Mridula Varier: A Voice That Grew with Discipline, Devotion and Destiny
Born in Calicut (Kozhikode) Kerala, Mridula Varier’s journey into music began long before she understood what a career in playback singing meant. Raised in a culturally rich environment, she completed her schooling in Kerala, where her talent began to reveal itself at a very young age. From childhood itself, Mridula was deeply involved in music competitions and dance performances, consistently standing out for her command over melody and expression.
Her musical foundation was built on Carnatic music and light music, disciplines that demand both technical precision and emotional depth. Alongside this, she also trained in Kathakali Sangeetham, a classical vocal form rooted in Kerala’s traditional art forms. Her dedication and rigorous practice paid off when she emerged as a state-level champion in light music and Kathakali Sangeetham, marking her as a prodigious talent early on.
When asked why she opted for engineering while excelling in music, her answer was simple and deeply personal: she wanted to follow her brother’s path. This decision reflected not a lack of commitment to music but a disciplined mind set that valued education alongside passion. Remarkably, she continued learning music from the second grade all the way through her B.Tech, never allowing academics to sever her connection with art.
Her playback singing debut came in 2007 with the Malayalam film Big B, marking the official beginning of her professional journey. However, unlike many who rush to capitalize on early recognition, Mridula made a conscious and courageous choice to take a break and focus on her studies and musical training. This period of restraint reflected her long-term vision: she wanted to return not just as a singer, but as a refined artist.
After this phase of intense focus and growth, she recorded her second song in 2012, stepping back into the industry with renewed clarity and confidence. Over the years, Mridula went on to work with numerous leading composers in the Malayalam film industry, gradually building a reputation for reliability, versatility and emotional depth in her voice. One of the most significant milestones in her career was her collaboration with the legendary M Jayachandran sir for lalee lalee Song for kalimannu movie and Collaboration with Ilayaraja, an achievement that stands as a testament to her musical calibre.
A defining moment arrived with the song “Lalee Lalee” from the movie Kalimannu. The song received widespread acclaim and won multiple awards, firmly establishing Mridula Varier as a recognized playback singer rather than just a promising talent. This track became a turning point, giving her a distinct identity in the Malayalam music industry.
Since then, her career has expanded steadily. Mridula has sung over 100 songs across multiple South Indian languages, including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada with Malayalam remaining her primary domain. Her voice rooted in classical discipline yet adaptable to contemporary cinema has allowed her to traverse genres with ease.
Her excellence has been recognized at the highest levels. She received the Kerala State Film Award in 2023, one of the most prestigious honours for a playback singer in the state. Earlier, she was also honoured with the Special Jury Award in 2014, reinforcing her consistent artistic contributions over the years.
- Beyond playback singing, Mridula has also made her presence felt on stage. She performed from a child prodigy in Calicut to a celebrated playback singer across South Indian cinema, Mridula Varier’s journey is defined not by haste but by patience, discipline, and unwavering devotion to music. Her story stands as an inspiring example of how passion, when guided by humility and hard work, can evolve into an enduring artistic legacy.
Awards
2013 – Special Jury Award – Singing (Movie : Kalimannu& Song : Laali Laali)[4][5] - 2022 – Best Singer(Movie : Pathonpatham Noottandu & Song : Mayilpeeli Ilakunnu)
- 2023 – Best Female Playback Singer – Malayalam(Movie : Pathonpatham Noottandu & Song : Mayilpeeli Ilakunnu)
South Indian International Movie Awards:
- 2014 – Best Female Playback Singer – Malayalam(Movie : Kalimannu & Song : Laali Laali)
- 2023 – Best Female Playback Singer – Malayalam(Movie : Pathonpatham Noottandu & Song : Mayilpeeli Ilakunnu)
- 2014 – Best Female Playback Singer 2013 for Kalimannu(Song-Laali Laali)
Mazhavil Music Awards:
- 2023 – Best Female Playback Singer – (Movie : Sundari Gardens& Song : Madhura Jeevaragam and Movie : Pathonpatham Noottandu & Song : Mayilpeeli Ilakunnu)
Kerala Film Critics Association Awards:
- 2023 – Best Female Playback Singer– (Movie : Kirkkan & Song : Kalame)
- 2014 – Best Female Playback Singer 2013 for Kalimannu(Song-Laali Laali