Madhushree (born Sujata Bhattacharya, 2 November 1969) is an Indian playback singer who sings in Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Kannada and Telugu films. A familiar voice in A. R. Rahman's compositions, Madhushree hails from a musically inclined family, having previously been trained in classical and western styles music. Her father wanted her to be a classical singer, she joined the Rabindra Bharati University and completed her master's degree, but her desire was always to be a playback singer.[1]
Early life
Madhushree was born as Sujata Bhattacharya in a Bengali family in Kolkata to Amarendranath and Parbati Bhattacharya, who were her initial teachers.[2] She was taught classical music by Sangeetacharya Pt. Amiya Ranjan Bandyopadhyay, a noted exponent of the Bishnupur Gharana[3][4] and excelled in Thumri and Khayal.[2] Later she started working for the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, through which she was deputed to teach classical music in Suriname.[2]
She sang three songs in A. R. Rahman's Tehzeeb, for which she has been credited as Sujata Bhattacharya. Madhushree is known for "Kabhi Neem Neem" from Yuva (2004), for which she received the prestigious Sony Stardust Award as the Best Female Sensation (Playback Singer). She also sang a song 'In Lamhon Ke Daaman Mein'[6] from the movie Jodhaa Akbar, music directed by A. R. Rahman and Soja Zara of Bahubali 2 – The Conclusion ( Nominated for Best Playback Singer by Mirchi Awards-2018). She won the 20th Edition of Lions Gold Award for All Time Film Versatile Playback Singer and the ceremony was held at Bhaidas Hall in Mumbai.[7]