Kavita Krishnamurty Subramaniam is a renowned playback singer credited for singing some of the very popular Bollywood songs. Born in Delhi in a Tamil Iyer family, Kavita began her vocal training under Sri Balram Puri (in the Hindustani music) at a very young age. She began her recording career in 1971. At a very young age, she got the opportunity to record a song with Lata Mangeshkar and music composer Hemant Kumar. Since then, she has given voice to several actresses and worked with many music composers including RD Burman and AR Rehman. She has won four Filmfare awards in the best female playback singer category, including three consecutive times from 1994 to 1996. She also received the Padma Shri in 2005. Kavita is married to violinist L Subramaniam.
Thing that brought me closer to music: Being a south Indian and having a Bengali upbringing, I think it was in my genes
Happiness to me is: Being around my family members
My favourite song: Pyaar hua chupke se from the movie, 1942: A Love Story, for which I got my first Filmfare award
My low point in life: The day my father passed away, when I was just 21-year-old. He was my icon and I think after that the world ended for me for some time
My favourite pastime: Spending time with my four-year-old granddaughter. I love reading stories to her
The person who inspired me: Protima Bhattacharya, my Bengali aunt who brought me up. She was the one who dreamt of me being a singer and who brought me to Mumbai.
If not a singer: I would be a veterinarian. I love animals, especially dogs. I can spend a whole day with animals without missing human beings
I take care of my health by: Taking a lot of medicines for my bronchitis
My greatest achievement: When I received my Padma Shri from president Abdul Kalam
My idea of comfort food: Bengali kheer made with Bengali gud. All my problems are solved with it
My dream: To travel to rare places like Iceland and Alaska. I’m hoping to go closest to the northern point of the world
Singing reality shows are: Fantastic. The senior generation of our country love sitting at home and listening to youngsters singing. It is
generating a lot of employment as a lot of these children are coming from poor families and this is an excellent platform for them to showcase their talent
My advice to aspiring singers: Never lose hope
I want to be remembered as: Honestly, it would be very egoistic for me to say that I want to be remembered. Apart of being a singer I just want to be a good wife, good mother and a good person
My life mantra: As a musician you should never relax. Your ears and the windows of your mind should always be open
As told to Yoshika Sangal
(The interview appears in the January 1-15, 2016 issue)
