonu Nigam |
| 2012 | Drama | Hambalada hoovanu | V. Hari Krishna | |
| Katari Veera Surasundarangi | Jum Jumka
Oorige Nee Parijatha |
V. Hari Krishna | Sonu Nigam, Upendra | |
| Ko Ko | Mellane
Naa Kolluve |
Ramana Gogula | Karthik, Ramana Gogula | |
| Kiladi Kitty | Thumba thumba | Jassie Gift | Sonu Nigam | |
| 2014 | Agraja | Rara priyachora | Nandhan Raj | |
| Rose | Preethige Rose Andaru | Anoop Seelin | Nakul Abhyankar | |
| 2016 | Santhu Straight Forward | Koodi itta | V. Hari Krishna | Sonu Nigam |
Selective Tamil songs
| Year | Movie | Director | Song | Music Director(s) | Co-Singer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Punniyavathi | Subburaj | Unakkoruthi | Ilaiyaraaja | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. B. Charan, Ilaiyaraaja |
| 2000 | Kadhal Rojavae | Kothanda Ramaiah | Ninaitha varam | Ilaiyaraaja | P. Unnikrishnan |
| 2001 | Badri (2001 film) | P. A. Arun Prasad | Kadhal Solvadhu | Ramana Gogula | Srinivas |
Selective TV film title songs
Sunitha sang Television film title songs for various serials and she also lent her voice as a dubbing artist for the TV film series Andam.
| Serial Name | Song |
|---|---|
| Antharangaalu | "Gundeki Savvadenduku" |
| Ruthuraagaalu | "Vaasanta Sameeramlaa" |
| Maunaraagam | "Ningi Taakutunnade Neeloni Dhairyam" |
| Antahpuram | "Antahpuram.. Silaleni Kovelamundu" |
| Koyilamma | "Anaganagaa Oka Thotalona" |
| Varudhini Parinayam | "Chandamaama Ni Sarijodu" |
Private albums
Sunitha was part of numerous private album recordings. Meera padavali and Aanota – Manasu palike vela are her two most known works composed by her Guru Kalaga Krishna Mohan. She also featured in the private album Sri Ramachandra Krupalu, a bhajan by Tulsi Das and produced by Sunithanmusic.com.
Chandrashekara Ashtakam also takes a special mention for which music is composed by Sai Madhukar.
Few other private albums to mention are Raghuram, Sai Sudha, Sri Venkateswara Thatwanidhi, Sri Vallabha Bhakthi Geethalu, Sai Darshanam, Sri Chidvilasam, Amma durgamma, Pahimaam, Sri Rama Charanam, Govinda Ganamrutham, Saye Dhaivam, Bathuku Paata.
Voice-over artist
Sunitha stepped in to the world of dubbing quite unwillingly and eventually her ease at voice modulations made her the most sought dubbing artist for all the lead heroines ever after release of the movie Choodalani Undi in the year 1998 starring Mega star Chiranjeevi and Soundarya, in which she gave her voice to Soundarya. She achieved a very rare feat as a voice-over artist in Telugu film industry with a record breaking contribution of lending voice to 110+ actresses spread across 750+ films. The numbers by themselves speak volume about her career as a voice-over artist. She also holds a record of giving her voice for 60 movies in a single year. Gautamiputra Satakarni is her 750th movie as a dubbing artist in which she gave her voice to Shriya Saran. It is quite uncommon to see movie dialogues of female lead roles getting quiet popular which was witnessed in Jayam, Godavari movie dialogues delivered by singer Sunitha as a dubbing artist.
Her top 10 movies as a voice-over artist include Choodalani Vundi, Ninne Premista, Nuvvu Vastavani, Shankar Dada MBBS, Manmadhudu, Sri Ramadasu, Nenunnanu, Anand, Godavari, Jayam. Selective list of lead actresses to whom she lent her voice include Raasi, Soundarya, Sonali Bendre, Sneha, Anjala Zaveri, Simran, Tabu, Nayanataara, Genelia, Trisha, Charmi, Kamilinee Mukherjee, Tamanna, Katrina Kaif, Lavanya Tripathi, Sonal Chauhan, Namitha, Namitha Pramod, Shriya Saran, Akanksha Singh, Anitha, Sada, Reema Sen, Meera Jasmine, Bhoomika, Anushka, Laila, Kalyani, Sangeetha, Rakshita, Richa Gangopadhyay, Regina, Poonam Bajwa, Sindhu Tolani, Navneet Kaur, Priyamani, Bindu Madhavi, Sanghavi, Sakshi Shivanand, Kanchi Kaul, Sruthi Hasan, Ileana, Hansika, Rambha, Taapsee, Suhasini (New), Bhavana Menon, Gopika, Keerthi Reddy, Rati Arumugam, Payal Gosh, Raima Sen, Meera Chopra, Keerthi Chawla, Sameera, Reddy, Sonia Agarwal, Mounika, Santoshi, Sonali Joshi, Uma, Ankita, Sheela, Isha Chawla, Sindhu Menon, Ashima Bhalla, Aarti Chabria, Padma Priya, Nauheed Cyrusi, Saloni, Aditi Sharma, Shaheen Khan, Nikita, Neha Bamb, Shruthi Raj, Gayathri Jayaraman, Kanika, Sneha Ullal, Vedhika, Reema Sen, Gowri Munjal, Asin, Parvati Melton, Laya, Deeksha Seth, Aarthi Agarwal, Radhika Apte, Nisha Agarwal, Rekha, Tanu Roy, Surabhi, Gowri Pandit, Neha Jhumka, Rachana Banerjee, Neelam, Richa Pallod, Malavika, Ameesha Patel, Preeti Jhangiani, Asha Saini, Antara Mali, Gracy Singh, Namrata Shirodkar, Renu Desai, Rimi Sen, Manjari Fadnnis, Madhumita, Gajala, Archana, Sridevi (New), Vimala Raman.
TV shows
Sunitha anchored, hosted and performed as a singer in many music-based programs and live shows in most of the reputed Telugu television channels.
| Year | Channel | Program Name | Association | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | DD | Paadave Koyila
Single episode live show |
Singer | The first ever musical live show organised by DD |
| 1996 | Gemini | Navaragam | Anchor | Music competition show where most of the Telugu singers were introduced |
| 1996 | Gemini | Yours lovingly | Anchor | Birthday wishes show |
| 2008 | ETV | Saptaswaraalu | Anchor | Singers competition that introduced most of the Telugu singers |
| Vanita TV | Antakshari | Anchor | Musical competition between participants | |
| 2004
2014 |
Zee Telugu | Saregamapa Lil Champs | Anchor | Music competition for kids |
| 2007
2009 2014 |
ETV | Jhummandi Naadam | Host & singer | Musical interview show with live bands |
| 2014 till date | ETV | Swarabhishekam | Singer &
anchor in few US, UK shows |
Musical show singing old songs in different categories |
| MAA TV | Super Singer
Seasons 4 to 7 |
Mentor & judge
Season 7 title winner |
Music competition show between the Telugu singers | |
| 2014 to 2019 | SVBC | Annamayya paataku Pattabhishekam | Anchor & singer | A culturally unique show where more than 1000 Annamayya keerthana's were brought to lime light in collaboration with Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam & movie director K Raghavendra Rao & music composer MM Keeravani |
Devotional singing
Sunitha Upadrasta's contributions towards devotional singing takes its uniqueness in offering Carnatic music based bhajans, kirtans and songs with expression.
Annamayya Paataku Pattabhishekam
Annamayya Paataku Pattabhishekam is a mega in-house prestigious program taken up by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams in the year 2016 as a musical tribute to the saint-poet Tallapaka Annamacharya. Taḷḷapāka Annamācārya (Annamayya), widely regarded as the Andhra Pada kavitā Pitāmaha (Grandfather of Telugu songwriting) was a 15th-century Hindu saint, and is the earliest known Indian musician in Carnatic music to compose songs called sankirtanas in praise of the god Venkateswara.
To preserve the rich heritage of Annamayya compositions, Annamayya Paataku Pattabhishekam was taken up on an ambitious scale by the TTD and its propagation arms Sri Venkateswara Bhakti Channel (SVBC) and Sri Venkateswara Recording Project (SVRP), designed by renowned film director K. Raghavendra Rao, a member of the TTD trust board. Music director M.M. Keeravani added grandeur to the program through his vital inputs.
Singer Sunitha is the Anchor for this culturally unique show ever since the conception of the program. She also rendered the title song for this prestigious program series penned by lyricists Chandrabose, Ramajogayya Sastry, Anantha Sriram and composed by Sai Madhukar, Josya Bhatla. The program recorded 59 episodes in Season 1 and so far recorded 138 episodes in season 2 by composing and giving life to 1000 rare sankeerthanas out of 32,000 sankeertanas penned by Annamayya on the god Venkateswara (only about 12,000 are available today). Sunitha by herself rendered 140 sankeerthanas so far, offering them as her floral offerings to lord Venkateswara which includes the very first sankeerthana sung by her that unveils every new episode with a known popular composition. Here are the list of few Sankeerthanas recorded by Sunitha in Annamayya Paataku Pattabhishekam out of the 1000 compositions this program recorded:
| Sankeerthana |
|---|
| Vevelaku nokate vinnapamide |
| Magaroopunu aadu roopu maaruchukoni riddaru |
| Okka maatu saranani undeninthe kaaka |
| Ratibatima sesina ramachandra nee chetiloni daananinte |
| Yemanunnado nee chittameraga nenu |
| Yenta gaaravinchevo yemi baathimi neeku |
| Aatadevvaadu choopare ammalaala |
| Naa valla kadama ledu nammithi ninnu |
| Aatade yeragadaa aakelaagu raati gunde thoda |
| Annita nerparivi neevaaduvayya |
| Panigona nerchu vaari bhaagyamu koladedi |
| Maatalaada nerani ramanivo nenu |
| Cheluvuda choodumaa ee cheliya singaaramu |
| Maguva nenu neevu magavaadavu |
| Idivo idivo inthata varambeevayya |
Annamayya Paataku Pattabhishekam was also performed live in cities like Tirupathi, Vishakapatnam with the name Vishaka teeramlo vishnupadaarchana, Vijayawada with the name Ammavaari sannidhilo annamayya swaraarchana which are as well hosted by Sunitha along with performing and offering few keerthanas from her voice. Annamayya Paataku Pattabhishekam after gaining its popularity was also aired in Star MAA TV channel.
Vengamaamba Keerthanalu
Tarigonda Vengamamba was a poet and staunch devotee of Lord Venkateswara in the 18th century. Her first poem was Tarikonda Nrusimha Satakam and it was followed by Nrusimha Vilasa Katha, Siva Natakam and Balakrishna Natakam as Yakshaganam and Rajayogamrutha Saram, a Dwipada Kavyam, Vishnu Parijatham, Chenchu Natakam, Rukmini Natakam, Jala Krida Vilasam, Mukthi Kanthi Vilasam (all Yaksha Ganams), Gopi Natakam (Golla Kalapam-Yakshaganam), Rama Parinayam, Sri Bhagavatham, Sri Krishna Manjari, Tatva Keerthanalu and Vashista Ramayanam (Dwipada), Sri Venkataachala Mahatyam (Padya Prabhandam) and Ashtanga Yoga, Saram (Padyakruthi).
TTD, focusing on the propagation of Lord Sri Venkateswara's Bhakti Tatva through the compositions of Annamacharya, Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba, Alwars and the Karnataka Haridasas, took up "Vengamaamba Keerthanalu" as one of its prestigious projects to compose and offer the rare works of Vengamaamba to the world of music and literature.
Sunitha was part of this prestigious project taken up by Sri Venkateswara Recording Project, which was established by TTD to group all its activities relating to recording. Apart from these compositions recorded by SVRP-TTD, Sunitha also rendered 7 keerthanas in the movie "Vengamaamba" directed by P. Udaya Bhaskar and music given by M.M. Keeravani.
Naada Neerajanam, Tirumala Brahmotsavam
"Nada neerajanam" is an oblation to lord in the form of performing one's own art form from Tirumala Graded artists. Artists from all over the world are invited to perform in Nadaneerajanam in a planned manner and offer their devotion to the lotus feet of Lord Venkateshwara through nadopasana(worship through music). They sing compositions of great saint poets, perform different traditional dance forms as a seva(worship) to "Sakala kala bhushitudu Sri Venkateshwara Swamy varu"(Lord Venkateshwara).
"Brahmotsavam" is the most important annual fête celebrated at Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala. During the festival, the Utsava-murti (processional deity) of the presiding deity Lord Venkateswara, along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi, will be taken on a procession on different Vahanams on the streets(Madaveedulu) surrounding the temple.The celebration attracts pilgrims and tourists from all parts of India and across the world. It is a holy cleansing ceremony in honor of Lord Brahma, and the one at Tirumala is by far the largest.
Sunitha Upadrasta was blessed to perform quiet a few times on the divine stage Nada Neeraajanam, as well while performing unjal(swing) seva and one other divine experiences of singing for the lord during Brahmotsavam on the streets(Madaveedulu) surrounding the temple. She also anchored one of the rare new year celebrations in Tirumala chanting "govinda naama" on the eve of 31 December.
Srivaari Sevalu
Every day is a festival day in Tirumala. On each specific day, the Lord of Lords blesses his devotees in a specific ritual during the week days. These rituals are categorized as weekly "pujas". Limited number of devotees are allowed to take part in these weekly sevas on the issuance of limited number of tickets. In an attempt to bring these weekly "seva" more closer to larger devotees, SVBC came up with a concept of performing the same weekly rituals as they get performed on Lord Venkateshwara's main deity on a replica "set" so that the recording could get aired in SVBC channel on every weekday. VISESHA PUJA (ON MONDAYS), ASHTADALA – PADA PADMAARADHANA (ON TUESDAYS), SAHASRA KALASABHISHEKAM (ON WEDNESDAYS), TIRUPPAVADA SEVA (ON THURSDAYS), POOLANGI SEVA (ON THURSDAYS), ABHISHEKAM (ON FRIDAYS)
Sunitha Upadrasta offered her vocals to Srivaari set sevalu program presented by SVBC for two of the weekly sevas and Srivaari sevalu samaahaaram song as well that goes with the lyrics "Enni janmala punyamo neekinni sevalu cheyagaa".
| Seva | Lyric |
|---|---|
| Friday – Abhishekam | Saptagiri shrunga mangala taranga divya gagana gangaa teerthamula |
| Tuesday – Ashtadala paadapadmaaraadhana | Managala karamaina prathi mangala vaaramuna |
Thyaagaraaja Utsavaalu
Tyagaraja Aradhana is the annual festival glorifying Telugu saint composer Tyagaraja. The festival is observed in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, primarily in Tiruvaiyaru, the place where Tyagaraja attained Samadhi.
Sunitha, at her very young age of 10 years, participated in Tyagaraja Aradhana Utsavalu along with her guru Sri Pemmaraju Surya Rao garu.
Prashanthi Nilayam
Prasanthi Nilayam, literally "The Abode of Supreme Peace", is the birthplace and the headquarter of the sacred mission of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. For His devotees, it is what Rome is to the Catholics and Mecca to the Muslims. For others, who step into this township out of curiosity or general interest, it is a seat of inner growth and learning that visitors describe as aweinspiring. Its draw lies in its power to nourish the soul and calm the mind. This sacred township welcomes thousands of spiritual seekers from every faith, and all corners of the globe each day, as they arrive to behold the sacred presence of Bhagawan Baba.
Sunitha presented devotional songs in the presence of Bhagawan on two different occasions. On Friday evening, 15 August 2008, She sang many light devotional songs and most of them were in Telugu. She was lost in the joy and ecstasy as she sang and Swami too was very happy listening to her. After she completed her planned quota of 6–7 songs, Swami asked her to sing some more. She sang one more and when Swami asked her to sing another, she seemed so very thrilled and happy. She also sang a Meera bhajan and finally concluded with Swami's bhajan, "Giridhara Naagara Kunja Vihaari" which everyone followed. Bhagawan had many words of encouragement for the singer and he very lovingly blessed her. The other concert in Prasanthi nilayam by Sunitha was on 19 November 2008 and this program too lasted for an hour.
Acting
Sunitha played the lead role in her first short film Raagam, directed by Sree Chaitu. The short film was also nominated for SIIMA, 2017 in short film category.[3][4][5]
- List of short films
| Year | Name | Language | Director | Role | Co Artists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Raagam | Telugu | Sree Chaitu | Lead | Sai Kiran, Sameer, Sana |
| 2018 | Thadasthu | Telugu | R.P. Patnaik | Special appearance | Suma Kanakala, Ravivarma, Baby Vaishnavi,
Jagadeeswari, Sowmya, Harika Mahesh, Gemini Suresh, Baby Krithika, Anandh Pawan, Suresh |
Awards
Nandi Awards
- Nandi Award for Best Female Playback Singer for TV film Antha Rangaalu (1999)
- Nandi Award for Best Female Dubbing Artist for the movie Jayam (2002)
- Nandi Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the Movie Athade Oka Sainyam (2003)
- Nandi Award for Best Female Dubbing Artist for the movie Anand (voice of the Kamalinee Mukherjee) (2004)
- Nandi Award for Best Female Dubbing Artist for the movie Pothe Poni[6] (2005)
- Nandi Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the movie Godavari (2006)
- Nandi Award for Best Female Playback Singer for TV film Anthahpuram (2010)
- Nandi Award for a TV film called Mamathala Kovela (2011)
- Nandi Award for Best Female Dubbing Artist for the movie Sri Rama Rajyam (voice of the Nayantara) (2012)
Filmfare Awards
- Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer - Kannada (2010) for the movie Cheluveye Ninne Nodalu for the song "O Priyathama"
- Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer - Telugu (2014) for the movie Oohalu Gusagusalade for the song "Em Sandehamledu"[7]
- Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Telugu (2009) for the movie Pravarakhyudu for the song "Neela Neela Mabbulu"
- Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Telugu (2010) for the movie Vedam for the song "Egiripothe"
- Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Kannada (2010) for the movie Modalasala for the song "Prathama"
Other awards
- Vamsi Berkeley Award as Best female playback singer in year 1999.
- Vaartha Vasavi Award as a best playback singer (2000)
- Bharata Muni Award (2000)
- Cine Goers Award for Best Dubbing (2002)
- Dasari Award as a best playback singer (2003)
- Best Playback Singer award from European Telugu Association, London (2003)
- Kalavedika Art Award as an All-rounder for excellent performance as a Singer, Anchor and Movie dubbing artist (2003)
- Sangam P Susheela Youth Award honoured with Gold Medal (2004)
- Sangam P Susheelawa Youth Award for year 2004 honoured with gold medal.
- Vamsi Berkeley Award as Best female playback singer in year 2005
- Kala Sudha Award in 2006 (Ugadi Puraskar)
- 'Best female play back singer of tollywood 2010' award for the song "Hrudaya Vedana" from the film "Aa Intlo" music scored by sri Koti. This award was given by "Radio Mirchi" in a grand function held at Chennai on Saturday 17 July 2010.
- TV Award 2009 for Best Female Playback Singer presented by Delhi Telugu Academy in Hyderabad on 8 August 2010.[8]
- Big FM Best Singer Award for 'Egiripothe' song from Vedam Movie in 2010.
- Big FM Kannada Award for Big Most Entertaining Singer.
- TSR – TV9 Award for Best playback singer – female (2010) was presented on 10 April 2011 in Hyderabad.
- Ghantasala Melody Queen Award in 2011
- Lata Mangeshkar Best Singer Award for 2011 was presented by the State Government at 2nd Lata Mangeshkar Music Awards – 2011 function on 28 September 2011 at Ravindra Bharathi, Hyderabad.[9]
- Maa Tea Award for Mamathala Kovela in 2012
- T. Subbaram Reddy Lalitha Sangeeta Puraskar in 2013
- Sangeet Samman 2013 (Kannada film)
- Best play back singer award for the song "Em Sandeham ledu" by Radio Mirchi music awards in 2014
- Singer of the decade award in the year 2016 by Zee Apsara Awards
- Prestigious Indywood Academy award as best playback singer for the song "Chivaraku migiledhi" from the epic biopic Mahanati in 2018
- New Jersey state recognition award by the Senate and General assembly of the state of New Jersey passing a resolution to salute her excellence and contributions to the world of music and Indian Cinema in 2019
- Vishishta seva puraskar by I Stand for the Nation NGO in 2019
- Radio Mirchi Excellence award in the field of singing at Mirchi Music awards in 2020
- Felicitation by Kala Darbar, Amaravathi for completing 25 years in film industry in the year 2020
Performances
- She gave her first programme in Light Music on AIR in the year 1995 at the age of 17.
- She has given about 500 programmes so far on AIR, Doordarshan, ETV, Gemini TV, and MAA TV
- She has also given programmes abroad, at Kuwait, Dubai, Malaysia, Singapore, London, US, Philippines, Kenya, Japan etc.
- In the year 2009, she has done her own shows titled 'Musical Moments With Sunitha' in the USA
- She got many awards for her dubbing. Recently She led the team that won the title of Super Singers 7.
- She has performed at the Tirumala Brahmotsavalu.
- During the time of 50 years of Independence, she has sung Vande Mataram along with S.P.Balasubrahmanyam at the Congress Plenary Meet. She has hosted 50 years celebrations in the Assembly.
- She participated in groundbreaking ceremony for Amaravathi, new capital of Andhra Pradesh.[10]
- She has participated in the Govt. celebrations 200 years of Secunderabad
- She participated in ETV 20 Years award function and celebration at various cities. Performance videos are available at YouTube
- Performed at SATC-South African Telugu Community's Musical Concert in South Africa 4 November 2018
Live performances
Sunitha traveled extensively across 19 foreign countries offering her exclusive live performances across the world as an artist. Countries include USA (almost every year since 1999), UK, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania, South Africa, Australia, Scotland, Ireland, SriLanka, Thailand, Japan, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Mauritius. She was invited by various organisations and associations like Telugu Association of North America (TANA), Bay Area Telugu association (BATA), European Telugu Association (ETA) and the American Telugu Association (ATA) and in 2018 by the Tennessee Telugu Samithi (TTS) for their Ugadi annual celebrations in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2009, she started her Melodious Moments with Sunitha musical journey which most recently in 2019 was organised in 5 major USA cities by various associations like Bay Area Telugu association, Charlotte Telangana association, North East Ohio Telugu association, Telugu association of Indiana, Telugu association of Southern California. Melodious Moments with Sunitha 2019 series in US created a huge sensation across the cities San Jose, Charlotte, Cleveland, Indianapolis and Los Angeles. The event in Indianapolis witnessed its performance in the iconic Old National Center.Performed live at SATC-South African Telugu Community's Musical Concert in South Africa 4 November 2018 which was one of the biggest successful musical event for Telugu people living in South Africa.
Celebrating this success, Melodious Moments with Sunitha unveiled its first live show in Hyderabad on 4 August 2019 in Shilpakala vedika, the prestigious cultural auditorium and convention center in Hyderabad. The journey of Melodious Moments with Sunitha then announced its world tour moving across various cities and towns in Telugu states and USA Hyderabad : 04-08-2019, Vizag : 11-08-2019, Thirupathi : 28-09-2019, Nellore : 29-09-2019, Philadelphia : 10-10-2019, San Diego : 26-10-2019, Tampa : 27-10-2019, AshBurn : 02-11-2019, Raleigh : 03-11-2019, San Ramon : 09-11-2019, Austin : 10-11-2019, SanJose : 15-11-2019, Seattle : 16-11-2019, Rajahmundry : 26-01-2020, Guntur : 23-02-2020 and still continuing..
References
- 2 Oct, MRIDULA CHUNDURI | TNN | Updated; 2005; Ist, 2:21. "Sunitha, the heroine of voice | Hyderabad News". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 May 2019.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
- Rangarajan, A. D. (30 December 2014). "Sunitha, a bridge between two generations of singers". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
- "I feel my face isn't as expressive as my voice: Sunitha". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
- Telugu360 (9 October 2016). "Singer Sunitha shines well in acting too!". Telugu360.com. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
- "Singer Sunitha Raagam Telugu Short Film Wins Million Hearts !! Beautiful "". News Mahal. 8 October 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
- "Telugu Cinema Etc – Nandi award winners list 2005". Idlebrain.com. 11 November 2006. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
- Hooli, Shekhar H. (27 June 2015). "62nd Filmfare Awards South 2015 – Manam Tops Telugu Winners List: Allu Arjun, Shruti Haasan Bag Best Actor [PHOTOS]". International Business Times, India Edition. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
- "Delhi Telugu Academy awards presented". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 9 August 2010.
- "New members take oath in Rajya Sabha | Chiranjeevi". Andhrawishesh.com. 24 April 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03RUGvtFhzo
External links
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