Let us begin quoting a few lines from a Mappila song
“Manushyan Manushyane Snehichu Nokk
Manassinakathoru Palliyund…..”
Music stories of Rehna K S – Known as ‘Isalinte Rajakumari’
These are lines from a Mappila song that comes to us in the sweet, melodious voice of Rehna K S. It is a voice that listeners want to hear again and again. And the lines translate us
“God loves human beings.
Look, build a mosque inside your heart…”
Let us listen to the story behind Rehna’s songs, a less-known Malayalam playback singer who has been mostly associated with Mappila songs. She has recorded over 7,000 songs in Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi languages.
Family and musical roots
Her father, Shanakkath Ali, was actively involved in theatre and cultural organisations in Nilambur. grandfather was a good singer and violinist. So, art was always a part of their lives. When young Rehna started singing, both her father and mother, Jameela, supported her immensely.
Influence of M. S. Baburaj in her life:
Her father was also one of the producers of the film ‘Olavum Theeravum’, for which the music was composed by M. S. Baburaj. Baburaj was someone who always stood by her father whenever he was needed.
Rehna only know Baburaj through what her father told her, but his songs filled our home. During her childhood, she sang Baburaj’s songs the most, and his music has influenced her deeply.
Growing up with music
Rehna has been singing since childhood, and never missed song competitions in school. Most of the time, she took part in light music competitions, because she loved singing that genre. In Malappuram district, from classes 8, 9, and 10, she won first prize continuously for three years.
In those days, at local programmes, Rehna K S sang more film songs than Mappila songs. Also, at that time, there were hardly any prizes for Mappila song competitions.
Rehna got support from parents
From a very young age, her father and mother gave strong support to sing. They themselves took the initiative to send her to study music at the Government Music College in Chittur, Palakkad. They wished to make Rehna a music teacher. She studied there for seven years, from pre-degree to post-graduation. Later Rehna completed MA in Carnatic music, and that education helped her a lot when I became a professional singer.
Learning music has been a huge asset in her life. When you learn songs properly, you begin to understand the nuances and musical structures more deeply. Formal music education helped her grasp all that clearly.
A career spanning to 3.5 decades
Rehna entered the field of Mappila songs in the 1990s. In 1991, I sang professionally for the first time in a cassette called Kalithozhan, along with Unni Menon. The music was composed by Benny Ignatius.
Before that, when Rehna was studying in class 7 or 8, she had sung Mappila songs in a cassette released as part of a Mujahid conference. Later, during the 1990s itself, she sang along with playback singer Markose in Manjeri. Along with recordings, there were also many live stage programmes, which showcased her singing talents.
‘Ponnu Sakhi’ – Rehna’s first hit song
The song ‘Ponnu Sakhi’ from the 1994 release Kinakkili Collection became a big hit among the people. After that, she started singing more Mappila songs.
Radio, television, and recognition
Later, Rehna became a B-High artist at All India Radio, which gave her more opportunities to sing light music songs. She also got the chance to meet and work with many well-known personalities in the music field, including Raghavan Master and Arjunan Master in the 1990s.
She has sung many light music songs on Doordarshan along with Sathish Babu, Chengannur Sreekumar, and others. Minmini, Biju Narayanan, and many more were co-singers. During that period, she also sang many devotional songs.
Rehna is known as ‘Queen of Ishals’
Rehna has no idea how she got that title. People just started calling her that. Usually, singers who sing in films are called playback singers, but she ended up with this title.
Ponnitta Pettakam Pootallae – Her hit song as a playback singer
When she entered cinema, her debut song was ‘Ponnitta Pettakam Pootallae…’ from the film Pranaya Nilavu. Apart from this hit song, Rehna had also sung the track versions of all the other songs in that film. She also rendered her voice for songs of films like Daivanamathil, Calling Bell, Kuttikalukkulla Kannu, and others. In those days, she had to go to Madras for song recordings. So, it wasn’t possible to do many films. That’s why she couldn’t pursue playback singing full time.
The teacher and that pen
Once, when well-known poet Sugathakumari teacher came to the college, Rehna set music to the poem that begins with “Krishna, Nee Enne Ariyilla …” and sang it in front of her. Listening to it, the teacher became emotional, blessed her, and gave her a pen. That is an unforgettable experience.
Now she lives in Nilambur itself. It has been five years since her husband Nawaz passed away. Her son Sonu Nawaz who is an MBA student, is her greatest strength.
Rehna has served as a judge for singing competitions on many channels. Through that, she closely observes new changes happening in music, understand and learn, and updates herself. A few years earlier, she has performed with violinist Balabhaskar in Qatar.
Top songs sung by Rehna
1. Paalnilaa punchiri
2. Ponnitta pettakam
3. Panineeril
4. Paarijathum
5. Ee maanil
6. Karalin polive
7. Mizhikalil
8. Chudunanavumaayi
9. Makkaththu puththoru naayathi
10. Mannil vinnil
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