Jikki

P.G. Krishnaveni

Jikki in late 1940s
Background information
Birth name P.G. Krishnaveni
Also known as Jikki
Born (1935-11-03)3 November 1935
Chennai
Origin Chandragiri, Madras Presidency, British India now in Andhra Pradesh
Died 16 August 2004(2004-08-16) (aged 68)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Genres Film music (playback singing), Indian classical music
Occupation(s) Singer
Instruments Vocalist
Years active 1948–2004

Pillavalu Gajapathi Krishnaveni, more famously known as Jikki, was a popular playback singer from Andhra Pradesh. She sang around 1,00,000 songs in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and Sinhala languages. Her mother tongue was Telugu. She spoke Tamil fluently.[1]

Early life

Jikki was born in Chennai on 3 November 1935 to Gajapathi Naidu and Rajakanthamma, a Telugu family who had moved from Chandragiri, near Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh to Chennai for their livelihood.

Her uncle, Devaraju Naidu, worked as a music composer with the celebrated Kannada theatre legend and movie pioneer Gubbi Veeranna and this introduced the young good-looking girl to the music and film world.

Career

Krishnaveni began her career as a child artist in 1943 and played a minor role in a Telugu movie named Panthulamma, directed by Gudavalli Ramabrahmam. In 1946, she appeared in the movie Mangalasutram, a remake of a Hollywood movie Excuse Me. She was already being noted for her musical prowess and her lilting mellifluous voice although she did not undergo any orthodox classical training in music at that stage.

A chance came her way to sing for the successful Tamil film Gnanasoundari in 1948 for which music was composed by the then doyen of film music, S. V. Venkatraman. The song was the super hit "Arul Thaarum Deva Maathaavey Aadhiyey Inba Jothi" for Kumari Rajamani who acted as the young girl growing into the young woman, M. V. Rajamma the heroine taking over the song with P. A. Periyanayaki singing as the scene advanced in time. This was the turning point in her life and changed the child actress Krishnaveni into a regular playback singer, Jikki, with offers of work for not only Tamil and Telugu films, but also for Kannada and Malayalam films.

She met her husband to be, A. M. Rajah, in 1950 when he was introduced in the Tamil film Samsaram as a new playback singer by Gemini's S. S. Vasan. He then introduced her to the Hindi film world by getting her to sing for his production Mr.Sampath in 1952. P. B. Srinivas also sang his first song in this film in a chorus. She also sang Sinhalese songs as well at that stage since the Sinhalese films were produced in Madras during those years.

Together with P. Leela, she reigned supreme in the South Indian film world in the early part of the 1950s. Though they were in competition, they were fond of each other and behaved like two sisters and sang many songs together.

Music composers she sang for

Playback singers she sang with

She sang memorable duets with all of the leading male singers, mostly with A. M. Rajah and others such as T. M. Soundararajan, Seerkazhi Govindarajan, Thiruchi Loganathan, Ghantasala, C. S. Jayaraman, P. B. Sreenivas, T. A. Mothi, S. C. Krishnan, V. N. Sundharam, A. L. Raghavan, R. B. Ramachandra, Pithapuram Nageswara Rao, M. Sathyam, M. S. Rama Rao, S. P. Balasubramaniam, K. J. Yesudas, Malaysia Vasudevan and Mano.

She also sang duets with female singers, most notably with P. Leela and others like P. A. Periyanayaki, M. L. Vasanthakumari, T. V. Rathinam, P. Suseela, A. P. Komala, Radha Jayalakshmi, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, K. Jamuna Rani, S. Janaki, A. G. Rathnamala, K. Rani and Vani Jairam.

The singing actors she sang with were M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, K. R. Ramaswamy, P. Bhanumathi and J. P. Chandrababu.

Personal life

Jikki with her husband, A. M. Rajah

She was married to the successful playback singer and music director A. M. Rajah. Their duets have been hits. Jikki sang many songs under her husband's direction that are still played by radio stations. A. M. Raja and Jikki have sang for life programmes in other countries such as U. S. A. , Malaysia and Singapore.

A mother of six children, Jikki lost her husband when he slipped and fell between the tracks while boarding a train. After his death she stopped singing for some time. She came out of retirement and sang for Ilaiyaraja. She also started a music troupe with her two sons and performed in many countries including the United States, Malaysia and Singapore.

Personality

Unlike many singers she was not always after money. Once when she sang five songs for a Tamil film, she asked the producer Valampuri Somanathan to reduce her remuneration because he had given her the opportunity to sing so many songs in a single movie, such was her dedication for singing.

Death

She had been suffering from breast cancer and had surgery, but the cancer spread to her kidneys and eventually liver. Several attempts were made to save her life by her close friend and singer Jamuna Rani which were supported by donations through musical nights and medical and financial support from the governments of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

The then Tamil Nadu chief minister J.Jayalalitha and the Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had granted Jikki 100,000 rupees from the Dr. MGR trust and 200,000 rupees respectively after hearing of her illness and her difficulty in meeting the treatment expenses.

She died on 16 August 2004 in Chennai.

Awards and honours

She was honoured with "Ugadi Puraskaram" by Madras Telugu Academy and Government of Tamil Nadu awarded her "Kalai Ma Mani".

Filmography

Jikki sang in 98 Telugu and 71 Tamil films.

Telugu

  • Mana Desam (1949)
  • Palletoori Pilla (1950)
  • Shavukaru (1950)
  • Samsaram (1950)
  • Patala Bhairavi (1951)
  • Navvite Navaratnalu (1951)
  • Dharmadevata (1952/I)
  • Palletooru (1952)
  • Aah (1953)
  • Bratuku Theruvu (1953)
  • Devadasu (1953)
  • Pardesi (1953)
  • Pratigna (1953/I)
  • Rechukka (1954)
  • Todu Dongalu (1954)
  • Donga Ramudu (1955)
  • Rojulu Marayi (1955)
  • Anarkali (1955)
  • Ardhangi (1955)

Tamil

  • Anarkali (1950)
  • Aravalli (1950)
  • Manthiri Kumari (1950)
  • Naan Petra Selvam (1950)
  • Pathala Bairavi (1951)
  • Avan (1953)
  • Asai Magan (1953)
  • Edhir Paaradhadu (1954)
  • Kalyanam Panniyum Brahmachari (1954)
  • Illara Jothi (1954)
  • Ethiparathathu (1954)
  • Nalla Thangai (1955)
  • Gulebagavali (1955)
  • Gomathiyin Kaadalan (1955)
  • Mangaiyar Thilagam (1955)
  • Paasa Valai (1956)
  • Alibabavum 40 Thirudarkalum (1956)
  • Pennin Perumai (1956)
  • Madurai Veeran (1956)
  • Raja Rani (1956)
  • Amara Deepam (1956)
  • Thaikku Pin Tharam (1956)
  • Karpuku Arasi (1957)
  • Maya Bazar (1957)
  • Nilai Malai Thieruden (1957)
  • Samaya Sanjeevi (1957)
  • Malliga (1957)
  • Chakravarthy Thirumagal (1957)
  • Mudhalai (1957)
  • Puthumai Pitthan (1957)
  • Senkottai Singam (1958)
  • Thirumanam (1958)
  • Vanggi Kotai Valiban (1958)
  • Neelavukku Neranja Manasu (1958)
  • Uthama Puthiran (1958)
  • Pathi Bakthi (1958)
  • Annaiyin Aanai (1958)
  • Naadodi Mannan (1958)
  • Kathavarayan (1958)
  • Manjal Magimai (1959)
  • Sivagangai Cheemai (1959)
  • Enga Veetu Mahalakshmi (1959)
  • Kalyana Parisu (1959)
  • Aaval Yaar (1959)
  • Baaga Pirivinai (1959)
  • Thaay Makalukku Kattiya Thaali (1959)
  • Ondru Pattal Undu Vazhvu (1960)
  • Anbukor Anni (1960)
  • Meenda Sorgam (1960)
  • Raja Thesingu (1960)
  • Vidi Velli (1960)
  • Punar Janmam (1961)
  • Naan Vanagum Deivam (1963)
  • Arunagiri Nadhar (1964)
  • Bommai (1964)
  • Sorgam (1970)
  • Pugunda Veedu (1972)
  • Naan Yen Pirandhaen (1972)
  • Puthumadha Bandham (1974)
  • Enakoru Mahan Pirappaan (1975)
  • Vatathukkul Sathuram (1978)
  • Kannil Theriyum Kathaigal (1980)
  • Avan (1985)
  • Dharmam Vellum (1989)
  • Paatukoru Thalaivan (1989)
  • Pangali (1992)
  • Senthamizh Paatu (1992)
  • Aboorva Shakthi 369 (1992)
  • Aasai (1995)
  • Murati (2002)
  • Anbu (2003)

[2]

Discography

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Song
Film
Year
Music
Lyrics
Co-singer
Actor
Language
Aadi Paadi Thinam Thedinalum Eesan(Kaadalagi Kasindu Kanneer Malgiye) Kangal 1955 S. V. Venkatraman Padmini Tamil
Aadippaadi Vilanguka Marumakal 1952 P. S. Diwakar Abhayadev Padmini Malayalam
Aanandhame Ennaalum Kaanadha Aanandhame Anarkali 1955 P. Adinarayana Rao Thanjai N. Ramaiah Doss Anjali Devi Tamil
Aasai Nila Sendrathae Maaman Magal 1955 S. V. Venkatraman Savitri Tamil
Aasai Pongum Azhagu Rubam Aasai 1956 T. R. Papa A. M. Rajah Padmini Tamil
Adi Kamachchiye Enthan Kanne Samsaram 1951 Emani Sankara Sastry A. M. Rajah Tamil
Aathiye Inba Jothi Gnaana Soundari 1948 S. V. Venkatraman Kambadasan M.V.Rajamani P. A. Periyanayaki Tamil
Ahaa—Kalai Thenoorum Kannithamizh Illara Jothi 1954 G. Ramanathan A. M. Rajah Padmini Tamil
Azhagodaiyil Neendhum Ila annam Kokilavaani 1956 G. Ramanathan Kannadasan Seerghazhi Govindarajan Thambaram Lalitha Tamil
Anbe Enthan Munnale Aravalli 1957 G. Ramanathan Kannadasan A. M. Rajah Mynavathi Tamil
Anbe Vaa Avan 1953 Shankar Jaikishan Kambadhasan A. M. Rajah Nargis Tamil
Andhaalu Chiddu Seemalo Raja Nandini 1958 T. V. Raju Ravuri Rangiah A. M. Rajah Anjali Devi Telugu
Andhala Chinduthara Shobha 1958 A. M .Rajah A.M.Rajah Anjali Devi Telugu
Anpezhum Priya Thozhikale Chandrka 1950 V. Dakshinamoorthy Thumbaman Padmanabhan Kutty A. M. Rajah Malayalam
Aram Katha Theviye Maheswari 1954 G. Ramanathan A. M. Rajah Savithri Tamil
Azhagu Nilavin Bavaniyile Maheswari 1954 G. Ramanathan A. M. Rajah Savithri Tamil
Chinna Pennana Pothile Aravalli 1957 G. Ramanathan A. Maruthakaasi A. M. Rajah Mynavathi Tamil
Chuthi Chuthi Machchane Veera Amar Singh 1959 T. G. Lingappa Kuyilan A. M. Rajah Tamil
Come Come Shankichu Shaanthi Nivas 1962 Ghantasala Abhayadev K. J. Yesudas Tamil
Devi Radhe Shaanthi Nivas 1962 Ghantasala Abhayadev P. B. Srinivas Tamil
Echi Pizhaikum Thozhile Saridhaanaa, ennipaarunga Madurai Veeran 1956 G. Ramanathan Udumalai Narayana Kavi T. M. Soundararajan Padmini Tamil
Ellorum Koodi Aadi Paadi Amara Deepam 1956 T. Chalapathi Rao Athmanathan Padmini Tamil
En Avalthan ... Manoratham 1953 A. M. Rajah Tamil
Enendru Nee Sollu Thendralae Maman Magal 1955 S. V. Venkatraman Savitri Tamil
Ennamellam Eedera( Ellorume Kaana Kalyaname)Puthumai Pen 1964 T. G. Lingappa A. M. Rajah Rajasulochana Tamil
Enna Enna Inbame Vaazvile Ennaazhum Anbu 1953 T. R. Papa A. M. Rajah Padmini Tamil
Ennum Pothile Inspector 1953 G. Ramanathan A. M. Rajah Anjali Devi Tamil
En Sinthai Noyum Kaveri 1955 G. Ramanathan Udumali Narayana Kavi Padmini Tamil
Hare Muraare Aathmaarpanam 1953 V. Dakshinamoorthy Abhaya Dev A. M. Rajah Malayalam
Idigo Svarga Dvaram Tericharu Evaro Akali 1952 P. S. Diwakar Devulapalli Krishna Sastry A. M. Rajah, P. Leela Telugu
Inba Naalithe Manohara 1956 S. V. Venkatraman Tamil
Inbam Vanthu Seruma Naan Petra Selvam 1956 G. Ramanathan K.M.Sheriff T. M. Soundararajan G. Varalakshmi Tamil
Inbame Pongume Pommai Kalyanam 1953 K. V. Mahadevan Udumalai Narayana Kavi Jikki Sivaji Ganesan Tamil
Indru Namathullame Thangappaumai 1956 Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy Pattukotai Kalyanasunderam T. M. Soundararajan Sivaji Ganesan Tamil
Inidhaai Naame Kaalam Maari Pochu 1956 Master Venu Tiruchy Loganathan Anjali Devi Tamil
Iruilile Nilavoli Pol Kumari 1952 K. V. Mahadevan A. M. Rajah Sriranjani Tamil
Irumizhi Thannil Aathmasakhi 1952 Brother Lakshmanan Thirunayinaarkurichi Madhavan Nair Malayalam
Isai Paadum Thendralodu Vijayapuri Veeran 1960 T. R. Papa A. M. Rajah Tamil
Jaalilo Jimkaana Amara Deepam 1956 T. Chalapathi Rao Thanjai N. Ramaiah Doss Padmini Tamil
Jeevithame Sapalamu Anarkali 1960 P. Adinarayana Rao Samudrala Raghavacharya Anjali Devi Telugu
Jigu jigu jigu.. jiyaalakkadi jiyaalo Kaatavaraayan 1958 G. Ramanathan Thanjai N. Ramaiah Doss J. P. Chandrababu Tamil
Kaanaga Raavaa Chenchu Lakshmi 1958 S. Rajeswara Rao Atreya Anjali Devi Telugu
Kaathal Vaazvil Naane Edhir Paradhathu 1954 C. N. Pandurangan K. S. Gopalakrishnan A. M. Rajah Padmini Tamil
Kaayile Inippadhenna Manamulla Marutharam 1958 K. V. Mahadevan A. Maruthakaasi A. M. Rajah B. Saroja Devi Tamil
Kada Kada Loda Loda Vandi Samsaram 1951 Emani Sankara Sastry Kothamangalam Subbu A. M. Rajah Vanaja Tamil
Kadhaparayamo Chathurangam 1957 L. P. R. Varma P. Bhaskaran A. M. Rajah Malayalam
Kalise nelaraaju Anarkali 1955 P. Adinarayana Rao Samudrala Raghavacharya Anjali Devi Telugu
Kalangmilla Kathalile Illara Jothi 1954 G. Ramanathan A. M. Rajah Padmini Tamil
Kalyaanam Aagumunne KayyaiTthodal Aagumaa Pudhu Yugam 1954 G. Ramanathan K. M. Sheriff Ghantasala Krishna Kumari Tamil
Kanava Ninaiva Puthumai Piththan 1957 G. Ramanathan Thanjai N. Ramaiah Doss B. S. Saroja Tamil
Kan Kanathathum Manam Kandu Vidum Avan 1953 Shankar Jaikishan Kambadhasan A. M. Rajah Nargis Tamil
Kanindha aliyodu Anarkali 1955 P. Adinarayana Rao Thanjai N. Ramaiah Doss Ghantasala Anjali Devi Tamil
Kannalae Pesum Gulebakaavali 1955 Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy Thanjai N. Ramaiah Doss G. Varalakshmi Tamil
Kanneer Sindhadhe Avan Amaran 1957 T.M. Ibrahim Maruthakasi Tamil
Kannil Thondrum Kaatchi Yaavum Sugam Enge 1954 Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy Kannadasan Lalitha Tamil
Kannil Vandhu Minnal Pol Nadodi Mannan 1958 S. M. Subbaiah Naidu Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram T. M. Soundararajan Lalitha Tamil
Kannum kannum kalanthu Vanjikkottai vaalibhan 1958 C.Ramachandra Kothamangalam Subbu Padmini Tamil
Kaviya Kathal Vazhvil Oviyam Naane Gomathiyin Kathalan 1955 G. Ramanathan A. Maruthakaasi A. M. Rajah Savithri Tamil
Koduththup Paar Paar Paar Vidivelli 1960 A. M. Rajah A. Maruthakaasi A. M. Rajah & P. Susheela, Thiruchi Loganathan Padmini Priyadharshini Tamil
Kokara Kokarako Sevale Pathi Pakthi 1958 Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy Pattukkotai Kalyanasundaram T. M. Soundararajan M. N. Rajam Tamil
Konjum Mozhi Pengalukke Neelamalai Thirudan 1958 K. V. Mahadevan A Maruthakasi Anjali Devi Tamil
Koodu Sellum Paravaigalae Kangal 1955 S. V. Venkatraman Padmini Tamil
Lahari Lahari Bharya 1962 G. Devarajan Vayalar A. M. Rajah Malayalam
Maanai Thedi Nadodi Mannan 1958 S. M. Subbaiah Naidu Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram Tamil
Maanathe Ezhunilamaalikayil Rebecca 1963 K. Raghavan Vayalar A. M. Rajah Malayalam
Manassamatham Thannaatte Bharya 1962 G. Devarajan Vayalar A. M. Rajah Malayalam
Maname Nirantha Deivam Enaiye Maheswari 1954 G. Ramanathan A. M. Rajah Savithri Tamil
Manchaadikkilimaina Kaattuthulasi 1965 M.S. Baburaj Vayalar K. J. Yesudas Malayalam
Mathanaa Ezhil Raja Chella PiLLai 1955 R. Sudharsanam Savitri Tamil
Mayakkum Maalai Gulebakaavali 1955 K. V. Mahadevan Vindhan A. M. Rajah G. Varalakshmi Tamil
Murali Ganam Ithe Than santhanam 1955 Susarla Dakshinamurthi Savitri Tamil
Naan En Varavendum Poongothai 1953 Adinarayana Rao D.B.Ramachandran AnjaliDevi Tamil
Nadagamellam Kanden Mathurai Veeran 1955 G. Ramanathan T. M.Soundararajan Padmini Tamil
Nalla Thamilzh Vilakke Ellorum Vaaza Vendum 1957 Rajan-Nagendra Villiputhan A. M. Rajah Malini Tamil
Nelanadimi Vennela Haayi Jayasimha 1955 T. V. Raju Samudrala Raghavacharya Anjali Devi Telugu
Nlvewaravo chiru nawulato Prema Lekhalu 1953 Shankar Jaikishan Aarudhra A. M. Rajah Nargis Telugu
Oh Devadas Devadas 1953 C. R. Subburaman Udumalai Narayana Kavi Ghantasala Savithri Tamil
Oru Kaattum Kaattalla Avar Unarunnoo 1956 V. Dakshinamoorthy Vayalar A. M. Rajah Malayalam
Oru Muraithaan Varum Mangayar Thilakam 1956 Susarla Dakshinamurthi Kannadasan M. N. Rajam Tamil
Pachchai Kili Paaduthu Amara Deepam 1956 T. Chalapathi Raoi Padmini Tamil
Pattu Poochchi Polum Aval Yar 1959 S. Rajeswara Rao Vidwan V. Lakshmanan A. M. Rajah Sowcar Janki Tamil
Pengalinaal Manthiri Kumari 1950 G. Ramanathan A. Marudhakasi G.Sakunthala Tamil
Pesum Yazhe Pen Mane Naam 1953 C. S. Jayaraman M. Karunanidhi A. M. Rajah V. N. Janaki Tamil
Poomala Vittodiyirangiya Achanum Makanum 1958 Vimal Kumar P. Bhaskaran A. M. Rajah Malayalam
Prajakalundo Prajakalundo Seetha 1958 V. Dakshinamoorthy Abhayadev A. M. Rajah, P. B. Srinivas, Punitha Malayalam
Premada Preetiya Poojari Bhaagyachakra 1956 A. M. Rajah Kannada
Raaka Raaka Vachchadu Ardhaangi 1954 S. Rajeswara Rao Aarudhra Telugu
Raaja Sekara Anarkali 1955 P. Adinarayana Rao Samudrala Raghavacharya Ghantasala Anjali Devi Telugu
Rarada Madi Ninne Prema Lekhalu 1953 Shankar Jaikishan Aarudhra A. M. Rajah Nargis Telugu
Rasi Nalla Rasi Veetu Mapillai 1973 A. M. Rajah 1975 A. M. Rajah Pramila Tamil
Sen Thamaraiye Puhuntha Veedu 1972 Sankar Ganesh A. M. Rajah Pushpalatha Tamil
Solla Venuma Vijayapuri Veeran 1959 T. R. Papa A. M. Rajah Hemalatha Tamil
Thallithalli Oh Vellam Vanamaala 1951 P. S. Diwaker P Kunjikrishna Menon Malayalam
Thanganilavil Kendai Irandum Thirumanam 1957 S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & T. G. Lingappa Pattukottai Kalyana Sundaram A. M. Rajah Savithri Tamil
Thennale Nee Parayumo Manthravaadi 1956 Brother Lakshmanan Thirunayinaarkurichi Madhavan Nair Kamukara Purushothaman Malayalam
Thillaanaa Paattu Paadi Puthumai Piththan 1957 G. Ramanathan Thanjai N. Ramaiah Doss J. P. Chandrababu E. V. Saroja Tamil
Thirai Potu Naame Raja Rani 1954 T. R. Papa A. M. Rajah Padmini Tamil
Ullam Irandum Ondru Puthumai Piththan 1957 G. Ramanathan Thanjai N. Ramaiah Doss C. S. Jayaraman B. S. Saroja Tamil
Ulavum Thendral Manthiri Kumari 1950 G. Ramanathan A. Marudhakasi Thiruchi Loganathan G.Sakunthala Tamil
Vanil Kaanum Nilave Aasai 1956 T. R. Papa A. M. Rajah Padmini Tamil
Vanil Nilavile Jaminthaar 1956 G. Ramanathan A. M. Rajah Tamil
Vanthathu Vasantham Edhir Paradhathu 1954 C. N. Pandurangan A. M. Rajah Padmini Tamil
Varaai Nee Varaai Manthiri Kumari 1950 G. Ramanathan A. Marudhakasi Thiruchi Loganathan G.Sakunthala Tamil
Vasamigum Malar Cholaiyile Yaar Paiyan 1954 S. Dakshinamurthi A.Maruthakasi A. M. Rajah Savithri Tamil
Vrikindra Vennilaave Balanagamma 1959 G. Ramanathan Ghantasala Anjali Devi Tamil
Kanava Ninaiva Puthumai Piththan 1957 G. Ramanathan Thanjai N. Ramaiah Doss B. S. Saroja Tamil
Janavule Nerajanavule Aditya 369 1991 Illayaraja Veturi Sundaramamurthy SPB, S P Sailaja Silk Smitha, Balakrishna Telugu
Alanati Ramachandrudu Murari 2001 Mani Sharma Sirivennela Suneetha, Sandhya Telugu

References

  1. ↑ "Chennai Online". ChennaiOnline.com. 27 March 2010. Archived from the original on 27 March 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  2. ↑ http://spicyonion.com/singer/jikki-movies-list/page/5/

External links

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