It’s been over four decades since Indians started listening to KS Chithra’s voice. Yet, it still hasn’t lost its freshness and ability to melt the hearts of listeners, taking us to celestial heights. In a way, her voice can be described as a sunrise; no matter how many times we have come across, it still manages to take our breath away every time as if it’s the first. That’s why July 27 isn’t just another date on our calendars. It’s the legendary playback singer’s birthday, an occasion dear to Malayalees worldwide.
Recently, Chithra sat down for a conversation with renowned television presenter and model Ranjini Haridas as the first guest on the latter’s new YouTube talk show The Green Room. The episode witnessed the two — who have shared a close bond since their time together on the music reality competition Star Singer in 2009, where Chithra served as one of the judges and Ranjini the anchor — taking a long trip down memory lane, reminiscing about their longstanding bond, personal lives and more.
During the conversation, the “Nightingale of Malayalam” also recalled an incident where she jumped in and protected Ranjini Haridas from a potential wardrobe mishap. Sharing that it happened while they were taking part in a doctors’ conference in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Chithra said, “A big ramp was set up and Ranjini was walking on it in a short skirt. Below the ramp, there were people who were standing with cameras. I just couldn’t sit there in tension.” The singer acted quickly and gave her a decorative cloth that had been handed to her while being welcomed to the event. “I gave her that fabric and told her to use it as a drape. I just couldn’t bear it,” she added.
Revealing that Chithra is very protective of her, Ranjini humorously shared that the singer would text her during their rehearsals, asking her not to sit cross-legged. She said, “Chitra chechi used to scold me for my short dresses. Whenever I sat in rehearsals with my legs crossed, she’d text me ‘Legs down!’ She is the one who wants to see me get married the most, even more than my mother!”
The first episode of The Green Room was released on the occasion of Chithra’s 62nd birthday on Sunday.
