Vinitha, singer in the making

As far as film songs are concerned, people nowadays hardly remember the singers or the music directors of their favorite songs which they hum every now and then. [Why? Because we hear the songs on TV, where the credits that appear on screen do not include the singers and music directors.] So also, if you ask about Vinitha, people may not recollect who she is and demand a few clues! Just play 'Kannadi koottile' of Dileep-starrer Calcutta News, and there will be very few who do not recognize her beautiful voice!

Vinitha, a prominent face in live music shows for over a decade now, is a yet-to-be-noticed playback singer, though she has (surprisingly) sung in about 15 films in all the four South Indian languages.

"While I was studying at Chittoor Government College, where music was my optional subject, I used to sing Chithra's Palappoove' of Njan Gandharvan. So I was nicknamed Palappoovu by my college mates. I also used to sing other like 'Pularkala sundara' from Oru May Masa Pularayil at various shows," she says.

Director Blessy and the film's Bengali composer, Debjyoti Mishra were looking for a voice in Calcutta News that could complement Chithra's personality. Mishra was impressed with Vinitha's Hindi diction. That's how Vinitha's long-term dream to debut in films came true. "He liked the way I sang the Hindi portion in the song. My Hindi diction improved because of the numerous stage shows I did; I used to sing evergreen songs of Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Shamshad Begum and Noor Jehan. I was lucky that I could sing my first song with K.S. Chitra, a singer I have admired and grown up listening to," says Vinitha.

After Calcutta News, Vinitha sang in a few Tamil movies, including Sadhu Miranda, directed by Siddique. The heroine was Kavya Madhavan and the music was composed by Deepak Dev. She is now looking forward to the release of a few Tamil films in which she has sung, including Panthayam and Ananda Thandavam.

"I am also excited about a duet I sang with S.P. Sir. The song, composed by Ramesh Krishna, is the most melodious I have sung in films so far. I also like my song composed by Sharath for a television serial to be aired soon."

Vinitha has more reasons to be happy these days, because maestro Ilayaraja had told her that he would give her a chance when he has the right song for her. Vinitha has moved to Chennai and is still waiting for her first song with Ilayaraja.