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More news →Padma Bhushan for P. SusheelaPadma Bhushan for P. Susheela
Veteran playback singer Pulapaka Susheela(73), popularly known as P. Susheela, has been conferred by the Indian government with the prestigious Padma Bhushan award for the year 2008. P. Susheela, recognized as one of the greatest stars in south Indian cinema, has sung lot of songs in many languages including Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada and Sinhalese. Susheela was born in 1935 in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh. She was discovered by music director Nageswara Rao, who was looking for fresh talents. It was in her 15th age (1950) when she got to sing her first song, a duet with A. M. Raja - 'Edhukku azhaithaai'. Her sweet voice captivated everyone and she became the favorite of every music director. Right from 1955 there was not a single movie - for nearly three decades - that did not have a song in her voice. She has received National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer five times, two of which were for Tamil songs (1969, Uyarntha Manithan , Paal polave vaan meedhile, and 1972, Savaale Samaali, Chittuk Kuruvikkenna Kattuppaadu). All the other three are for Telugu movies. She has also received state awards for around 15 times from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala governments.
Padma Parvati Lakshmi gives birth to baby girl
London, Feb 23 (ANI): Indian-born TV chef Padma Parvati Lakshmi has become a proud mother of a baby girl, say sources. Author Salman Rushdie’s ex-wife announced in October last year that she was expecting her first child. The 39-year-old had branded the pregnancy a “medical miracle” after years of struggling with endometriosis, in which the lining of the uterus grows in other areas of the body, reports The Daily Star. A representative for the Top Chef star has confirmed that the beauty gave birth to a healthy baby girl in New York City on 20 February. The kid has been named Krishna, according to UsWeekly.com. Lakshmi has refused to name the father of her baby, but recent reports suggest he’’s venture capitalist and Columbia Business School teacher Michael Dell. (ANI)
Padma Bhushan impetus to do more good work: Kamal Haasan
Actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan, who was conferred with the Padma Bhushan award Saturday, said it was his "good fortune" to get chosen for the award. The 59-year-old actor said he doesn't consider it an honour for his work, but as a driving force to continue doing good work. "I don't consider this an honour for the work I have already done. This would be an impetus to do more good work. Perhaps only then would I deserve it. I think its sheer chance and my good fortune that I have been chosen," Haasan said in a statement. "I hope that I live long to do more to deserve this award," he added. Haasan has starred in over 200 films in multiple languages in over five decades. He is known for films such as "Moondram Pirai", "Nayagan", "Pushpak", "Virumaandi" and "Anbe Sivam". He has won three National awards and 19 Filmfare awards. In 1990, he also received the Padma Shri. Congratulating the other Padma Bhushan awardees, he said: "My heartfelt congratulations to other Padma Bhushan awardees, especially my friend Vairamuthu."
Thamizh Padam hero plans towards direction
Young actor Shiva, after getting success with the recent hit ‘Thamizh Padam’, is overflowing with many offers. On stating his interest to become a director and to make a movie just like his ‘Thamizh Padam’, actor Shiva says “Though my focus is on acting at present, I firmly believe acting in films will be my ladder to become a director. I am hopeful that my dream would become a reality one day,” he says with all hope. Speaking about his debutant directorial film he says “I have a script titled ‘Jaangiri Kanavugal’. It is a spoof of Tamil cinema. Everyone loved it. But I am yet to gain confidence to make it a film.” On speaking about his upcoming projects, he says “I am doing ‘16’, a breezy love story. Following that will be a movie by Gayathri-Pushkar, which will be totally different. I am also there in ‘Poochandi’, a filmy by Venkat Prabhu.”
Dr Mohanbabu receives 'Padma Shri'
Dr Mohanbabu made his debut into films with 'Swargam-Narakam'. Later he played different characters as villain, comedy villain, character artiste and hero in over 500 films and earned a good name as a versatile artiste. He turned a producer and launched 'Sri Lakshmi Prasanna Pictures' and produced 47 films on the banner and proved a successful producer. Moreover, he started educational institutions called 'Sri Vidya Nikethan' and is providing education to poor students with a concession of 25 per cent in fee. He served the film industry in various capacities. The Union government had announced 'Padma Shri' to this versatile artiste in recognition to his services to the film industry. Dr Mohanbabu had celebrated his birthday on March 19 and four days later, President APJ Abdul Kalam had handed over the award to Dr Mohanbabu on March 23. Presently Padma Shri Mohanbabu is producing 'Raju Bhai' and is playing a special role as Yama Dharma Raju in 'Yamadonga' being directed by SS Rajamouli.
P Susheela gets Padma Bhushan, wishes to give playback
She is the nightingale of the south. Having started her illustrious career in 1950, she has sung in various south Indian languages apart from Hindi. Born in Vijayanagaram in Andhra Pradesh in 1935, she sang her first duet with AM Raja in 1950. Like they say, there has been no looking back for her ever since. Known for her melodious voice, she has sung for heroines of five generations. She won the National Award five times in 1969, '72, '78, '83 and '84. These apart, she had received many state government awards apart from the prestigious Raghupati Venkaiah Award given by the Government of Andhra Pradesh in 2001. Having retired following her husband's death, she makes special appearances at felicitation functions and awards nites these days. She has expressed shock and happiness having received the award. But more than the award, she feels it will revive her career as she is keen to sing once again for the new generation. Like they say -- once a singer, always a singer. Now, wouldn't it be a pleasure to hear our 'Gana Kokila' once again?