| Radhika | |
| Native Name: | రాధిక |
| Birth Date: | 1970 |
| Birth Place: | Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Death Date: | 10 November 2017 |
| Death Place: | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Occupation: | Singer |
| Years Active: | 1980s–2014 |
Radhika (1970 – 10 November 2017) was an Indian playback singer known for her contributions to Telugu cinema. She recorded over 200 songs in various South Indian languages, including Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada. Radhika is particularly recognized for singing item numbers in commercial films.[1]
She gained prominence with her iconic song "Bavalu Sayya... Maradallu Sayya" from the film Bava Bavamaridi (1993), which became a significant hit. Other notable tracks include "Aata Kavala," "Amalapuram Bulloda," and "Sunnunda Theesuko."[2] Despite a successful career, she did not achieve widespread recognition.[3]
Radhika was born in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. She was the niece of Telugu actor and former Member of Parliament Siva Prasad.[4] [5]
Radhika started her career as a playback singer in the late 1980s and became known in the South Indian music industry, especially in Telugu cinema. Her breakthrough came with the hit song "Bavalu Sayya... Maradallu Sayya". She later contributed to many successful songs, especially item numbers in the 1990s and early 2000s.
She took a step back from the music industry in 2004 and distanced herself from the limelight. She faced serious health challenges, including a kidney disorder, and had been under medical treatment since 2014.
Radhika died on 10 November 2017 at the age of 47 due to a heart attack at a private hospital in Chennai.[6] Her death was mourned by music directors Koti and Mani Sharma, and singer Mano.
Radhika lent her voice to several Telugu and South Indian films. Some of her key songs include:
| Year | Film | Language | Song | Music director | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Rowdy Alludu | Telugu | "Amalapuram Bulloda" | Bappi Lahiri | ||
| 1993 | Bava Bavamaridi | Telugu | "Bavalu Sayya... Maradallu Sayya" | Raj–Koti | ||
| 1994 | Kishkindha Kanda | Telugu | "Emananti" | M. M. Keeravani | [7] | |
| 2000 | Annayya | Telugu | "Aata Kavala" | Mani Sharma | ||
| 2001 | Narasimha Naidu | Telugu | "Chilakapacha Koka" | Mani Sharma | [8] | |
| 2001 | Shahjahan | Tamil | "Sarakku Vechuruken" | Mani Sharma | ||
| 2002 | Aadi | Telugu | "Sunnunda Theesuko" | Mani Sharma | ||
| 2004 | Anji | Telugu | "Mirapakaya Bajji" | Mani Sharma | [9] |