Minmini (born P. J. Rosily; 12 August 1970) is a South Indian film playback singer. She is best remembered for the song "Chinna Chinna Aasai"[1] from Roja, the debut work of film composer A. R. Rahman,[2] which was dubbed in Hindi as "Choti Si Asha". Most of her songs are in Tamil, most of them composed by Ilaiyaraaja and A. R. Rahman. Her Malayalam songs include "Souparnikamritha" from Kizhakkunarum Pakshi, "Oonjal Urangi", and "Neelaraavi" from Kudumbasametham.[3] She has lent her voice to songs from films including Enga Thambi (1993), Karuththamma (1994), and Thevar Magan (1992). She made a comeback in 2015 with the song "Kanmaniye" from Mili.
Minmini | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | P. J. Rosily |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1988–1995 2005–present |
| Spouse | joy |
Early life and education
editMinmini was born at Keezhmedu, Aluva, Kerala.[4] She is the youngest of four girls. Her parents are P. A. Joseph and Treeza. Her name was P. J. Rosily in school. While her elder sisters were part of the choir at the village church, she started her singing career at the age of 5 with Kalabhavan, a local orchestra. She studied at St Francis Girl's High School, Aluva.
Career
editMinmini had her film debut with Malayalam film Swagatham (1989), directed by Venu Nagavalli. She sang three songs in it, composed by Rajamani. She was introduced to Tamil film industry by Ilayaraja through Tamil film - Meera (1992).[5] Ilayaraja christened her Minmini, making her name more appealing to the Tamilians.[2] Minmini's first Telugu movie is "Aathmabandham" with music by Maragathamani.[4]
Her big break came in 1992 when she sang "Chinna Chinna Aasai" for the film Roja.[2] The number became such a big hit that the location where it was shot, Paana Theertham Falls in Tirunelveli district, attracted huge visitors and the Tamil Nadu government had to ban tourists to protect environment for almost nine years.[6]
Minmini has sung a few Kannada film songs in 1995 for the movies Putnanja and Betegara. Rangero holi a duet song with Mano from the movie Putnanja for Hamsalekha. In the same film she rendered humming in the song Putamalli puttamalli with Mano and Shyamala G. Bhave. She went on to work with Sadhu Kokila for the movie Betegara where she sang the song Mididiralu saviganasugalu with Mano.
Gopi Sundar brought her back to the industry with the song "Kanmaniye" for the film Mili in 2015.[7]
Personal life
editMinmini married Joy Mathew[7] in 1995( Keyboard player of Koratty). The couple have a son and daughter. Minmini lost her voice in 1993 on a stage show in London.[7] She was unable to even speak for some years. She regained her voice through treatments. Later she made a comeback. Along with her husband, she has also started a music school named Joy's Academy Of Performing Arts at Kakkanad in the then Cochin (now Kochi).[8]
References
edit- ^ "Singer Minmini reveals that Ilaiyaraaja refused to work with her after she sang 'Chinna Chinna Aasai' for AR Rahman". The Times of India. 24 June 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
- ^ a b c "The Hindu : Metro Plus Kochi : It happened one day..." 15 December 2007. Archived from the original on 15 December 2007. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
- ^ Staff, T. N. M. (9 August 2021). "How AR Rahman's first song 'Chinna Chinna Asai' was recorded". The News Minute. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Kollywood Playback Singer Minmini Biography, News, Photos, Videos". nettv4u. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
- ^ "மறுபிறவி". Kalki (in Tamil). 1 August 1999. pp. 4–5. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
- ^ "Tamil Nadu: 'Chinna chinna aasai' falls make a comeback". The Times of India. 14 September 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
- ^ a b c "I never knocked on doors for chances: Minmini". The Times of India. 16 January 2017. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
- ^ "Creating a legacy on his own". The New Indian Express. 29 April 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2024.