Tamil cinema While Vani's popularity continued to soar in
Bollywood cinema, she started getting offers from the
Cinema of South India. In 1973, she recorded her first
Tamil song for the film
Thayum Seiyum under the music direction of
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu. However, the film remains unreleased to date and the song remained in the cans. Vani recalled that it was a challenging song and "he (Viswanathan) trusted me with it". She sang many songs composed by M.S.Viswanathan and Shankar–Ganesh.
M.S.Viswanathan by seeing her amazing grasping power and ability to write swaras immediately mentioned her as 'Blotting paper'. When Vani was in Madras (now
Chennai) for two music concerts at a Bhajan Sammelan, Viswanathan, who was the chief guest, was impressed by her performance and gave her the opportunity to sing the song. The song received laurels and accolades for both its composition and vocal rendition. It was in the same year, she recorded a duet song with
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam for music director
Vijaya Bhaskar for the film
Engamma Sapatham. It was later reported that Vani's voice featured in all the films which had Vijaya Bhaskar as the composer in both Tamil and Kannada film industries. The year 1975 turned out to be the first most eventful year for Vani since she won her first
National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the songs she rendered in the film
Apoorva Raagangal. The songs "Ezhu Swarangalukkul" and "Kelviyin Nayagane" made her popularity soar to heights and she became known as the singer who would always get selected to sing difficult compositions. She was flooded with singing offers from all the top-rated music composers, including M. S. Viswanathan,
Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan, Sankar Ganesh,
V. Kumar,
K. V. Mahadevan,
G. K. Venkatesh and Vijaya Bhaskar. In 1977, she first recorded her voice for
Ilaiyaraaja's composition in the film
Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri. She won her first
Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback for the song "Naane Naana" composed by Ilaiyaraaja for the film
Azhage Unnai Aarathikkiren (1979). With Ilaiyaraaja, Vani went on to record many popular songs in the 1980s for the films such as
Mullum Malarum (1978),
Rosappo Ravikaikaari (1979),
Anbulla Rajinikanth (1984),
Nooravathu Naal (1984),
Vaidehi Kathirunthal (1984),
Oru Kaidhiyin Diary (1985) and
Punnagai Mannan (1986). In 1994, composer
A. R. Rahman recorded her voice for the film
Vandicholai Chinraasu for a duet song with S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. Later in 2014, she recorded a portion of the
Thiruppugazh composed by Rahman, for the period film
Kaaviyathalaivan and followed it with the song "Narayana" in the film
Ramanujan. Jairam recorded thousands of Tamil songs both in solo and duet formats. Many of her duet songs have been recorded along with
T. M. Soundararajan,
P. B. Srinivas,
K. J. Yesudas,
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and
Jayachandran. Songs like "Ezhu Swarangalukkul", "Keliviyin Nayagane", "Ennulil Engo", "Yaaradhu Sollamal", "Megamae Megamae", "Kavidhai Kelungal", "Nadhamenum Kovililae", "Aana Kana" and "Sugamana Raagangale" are considered amongst the best compositions to be recorded in Vani's voice. The first Ghazal type song in
Tamil movies was "Megame magame" written by
Vairamuthu was sung by Vani Jayaram.
Telugu cinema Vani's contribution towards
Telugu cinema and devotional songs have been extensive and widespread. She recorded her first Telugu song for the film
Abhimanavanthulu (1973). The song "Eppativalekaadura Naa Swami", composed by
S. P. Kodandapani, was a classical dance-based song. Her songs for the film
Pooja (1975) brought her to the forefront of Telugu cinema. The songs "Poojalu Cheya" and "Ennenno Janmala Bandham" became household hits and cemented her position. It was for the
K. Viswanath's musical film
Sankarabharanam (1980), Vani increased her popularity by singing five songs and winning her second National Film award for all the songs collectively. She was also awarded the Andhra Pradesh government's
Nandi Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the same songs. She went on to collaborate with director Viswanath and music director
K. V. Mahadevan for many films like
Sruthilayalu (1987),
Sankarabharanam and
Swathi Kiranam. Later in 1990, the same team produced the film
Swathi Kiranam which was again musically noted; all the songs sung by Vani were received well. She received her third National Film Award for the film. Apart from K. V. Mahadevan, Vani recorded many Telugu songs for
Rajan–Nagendra,
Satyam,
Chakravarthy,
M. S. Viswanathan and
Ilaiyaraaja. She recorded most of the dubbed songs from Tamil composed by
Ilaiyaraaja.
Hindi cinema Vani's good professional association with
Vasant Desai resulted in her breakthrough with the film
Guddi (1971) directed by
Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Desai offered Vani to record three songs in the film amongst which the song "Bole Re Papihara", featuring
Jaya Bachchan in the lead role, became a talk-of-the-town song and gave her instant recognition. Composed in
Miyan Ki Malhar raag, the song showcased her classical prowess and subsequently fetching her many laurels and awards including the
Tansen Samman (for best classical-based song in a Hindi film), the Lions International Best Promising Singer award, the All India Cinegoers Association award, and the All India Film-goers Association award for the Best Playback Singer in 1971. Her other song
Humko Mann Ki Shakti Dena; Mann Vijaya Karein [O God! Please give us strength to conquer our weaknesses] became a school prayer since the release of the song in 1971 and continues to be even now. She toured the entire
Maharashtra state, accompanying her mentor, Desai, and taught many
Marathi songs to school children. Jairam went on to sing a few songs each for music directors of
Hindi cinema, which remain popular, including the
Chitragupta song, classical
Naushad compositions More Saajan Souten Ghar from
Pakeezah (1972) and Dulhan Badi Jadugarni, a duet with
Asha Bhosle in
Aaina (1977),
Madan Mohan composition Pyar Kabhi Kam Na Karna Sanam, a duet with
Kishore Kumar in the film
Ek Mutthi Aasmaan (1973),
R. D. Burman song Zindagi Mein Aap Aaye, a duet with
Mukesh in
Chhalia (1973), Shyamji Ghanshyamji composition Teri Jheel Si Gehri from film
Dhuan Ki Lakeer, a duet with
Nitin Mukesh, and the solo song Aa Balam composed by
Kalyanji-Anandji in the film
Dharm Aur Qanoon. Jairam sang several songs composed by
O.P. Nayyar from the film
Khoon Ka Badla Khoon (1978) including duets with
Mohammed Rafi and also with Uttara Kelkar and Pushpa Pagdhare. She sang the duet song Maine Tumhe Paa Liya with Rafi composed by
Laxmikant-Pyarelal in Jurm Aur Sazaa, and a duet with
Manna Dey in
Parinay (1974) composed by
Jaidev and the solo song Pee Kahan in
Solva Sawan (1979) by
Jaidev. The song "Mere To Giridhar Gopal" in
Meera (1979), composed by
Pandit Ravi Shankar, won her first
Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer. She recorded as many as 12 bhajans for the film Meera which became highly popular.
Malayalam cinema Vani Jairam made her Malayalam debut in 1973 by recording the solo song "Sourayudhathil Vidarnnoru" composed by
Salil Chowdhary for the film
Swapnam. The song became hugely popular, giving good credibility to Vani and gave her career a breakthrough. She went on to record over 600 songs in Malayalam cinema. Vani collaborated with all the popular Malayalam composers such as
M. K. Arjunan,
G. Devarajan,
M. S. Viswanathan,
R. K. Shekhar,
V. Dakshinamoorthy,
M. S. Baburaj,
Shyam,
A. T. Ummer,
M. B. Sreenivasan,
K. Raghavan,
Jerry Amaldev,
Kannur Rajan,
Johnson,
Raveendran and
Ilaiyaraaja. Her rendition of the song "Aashada Maasam", composed by R. K. Shekhar for the film
Yudhabhoomi (1976) met with wide appreciation and further increased her popularity. In 1981, she sang "Kanana Poikayil Kalabham" along with
K. J. Yesudas in the composition of M. K. Arjunan for the film
Ariyapedatha Rahasyam directed by
P. Venu. After a long hiatus, Vani returned to Malayalam cinema in 2014 by recording a duet song for the film
1983, and followed it up with a duet song in
Action Hero Biju (2016). Some of Vani's Malayalam songs including "Olanjali Kuruvi", "Pookkal Panineer", "Etho janma kalpanayil", "Poo kondu poo moodi" (Palangal), "Manjil chekkerum" (Raktham), "Onnanam Kunninmel" (Airhostess), "nanam nin kannil" (kelkatha sabdham),"Manju pozhiyunnu" (Uthradarathri) "Thiruvonapularithan" (
Thiruvonam), "Dhoomthana" (
Thomasleeha), "Seemantha Rekhayil" (
Aasheervaadam), "Naadan Paatile", "manjani kombil", "Nimishangal", "Thedi Thedi", "Moodal Manjumai Yamini", "Ee Raagadeepam", "Mandhaarapoo", "Taarake", "Hrudayathin Madhura", "Neelambarathile", "Navaneetha Chandrike", "Oru Raaga Nimishatil", "Thechi Pootha", "Yamini Nin Choodayil" amongst others are widely popular and considered among the best hits. Most of Vani's duets in Malayalam are recorded with
K. J. Yesudas and
P. Jayachandran. The title song "Marathe Marikurumbe" in the film "
Puli Murugan", rendered by Jairam, was short-listed in 70 songs which were considered eligible for nomination to the 2018 Oscar Award, under the category of "Original Song".
Kannada cinema Music director
Vijaya Bhaskar who worked with Vani in Tamil films introduced her to
Kannada cinema in 1973 for the film
Kesarina Kamala. She recorded two songs in the film, which was immediately followed by her breakthrough song "Bhaavavemba Hoovu Arali" from the film
Upasane (1974). This song cemented her position in Kannada films which lasted for three decades. After Vijaya Bhaskar gave her a career break, she was employed immediately by top-running composers such as
G. K. Venkatesh,
M. Ranga Rao,
Rajan–Nagendra,
Satyam,
Upendra Kumar,
T. G. Lingappa,
L. Vaidyanathan and
Hamsalekha. The combination of
Puttanna Kanagal (director) - Vijaya Bhaskar - Vani Jairam produced many popular songs backed by strong female-centric themes. She modulated her voice and accent for the song "Happiest Moment" from the film
Bili Hendthi (1975). With her contemporary singer
S. Janaki, Vani recorded few female duets, notably "Madhumasa Chandrama" (
Vijaya Vani 1976) and "Teredide Mane O Baa Athithi" (
Hosa Belaku 1982). She recorded many popular songs in the 1980s with the legendary actor-singer
Dr. Rajkumar. Most of her duet songs in Kannada have been with Rajkumar,
P. B. Srinivas,
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam,
P. Jayachandran and
K. J. Yesudas. Some of her most memorable songs include "Ee Shatamanada Madari Hennu", "Besuge Besuge", "Belli Modave Elli Oduve", "Jeevana Sanjeevana", "Deva Mandiradalli", "Haadu Haleyadaadarenu", "Kannada Naadina Karavali", "Priyathama Karuneya Thoreya", "Sada Kannali Pranayada", "Endendu Ninnanu Marethu", "Hodeya Doora O Jothegara".
Odia cinema Vani Jairam sang in many
Odia films of 1970's and 1980's and became household name in
Odisha. She recorded most songs with the films of music composer
Prafulla Kar as well as in the films of
Odia and
Kannada composer
Upendra Kumar. Some of her works in
Odia cinema include mega hits like "Chhota E Ghara E Sansara" in
Krushna Sudama (1975)," Mukunda Murari Hey Chakradhari"and "Jogire Khoju Kahin" in
Mukti (1977),"Keun Nama Dhari" ,"Tuma Sadhira Ranga" and "Adine Malli Mahaka" in
Sindura Bindu (1976)," Megha Barasila Tupuru Tupuru" and "Hayere Haye Garaje Megha" in
Sesha Shrabana (1976), "Maa Go Mamatamayee Mata" and"Na Jaa Sajani" in
Bandhu Mohanty (1977), "Mo Bhaina Bhaina" in
Punarmilan (1977), "Ei Gaanra Maudamani", "Paichhi E Jibane" and "Ki Sundara Aha Ki Anandamaya" in
Gouri (1978), "Aahe Dayamaya Biswa Bihari" ,"Holi Holi Re Holi " and "Chikilika Bambalika" in
Balidana (1978),"Bhagya Mora Sate Ki", "Ei Jhiatira Pada Talamala" ,"Kuhu Kuhu Bane Kuhu "and "Hey Nagadeva" in
Sati Anasuya (1978)," Aliali Kain Sunagori" and "Pirati Chori Chori" in
Jay Maa Mangala (1980),"Dhali Dia Saraa" and Jhuli Jhuli Khele Doli" in Tapasya(1980), "Akhila Brahmanda Pati" and "Mo Manara Chadhei" in
Ram Balaram (1980), "Aaha Sita" in
Ramayan (1980), "Jhumi Jhumi Nupura Baje" in
Hira Moti Manika (1980), "Nadire Nadire" ,"Tui Malmali" ,"Emiti Bi Nadi Achhi" and" Hip Hip Hurray Gadi Jae Gadire" in
Pooja (1981), "Aha Ki Badhia" in
Alibha Daga (1980). Her other films include
Patipatni(1978),
Pipasa(1978),
Sita LavaKusha(1981),
Debjani(1981)
Astaraga (1982),
Pratidhwani (1984),
Para Jhia Ghara Bhangena (1985),
Palataka(1985),
Gruhalaxmi(1986) etc. For
Devajani she has won
Odisha State Film Award for Best Female Playback singer.
Other languages Besides Hindi and South Indian languages, Vani Jairam has made recordings in
Gujarati,
Marathi,
Marwari,
Haryanvi,
Bengali,
Odia,
English,
Bhojpuri,
Rajasthani, Badaga,
Urdu,
Sanskrit,
Punjabi and
Tulu 19 languages totally. She has been awarded many prestigious awards, among them Best Female Playback Singer for the states of
Gujarat (1975),
Tamil Nadu (1980) and
Odisha (1984). One of her most famous Marathi songs, "Runanubandhachya", is a duet with the classical
Hindustani singer
Kumar Gandharva. This song was composed by Vani's mentor
Vasant Desai for a Marathi drama called
Dev Deenaghari Dhaavlaa. The lyrics were written by
Bal Kolhatkar. . Jairam recorded "Holi Songs" and "Thumri Dadra & Bhajans" with
Pandit Birju Maharaj. She also recorded "
Gita Govindam" composed by
Prafulla Kar with
Odissi Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra playing the
Pakhawaj. Jairam released "Murugan Songs" with songs written by her with music composed by her. ==Personal life ==