Sudha Malhotra, one of the most exceptional singers of the ’50s and ’60s was honoured with the Padma Shri on the eve of India’s 64th Republic Day. Her immense talent was recognised and praised by prominent music directors such as SD Burman, Ghulam Mohammad, Madan Mohan and others.
The 76-year-old made her singing debut with the song Mil Gaye Nahin, composed by Anil Biswas from the 1965 film Arzoo. She has sung for films like Prem Rog (1982), Kinare Kinare (1963), Barsaat Ki Raat (1960), Dhool Ka Phool (1959), Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Parvarish (1958), Ab Dilli Dur Nahin (1957), Mr X (1957), Mumtaz Mahal (1957), Naya Zamana (1957) and Mirza Ghalib (1954).
Sudha also sang in regional languages, and is known for composing some of her own songs such as Tum Mujhe Bhool Bhi Jao. She is also considered prominent in the world of ghazals, singing under the tutelage of the late ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh and Mohammed Zahur ‘Khayyam’ Hashmi.
