Swarnalatha is a South Indian film playback singer. She hails from Palakkad, Kerala. She has sung Povoma Oorgolam from the film Chinna Thambi, and Rakkamma from the film Thalapathi, and Porale Ponnuthayi from Bharathiraja's 1994 Tamil film Karuththamma. She went on to win the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the song in 1995. She has lent her voice to other songs from films including Thalapathi (1991), Thevar Magan (1992), Karuththamma (1994), Bombay (1995), Indian (1996), and Minsaara Kanavu (1997).

She most recently lent her voice to the soundtrack of the film Sillunu Oru Kaadhal (2006), Chithiraiyil Yeena Sivappathigaram, Panju Methai Kaniye Imsai Arasan 23m Pulikesi, Poovanathil Maram Thambi, .

She has been singing since 1983 with many music directors. She worked with Telugu music directors like KOTI, MM Sreelekha, and M.M.Keeravani. She has rendered songs in Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam. She also has sung many Hindi songs for A R Rahman including Hai Rama' Rangeela, Latka Dikhadiya' Hindustani, Sunta Hain Pukar, Dola Dola Dil Hi Dil Mein, and Jannat Hai Yeh Zameen Rakht among others.