Lathika debuted at the age of 16 with the scene "Pushpathalpathin.." composed by Kannur Rajan for I. V. Sasi's ‘Abhinandam' (1976).

Over the years Lathika also has had the "good fortune" to sing in the debut films of some of the most famous composers in Malayalam including Ravindran Master (‘Choola'), Ouseppachan (‘Kathodu Kathoram') and S.P.

Although Lathika, had earlier sung playback for a number of songs and was a star on the ganamela circuit in and around Kollam and Tamil Nadu, it wasn't until she was introduced to Bharathan that she began to be noticed in the music industry.

In those days S. Janaki was the reigning melody queen and such a senior artist couldn't be brought in only to hum a few lines.

Her other notable songs include 'Poovulla Meda Kaanan....' from the film 'Pandu pandoru rajakumari' along with G. Venugopal, Aathma Sugandham from the movie 'Bhadrachitta' etc.