Chitra Iyer is a name that many music lovers in India remember with warmth. She is a playback singer, actress, and television host who has worked across different film industries, including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi. Her voice became popular in the early 2000s when she sang for A. R. Rahman in Tamil films. Songs like Athini Sithini from Thenali and Ale Ale from Boys gave her recognition and helped her build a strong place in the music world.
But Chitra is not only a singer. She has also acted in films, hosted television shows, and even started her own company with her daughters. Her life story is full of different roles – as an artist, a mother, a wife, and a social worker. She has balanced her career with family responsibilities and social causes, making her journey inspiring for many readers.
Chitra Iyer Husband, Age, Biography, Children, Family
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Chitra Iyer (also credited as Chitra Sivaraman) |
| Date of Birth | 27 June (Year not publicly confirmed; estimated 1970) |
| Age (as of Dec 2025) | 55 years |
| Birthplace | Karunagappally, Kerala, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Playback Singer, Actress, Television Host |
| Known For | Collaborations with A. R. Rahman (Athini Sithini – Thenali, Ale Ale – Boys) |
| Languages Sung In | Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (approx.) |
| Eye Colour | Moss Green |
| Hair Colour | Brown |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Parents | Father: R. D. Iyer (d. Dec 2025) Mother: Rohini Iyer |
| Siblings | Sisters: Rema Iyer, Sharada Iyer (d. Jan 2025, trekking accident in Oman) |
| Spouse | Vinod Sivaraman (former Indian Air Force pilot, married 12 July 1989) |
| Children | Aditi Sivaraman Anjali Sivaraman (actress, singer; Netflix Class) |
| Television Work | Host of Sapta Swarangal (Malayalam singing show) |
| Film Roles | Makante Achan, Kaaryasthan, Casanovva, Jana Gana Mana, Meri Awas Suno, Manorathangal |
| Entrepreneurship | Co-founder of Darkhorse Productions (2013) with daughters |
| Social Work | Founder & Trustee, Society for Elephant Welfare in Kerala |
| Recent News (2025) | Sister Sharada Iyer, 52, died while trekking in Oman |
| @chitraiyerofficial/ | |
| Wikipedia | @Chitra_Iyer |
| IMDb | @nm1442746/ |
| @chitraiyerofficial/ | |
| YouTube | @chitraiyerofficial/ |
Early Life and Background
Chitra was born on 27 June in Karunagappally, Kerala. Her father, R. D. Iyer, and mother, Rohini Iyer, gave her a strong foundation. Kerala, known for its rich traditions in music and art, shaped her early interest in singing.
She spent her childhood in Kerala and later moved to Bangalore. Living in Bangalore gave her exposure to different cultures and opportunities. But it also made it difficult for her to connect with music directors in Chennai, especially A. R. Rahman, who was based there. Despite these challenges, she kept working on her singing and finally got her big break in 2000. As of 2025, Chitra Iyer is 55 years old.
Family and Parents
Iyer’s family has played an important role in her life. Her father, R. D. Iyer, passed away in December 2025, which was a big loss for her family. Her mother, Rohini Iyer, is known for her interest in farming and agriculture.
She has two sisters – Rema Iyer and Sharada Iyer. Sadly, her sister Sharada Iyer, aged 52, died in a trekking accident in Oman in January 2025. Sharada was living in Muscat and was trekking in the Jebel Shams region when the accident happened. This news was widely reported and deeply affected Chitra and her family.
Marriage and Husband
Chitra married Vinod Sivaraman, a former Indian Air Force pilot, on 12 July 1989. Their meeting was quite interesting – they met at the Chennai Gymkhana Club in 1989, and soon decided to marry. Vinod’s career in the Air Force brought discipline and stability to their family life.
Chitra and Vinod have two daughters – Aditi Sivaraman and Anjali Sivaraman. Aditi has kept a low profile, while Anjali has followed her mother’s artistic path. Anjali is an actress and singer, known for her role in the Netflix series Class (2023). She has also worked in films and music projects, making her one of the rising stars in Indian entertainment. In 2013, Chitra and her daughters started Darkhorse Productions, a company that works on software and creative projects.
Career Beginnings
Chitra Iyer’s entry into playback singing was not easy. In the 1990s, she was living in Bangalore, while most of the big music opportunities were in Chennai. She wanted to work with A. R. Rahman, who was already becoming a household name, but distance made it difficult to connect.
Her breakthrough came in the year 2000 when Rahman gave her the chance to sing Athini Sithini in the Tamil film Thenali. This song was her first big step into playback singing. After marriage, she was credited as Chitra Sivaraman, which is the name many fans saw in film credits. This marked the start of her professional journey in cinema music.
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Playback Singing Career
Once she entered the industry, Chitra worked with several leading composers. Apart from A. R. Rahman, she sang for Karthik Raja, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Bharadwaj, and Vidyasagar. Her voice was heard in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi films.
Some of her popular songs include: Ale Ale from the film Boys (2003), Anarkali from Kangalal Kaidhu Sei (2004), Dhuan Dhuan Sa from the Hindi film 16 December (2002).
By the mid-2000s, Chitra had built a strong reputation. She was not only a singer but also a performer who could adapt to different languages and styles. This made her career long-lasting and respected in the industry.
Television and Acting Career
Iyer did not limit herself to singing. She also appeared on television and acted in films. She hosted the Malayalam singing show Sapta Swarangal, which gave her visibility among TV audiences.
She acted in several Malayalam serials, including Venalmazha, Kumkumapoovu, Eeran Nilavu, and Gauri. These roles showed her talent beyond music and helped her connect with viewers in Kerala.
Her film career included roles in Makante Achan, Kaaryasthan, Casanovva, Jana Gana Mana, Meri Awas Suno, and Manorathangal. While she was not always in lead roles, her presence added depth to the films. She balanced acting with singing, proving that she was a multi-talented artist.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
In 2013, Chitra and her daughters started Darkhorse Productions, a company that works on software and creative projects. This was a new step in her career, showing her interest in blending art with technology.
The company allowed her to explore ideas outside traditional music and acting. It also gave her daughters, especially Anjali, a chance to work with her in building something innovative. This venture reflects her forward-thinking approach and her ability to adapt to changing times.
Recent News and Family Tragedy
In January 2025, Chitra Iyer’s family faced a heartbreaking loss when her sister Sharada Iyer, aged 52, died in a trekking accident in Oman. Sharada was living in Muscat and had gone trekking in the Jebel Shams region when the accident occurred. The news was widely reported and shocked many who knew the family.
Chitra shared her grief publicly, remembering her sister with love and humour. She spoke about Sharada’s lively personality and the memories they shared. This tragedy came close to the time when her father also passed away, making 2025 a very difficult year for her family. Despite these losses, Chitra has shown resilience and strength, continuing her work while honouring her family’s memory.
Interesting Facts about Chitra Iyer
- She married at the age of 23 to an Indian Air Force pilot.
- Her first big playback opportunity came directly from A. R. Rahman.
- She has sung in five Indian languages – Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi.
- She has acted in films and serials, proving her talent beyond singing.
- She runs a software company, Darkhorse Productions, with her daughters.
- She is deeply involved in elephant welfare and farming projects.
- She is known for her moss green eyes and distinctive singing style.
- Her family faced a tragic loss in 2025 when her sister died in Oman.
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