Bombay Sisters

Bombay Sisters
Bombay Sisters
Occupation	Carnatic vocalists
Years active	1963–2023
Known for	Carnatic music duo performances

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Bombay Sisters, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 30 November 2025

The Bombay Sisters, comprising C. Saroja (born 7 December 1936) and C. Lalitha (26 August 1938 – 31 January 2023), were a renowned Indian duo specializing in Carnatic music vocals. In 2020, they were honored with the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India.

Filmography

Yar Jambulingam (Aadi Aadi Asaithal)
Arunagirinathar (Kaithala Nirai Kani)

Early life

Hailing from Trichur in present-day Kerala, the sisters were born to Mukthambal and N. Chidambaram Iyer but grew up in Bombay. Their education included studies at S.I.E.S Matunga, completion of intermediate courses privately from Bhopal, and graduation from Delhi University. Their musical foundation was shaped under the guidance of H. A. S. Mani, Musiri Subramania Iyer, and especially T. K. Govinda Rao, whose mentorship deeply influenced their command over Carnatic music, particularly enhancing their raga interpretation and emotive expression in kriti renditions.

Career

Following their Carnatic music training in Mumbai, the sisters relocated to Chennai when elder sibling Saroja secured a fellowship at the Central College of Music in Madras (now Chennai). Subsequently, Lalitha also obtained a fellowship at the same institution. The title 'Bombay Sisters' was bestowed upon them by Mouna Swamigal of Ambattur, a name that became synonymous with their musical identity.

Inspired by the 1950s trend of duo performances in Carnatic music, popularized by artists such as Radha Jayalakshmi and Soolamangalam Sisters, the Bombay Sisters embarked on their musical journey in 1963, initially performing light classical pieces before progressing to full-fledged classical Carnatic concerts. Their pivotal performance took place at the Sai Baba temple in Mylapore, where they were granted a coveted prime-time slot due to Madurai Mani Iyer’s absence.

Their repertoire spanned multiple languages including Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, and Marathi. Throughout their career, they consciously refrained from singing film songs. Beyond performing, they actively supported emerging talent by establishing endowments and scholarships for young musicians. Their significant contributions culminated in receiving the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2020.

Awards

Padmashri, 2020; conferred by the Government of India
Isai Peraringar Award, 2006; presented by the Tamil Isai Sangam
Sangeetha Kalasikhamani, 2006; awarded by The Indian Fine Arts Society, Chennai
Kalaimamani recognition for excellence in Carnatic music; granted by the Government of Tamilnadu
First female recipients of Asthana Vidushi title from the Kanchi matha
Sangeetha Kalanidhi Award, 2010; bestowed by the Madras Music Academy
Sangeetha Choodamani Award, 1991; awarded by Sri Krishna Gana Sabha
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, 2004; presented by the Government of India
S V Narayanaswamy Rao Award, 2018; granted by Sree Rama Seva Mandali, Bangalore
Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer Memorial Award, 2013
Sangeetha Kala Nipuna, 1994; awarded by Mylapore Fine Arts Club, Madras
M S Subbulakshmi Award, 2019; presented by the Government of Tamilnadu

Personal life

Lalitha was wed to N. R. Chandran, who formerly served as the Advocate-General of Madras. She passed away at the age of 84 on 31 January 2023 in Chennai, following a prolonged fight with cancer.

Saroja is married to Rajaram, who previously held the position of chief secretary at the Lalit Kala Akademi.

Discography

Source(s):

Sanskrit

Sri Venkatesa Suprabhatham & Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam
Sri Parthasarathy Suprabhatham & Pasurangal
Sri Kamakshi Suprabhatham
Sri Raghavendra Suprabhatham & Sthothras
Sri Mookambika Suprabhatham
Sri Sharada Suprabhatham & Additional Sthothras
Sri Bhubaneswari Suprabhatham & Songs
Sri Kalikambal Suprabhatham
Siva Suprabhatham & Sthothras
Sri Lakshmi Hayagreeva Stotram
Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Stotram (1991)
Sri Lakshmi Sahasranamam
Mooka Panchasathi Volumes 01 through 04
Gangalahari
Sri Bilva Ashtothara Sathanamavali
Devi Mahathmayam Volumes 01 to 03
Sowdaryalahari
Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam & Ashtothram
Durga Sthothram
Sree Mahishasuramardini Sthothram
Sriman Narayaneeyam
Sthothravali
Sthothramala
Sri Hanuman Chalisa & Other Hanumath Stothras (2008)
Chinna Chinna Slogangal
Krishna Karnamrutham
Sivanandalahari
Sri Vishnu Padadi Kesantha Sthothram
AanandaLahari
Sri Guru Stotram
Sri Dakshinamurthi Manthra Mathruka Sthavam
Sri Dakshinamurthi Navarathnamala Stotram
Sri Dakshinamurthi Pancharatna Stotram
Sri Dakshinamurthi Ashtakam
Sri Guru Paduka Panchakam
Sri Dakshinamurthi Astothara Sathanama Stotram
Dakshinamurthy Sthothram
Sri Dattatreya Astothara Sathanaama Stotram
Sri Dattatreya Suprabhatham
Sri Datta Aparadha Kshamapana Stotram
Sri Dattatreya Stotram
Sri Datta Stotram
Dattastahavarajaha
Sri Dattatreya Prarthana Chathuskam
Sri Datta Navarathna Malika
Sri Datta Naamavali
Adi Sankara SivasthuthiMala
Aadithya Hridayam
SriSthuthi Bhoosthuthi
Padmanabha Sathakam
Subrahmanyam (Kandarkalivemba)
Sri Lalitha Trisathi and Other Devi Stothras
Devi Sthothra Malika (two versions)
Mahishasura Mardhini (Nadam Music)
Ramaya Thubhyam Namah
Valmiki Ramayanam
Sri Dattathreya Sthothram
Sri Bhubaneswari Suprabhatham and Ashtakam
Sri Pudukkottai Bhuvaneswari Suprabhatham and Songs
Sri Yogabigai Suprabhatham
Sri Manik Prabhu Suprabhatham
Sri Ganesa Sahasranamam

Malayalam

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

Tamil

Sri Abirami Andhadhi
Sri Guruvayurappa Suprabhatham
Kandar Sashti Kavacham (Sangeetha Music)
Daivegathenisai
Ganapathi Aayiram Namangal
Enn Annai
Divyaprabadham
Jaya Jaya Kali
Kandar Sashti Kavacham (KRV Music)
Karumari Amman Andhadi
Koil Mani Osai
Maagadu Amman Aaruvara Padalgal
Maduraimeenakshi
Mahishasuramardhini (Symphony music)
Narayana Leelanjali
Navagraha Krithis
Pallikkarannai Parasakthi
PoornayogaVibhavam
Ramanar Suprabhatham
Sai Bhajan
Sakthiye Sakthi
Saravana Sangeetham
Shanmukha Suprabhatham
Kudavarasi Amman Padalgal
Sivadarisanam
Sri Bhuvaneswari Kavacham
Sri Hanumanchalisa & Songs
Sri Panchamukha Herambha Ganapathi Kavacham (1993)
Prasanna Venkatachalapathi Pukazhmalai
Raghavedra Songs
Raghavendra Suprabhatham
Raghavendra Navarathnamalai
Sri Saneeswara Bhagavan Sthothram
Sri Thiruchedur Suprabhatham
Sri Venkatesa Suprabhatham (Tamil)
Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam (Tamil)

#Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam (Tamil)    
#Bhajagovindam & Mukundamala (1991)    
#Aandal    
#Vinayaka Agaval    
#Thiruppugazh    
#Sri Venkatesa Suprabhatham (symphony)    
#Mahalakshmi Suprabhatham

Kannada

Daasara Padagalu (1981)
Devi Geethanjali (1991)
Ambe Mookambe (1991)
Kailasagirivasa Sri Manjunatha
Navagraha Bhakthimala
Srinivasa Vaibhava
Varamahalakshmi
Venkateswara Suprabhatha (Kannada)
Goravanahalli Mahalakshmi Suprabhatha

Carnatic Vocal

Renowned Compositions by Arunachala Kavirayar
Well-Known Varnams
Swathithirunal's Devi Krithis
Favored Melodies
Sri Thygaraja Pancharathna Krithis
Sri Annamayya Krithis
Thiruvayyaru Kshethra Krithis Volumes 1 & 2
Sri Muthuswami Dishithar's Navagraha Krithis
Kovur Pancharathna Krithis
Thiruvoytiyur Pancharathna Krithis
Sri Thyagaraja's Lalgudi Pancharatna Krithis
Srirangam Pancharathna Krithis
Ragam Tanam Pallavi Performances
Popular Thillanas
Captivating Melodies
Classical Vocal Works by Bombay Sisters
Songs of Periyasami Thooran
Panchalinga Krithis

External links