Nanjiyamma


Nanjiyamma is a national award winner female playback singer who hails from a tribal community in Kerala. She garnered public attention after singing playback in the Malayalam film Ayyappanum Koshiyum in 2020. The film's title song "Kalakkatha" written by herself in Irula language and composed by Jakes Bejoy attained popularity after its release on YouTube. The song received more than 10 million views in a month.

Early life and career

She hails from an Irula community in Nakkupathi, a tribal village in Attappadi in Palakkad district, Kerala, India.
Nanjiyamma is a folksinger of the Azad Kala Samithi, led by Pazhani Swami, a tribal artist in Attappadi. Later in 2020, she was introduced into playback singing through the film Ayyappanum Koshiyum. She has also played the role of mother-in-law to the protagonist Biju Menon in the film. She finds a livelihood by farming and feeding cattle. She sings mostly folk songs that went past through generations. She first sung for a documentary for Mathrumozhi titled Aggedu Nayaga directed by Sindhu Sajan. Nanjiyamma sung the promotional song for Government of Kerala's housing programme Life Mission and it was the first time Irula language was used for a public relations program in Kerala.
Nanjiyamma was awarded the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer in the 68th National Film Awards of India for the song "Kalakkatha" song from the movie Ayyappanum Koshiyum. She received special Jury Award of Kerala State Film Award in 2020.

Discography

YearFilmSongComposer
2024Mayavanam"Kadanamma "Dr. Jagath lal
2022Ulkkanal"Ele Le Le ",Lyrics also
2022Signature"Attappadi song"
2022Chekkan"Athukku Antha"
2022EMI"Thena Koyyana"
2022Station 5"Dakka Dakka"
2020Ayyappanum Koshiyum"Adakachakko "Jakes Bejoy
2020Ayyappanum Koshiyum"Kalakkatha",Lyrics alsoJakes Bejoy
2020Ayyappanum Koshiyum"Thaalam Poyi"Jakes Bejoy
2015Velutha Rathrikal"Hey Vannathi "
2015Velutha Rathrikal"Mallike"
2015Velutha Rathrikal"Muttolam Mundudutha"
2015Velutha Rathrikal"Hey Karadi"
2015Aggedu Nayaga"Kakke Daage"Manakkala Goopalakrishanan
2015Aggedu Nayaga"Kelaye daage gogunthee"Manakkala Goopalakrishanan
2015Aggedu Nayaga"Akkare vantha pachakkiliye"Manakkala Goopalakrishanan
2015Aggedu Nayaga"Le le le karadi"Manakkala Goopalakrishanan

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
2020Ayyappanum KoshiyumKannamma's MotherUncredited role
2020ChunkanNanjiammaMusical video
2020The Prince of Mollywood PrithvirajNanjiammaMusical video
also singer
2021PayanamHerselfMusical video
2022ChekkanMuthassi
2022EMISinger
2022Signature
2022Ullkkanal
2022Guardian Angel
2024MayavanamSingerMovie song
2025Am Ah