 's composition fetched her the very first National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer in 1969 for her prolific rendition of "Naalai Intha Velai Paarthu" for the Tamil film "Uyarndha Manidhan".The same song got her the Tamil Nadu State Award as well.Thereby, Susheela became one of the first recipients of the most dignified National awards in India.