KS Chithra

K.S. Chithra, often referred to as the "Nightingale of South India," is a renowned Indian playback singer and Carnatic musician. Born on July 27, 1963, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, into a family of musicians, Chithra's talent was recognized and nurtured from an early age by her father, Krishnan Nair, who was also her first music teacher. She received extensive training in Carnatic music from Dr. K. Omanakutty and was selected for the National Talent Search Scholarship from the Government of India from 1978 to 1984.

Chithra made her debut in Malayalam playback singing in 1979 under the music direction of M.G. Radhakrishnan. Since then, she has recorded over 25,000 songs in various Indian languages, including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, and even foreign languages such as Malay, Latin, and Arabic. Chithra has won numerous accolades throughout her career, including six National Film Awards for Best Female Playback Singer, 16 Kerala State Film Awards, and the Padma Shri in 2005. She is known for her versatility, melodious voice, and collaborations with legendary composers and singers. Chithra continues to be a significant figure in Indian music, inspiring generations with her divine voice and dedication to the art.