Bombay Sisters

1. Yar Jambulingam (Aadi Aadi Asaithal)
2. Arunagirinathar (Kaithala Nirai Kani)

The Bombay Sisters, C. Saroja and C. Lalitha, were born in Trichur, in what is today Kerala, to Mukthambal and N. Chidambaram Iyer. The sisters were brought up in Bombay. Saroja and Lalitha had their education in the S.I.E.S Matunga, passed their intermediate privately from Bhopal, M.P. and completed their graduation from Delhi University. They had their musical training with H. A. S. Mani, Musiri Subramania Iyer and T. K. Govinda Rao. T. K. Govinda Rao played major role in training the nuances of Carnatic music, How to enhance the raga and its bhava while singing sangatis in a kriti{{Cite web |title=Bombay Sisters - A Sruti Interview |url=https://www.sruti.com/articles/spotlight/bombay-sisters-a-sruti-interview |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=www.sruti.com |language=en}}{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2007/09/22/stories/2007092252420400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107181225/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2007/09/22/stories/2007092252420400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 November 2012|title=Bombay sisters in concert|date=22 September 2007|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=3 August 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://www.carnatica.net/artiste/bombaysisters.htm|title=C Saroja & C Lalita – The Bombay Sisters |publisher=Carnatica.com|access-date=3 August 2009}}

After they were groomed in Carnatic music in Mumbai, the sisters moved to Chennai when the elder sister, Saroja, first received a fellowship at the Central College of Music in Madras (now Chennai). The younger sister, Lalitha, also later received a fellowship at the same college. The duo got their name when Mouna Swamigal of Ambattur addressed them as 'Bombay Sahodarigal' ({{Translation|Bombay Sisters}}) and the name stuck.{{Cite web |date=11 December 2018 |title=Bombay Sisters speak about their successful journey |url=https://newstodaynet.com/index.php/2018/12/11/bombay-sisters-speak-about-their-successful-journey/}}

As part of the trend of duo singing in Carnatic music, which started in the 1950s, with performers like Radha Jayalakshmi, and Soolamangalam Sisters,{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/article95639.ece|title=Sisters in song|date=30 January 2010|newspaper=The Hindu}} Bombay Sisters began singing in 1963 when they started with light classical music, subsequently progressing to classical Carnatic music. Their first major concert in Madras was at the Sai Baba temple in Mylapore, where they were bumped to the prime-time slot because of the unavailability of Madurai Mani Iyer.{{Cite news |date=1 February 2023 |title=C Lalitha, younger of noted Carnatic duo Bombay Sisters, dies at 84 in Chennai |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/c-lalitha-younger-of-noted-carnatic-duo-bombay-sisters-dies-at-84-in-chennai/articleshow/97506592.cms?from=mdr |access-date=5 February 2023 |issn=0971-8257}}

The duo sang in multiple languages including Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi and Marathi.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iu8VAAAAIBAJ&pg=4559,1638849&dq=bombay-sisters|title=Concert by Bombay sisters|date=16 February 1994|newspaper=New Straits Times|pages=13|access-date=3 August 2009}}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} They stayed away from singing for film-songs through their career. They were also known for promoting young musicians through endowments and scholarships.{{cite news |last1=Charukesi |title=In complete harmony |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/in-complete-harmony/article2777468.ece |work=The Hindu |date=5 January 2012 |language=en-IN}} They received the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honour, in 2020.{{Cite news |last=Review |first=Team Friday |date=2 February 2023 |title=Remembering C. Lalitha of the Bombay Sisters |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/c-saroja-c-lalitha-bombay-sisters/article66463095.ece |access-date=5 February 2023 |issn=0971-751X}}

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• Padmashri, 2020; awarded by the Government of India{{cite web |title=Padma Awards 2020 Announced |url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=197647 |website=pib.gov.in}}{{cite news |author=The Hindu Net Desk |title=Full list of 2020 Padma awardees |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/full-list-of-2020-padma-awardees/article30656841.ece |work=The Hindu |date=26 January 2020 |language=en-IN}}
• Isai Peraringar Award, 2006; awarded by the Tamil Isai Sangam{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/11/11/stories/2006111103880200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071205015702/http://www.hindu.com/2006/11/11/stories/2006111103880200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 December 2007|title=Bombay Sisters to get Isai Perarignar Award|date=11 November 2006|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=3 August 2009}}
• Sangeetha Kalasikhamani, 2006; awarded by The Indian Fine Arts Society, Chennai{{Cite web |title=Indian Heritage – December Madras (Chennai) Music Season – Awards 1998 to 2010 |url=https://www.indian-heritage.org/musicseason/awardsp.htm |access-date=5 February 2023 |website=indian-heritage.org}}
• Kalaimamani for contributions to Carnatic music; awarded by the Government of Tamilnadu{{cite web|url=http://archives.chennaionline.com/musicseason99/profile/bombaysisters.html|title=Profile – Bombay Sisters|publisher=ChennaiOnline.com|access-date=3 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815060753/http://archives.chennaionline.com/musicseason99/profile/bombaysisters.html|archive-date=15 August 2009|url-status=dead}}
• First women to be conferred the status of Asthana Vidushi by the Kanchi matha{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/09/28/stories/2007092850950200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071105072632/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/09/28/stories/2007092850950200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 November 2007|title=Sheer hard work has brought us this far|date=28 September 2007|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=3 August 2009}}
• Sangeetha Kalanidhi Award, 2010; awarded by the Madras Music Academy{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article523573.ece?homepage=true|title=Sangita Kalanidhi award for Bombay Sisters|date=20 July 2010|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=20 July 2010}}
• Sangeetha Choodamani Award, 1991; awarded by the Sri Krishna Gana Sabha{{Cite web |title=Understanding of bhava is needed |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2011/dec/11/understanding-of-bhava-is-needed-319316.html |access-date=5 February 2023 |website=The New Indian Express|date=16 May 2012 }}
• Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, 2004; awarded by the Government of India
• S V Narayanaswamy Rao Award, 2018; awarded by the Sree Rama Seva Mandali, Bangalore{{Cite news |date=16 February 2010 |title=Saregama in air-conditioned comfort |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/Saregama-in-air-conditioned-comfort/article16814956.ece |access-date=5 February 2023 |issn=0971-751X}}
• Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer Memorial Award, 2013{{Cite news |date=7 December 2013 |title=Award for Bombay Sisters |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/Award-for-Bombay-Sisters/article11589642.ece |access-date=5 February 2023 |issn=0971-751X}}
• Sangeetha Kala Nipuna, 1994; awarded by Mylapore Fine Arts Club, Madras{{Cite web |title=C Lalitha of 'Bombay sisters' passes away |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/c-lalitha-of-bombay-sisters-passes-away-1.8271257 |access-date=5 February 2023 |website=English.Mathrubhumi |date=February 2023 |language=en}}
• M S Subbulakshmi Award 2019; awarded by the Government of Tamilnadu

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Lalitha was married to N. R. Chandran, former Advocate-General of Madras. She died on 31 January 2023, aged 84, in Chennai. She was suffering from cancer.{{Cite news |last=Bureau |first=The Hindu |date=31 January 2023 |title=Lalitha Chandran of Bombay sisters dies at 84 in Chennai |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/lalitha-of-bombay-sisters-no-more/article66455380.ece |access-date=4 February 2023 |issn=0971-751X}}

Saroja is married to Rajaram, former chief secretary of the Lalit Kala Akademi.

Source(s):{{Cite web |title=Bombay Sisters Albums and Discography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bombay-sisters-mn0001283404/discography |access-date=5 February 2023 |work=AllMusic |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Bombay Sisters |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/4182129-Bombay-Sisters |access-date=5 February 2023 |work=Discogs |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Bombay Sisters – Top Albums – Listen on JioSaavn |url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/artist/bombay-sisters-albums/tE4Alhv-7DQ_ |access-date=5 February 2023 |publisher=JioSaavn |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Bombay Sisters albums and discography |url=https://www.last.fm/music/Bombay+Sisters/+albums |access-date=5 February 2023 |publisher=Last.fm |language=en}}

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1. Sri Venkatesa Suprabhatham & Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam
2. Sri Parthasarathy Suprabhatham & Pasurangal
3. Sri Kamakshi Suprabhatham
4. Sri Raghavendra Suprabhatham & Sthothras
5. Sri Mookambika Suprabhatham
6. Sri Sharada Suprabhatham & Other Sthothras
7. Sri Bhubaneswari Suprabhatham & Songs
8. Sri Kalikambal Suprabhatham
9. Siva Suprabhatham & Sthothras
10. Sri Lakshmi Hayagreeva Stotram
11. Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Stotram (1991)
12. Sri Lakshmi Sahasranamam
13. Mooka Panchasathi Vol 01,Vol 02, Vol 03, Vol 04
14. Gangalahari
15. Sri Bilva Ashtothara Sathanamavali
16. Devi Mahathmayam Vol 01,Vol 02,Vol 03
17. Sowdaryalahari
18. Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam & Ashtothram
19. Durga Sthothram
20. Sree Mahishasuramardini Sthothram
21. Sriman Narayaneeyam
22. Sthothravali
23. Sthothramala
24. Sri Hanuman Chalisa & Other Hanumath Stothras (2008)
25. Chinna Chinna Slogangal
26. Krishna Karnamrutham
27. Sivanandalahari
28. Sri Vishnu Padadi Kesantha Sthothram
29. AanandaLahari
30. Sri Guru Stotram
31. Sri Dakshinamurthi Manthra Mathruka Sthavam
32. Sri Dakshinamurthi Navarathnamala Stotram
33. Sri Dakshinamurthi Pancharatna Stotram
34. Sri Dakshinamurthi Ashtakam
35. Sri Guru Paduka Panchakam
36. Sri Dakshinamurthi Astothara Sathanama Stotram
37. Dakshinamurthy Sthothram
38. Sri Dattatreya Astothara Sathanaama Stotram
39. Sri Dattatreya Suprabhatham
40. Sri Datta Aparadha Kshamapana Stotram
41. Sri Dattatreya Stotram
42. Sri Datta Stotram
43. Dattastahavarajaha
44. Sri Dattatreya Prarthana Chathuskam
45. Sri Datta Navarathna Malika
46. Sri Datta Naamavali
47. Adi Sankara SivasthuthiMala
48. Aadithya Hridayam
49. SriSthuthi Bhoosthuthi
50. Padmanabha Sathakam
51. Subrahmanyam (Kandarkalivemba)
52. Sri Lalitha Trisathi and Other Devi Stothras
53. Devi Sthothra Malika
54. Devi Sthothra Mala
55. Mahishasura Mardhini (Nadam Music)
56. Ramaya Thubhyam Namah
57. Valmiki Ramayanam
58. Sri Dattathreya Sthothram
59. Sri Bhubaneswari Suprabhatham and Ashtakam
60. Sri Pudukkottai Bhuvaneswari Suprabhatham and Songs
61. Sri Yogabigai Suprabhatham
62. Sri Manik Prabhu Suprabhatham
63. Sri Ganesa Sahasranamam

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1. Sapthaham (1991)
2. Sundara Narayana Guruvayurappan Gananjali Vol. 8- CD 1
3. Sundara Narayana Guruvayurappan Gananjali Vol. 8- CD 2

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1. Sri Abirami Andhadhi
2. Sri Guruvayurappa Suprabhatham
3. Kandar Sashti Kavacham (Sangeetha Music)
4. Daivegathenisai
5. Ganapathi Aayiram Namangal
6. Enn Annai
7. Divyaprabadham
8. Jaya Jaya Kali
9. Kandar Sashti Kavacham (KRV Music)
10. Karumari Amman Andhadi
11. Koil Mani Osai
12. Maagadu Amman Aaruvara Padalgal
13. Maduraimeenakshi
14. Mahishasuramardhini (Symphony music)
15. Narayana Leelanjali
16. Navagraha Krithis
17. Pallikkarannai Parasakthi
18. PoornayogaVibhavam
19. Ramanar Suprabhatham
20. Sai Bhajan
21. Sakthiye Sakthi
22. Saravana Sangeetham
23. Shanmukha Suprabhatham
24. Kudavarasi Amman Padalgal
25. Sivadarisanam
26. Sri Bhuvaneswari Kavacham
27. Sri Hanumanchalisa & Songs
28. Sri Panchamukha Herambha Ganapathi Kavacham (1993)
29. Prasanna Venkatachalapathi pukazhmalai
30. Raghavedra Songs
31. Raghavendra Suprabhatham
32. Raghavendra Navarathnamalai
33. Sri Saneeswara Bhagavan Sthothram
34. Sri Thiruchedur Suprabhatham
35. Sri Venkatesa Suprabhatham (Tamil)
36. Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam (Tamil)
37. Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam (Tamil)
38. Bhajagovindam & Mukundamala (1991)
39. Aandal
40. Vinayaka Agaval
41. Thiruppugazh
42. Sri Venkatesa Suprabhatham (symphony)
43. Mahalakshmi Suprabhatham

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1. Daasara Padagalu (1981).
2. Devi Geethanjali (1991).
3. Ambe Mookambe (1991).
4. Kailasagirivasa Sri Manjunatha
5. Navagraha Bhakthimala
6. Srinivasa Vaibhava
7. Varamahalakshmi
8. Venkateswara Suprabhatha (Kannada)
9. Goravanahalli Mahalakshmi Suprabhatha

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1. Popular Composition of Arunachala Kavirayar
2. Popular Varnams
3. Swathithirunal Devi Krithis
4. Popular Melodies
5. Sri Thygaraja Pancharathna Krithis
6. Sri Annamayya Krithis
7. Thiruvayyaru Kshethra Krithis Vol 1&2
8. Sri Muthuswami Dishithar Navagraha Krithis
9. Kovur Pancharathna Krithis
10. Thiruvoytiyur Pancharathna Krithis
11. Sri Thyagaraja's Lalgudi Pancharatna Krithis
12. Srirangam Pancharathna Krithis
13. Ragam Tanam Pallavi
14. Popular Thillanas
15. Enticing Melodies
16. Classical Vocal - Bombay Sisters
17. Periyasami Thooran Songs
18. Panchalinga Krithis

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{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090815060753/http://archives.chennaionline.com/musicseason99/profile/bombaysisters.html Profile at ChennaiOnline.com]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110208172355/http://www.bombaysisters.com/ BombaySisters.com]

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Category:Women Carnatic singers

Category:Carnatic singers

Category:Singers from Chennai

Category:Singers from Thrissur

Category:Indian musical duos

Category:Sibling musical duos

Category:Musical groups established in 1963

Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2023

Category:2023 disestablishments in India

Category:20th-century Indian singers

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Category:21st-century Indian women singers

Category:21st-century Indian singers

Category:Women musicians from Maharashtra

Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts

Category:Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award