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P. Susheela Vs. Lata Mangeshkar

Topic started by Neels (@ ppp3-121.bom.vsnl.net.in) on Fri May 8 10:35:41 EDT 1998.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

I strongly feel that in spite of ruling the South Indian Cinema for so many decades, Susheela hasn't got the recognition she deserves...
In fact Susheela and S Janaki did to South Indian Music what Lata and Asha did for Hindi films... and yet, they haven't got their dues..
Forget nation-wide recognition (Read: Hindi Film Industry), even the music companies are not doing anything about it.. HMV for instance in Hindi has over the years come out with so many combinations of the "Golden Oldies" like Lata sings for Madan Mohan, Lata with Kishore, with such ans such artist,,, that the list seems endless.
Is it because the "Southies" can not market themselves???
Is there anyone out there listening???

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Responses:

• From: Udhaya (@ 205.218.142.217) on: Fri May 8 13:54:37 EDT 1998
  
  If there is one artist I'm a fanatic about in TFM, it's P.Susheela. Even Vairamuthu and ARR voice the same opinion and I know MSV agrees for he used her all the time. IR we all know adores SJ over anyone else. There may be some truth to Southies not knowing how to market themselves, but Hindi songs are listened to by more nationalities than Tamil. I know there are Tamils all over the place, but people from the MiddleEast--Iran, Iraq, etc, and people from Egypt that I have met in America have all mentioned their love for Hindi songs, expecially the old classic Urdu songs. Maybe Urdu is closer to their languages than Tamil. Maybe I'm digressing here.
  I have all of P.Susheela's CDs that are available in California, which amounts to five or six compiled CDs of her greatest hits. There are some more compilations but they overlap with what I already have. I think they were put out by EMI, I will confirm that later. P.Susheela is also rumored to have had a very troubled domestic life and hence could have chosen to keep her career low-key and private.
  
  
• From: Bharat (@ dsi.mids.com) on: Fri May 8 15:20:54 EDT 1998
  
  The fact remains that Hindi films are seen all over the country, even many parts of the world. Even in Tamil Nadu. That is why the film stars from Hindi are more popular (Amitabh vs. Rajni or Chiranjeevi).
  Hindi songs are more widely heard than are Tamil or Telugu songs. How can PS or SJ be expected to "market" themselves in places that simply cannot understand or would not care about their songs and type of music? If you notice, most of their songs are "Tamilian" in style.
  ARR is popular, for instance, because his tunes are not indicative of or restricted by regional considerations.
  The flip side to this observation is that if one starts diluting one's music for a wider audience, that compromises quality. A non-musical example: I feel Mani Rathnam's films have gotten progressively weaker ever since he started catering to a national market.
  I feel PS's dedication to one style/idiom of music is what will keep her songs evergreen to her fans.
  
  
• From: Nithin (@ nc.pr.mcs.net) on: Sat May 9 00:37:22 EDT 1998
  
  Bharat
  
  Good observation. I have the very same opinion.
  
  
• From: raja m (@ spider-td111.proxy.aol.com) on: Sat May 9 09:47:42 EDT 1998
  
  PS has been my favourite female singer in TFM for ages. Some of her songs remain classics for generations. The same thing ( probably a shade more ) can be mentioned for Lata. She has dominated the hindi film music industry for ages and no one can even come close to her. It was said earlier when Lata develops a cold, the industry used to have high fever! We cannot compare them in terms of songs sung, as Lata holds the world record ( I don't know if anyone has broken this record recently). Domination wise, PS dominated the industry with TMS, SBP until SJ was used a lot by IR. TFM did not have nationwide acceptance until recently and probably PS did not get the fame she deserved, she used to sing in all south indian languages though. They are both giants in their respective areas.
  
  
• From: S.Suresh (@ dwarpal.wipsys.soft.net) on: Mon May 11 01:51:52 EDT 1998
  
  Hi,
  
  I think that the only person who can hold up to Lata at the very top is PS. There is no doubt about it. I hear a lot of HFM and I can say with conviction that PS is much better than Asha, Geeta Dutt et al. She has a fabulous voice. Excellent diction. She can measure up to anyone in the duets. Ghantasala in telugu and TMS in tamil. There was an agreement between all my telugu speaking friends that whenever PS sings with SPB, her voice always has an advantage. SPB seems to get a false voice in the top reaches whereas PS maintains consistency. This was a very popular observation. If anyone were to ask me to pick up one person from TFM and present him/her to the rest of the world, my choice is PS.
  
  
• From: S.Suresh (@ dwarpal.wipsys.soft.net) on: Mon May 11 01:54:06 EDT 1998
  
  Hi,
  
  Read the earlier message as "Pick up one singer" and not as "Pick up one person".
  
  
• From: Rajagopal Adhepalli (@ 202.54.33.90) on: Thu Sep 24 20:43:45 EDT 1998
  
  Sangeetha Saraswathi Smt P Susheela is far
  beyond comparison.It is true that she is not
  popular as Lata, due to the languages. It is like
  comparing Sivaji Vs Dilip Kumar.Once in Kumudam
  Arasu Bathilgal a similar query was answered as
  "Susheela idam variety undu Latha idam illai".
  I feel Susheela has become more popular with the
  younger generation, thanks to the TV channels.
  Her appearance on SunTV as judge for Sapthaswarangal
  was a real treat. She sang a few lines of "Andru vanthathum itha Nila.."
  After so many years at this age,what a voice, diction etc. It was
  "Andru vanthathum ethe SUSHEELA
  Indru vanthathum athe SUSHEELA"
  HMV has come out with her special collections
  AAnimuthyalu - Telugu - 5 volumes
  Enrum Iniyavai - 4 volumes
  P Susheela with TMS -Thottu Thottu Padava - 2 volumes
  Recently I saw a CD - Susheela sings for Saroja Devi
  The Tamil & Telugu film world have to project her.
  Kuzhal Inithu Yazh Inthu enbar Susilavin kural kelaathavar.
  
  
• From: N.C. Ramakrishna (@ 171-15-83.ipt.aol.com) on: Thu Sep 24 23:00:59 EDT 1998
  
  Hi
  
  I dont think there should be any doubt ever in agreeing that she is the only and ever melodious singer in the south. If she couldnot get enough recognition its not her fault. Its people's badluck that they couldnt hear her more. IR's choice was always janaki only he should understand why. There are hell lot of telugu melodies which I doubt that anybody in future can do similar stuff. She is much more than Lata. She had much variety in her. Her voice is consistent even Latha has trouble but never PS. Also PS and Sj are known as Lata and Asha of South. Particularly in Telugu SJ used get more club songs than melodies until IR came(like Asha in Hindi used to get). But I feel PS and SJ are far better than them Only their reach is less when compared to HFM. Man You really sleep when you hear a lullaby from PS.That much sweet and smooth is her voice.
  
  Particluary songs with Ghantasala/TMS were probably her best ever songs. You respect her voice when you hear it. I dont think any upcoming singers even Chitra could ever match her voice and dedication.
  
  
• From: Sriram Lakshman (@ sf-dnpqs-289.compuserve.net) on: Fri Sep 25 00:06:12 EDT 1998
  
  It is unfortunate that talents from the South like PS have not been given their due nationwide.NO doubt, PS's unique voice with so much of depth and impact is a marvel. Lata's quality cannot be disputed but I felt that her voice became too slender at times to create any impact. Listen to songs that are both in Tamil (By Ps) and in Hindi (By Lata), like "Azhaikkathe","Kanavu kanda kaathal","Thesulavuthe then malarale", "Naane varuven" etc and you feel the difference rightaway. During the late 50's and 60's she was the leading lady singer in Tamil (with TMS), Kannada (with PBS),Telugu (Ghantasala) and she has made quite a mark in Malayalam also (with AM Raja), matching her co-singer in quality and sometimes outshining them.
  
  
• From: shankar (@ webgate0.mot.com) on: Fri Sep 25 08:38:08 EDT 1998
  
  
  
  IMO,PS' voice hasn't changed much over time whereas Lata's has.This is evident from Jiya Jale (Dilse)-somebody had aptly said that he felt as
  though manisha's GRANMA is singing the number in the movie!! OTOH, check Ps' voice in "unakkenna rAsA nAndhAne" from manNickam. There
  's not much of a difference from "chittu kuruvi mutham koduthu" from pudiya paravai.
  
  
• From: SR Kaushik (@ elroy.cs.wisc.edu) on: Fri Sep 25 14:00:05 EDT 1998
  
  I agree with Shankar - PS's voice hasn't changed at all. SJ's and Lata's voices have lost their youth, but not PS's.
  
  
• From: Thomas (@ nb23ppp43.cac.psu.edu) on: Fri Sep 25 15:22:13 EDT 1998
  
  Guys,
  
  Does anyone see a similarity between Lata's voice and Aretha Frankilin's voice? I was listening to the VH1 divas special last week and everytime I heard Aretha sing I was reminded of Lata. Any opinions....
  
  
• From: Udhaya (@ 205.218.142.217) on: Fri Sep 25 17:00:39 EDT 1998
  
  Thomas, I love Aretha's voice a lot, none of the Western newbreeds can hang with her muscular voice. I think Lata's voice is lean and given to shrillness like Patti Labelle in the west and S. Janagi in India.
  
  
• From: Venkat (@ lpcat102.oardc.ohio-state.edu) on: Fri Sep 25 17:11:25 EDT 1998
  
  P. Susheela in South is as good as Lata in North. Both PS and Lata have lost their mellifluousness (naturally thry are 60+). I was unhappy with PS performance in Detroit on July 4th, 1998. Same goes with Lata. They both ruled the film world and I thoroughly enjoyed their voices. But it is time to say good bye.
  
  
• From: Raj (@ 202.54.33.118) on: Sat Sep 26 01:37:52 EDT 1998
  
  I beg to differ. PS still retains the sweetness and melody. For a person who has rendered 25000+songs it may not be possible to be exact on a stage unlike the professionals who keep singing the same. Her lateset release on Sakthi in Tamil proves this. One should hear the cassette "Divyanama sankeerthana" Thyagaraja krithis with Balamuralikrishna. The reviews stated that "Film music loss was carnatic music gain". I think it is time for PS to switch to Carnatic.
  IR's choice of SJ was to establish his presence. Some of his tunes which had a resemblance to old tunes would get exposed if the same voice was used. IR is a great fan of PS.PS sang in his first film Annakilli "Sontham illai bantham....".Kannan oru in Badhrakali.
  He has tuned the song "Isaiarasi Ennalum Neeya.. Unakku oru inai aaguma..in Thai Moogambigai.(sung by PS,SJ and S Rajeswari).
  Till date it is a tribute to PS by IR.
  At Chennai on Jan 19th PS gave a performance when she requested PBS to sing Nilave enidam and she sang few lines without any music. Vow what a melody. Never a good bye .
  
  
• From: karthi (@ lab7.theatrium.net) on: Fri Jan 8 23:51:58 EST 1999
  
  Hi Guys!
  
  Being an ardent lover of PS I could only enjoy all the postings out here.
  
  The words of Suresh '...If anyone were to ask me to pick up one singer from TFM and present him/her to the rest of the world, my choice is PS...' - brought tears to my eyes. Thanks Suresh.
  
  I have nothing to say. If I were a doyan of Tamil Film industry, I would have done what the rest have not done: I would have made PS world popular.
  
  Hers is the only voice which is inimitable!
  
  Even Lata had a 'Suman Kalyanpur' who was called 'the poor producer's lata'!
  
  (BTW, can anyone tell me how many national awards have been won by Lata? They say she refused awards long time ago...)
  
  Before I leave I preach:
  
  PS' VOICIE IS THE VOICE.
  
  Thanks guys.
  
  
  
  
  

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