She's the melody queen of the South with more than 40,000 songs to her credit. Reigning over South Indian film music for over five decades (starting her career in 1952), the Nightingale of the South, P Suseela, needs no introduction to movie buffs.
This recipient of innumerable awards (including five National Awards as Best Female Playback Singer and several Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh State Government awards), is still going strong in her career. The many years dedicated to music have only strengthened her resolve to do something to encourage the future generations who will come within its fold. With this aim in mind, P Suseela has formed the P Suseela Trust, which will undertake manifold activities for the cause of music.
At a meeting with the media, lyricist Vairamuthu and music director MS Viswanathan announced the manifold activities of this trust. Said Vairamuthu, “The lady’s aims are noble and not everyone can think of such an idea and fewer still can execute it like her. The trust will announce one eminent personality who has contributed to the field of music as the winner of the P Suseela National Award every year. Apart from this, the trust will honour and aid old singers while giving help to deserving young singers. A library of music will also be set up by the trust.”
MS Viswanathan announced the name of playback singer S Janaki as the first recipient of the award, which carries a cash prize of Rs one lakh, new clothes and a memento. Vairamuthu lauded Suseela’s gesture, “Not everyone honours their own contemporary in their lifetime. This form of encouragement to music is one of the most noble gestures indeed.” The jury that selected the first award consists of chairman MS Viswanathan, actor Jamuna, singer Raobalasaraswathi Devi and lyricist Vairamuthu.
The award function will be held on November 13 at the Ravindrabharathi Auditorium and will consist of a live performance by singer SP Balasubramaniam. The activities of the trust can be best described as a noble gesture from a noble lady for the noble cause of music.
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