Sona Mohapatra, a prominent Indian singer, composer, and lyricist, is adored by fans who affectionately call her “Lal Pari Mastani.” This post delves into her life, career, and controversies.
Wiki/Biography
Sona Mohapatra was born on Thursday, June 17, 1976, in Cuttack, Odisha. As of 2023, she is 47 years old. Her zodiac sign is Gemini. She completed her schooling at Kendra Vidhyalaya, Bhubaneswar. She holds a B. Tech in Instrumentation and Electronics Engineering from the College of Engineering and Technology, Bhubaneswar, and an MBA in Marketing from Symbiosis Centre for Management & HRD, Pune. She also received training in Indian classical music, showcasing her diverse skillset.
Physical Appearance
* **Height:** Approximately 5’7″
* **Weight:** Approximately 70 kg
* **Figure Measurements:** Approximately 34-26-34
* **Eye Colour:** Black
* **Hair Colour:** Black (Dyed Brown)
Family, Caste & Husband
Sona’s father, Dilip Mohapatra, served in the Indian Navy, and her mother’s name is Nayantara Mohapatra. She has two sisters: Madhumita Mohapatra and Pratichee Mohapatra (also a singer). She first met her husband, Ram Sampath, in 2002, and they married in 2005.
Career
Sona began her career as a brand manager at Marico, managing brands like Parachute and Mediker. She then transitioned to the music industry, starting with jingles for advertisements. Notable examples include Tata Salt’s “Kal Ka Bharat Hai” and Unilever’s Close Up “Paas Aao Na” campaign, which aired across 13 countries for four years.
Her Bollywood singing debut was with the song “Lori” from the film “Family” in 2006. She released her first album, “Sona,” with Sony Records in 2007. Her discography boasts numerous hit songs, including “I Hate You (Like I Love You),” “Naina,” “Chori Chori,” “Bahara,” and her most famous song, “Ambarsariya” from “Fukrey.” She’s also collaborated on the Satyamev Jayate TV series and has remixed international songs.
Controversies
Sona Mohapatra has been involved in several public controversies. These include:
- Criticizing Salman Khan’s insensitive social media post.
- Calling out IIT Bombay for sexism in their approach to female artists.
- Accusing Kailash Kher of sexual harassment and labeling Anu Malik as a “Serial Predator” during the #MeToo movement.
- Facing backlash in Odisha for her rendition of a devotional song.
- Receiving a death threat after criticizing Salman Khan’s remarks about Priyanka Chopra.
Favourite Things
Here’s a glimpse into Sona’s preferences:
| Category | Preference |
|---|---|
| Singers | Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Bebe, Girija Devi, Chhannulal Mishra, Madonna |
| Musicians | Sting, A. R. Rahman |
| Band | Ojos de Brujo |
| Song(s) | “Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar” (Hum Dono), “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” (Aretha Franklin) |
| Colour | Red |
| Clothing | Ikat dhotis, Tunics, Jumpsuits, Stoles, Jackets |
| Travel Destination | Spain |
Facts
Sona’s naval officer father led to a childhood spent in various locations, including Cochin, Pune, Hyderabad, and Nigeria. She’s been performing since childhood, representing her school in national and international events. She gained significant recognition through her work on Aamir Khan’s Satyamev Jayate. She and her husband own studios in Mumbai and run the music production house OmGrown Music. She regularly performs at music festivals and concerts and launched her own radio show, “Lal Pari Mastani,” on Red FM.
