“Kanna…old is gold”, said legendary vocalist P Susheela, with her quintessential motherly affection, after rendering some of her most beautiful songs. The veteran singer had created magic with a medley of evergreen songs at the 2018 Mazhavil Music awards. When she was asked whether there is any song that she doesn’t know, Susheela firmly said ‘no’ to which the audience couldn’t help but express their excitement.
P Susheela, whom the music industry fondly calls ‘amma’, was awarded the life time achievement award and she expressed her gratitude by touching their souls with her mesmerizing voice. Five young vocalists welcomed the legend onto the stage by honoring her with a beautiful rendition of ‘Poonthenaruvi’, one of the songs immortalized by Susheela.
Veteran singer, P Jayachandran, who enchanted the Malayali audiences with countless love songs, honored P Susheela with the life time achievement award. He was flanked by Keralites’ favorite singer Chitra and veteran composer Shareth. Popular Bollywood singer Shaan too was on the stage to honor Susheela. Chitra helped Susheela onto the stage as the latter had many age related health problems. Susheela had told the organizers, in advance, that she may not be able to sing on stage due to her health condition. But, she couldn’t hold back the beautiful singer in her and treated the audience to some of her evergreen hits.
“Amma’s is the only female voice in the Indian music industry which I always wish to hear,” said Jayachandran. He also sang a few lines of ‘Seetha deviye swayamvaram cheyta Sreeraman’ which he had sung with Susheela. This took Susheela back into her golden days when she delivered many super hit songs in various languages. After rendering the song, Jayanchandran prostrated in front of Susheela, expressing his great respect for the singer and seeking her blessings. Susheela raised Jayanchandran, like a mother blesses her beloved son. This was just a beginning of the impeccable musical treat that the audience had been waiting for. Susheela, who was initially skeptical whether she would be able to sing, took the mike from presenter Nyla Usha and began singing. She forgot her health issues when Chitra too gave her company.
After singing each song, Susheela expressed her love and admiration for Chitra by lovingly calling, “Chitraji”. Meanwhile, Chitra, repeated the lines of the songs like a daughter follows her mother. The audience forgot themselves in the mesmerizing voices of Susheela and Chitra as they enjoyed every moment of it. Finally, Susheela ended the amazing musical session by singing ‘Sathyam Sivam Sundaram’, sung by another legendary singer Latha Mangeshkar. Overjoyed and excited, the audience gave their favorite singer a standing ovation, with a round of deafening applause. Susheela, immensely happy and proud, thanked the audience for their great support and affection.
P Susheela, who has sung more than fifty thousand songs in various languages, holds the world record for singing the most number of songs. The Malayali music lovers, who adore the innumerable songs rendered by Susheela, vow that they would cherish these evergreen songs in their hearts forever.
