During the 1960s and 1970s in Hindi cinema, whenever a feature film required a song picturized on children, established adult playback legends such as Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, or Suman Kalyanpur would typically adjust their vocal pitch to record the track. Utilizing an actual child's voice in professional recording studios was an extremely rare practice within the Indian film industry. However, amid this traditional setup, a nine-year-old girl stepped into the recording booth and captivated the entire Hindi music fraternity with her pristine melody. That young prodigy was Sushama Shreshtha, who went on to record a string of unforgettable tracks throughout her childhood. Her 1986 rendition of a timeless prayer remains an enduring morning staple across thousands of schools in India. In later years, she adopted the screen name Poornima and dominated 1990s playback singing with numerous chart-topping dance numbers.
Musical Heritage and First Stage Appearance at Age Seven
For Sushama Shreshtha, music was not merely a casual interest but a rich familial legacy. Her father, Bhola Shreshtha, was deeply involved in the music business and had worked as an assistant to legendary music composer Khemchand Prakash at Bombay Talkies. The family home buzzed with daily vocal practice (riyaaz), exposing young Sushama to the intricate nuances of Indian classical and popular music from her earliest childhood years. Guided by her father's rigorous training, her vocal control matured remarkably early.
Recognizing her extraordinary gift, her maternal uncle decided to introduce her to live audiences. At just seven years of age, Sushama received her first opportunity to perform on a public stage. After days of intensive rehearsals managed by her uncle, she sang the celebrated track Tu Kitni Achhi Hai, Tu Kitni Bholi Hai from the film Raja Aur Runk. The sheer emotional depth in the young girl's voice stunned the gathering, with listeners crowding around her after the show to offer praise. This breakthrough led to frequent stage performances across Mumbai's Ganesh Utsav venues and cultural festivals. During that period, she earned rewards ranging between 200 and 250 rupees per show, which represented a substantial sum for a child performer in the early 1970s.
The Audition with Shankar-Jaikishan and Recording alongside Mohammad Rafi
The year 1971 marked a crucial turning point in Sushama Shreshtha's musical voyage. The celebrated composer duo Shankar-Jaikishan were searching for an authentic child vocalist for a special movie track featuring veteran singers Mohammad Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur. Chandrakant Bhosale, an associate of the composer duo who was familiar with Sushama's singing, brought her directly to composer Shankar. Following a brief audition, Shankar selected her on the spot.
The very next day, Sushama was invited to the studio to record the famous song Hai Na Bolo Bolo for the movie Andaz. Sharing a single microphone with legendary figures could be intimidating for any nine-year-old child, yet Sushama possessed an innate musical confidence. In the recording booth, Mohammad Rafi not only encouraged the young singer but also guided her on microphone technique, phrasing, and pronunciation. When the recording concluded, her sweet vocal timbre charmed everyone present. The song achieved immediate nationwide popularity, establishing nine-year-old Sushama as Bollywood's first true star child playback singer.
Collaborations with Kishore Kumar and 1970s Cinematic Hits
Following her sensational debut, Sushama Shreshtha became the first choice for music directors whenever a film script demanded a child's song during the 1970s. This period also brought her into collaboration with another titan of Indian music, Kishore Kumar. In the 1973 film Aa Gale Lag Jaa, she joined Kishore Kumar to deliver the iconic hit Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle Ka Naata Koi.
Working alongside Kishore Kumar's energetic, playful style and Mohammad Rafi's soulful precision helped refine Sushama's artistic sensibilities. Throughout the 1970s, she lent her voice to several major film projects. She recorded the poignant track Teri Hai Zameen Tera Aasmaan for The Burning Train and contributed to the playful hit Thande Thande Paani Se Nahana Chahiye for Pati Patni Aur Woh, solidifying her status as the film industry's most sought-after young vocalist.
Tragedy on the Eve of the Punjab Association Concert and Stage Triumph
Amid her growing stardom, a profound tragedy struck Sushama Shreshtha's personal life. The Punjab Association of Mumbai had organized a major cultural showcase featuring film luminaries such as Raj Kapoor, actor Pran, and composer Jaidev in the audience. Sushama was scheduled as a featured performer. Her father, Bhola Shreshtha, spent weeks preparing her for the prestigious event. However, just one day prior to the concert, her father passed away unexpectedly.
The sudden loss plunged the family into deep grief, making it seem impossible for young Sushama to take the stage. Yet, her mother displayed extraordinary fortitude, urging Sushama to perform in order to honor her father's dreams. Legendary singer Kishore Kumar, a close friend of her father, also offered personal encouragement, advising her that performing would be the most meaningful tribute to her father's memory.
The following day, Sushama arrived at the venue with a heavy heart. On stage, renowned singer Narendra Chanchal accompanied her on the harmonium in place of her late father. Struggling with intense emotion, she managed to deliver two songs. As her performance ended, veteran actor Pran walked onto the stage and informed the audience that the young artist had lost her father just twenty-four hours earlier. The auditorium stood in silence before bursting into prolonged applause to honor her courage. Following the event, the Punjab Association announced a monthly scholarship of 250 rupees to support her ongoing music education—a gesture Sushama later described as the true foundation of her professional journey.
The Legacy of 'Itni Shakti Hame Dena Data' and Reinvention as Poornima
As she neared the end of her career as a child artist, Sushama Shreshtha recorded her final major juvenile assignment in 1986 for the film Ankush. The prayer song Itni Shakti Hame Dena Data, Man Ka Vishwas Kamzor Ho Na, penned by Sudarshan Fakir and composed by Kuldeep Singh, became a monumental masterpiece in Indian music history. Serving as her final major credit under the name Sushama Shreshtha, the song continues to resonate every morning in school assemblies across India.
In the 1990s, Sushama entered a new phase of her professional life as an adult playback singer, adopting the stage name Poornima. As Poornima, she dominated 1990s commercial Hindi cinema, lending her voice to major blockbusters starring Govinda, Karisma Kapoor, and Raveena Tandon. Track releases such as Sarkai Lo Khatiya Jada Lage and Chana Ke Khet Mein became massive chartbusters and remains popular in Indian pop culture. From a child prodigy recording alongside Mohammad Rafi to the voice of India's favorite school prayer and a 90s playback sensation, Sushama Shreshtha's journey stands as an inspiring chapter in Hindi cinema history.
