MUSIC MITRAS: Sharda... 'Maker of filmfare history'

Sharda Rajan Iyengar or Sharda was a playback singer in Hindi films in the 1960s and 70s. She won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the cabaret "Baat Zara Hai Aapas Ki" in Jahan Pyar Miley (1970), though she is most remembered for her song "Titli Udi" in Suraj (1966). In 2007, she released the album Andaaz – e – Bayan Aur, featuring her own compositions based on Mirza Ghalib's ghazals, a musical form from Turkey.

Early in her career Sharda was offered a voice test by Showman Raj Kapoor when he first heard her singing in a function at Shrichand Ahuja's residence in Tehran. She got her first big break in Bollywood with the song "Titli Udi" in Suraj (1966). She was promoted by Shankar of the Shankar Jaikishan duo.

"Titli udi" turned out to be a top chartbuster in 1966.It so happens that the coveted Filmfare award for best playback singer had only one category (either male or female) till 1966. But "Titli Udi" song was tied as best song with Mohd Rafi's song "Baharo Phool Barsao" which had never happened before. So Filmfare had to modify its selection process and had to give Sharda a best female playback singer award. From then on Filmfare started giving two awards for best playback singer - one for male singer and the other for female singer. Thus Sharda made a history. Thereafter Sharda was nominated 4 years in a row (1968–71) for best female playback singer and won another Filmfare award. So in a short span Sharda won 2 Filmfare awards, which was quite an achievement in those days, when the Mangeshkar Sisietrs were dominating. Thereafter she continued singing for Shankar in nearly all his films until his death. Her voice was last heard in Kaanch Ki Deewar (1986).

She sang with most of the top singers like Mohd Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar, Yesudas, Mukesh and Suman Kalyanpur. She lent her voice to leading ladies of the time like Vyjayanthimala, Saira Banu, Hema Malini, Sharmila Tagore, Mumtaz, Rekha and Helen. Besides Shankar she recorded songs with Usha Khanna, Ravi, Dattaram, Iqbal Qureshi and a few others. She was the first Indian female singer to cut her own pop album in India, called Sizzlers in 1971 which was launched by HMV.
She performed on stage on several occasions like Filmfare Awards functions, charity shows, naval functions, and many others.
Sharda was never able to reach the top bracket of singers but she did manage to create a certain section of the music listeners as her fans and well wishers. She conducts music lessons for children and aspiring singers.Besides Hindi she also sang in Telugu, Marathi, English & Gujrathi.

Filmfare Awards nominations and award:

1966 - "Titli Udi" ("Suraj") - won

1968: - "Tumhari Bhi Jai Jai" (Diwana) - nominated

1969 - "Tere Ang Ka Rang" (Chanda Aur Bijli) - nominated

1970 - "Baat Zara Hai Aapas Ki" (Jahan Pyar Miley) - won

1971 - Aapke piche pad gayi" (Ek Nari Ek Brahmchari) - nominated