Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi and Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, popularly known as the Soolamangalam Sisters were Carnatic music sister-pair vocalists and musicians known for their devotional songs in Tamil. They were early singers in the trend of duo singing in Carnatic music, which started in the 1950s, with performers like Radha Jayalakshmi, and later continued by the Bombay Sisters, Ranjani-Gayatri, Mambalam Sisters, Bangalore Sisters, Bellur sisters and Priya Sisters. The Soolamangalam Sisters are best known for singing the Kanda Shasti Kavasam, a hymn on the Hindu god Muruga.
Early life and background Born in Soolamangalam, a village with musical heritage in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, of Karnam Ramaswami Ayyar and Janaki Ammal, the sisters had their training in music from K. G. Murthi of Soolamangalam, Pathamadai S. Krishnan, and Mayavaram Venugopalayyar.
The duo-sisters were very popular for their matchless rendition of national and devotional songs. They had a hectic practice for about three decades and were much sought after for providing background music in films. Their Kanda Shasti Kavasam album is very popular with the Lord Muruga devotees.
Notable songs Song AlbumsKanda shasti kavasamKanda shasti kavasam albumSkanda Guru kavasamKanda shasti kavasam album
Awards Muruga Ganamrtha Kuyil Isai Thilakam Isaiarasi Nadhakanal Kalaimamani in 1992 by Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Mandram.
Filmography
Film music Many of Rajalakshmi's songs are under K. V. Mahadevan's music direction all the while. Many of her songs were under T. G. Lingappa mainly in Kannada. She also sang under her own music compositions. She sang more often in the 1950s while during the 1960s.
Music director Rajalakshmi assisted S. M. Subbaiah Naidu in Konjum Salangai. Both Jayalakshmi and Rajalakshmi ae as music directors by the name Soolamangalam Sisters. They also sang under their own compositions.
Year Film Language Director Banner Notes 1970 Dharisanam Tamil V. T. Arasu Sendhoor Films 1974 Tiger Thaathachari Tamil V. T. Arasu Sendhoor Films 1979 Appothe Sonnene Kettiya Tamil V. T. Arasu Shashti Films 1984 Pillaiyar Tamil V. T. Arasu Shashti Films
Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi
Year Film Language Song Music Co-singer 1948 Adhithan Kanavu Tamil Madhuramaana Rusi Ullathe G. Ramanathan T. R. Mahalingam 1955 Kalyanam Seydhukko Tamil Vaetti Kattina Pombale Ramaneekaran Seerkazhi Govindarajan 1961 Arasilangkumari Tamil Oorvalamaaga Maappillai Pennum G. Ramanathan T. M. Soundararajan & P. SusheelaNaaga Nandhini Tamil Valluvan Vedham R. Sudarsanam Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi Singame Singame Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi 1962 Indira En Selvam Tamil Thitthikkum Thamizhile H. R. Padmanabha Sasthri & C. N. Pandurangan Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi 1962 Saradha Tamil Manamagale Marumagale Vaa Vaa K. V. Mahadevan Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi & L. R. Eswari1964 Bhakta Ramadasu Telugu Mohanaakaara Raamaa V. Nagayya Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi Raamaa Paahimaam Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi Pahimam Sriramante Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi 1974 Tiger Thathachari Tamil Ezhumalai Vaasaa Vengkadesaa Soolamagalam Sisters Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi & K. Veeramani 1979 Kandhar Alangaram Tamil Kandhanukku Alangaaram Kandhar Alangaaram Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi 1984 Pillaiyar Tamil Pillaiyar Pillaiyar Soolamangalam Sisters Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi