Classical vocalist and playback singer Kalyani Menon passed away on Monday at a private hospital in Chennai due to age related illness, sources close to her family said. She was 80 years old. Kalyani, mother of noted film director and founder of Mindscreen Film Institute, Rajiv Menon, developed symptoms of stroke and was immediately rushed to a hospital in Chennai where she breathed her last, the sources added.
The last rites and cremation would take place in the city's Besant Nagar on Tuesday afternoon.
Kalyani Menon began her career in singing in the 1970s as a classical singer. Later she began singing in movies. Her famous songs with noted singer KJ Yesudas in Malayalam include ‘Rithubheda Kalpana Charutha Nalkiya’ of 1983 movie Mangalam Nerunnu and ‘Pavanarachezhuthunnu Kolangalennum’ of Mohanlal starrer Vietnam Colony released in the year 1992.
Born in Ernakulam, Kalyani started singing at the age of five in the Navaratri sangeeth utsav organised at the famous TDM hall there.
She began her career as a playback singer by singing in the Malayalam movie Abala, directed by Thoppil Bhasi. 'Kanneerin Mazhayathum', that she sung for MS Baburaj in Ramu Kariat's Dweepu was especially noted.
Heartfelt condolences on the passing away of the noted singer Kalyani Menon. May her soul rest in peace. #KalyaniMenon #KSChithra @DirRajivMenon pic.twitter.com/HnUz963brC
— K S Chithra (@KSChithra) August 2, 2021
Hon'ble Governor Shri Arif Mohamed Khan said:"Sad to hear about the demise of Smt. #KalyaniMenon, playback singer who has sung over 100 songs in Malayalam &Tamil films. My condolences to the bereaved family. May her soul attain Mukti":PRO,KeralaRajBhavan #kalyanimenon pic.twitter.com/EMx9dlr0nL
— Kerala Governor (@KeralaGovernor) August 2, 2021
Hon'ble Governor Shri Arif Mohamed Khan said:"Sad to hear about the demise of Smt. #KalyaniMenon, playback singer who has sung over 100 songs in Malayalam &Tamil films. My condolences to the bereaved family. May her soul attain Mukti":PRO,KeralaRajBhavan #kalyanimenon pic.twitter.com/EMx9dlr0nL
— Kerala Governor (@KeralaGovernor) August 2, 2021
Legend Classical singer Smt Kalyani Menon .RIP She is mother of Rajiv Menon , my deep condolences to the family pic.twitter.com/dQRRWg7x0e
— SantoshSivanASC. (@santoshsivan) August 2, 2021
She has also sung in a number of Tamil movies for renowned composers such as Ilaiyaraaja and AR Rahman. Some of the noted songs include ‘Omana Penne’ (Vinnai Thandi Varuvaya) and the title song of Alaipayuthey for AR Rahman, while for Ilaiyaraaja she has sung in movies like Nallathoru Kudumbam and Vazhvey Maayam. Kalyani even sang a version of the popular 'Kaathalae Kaathalae' song from the movie 96 for composer Govind Vasantha.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan paid condolences for the singer. He said that she was an active presence in the world of film music and the songs she rendered in Tamil and Malayalam will remain in the minds of music lovers.
(With PTI input)