B. K. Sumitra
{{short description|Indian playback singer}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = B. K. Sumitra
| image = Bangalore Latha and BK Sumitra.jpg
| caption = Sumitra (right) recording a song with Bangalore Latha
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1941|4|27}}
| genre = {{hlist|Film|Devotional| Bhavageethe}}
| birth_place = Bilalukoppa, Horanadu, Karnataka
| years_active = 1965 - Present
| occupation = Playback Singer
}}
Bilalukoppa Krishnayya Sumitra, popularly known as B. K. Sumitra, is an Indian singer known for her work in Kannada films. She is also popular for her numerous devotional and folk songs.{{Cite news|last=Govind|first=Ranjani|date=2016-04-26|title=Singer B.K. Sumitra turns 75|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/singer-bk-sumitra-turns-75/article8521277.ece|access-date=15 September 2020|issn=0971-751X}}
Personal life
Sumitra was born in Bilalukoppa near Horanadu, Karnataka to Gangamma and Krishnayya. The family later moved to Shivamogga, where Sumitra was trained in Carnatic music by M. Prabhakar, the brother of the actress Pandaribai.
Sumitra married M. L. Sudhakar. Her daughter Sowmya Raoh is also a playback singer, while her son Sunil Raoh became a film actor in the Kannada film industry.{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/sumithra-b-k.html#biography|title=Celebrity B. K. Sumitra|website=filmibeat.com|access-date=15 September 2020}}
Career
Sumitra was noticed by music composer G. K. Venkatesh, who asked her to sing in the film Kavaleredu Kulavandu (1964).{{Cite web|url=https://mfestindia.com/advisory/Sumitra.html#:~:text=In+1992,+she+has+been,coaching+camps+during+her+tour|title=B K SUMITRA, Singer & Tutor|website=mfestindia.com}}{{Cite web|title=Kavaleredu Kula Ondu (1964) Kannada movie: Cast & Crew|url=https://chiloka.com/movie/kavaleredu-kula-ondu-1964|access-date=2020-09-13|website=chiloka.com}} In a career spanning more than 40 years, she has worked with many composers including G. K. Venkatesh, R. Sudarsanam, Vijaya Bhaskar, M. Ranga Rao, Rajan–Nagendra, and new generation musicians like Anoop Seelin. Sumitra is active in participating in musical workshops and training students across the state.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prajavani.net/tags/bk-sumitra|title=BK Sumitra|website=Prajavani}}
Notable songs
- Ninnolume Emagirali Thande (Thande Makkalu)
- A Aa E Ee Kannadada - Karulina Kare (1970)
- Kareya Keli Bande - Anuradha (1967)
- Madhura Madhuravee Manjulagana - Sathi Sukanya (1967)
- Sampige Marada - Upaasane (1947)
- Odi Baa Ododi Baa - Chakratheertha (1967)
- Maneye Brundavana - (Brundavana)
- Eddelu Manjunatha - Eddelu Manjunatha (2009)
Awards
Sumitra's awards include:
- Nadoja honour and Honorary Doctorate from Kannada University, Hampi{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2013/mar/19/b-k-sumitra-takes-us-on-a-journey-down-memory-lane-459828.html|title=B K Sumitra takes us on a journey down memory lane|website=The New Indian Express|date=19 March 2013 }}
- Kempegowda Award
- 1991 – Karnataka Rajyotsava Award{{Cite web|url=https://karnataka.gov.in/page/Awards/State+Awards/Rajyotsava+Awards/en|title=Karnataka Government|website=karnataka.gov.in}}
- 1992 – Sangeetha Nrithya Academy Award
- 2017 – G. V. Iyer Award from the Karnataka Film Academy{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/599414/annual-film-awards-presented.html|title=Annual film awards presented|date=March 4, 2017|website=Deccan Herald}}
- 2019 – Lifetime Achievement Award at KIMA Awards
- 2021 – K. Mohandev Alva and Dr. M.K. Shailaja Alva endowment Award from Kannada Sahitya Parishat{{Cite web|date=2021-07-19|title=Selected for Kannada Sahitya Parishat Awards-2021|url=https://starofmysore.com/selected-for-kannada-sahitya-parishat-awards-2021/|access-date=2021-09-27|website=Star of Mysore|language=en-US}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|10519509}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sumitra, B. K.}}
Category:Indian women classical singers
Category:Indian women playback singers
Category:Kannada playback singers
Category:Singers from Karnataka
Category:20th-century Indian women musicians
Category:20th-century Indian musicians
Category:21st-century Indian women musicians
Category:21st-century Indian musicians
Category:20th-century Indian singers
Category:21st-century Indian singers
Category:20th-century Indian women singers