Sona Mohapatra Biography

Sona Mohapatra is an Indian singer with a golden voice, also famous as Lalpari Mastani among her fans. She sings in different languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Odia, Tamil, etc., but her main genre is Bollywood and her solo album songs. Sona is also a storyteller and a producer who mostly produces her solo songs. 

She sang so many songs in Bollywood movies. The Ambarsariya song from the movie Fukrey was one of the best gifts to her fans and music lovers. Sona collaborated with many International popular bands and artists like David Bowie, with “Let’s Dance”, INXS, with “Afterglow,” and many other DJs from different countries like the UK and France.

Early Life And Education

Sona Mohapatra was born in Cuttack, Odisha, on 17 June 1976 in a well-educated Odia Brahmin family. Though her father was working as an officer in the Indian Navy, her childhood was spent in different cities of the country, including Pune, Cochin, Hyderabad, etc., for several years. The NDA environment gave her childhood a disciplined life. She used to be involved in several skill development activities, like horse riding and other sporty activities.

Sona, from her childhood, got trained in Indian Classical singing along with her two sisters and was performing in various stages. Later, she graduated as a B.Tech engineer in Instrumentation & Electronics Engineering from the College of Engineering and Technology, Bhubaneswar. After that, she pursued an MBA in Marketing from Symbiosis Centre for Management & HRD, Pune. Later, she worked in a big FMCG company named Marico as a brand manager, where she handled different brands of that company.

As Indians, most of us usually first prefer to achieve something by doing any government job or in the corporate sector. Get a respected position within society and secure a career for the future by gaining some years of experience in that profession. After that, only we prefer to follow our dreams to fulfill. The same thing happened with Sona. After working for five years, she gave up her highly paid corporate job and followed her musical passion for turning it into reality.

Singing Career

Sona was good at her studies, and she was also interested in music. Hence, she learned Indian Classical from her childhood. She gave time to both studies and music with the same enthusiasm in her student life. She always wanted to be a rockstar with her singing performance. As a result, she left her corporate job and chose the singing career as her ultimate destination.

Some Of Best Songs

In the initial stage of her singing career, Sona mainly focused on Albums and commercial Ad jingles by collaboration with the music composer Ram Sampath. She started singing with the jingle, Kal Ka Bharat … Chutki of Tata Salt, and simultaneously worked on her album projects. In 2006 she made her singing debut with her album named Sona. In the same year, she also got a chance to sing in the Rajkumar Santoshi film Family with the song Lori composed by Ram Sampath. From there, she started her Bollywood journey; until now, she has been given several super hit songs to Indian music, which shows her capability of versatility singing. A few of them I am going to share here below: 

Mujhe Kya Bechega Rupaiya

The song was from episode two of the TV talk show Satyamev Jayate, which was based on Empowering Women. This song got so popular within very less time. It was also the turning point of Sona’s singing career which made her a very popular singer within the music industry. Every daughter could relate to this song. The words are very well written; that’s why the song hits the soul very deeply.

Bedardi Raja

This was an electrifying performance by Sona from the movie Delhi Belly. Her voice and small cameo gave a whole different look to this amazing song. 

Ambarsariya

This beautifully composed song from the movie Fukrey gets a perfect finishing touch to create the cute chemistry through Sona’s voice.

Jiya Lage Na

The song was composed by Ram Sampath from the movie Talaash, which will make you fully refreshed. You will never get bored of listening to this song.

Rangabati

The Rangabati song is an Odia Sambalpuri classical song had already famous in the country. In 2015, Sona performed this song on Cock Studio with her own style of singing in a remixing way which got so popular on the internet within some days of release. Some people didn’t like that version because of some mispronunciation of words and the mismatched lyrics. On the other hand, many people enjoyed that and were happy that the Rangabati song has performed on a global platform, which helped it reach a wider audience.

Naina

The romantical song from the movie Khoobsurat composed by Amaal Malik and sung by Sona and Amaal himself is great to hear. Also, their voices rise a level up for Sonam- Fawad’s chemistry.

Aja Ve

The song is from her first album SONA released in 2006. The album has ten songs sung by Sona. All songs from the album were unique by their music and lyrics, but one of the songs, Aja Ve, was gold. In that song, you will find the initial phase of several actors; some of them are big stars today. Actors like Rajkumar Rao, Vijaya Varma, Jaideep Ahlawat, Pitobash Tripathy, and some Marathi actors also have featured in different characters. If you want to see this song, you can watch it below. I have shared the video from SonyMusicIndiaVEVO official YouTube channel. I am pretty sure it will make your day. 

Tu Mannat

This is a Marathi song from the movie Toh Ani Me Ek Runanubandh. With this song, you will get a sense of purity through her voice. It makes her more special when she doesn’t know Marathi but how brilliantly she has performed this song. If you want to witness this, then you will find this on YouTube.

Chori Chori

Sona and Arijit Singh both have brilliantly executed this song according to the screenplay’s demand, which was composed by Khamosh Shah from the movie Hunter.

Oru Maalai Pozhuthil

This is a Tamil song from the movie Theneer Viduthi and the music composed by SS Kumaran. Mahapatra Sang this in such an engaging way; when you hear it, you will feel that.

Paas Aao Naa (Close-Up Ad)

This famous song was only some part of the original one from the pop album Raat Aur Din which was created in 2008 by Ram Sampath and Sona. Later, Close Up chose it to use in their Ad campaign and got very successful. She sang this song in more than 17 languages and was licensed for several countries. Today even the Ad campaigner doesn’t want to change the original music.

Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar (Remix)

In 2002, the song was a remix version of Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar track from the movie Aar Paar. The remix song was featured by Deepal Shaw and sung by Sona. The song was very popular at that time, even for 90’s children, this is a memorable song till now. 

Times Square Billboard

The Ambarsariya singer made India proud by earning her Billboard debut in Times Square, New York, with the release of her single ‘Aisa Na They,‘ which she also directed. The track was composed by Ram Sampath and written by Amitabh Bhattacharya. 

She Became the first independent musician from India to achieve this milestone. She has also made it to the Spotify EQUAL campaign (Equal opportunities for women in mainstream music) and joined the likes of global independent artists.

Controversies

Sona Mahapatra is one of the most vocal celebrities in the Indian film industry. She is a strong feminist and has never hesitated to voice her opinions with loud and confidence what she feels right. In 2018 during the MeToo movement, Mahapatra came forward and fearlessly talked about being sexually harassed by singer Kailash Kher. Also, she attacked director Anu Malik, calling him a serial predator. She also faced off with Salman Khan for his remarks on women-related statements on Twitter in the past. 

In 2017 Sona had faced a lot of criticism from the people of Odisha after performing the devotional song ‘Ahe Nila Saila‘ in a live concert of Paddy Fields Music Festival Mumbai. People were angry because the song was from the 17th century and was written by saint poet Bhakta Salabega dedicated to his beloved Lord Sri Jagannath. 

In that song, Sona made several pronunciation mistakes that clearly showed her lack of preparation for that. But, it was only her love towards her home state and culture that she kept all criticism aside and again created that song with proper pronunciation. This time she got a lot of appreciation from all over the state. 

Shut Up Sona!

In 2019, Sona produced a documentary film named Shut Up Shona, which is based on her life. The film reflects the singer’s unrelenting fight for equal opportunity with equal space in works in modern-day India. Deepti Gupta directed it. The film gathered a lot of appreciation from different countries. It also won the National Film Award for best editing.

Family And Personal Life

The Ambarsariya singer belongs to a well-established family. Her father’s name is Dilip Mohapatra, an Indian Navy officer, and her mother is Nayantara Mohapatra. She has two sisters, Madhumita Mohapatra who is a software engineer and Pratichee Mohapatra is also a playback singer who is mainly known for her song Dil Dola Re from the movie Angry Indian Goddesses . Sona Mohapatra husband name is Ram Sampath, a top rank music composer in Bollywood. In 2005 they both got married.

Sona And Ram Sampath Love Story

Sona wanted to start her singing career from small projects or solo albums by collaborating with independent artists. She heard about Ram Sampath that he already worked with different singers like Shaan and many to launch their albums and songs by collaborating. So she wanted to collaborate with him and tried to contact several times, but at that time, Ram was busy with his work schedules, so he was unable to give her an appointment.

After six months in 2002, She finally met Ram Sampath with the help of film director Ram Madhvani. When they both met for the first time, and Ram asked about her voice recording CD’s she was unable to recognise him. She told him that she wanted to meet with the music composer Ram Sampath and then Ram tried for several minutes to make her believe that he was Ram Sampath.

After a small conversation, Ram asked her for a coffee. They both discussed a lot about the music and their style of work, their musical inspirations, film fraternity, politics, etc. The conversation continued the whole night till morning six O’clock. During that conversation, Sona was fully impressed with Ram’s personality, behaviour, way of work, and ideas. She also found herself relating to him in many areas.

After that whole night conversation, Sona took him to her house to meet with her mom in the same morning. When they reached her home, her mother was surprised to see them and got quite nervous thinking why they came very early in the morning. 

In an interview, they both remembered that there was no friendship phase in their relationship from that day; their emotions were purely attached to them. But the musician couple took three years to get married in 2005, and within that three years, they both helped each other and unitedly had worked on many projects. Later they both found a recording studio in Mumbai named OmGrown.

Awards And Recognition

• In 2021 She achieved the Billboard debut in Times Square, New York, with the release of her single ‘Aisa Na They’

• In 2019 Her Film Shut Up Sona Won the National Film Award for Best Editing

• In 2014 Screen Awards for Best Female Playback Singer “Ambarsariya” Fukrey Nominated

• In 2014 Star Guild Awards for Best Female Playback Singer “Ambarsariya” Fukrey Nominated

• In 2013 BIG Star Entertainment Awards for Most Entertaining Female Singer “Ambarsariya” Fukrey Nominated

• In 2014 Mirchi Music Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year “Ambarsariya” Fukrey Nominated

• In 2013 Global Indian Musical Awards (GiMA Awards) for Best Female Playback Singer “Jiya Lage Na” Talaash: The Answer Lies Within Nominated

Sona Mohapatra Songs List

• Ambarsariya (Fukrey)
• Bahara (I Hate Love Story)
• Rupaiya (Satyamev Jayate)
• Jiya Lage Na (Talaash)
• Bekhauff (Satyamev Jayate)
• Naina (Khoobsurat)
• Rangabati – Sambalpuri (Coke Studio)
• Bedardi Raja (Delhi Belly)
• Aigiri Nandini (Coke Studio)
• Bolo Na (Album)
• Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar Remix (Baby Doll Album)
• Lori (Family)
• Ishq Karenge (Bangistan)
• Anhad Naad (Coke Studio Season 4)
• Qatil-E-Aam (Raman Raghav 2.0)
• Holi Mein Ude (Global Baba)
• Abhi Nahi Aana (Album)
• Dil Aaj Kal (Purani Jeans)
• I Hate You ( Delhi Belly)
• Chori Chori (Hunter)
• Chayee Madhohiyan (Jumbo)
• Ghoor Ghoor Ke (Ekkees Toppon Ki Salaami)
• Chanda Pe Dance (Satyamev Jayate)
• Ghane Badra (Ghane Badra)
• Khurafati Akhiyan (Bajatey Raho)
• Aise Na They ( Aise Na They)
• Baby Gold (Saandh Ki Aankh)
• Piya Se Naina (Coke Studio Season 3)
• Ghar Yaad Aata Hai Mujhe (Satyame Jayate)
• Daav Laga (Aage Se Right)
• Ahe Nila Saila ( Odia Devotional Song)
• Are Mor Nilamani (Sambalpuri Blues)
• Paas Aao Na (Raat aur Din, Album)
• Diljale (Ek Din Reprise)
• Dholna ( Dholna)
• Tori Surat
• Heere Heere
• Nit Khair Manga
• Chadha Rang
• Bil Se Nagin Jo Nikli
• O Re Chiraiya
• Saamne Aa
• Satyamev Jayate Title Track (TV Talk Show)
• Zaalima (Raees)
• Aaja Ve (Album)
• Tu Mannat, Toh Ani Me Ek Runanubandh (Marathi)
• Oru Maalai Pozhuthil, Theneer Viduthi (Tamil)

Sona Mohapatra Bio Details

Name  – Sona Mohapatra

Nick Name – Gudiya, Lalpari Mastani, Sona

Date of Birth – 17 June 1976

Gender  – Female

Birth Place – Cuttack, Odisha, India

Nationality – Indian

Religion – Hinduism

Education – B.Tech in Instrumentation & Electronics Engineering and MBA in Marketing

Profession  – Singer, Story Teller, Producer

Age  – 45 years ( As in 2021)

Father – Dilip Mohapatra

Mother – Nayantara Mohapatra

Sisters (2) – Madhumita and Pratichee Mohapatra

Marital Status – Married ( M. 2005 )

Husband – Ram Sampath 

Current City – Mumbai, Maharsthra

Height – 5.7 feet

Hobbies – Reading, Travelling

Singing Debut In Movie  – Family(2006)

Singing Debut In Album – SONA (2006)

Achievement – In 2021 She became the first indian independent musician who achieved the Billboard debut in Times Square, New York.

Sona Mohapatra is a great playback singer and also an electrifying stage performer. Whatever the language, everytime she rocked the stage. Whenever she performed, she prepared and sang at least two to three songs of the native language of the state. For a long time, she has been fighting for equal opportunity for female artists within the music industry. Odisha Darsan Wishes her many good wishes and get more success ahead in her life and keep providing good works with inspiring millions as always.

Dear Readers, kindly share your thoughts here if you like the article. Also, If I have missed something to mention here and need to update within this, please let me know below in the comment section. – Odisha Darsan