Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi () and Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi (), popularly known as Soolamangalam Sisters () were Carnatic music sister-pair vocalists and musicians known for their devotional songs in Tamil. They were early singers in the trend of duo singing in Carnatic music, which started in the 1950s, with performers like Radha Jayalakshmi, and later continued by Bombay Sisters, Ranjani-Gayatri, Mambalam Sisters, Bangalore Sisters and Priya Sisters. The Soolamangalam Sisters are best known for singing the Kanda Shasti Kavasam, a hymn on the Hindu god Muruga. Early life and background Born in Soolamangalam, a village with musical heritage in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, of Karnam Ramaswmai Ayyar and Janaki Ammal, the sisters had their training in music from K. G. Murthi of Soolamangalam, Pathamadai S. Krishnan, and Mayavaram Venugopalayyar. The duo-sisters were very popular for their matchless rendition of national and devotional songs. They had a hectic practice for about three decades and were much sought after for providing background music in films. Their Kanda Shasti Kavasam album is very popular with the Lord Muruga devotees. Notable songs Awards Muruga Ganamrtha Kuyil Isai Thilakam Isaiarasi Nadhakanal Kalaimamani in 1992 by Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Mandram. Filmography Among the two of them, Jayalakshmi had rendered only a few songs in films and most of it would be duets with Rajalakshmi, whereas Rajalakshmi had more chance as a playback singer in films. Her voice suits all the categories of youthful, soft mellifluousness, evocative feelings, perfection of pronunciation and the best in devotional songs. Music composers Rajalakshmi sang for Many of Rajalakshmi's songs are under K. V. Mahadevan's music direction all the while. Many of her songs were under T. G. Lingappa. She also sang under her own music compositions. She sang more often in the 1950s while during the 1960s, she was only sought in songs that needed more than one female voice. Playback singers Rajalakshmi sang with Rajalakshmi sang immemorable duets mostly with T. M. Soundararajan. Other include Seerkazhi Govindarajan, P. B. Sreenivas, S. C. Krishnan, M. Balamurali Krishna, A. L. Raghavan, T. S. Kumaresh, Saibaba, K. Veeramani, Pithapuram Nageswara Rao, Kovai Soundarajan, Kumar and K. J. Yesudas. She also sang duets with female singers with most notably with her sister Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi, P. Leela and P. Susheela. Others are L. R. Eswari, Radha Jayalakshmi, M. L. Vasanthakumari, T. V. Rathnam, K. Jamuna Rani, S. Janaki, Jikki, T. S. Bagavathi, B. Vasantha,