Geeton ka Sangrah
Classic:
Hum Badi Door Chale Aaye Hain (हम बड़ी दूर चले आए हैं)
— Shraddha Pandit
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Manzil Na Koi (मंजिल ना हो)
— Jaspinder Narula
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Nazdeek Savera Hai (नज़दीक सवेरा है)
— Kumar Sanu
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Naraaz Savera Hai (नाराज़ सवेरा हैं)
— Kumar Sanu
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Mujhe Raat Din (मुझे रात दिन)
— Sonu Nigam
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Dil Ka Qaraar (दिल का करार)
— Shraddha Pandit
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Padh Likh Ke Bada Ho Ke (पढ़ लिख के बड़ा हो के)
— Alka Yagnik
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Maa Ne Kaha Mujhase Sadaa (माँ ने कहा मुझसे सदा)
— M.M. Keeravani
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Raat Sari Bekarari Me Gujari (रात सारी बेक़रारी में गुजारी)
— Alka Yagnik
New:
Hum Yaha Tum Yaha (हम यहाँ तुम यहाँ) (Female Version)
— Alka Yagnik
Sharda Rajan Iyengar Songs Lyrics
Sharda Rajan Iyengar, professionally known simply as Sharda, was an Indian playback singer, lyricist and music director who was particularly active in Hindi cinema during the 1960s and 1970s. She became widely famous for her distinctive voice and for the evergreen song “Titli Udi, Ud Jo Chali” from Suraj (1966).
Sharda was closely associated with the legendary composer duo Shankar–Jaikishan and worked with several leading music directors and playback singers of her era. She recorded songs for actresses including Vyjayanthimala, Sadhana, Saira Banu, Hema Malini, Sharmila Tagore, Mumtaz, Rekha and Helen.
She was also a versatile artist who worked beyond playback singing. She wrote lyrics, composed music for films and later released her own album Andaaz-e-Bayan Aur (2007), featuring her compositions based on the ghazals of Mirza Ghalib.
Top 5 Sharda Rajan Iyengar Songs
About Sharda Rajan Iyengar
Sharda Rajan Iyengar was born on 25 October 1933 in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India, according to the death announcement from her daughter and the Indian Express. She belonged to an Iyengar family and developed an interest in music from childhood.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and later pursued her interest in music. Her early exposure to Indian cultural and musical traditions played an important role in shaping her artistic career.
Important DOB Note
There is conflicting information online about Sharda's birth year. Some Indian sources list 25 October 1937, while the death announcement by her daughter explicitly states 25.10.1933 – 14.06.2023, and Indian Express reported that she was 89 when she died. Wikidata and MusicBrainz also record 25 October 1933.
For your Lyrics Sangrah database, I recommend using:
DOB: 25 October 1933
This is the better-supported date because it comes from her family's death announcement and is corroborated by multiple reference databases.
Early Life
Sharda grew up in a traditional Iyengar family in Tamil Nadu and was interested in music from a young age.
She sang Hindi film songs at family and college functions and gradually developed a serious interest in becoming a professional singer. Her early musical environment helped her develop a distinctive singing style.
She later received musical guidance from several respected musicians and began pursuing opportunities in the Hindi film industry.
Entry into the Film Industry
Sharda's entry into Bollywood was closely connected with Raj Kapoor and Shankar–Jaikishan.
Raj Kapoor reportedly heard her singing at a function at Shrichand Ahuja's residence in Tehran and offered her a voice test. She subsequently received an important opportunity through composer Shankar of Shankar–Jaikishan.
Her association with Shankar–Jaikishan became one of the defining relationships of her career.
Major Breakthrough — “Titli Udi”
Sharda's biggest breakthrough came with the song:
“Titli Udi, Ud Jo Chali”
Film: Suraj
Year: 1966
Music: Shankar–Jaikishan
The song became a major chartbuster and established Sharda as a recognizable playback singer.
It remains the song most strongly associated with her name and is regarded as one of the memorable songs of 1960s Hindi cinema.
Filmfare Recognition
Sharda's career was particularly significant in the history of the Filmfare Awards for playback singing.
Her song “Titli Udi” was tied with Mohammed Rafi's “Baharon Phool Barsao” in the 1966 Filmfare voting. Following this period, Filmfare introduced separate awards for Best Male Playback Singer and Best Female Playback Singer.
She later won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for:
“Baat Zara Hai Aapas Ki”
Film: Jahan Pyar Miley
Year: 1970
She was also nominated for the award several times during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Popular Songs
Some of Sharda's notable songs include:
- Titli Udi, Ud Jo Chali — Suraj
- Dekho Mera Dil Machal Gaya — Suraj
- Baat Zara Hai Aapas Ki — Jahan Pyar Miley
- Aa Aayega Kaun Yahan — Gumnaam
- Jaan-e-Chaman Shola Badan — Gumnaam
- Leja Leja Leja Mera Dil — An Evening in Paris
- Chale Jana Zara Thahro — Around The World
- Tum Pyar Se Dekho — Sapno Ka Saudagar
- Masti Aur Jawani Ho Umar Badi Mastani Ho — Dil Daulat Duniya
- Jigar Ka Dard Badhta Ja Raha Hai — Street Singer
Work with Leading Singers
Sharda worked with many legendary singers of Hindi cinema, including:
- Mohammed Rafi
- Asha Bhosle
- Kishore Kumar
- Mukesh
Her collaborations with these singers produced several memorable duets and ensemble songs.
Work with Shankar–Jaikishan
Sharda's career is particularly associated with Shankar–Jaikishan.
The composers recognized her distinctive vocal quality and gave her opportunities in several films. Their collaboration helped her establish herself during an era dominated by major female playback singers such as Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle.
Her unique vocal character helped her create an individual identity despite the intense competition in Hindi film music.
Languages
Sharda was not limited to Hindi playback singing. She also recorded songs in several Indian languages, including:
- Hindi
- Marathi
- Gujarati
- Tamil
- Telugu
- Punjabi
- English
Her multilingual work demonstrates her versatility as a playback singer.
Work as a Music Director
Sharda later expanded her career into music composition.
She composed music for films including:
- Maa Behen Aur Biwi
- Tu Meri Main Tera
- Kshitij
- Mandir Masjid
- Maila Anchal
Her work as a composer demonstrated that she was more than just a playback singer and had a broader interest in the creative side of filmmaking.
Work as a Lyricist
Sharda also experimented with lyric writing during her career.
Her involvement in singing, songwriting and music composition made her one of the more versatile female artists associated with the Hindi film industry of her generation.
Andaaz-e-Bayan Aur
In 2007, Sharda released Andaaz-e-Bayan Aur, an album based on the poetry of Mirza Ghalib.
The album featured her own musical compositions based on Ghalib's ghazals and marked a later creative phase of her career.
The project demonstrated her continuing interest in poetry, composition and classical literary traditions even after her main playback-singing period.
Singing Style
Sharda was known for her distinctive and easily recognizable voice.
Her singing style included:
- Expressive vocals
- Clear pronunciation
- Light classical influence
- Melodious delivery
- Ability to sing romantic songs
- Ability to perform cabaret-style numbers
- Versatility across languages
- Distinctive vocal personality
Her unique voice helped her stand apart from the dominant female voices of her era.
Awards and Recognition
Sharda received several honors during her career.
Major Recognition
- Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer — “Baat Zara Hai Aapas Ki”
- Filmfare nominations during the late 1960s and early 1970s
- U.P. Film Journalists Award
- Other honors for her contribution to Indian playback music
She was particularly remembered for her role in the history of the Filmfare playback-singing category.
Later Life
After her active period in mainstream Bollywood playback singing, Sharda remained associated with music and creative work.
She later returned to music through projects such as Andaaz-e-Bayan Aur, demonstrating her continued interest in composition and poetry.
She spent her later years away from the mainstream film spotlight.
Death
Sharda Rajan Iyengar died on 14 June 2023 after a long battle with cancer. Her daughter Sudha Madeira announced her death, stating the dates 25.10.1933 – 14.06.2023. She was 89 years old according to that announcement and Indian Express.
Death Date for Your Database
DOD: 14 June 2023
Birth Details
Full Name: Sharda Rajan Iyengar
Birth Name: Sharada Iyengar
Popular Name: Sharda
Profession: Playback Singer, Lyricist, Music Director
Date of Birth: 25 October 1933
Birth Place: Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India
Nationality: Indian
Years Active: 1965–1986; later returned to music in 2007
Known For: “Titli Udi”
Major Association: Shankar–Jaikishan
Date of Death: 14 June 2023
Age at Death: 89 years