CHENNAI: Noted South Indian playback singer and National award winner Swarnalatha died at a private hospital here Sunday following lung infection. She was 37.

She was born in Athikkodu near Chittur, Palakkad, Kerala, to K. C. Cherukutty and Kalyani. Her father was a good harmonium player and singer. Her mother also had interest in music. Swarnalatha is trained also in harmonium and keyboard. Swarnalatha's family later moved to Shimoga, where she had her education.

She has been singing since 1989 with many music directors. She has rendered songs in Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, Urdu, Badaga.

She won the 1995 National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for her song 'Porale Ponnuthayi', composed by A R Rahman, in the Tamil film 'Karuththamma'.

She was introduced to film industry by M.S.V. through a duet with K. J. Yesudas, "Chinnanchirukiliye Kannamma" from the film Neethikku Dhandanai. She was well promoted by Ilaiyaraaja and later by A. R. Rahman. Most of her memorable songs were with these composers.

Swarnalatha, who was also a dubbing artiste, is survived by parents.
Expressing shock over the death of Swarnalatha, playback singer and music director M G Sreekumar said her demise was a loss to Indian film music.

She had rendered the famous song Muqqabala from Kaadhalan, Evano Oruvan from Alaipayuthey, Kucchi Kucchi from Bombay, Usilampatti Penkutti from Gentleman, Maya Machindra from Indian, among her innumerable hits.