Saritha Rahman – Popular ghazal singer from Malappuram

Saritha Rahman is a ghazal singer from the state of Kerala with more than 20 years of experience in performing. She is also famous for singing Lata Mangeshkar’s classical songs since 2015.

Since childhood she listened to her parents singing

Saritha Rahman hails from Malappuram. She resides in Ozhoor near Thirur. Her parents – Chavakad Rehman and Aabitha owned a musical troupe named Rehman’s Musical Club. Her father is a composer and tabla player too. Her mother is also singer who completed Gana Bhooshanam from Chembai. Her father has taken musical lessons from famous music composer Baburaj.  She grew up in a musical atmosphere.

She first sang while studying in class 1. Her parents used to take her along with them, while going for performances. For troupe, she first sang while studying in class 2. Since then she performed on stage. She completed graduation in music and took formal learning in Hindustani music too. She is still continuing her musical lessons.

She is fond of Lata Mangeshkar songs

After a performance in gulf, her mother brought a cassette containing Lata Mangeshkar songs. She can’t count how many times she listened to those songs. Now she regularly sings retro songs of Lata in live shows. While studying in class 7, Hariharan’s ghazal songs released, and she got introduced to the new genre of singing. While performing at a marriage function, she sang Hariharan songs for the first time, and her father encouraged her by arranging ghazal nights with a group of friends later. Since then she has performed ghazals for more than 2 decades.

She started singing Lata songs exclusively after 2 decades of career in ghazal singing, and it was encouraged by her husband Noushad. She did her first show on Lata songs – Kuch Dil Na Kaho, on the occasion of the legend’s 86^th birthday as a tribute, where she chose 20 songs. Later she performed the same show in 12 stages within 1 year. She chooses songs based on the tastes of audience belonging to the region too. She is yet to join film field.

Saritha Rahman – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. While she sang first at the age of 6, it was more like a speech than a song. She made her first performance on stage while studying in class 2.

2. For her first stage performance, she received a lot of claps and also money, sweets and biscuits as treat.

3. She has two younger brothers, who are also singers, used to perform for troupe. But they didn’t take music as profession.

4. During childhood she learnt music from her mother and has attended music competitions.

5. She has composed one musical album in Hindustani music and performed too.

6. Her husband writes lyrics and composes too. They have two kids, both interested in singing.

7. She published one book of short stories, Paattuvandiyile Kathasancharangal.