The renowned singer Sunitha Upadrasta is gearing up to captivate her audience with a grand live musical performance at Shilpakala Vedika in Hyderabad. The esteemed vocalist has not graced the venue for a performance in the last five years, and her excitement to reconnect with a live audience is palpable. “This concert, a ticketed event at a prestigious venue, is a special one; the vibe will be different as we get to know the audience’s pulse,” Sunitha stated, highlighting the unique energy that only a live performance can foster.
Sunitha plans to deliver an engaging three-hour show, with an impressive lineup of approximately 30 songs. She will be accompanied by singer Dinker Kalvala and a chorus, delivering a diverse range of her hit tracks across different genres. One of the most anticipated songs of the evening is expected to be the beloved ‘Ee velalo neevu em chestuvuntaavo…’ from the movie Gulabi.
A multifaceted artist with a rich portfolio that includes recording over 3,000 songs in Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada, Sunitha also boasts of being a proficient dubbing artist for more than 750 movies. Her most recent dubbing acclaim came with Aishwarya Rai’s character in the epic film Ponniyin Selvan 1. Furthermore, Sunitha imparts her musical wisdom on the music reality show Paadutha Theeyaga on ETV as one of its distinguished judges.
Embarking on a new journey in her illustrious career, Sunitha has stepped into the role of a director for the music video of her latest independent track, ‘Entha Prema.’ Launched by Mango Music, a label she co-directs, the track was composed by Achu Rajamani and presents a mélange of melodies, featuring Tamil lines sung by Achu himself. Describing her initial foray into directing, Sunitha shared, “I was a bit nervous, but the song mammalni baaga drive chesindi (the song pushed us) to create good music,” reflecting her determination to transcend her usual roles in the music industry. The video has been received with enthusiasm, partly attributed to Sunitha’s experience and clarity in visual storytelling, which guided her directorial decisions.
The soulful number ‘Entha Prema’ is described as a bhava geetham (emotional song) by Sunitha, encapsulating a deep yearning to be with a loved one. Her keen insight played a pivotal role in directing the music video. Having shared the final cut with director friend Shekar Kammula before its release, his feedback proved valuable in crafting the final product.
Expanding the horizon of their musical endeavors, Sunitha and Achu plan to release songs every two months with varying themes and vocalists, primarily in Telugu, with aspirations to dive into the Tamil music scene as well. Their recent collaborations have drawn inspiration from the legendary works of renowned composer Ilaiyaraaja, a testament to their admiration for the maestro, “Memu Ilaiyaraaja gaari veerabhimanulam (We are die-hard fans of Ilaiyaraaja garu).”
Independent music holds a special place for Sunitha, who understands the slow but impactful reach such projects can have compared to movie songs, which often find instant recognition or dismissal. The innate potential for organic growth in independent music is a challenge she embraces wholeheartedly.
In reflecting on her role as a judge on Paadutha Theeyaga, a celebrated musical show once hosted by the late SP Balasubrahmanyam and now by his son SP Charan, Sunitha expressed her profound honor and responsibility. The remembrance of Balasubrahmanyam garu brings both a sense of loss and inspiration to the show’s participants and judges alike.
Describing her personal approach to life and career, Sunitha Upadrasta lives by the mantra of working earnestly as if there is no tomorrow, without succumbing to desperation. To her, enjoying the journey is as important as striving for success.
As she reminisces, Sunitha fondly remembers a cherished interaction with the legendary actor (late) Akkineni Nageswara Rao, who once called her early in the morning to compliment an interview and photograph of hers in The Hindu MetroPlus. Such memories are dear to her, marking the touching moments of her enduring career.
Sunitha Upadrasta Live in Concert is set to be a vibrant and memorable occasion, hosted at Shilpa Kala Vedika in Hyderabad on March 22 from 7 pm. Tickets are available for ₹1,000 on bookmyshow.com, offering fans an opportunity to be part of an unforgettable musical evening.
