Mahalaxmi Iyer is an accomplished Indian playback singer, best known for her Hindi and Tamil songs. She has sung songs in many Indian languages including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Assamese and Malayalam. Mahalaxmi Iyer was born to a family of musicians. Her mother is an accomplished Carnatic classical singer. She has three siblings Kalpana, Padmini and Shobha. Iyer did her graduation from St. Xavier`s College, Mumbai. Along with her sisters she began learning Hindustani music at an early age.
Career of Mahalaxmi Iyer
Mahalaxmi Iyer started pursuing her career in singing since 1992-1993 under the big production houses. She began her career both in Mumbai and in South at the same time. It was Ilayaraja, who gave her the first break to sing a song for the world pageant. She made her debut in playback singing with the celebrated music director AR Rahman in Mani Ratnam`s movie `Dil Se` which was released in 1998. She sang the songs `Pakhi pakhi pardesi` and `Ai ajnabi`. Afterwards she sang songs for the movie `Dus`, which was Shankar Ehsaan Loy`s debut as music director.
Eventually Mahalaxmi has sung scores of songs in films, serial jingles and original albums. She has lend her voice for successful soundtracks for the films `Mission Kashmir`, `Yaadein` and `Saathiya` and worked with some of the biggest music composers like AR Rahman, Anu Malik, Jatin-Lalit and more. She has also sung for films like, `Dhoom 2`, `Bunty Aur Babli,` `Salaam Namaste` and `Fanaa` and more recently successful albums like `Ta Ra Rum Pum` and `Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.` These movies are big hits under the production house Yash Raj Productions.
Some famous melodies by her are- Yaro Yarodi from the film `Alaipayuthey`; Velli Malaray from the film `Jodi`; Kuruku Sirutthavalay from the film `Mudhalvan`; So Ja Chanda from the film `Mission Kashmir`; Yaadein Yaad Aati Hain from the film `Yaadein`; Har Taraf Tu Hi from the film `Rishtey`; Kabhi Sham Dhale from the film `Sur: The Melody of Love`; Chup Chup Ke from the film `Bunty Aur Babli`; Tu Jahan from the film `Salaam Namaste`; Des Rangila from the film `Fanaa`; Tenu Leke from the film `Salaam-E-Ishq`; Rock N` Roll Soniye from the film `Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna`; Aaj Ki Raat from the film `Don - The Chase Begins Again`; Tara Rum Pum from the film `Ta Ra Rum Pum`; Bol Na Halke Halke from the film `Jhoom Barabar Jhoom`.
Mahalaxmi Iyer was apprehended profusely for her performances in songs like Kabhi Sham Dhale from Sur: The Melody of Life in 2002, Har Taraf from Rishtey in the year 2002 and for smash hits like Chup Chup Ke from Bunty Aur Babli in 2005, Aaj Ki Raat from Don in 2006 and Bol Na Halke Halke from Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. She has also lent her voice for the Oscar Award winning movie `Slumdog Millionaire` (2008) for the song "Jai Ho" for AR. Rahman. Today she is counted one amongst India`s most successful playback singers.