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G. Venugopal

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G. Venugopal
Background information
Born (1960-12-10) 10 December 1960 (age 63)
OriginThiruvananthapuram
Occupation(s)Playback Singer, Composer, Writer, Television Presenter, Social Activist
Years active1984 – present
Websitehttp://www.gvenugopal.com/

G Venugopal (born 10 December 1960) is an Indian playback singer known for his work in Malayalam films. He started his singing career in the film "Odaruthammaava Aalariyaam"(1984). Since then he has sung in more than 300 films; and has over 500 private albums to his credit. The many awards he has won include the coveted Best Playback Singer (Kerala State) which he won thrice, the Film Critics award and the Kerala Kaumudi Gallop Poll award (twice). He won The Kerala State award for Best Playback singer (2004) third time for the song "aadedee..aadaadedee" from the film "Ullam".

His mentors and teachers include Shri Cherthala Gopalan Nair, Shri Mangad Natesan, Shri B Sashikumar, Sreemathy Palkulangara Ambikadevi, Shri Perumbavoor Raveendranath, and Shri V Subramanyam. Popular musician M G Radhakrishnan was influential in shaping his career.

Early and personal life

G Venugopal was born in Thattathumala, Kilimanoor. Venugopal is the eldest of the two children of Shri Gopinathan Nair, who hails from Thattathumala, and Sreemathi Sarojini, his mother, who retired as the head of the dept of music, Govt Women's College, Trivandrum. K Sharadamani and K Radhamani, who were popularly known as Paravur sisters, are the maternal aunts of G Venugopal. Noted singers Sujatha Mohan and Radhika Thilak are his cousins.

Education

Venugopal's formal schooling commenced from Carmel School, Trivandrum, where he studied till his fourth standard. He later moved to Thycaud Model School, from where he completed his tenth standard. In 1978, he completed his Pre University from Arts College Trivandrum. Nursing dreams of becoming a doctor, he joined for BSc in zoology at University College Thiruvananthapuram. From the first year onwards, university festivals became an addiction to him. From 1980 to 1985 he was the undisputed winner in light music competition in university festivals. It was during the same time in 1984 and 1985, Venugopal came first in classical music competition too, thus becoming the Kalapratibha of the festival. His course of studies took a different turn then. After graduation he joined for MA in English literature at Mar Ivanios College, Trivandrum. He went on to pursue his second postgraduate degree, in journalism, from Kerala University (M J), thus proving that studies never took a second seat even when passion for music drove his life ahead. Soon after his postgraduate studies, he was inducted as a journalist in The Indian Express. He could stay in his first job only for a few days, before which he got posted as programme executive in All India Radio. This was in August 1988. His stint with journalism and his nose for news continues to be alive with his personal blog under the title "Songs on Sand"

Music With Meaning

G Venugopal is not far behind when it comes to popularizing Malayalam poems to undeniable heights. Poetry collections under the theme and name ‘Music with meaning’ stands testimony to his exceptional talent. Christian devotional songs translated into Sanskrit and Christian Sahasranamams add yet another feather and milestone to his unmatched creativity. Vishnu sahasranamam, Lalitha sahasranamam and Kanakadhara with his personalized rendering style epitomizes G Venugopal's inherent musical blessing and remain treasures in his melodious life.

Humanitarian Works

"Sasneham G Venugopal" is a charity initiative that Venugopal started with the help and aid of his fans across the globe. It was started in 2009 when he reached the landmark 25th year of his playback singing career. This is charity with a difference with the volunteers from the ‘Sasneham G Venugopal’ group volunteering to teach art and craft to the kids of RCC and Poojappura Mahila orphanage. It is in the 5th year now since it started in 2009. Venugopal is the Goodwill Ambassador for the programs on Dyslexia under IMA in Kerala. SRI Venugopal is the Vice chairman of the Swasthi foundation, a charitable society working in Trivandrum, and is the Executive Honorary Director of Swasthi school of Music and dance, functioning at Trivandrum. Apart from extending his arms to charity work and lending support to organizations that are needy, Venugopal has also forayed into humanitarian efforts in keeping up and spreading messages that directly affect our life style and health issues. These include the ‘Anti- tobacco Campaign’, ‘Green Kerala Campaign’, ‘Organ Donation Campaign’ and cleanliness drive under the banner ‘Clean Kerala’.

Awards and achievements

Kerala State Film Awards:

Kerala Film Critics Award

  • 1987 - Best Playback Singer - Thoovanathumbikal (Song: "Onnaam Raagam Paadi")
  • 1989 - Best Playback Singer - Mazhavilkkaavadi (Song: "Mainaaga Ponmudiyil & Pallitherunto")

Kerala State Government Award (Professional Drama):

  • 2000 - Best Singer - Sabko Sanmathi De Bhagwan (Song: "Ee Raavam Poovum")

Asianet Film Awards:

Kerala Kaumadi Gallup Poll Award:

  • 1991 - Best Playback Singer - Sneha Sagaram (Song: "Peeli Kannezhuthi")
  • 1992 - Best Playback Singer - Dhruvam (Song: "Karukavayal Kuruvi")

Academic

  • M.A. (Literature) and M. J. (Journalism)
  • University Kalaa Prathibha (1984 and 1985)
Year Song Title Film Music Director Lyricist
1986 Raree rareeram raroo Onnu muthal poojyam vare Mohan Sithara ONV
1987 Onnaam raagam paadi Thoovanathumbikal Perumbavoor G. Raveendranath Sreekumaran Thampi
1988 Chandanamanivathil Marikunilla Njaan Raveendran Ezhacheri Ramachandran
Kaanaanazhakulla maanikyakuyile Oozham M. K. Arjunan ONV
Manasse shaanthamaaku Aalilakkuruvikal Mohan Sithara Bichu Thirumala
Unarumee gaanam Moonam Pakkam Ilayaraja Sreekumaran Thampi
1989 Pallitherundo Mazhavilkkaavadi Johnson (composer) Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri
1990 Swargangal Swapnam Kaanum Maalooty Pazhavila Ramesan
Thaane Poovitta Moham Sasneham
Thooval vinnin maaril chaarthi Thalayanamanthram
1991 Etho varmukilin Pookalam Varavayi Ouseppachan
Maayaamanchalil Ottayaal Pattalam Sharreth
Thumbapu kodiyuduthu Sandesham Johnson (composer)
1993 Karuka vavayal kuruvi Dhruvam S. P. Venkatesh
1997 Gurucharanam sharanam Guru Ilayaraja
2003 Thamara Noolinal Mullavalliyum Thenmavum Ouseppachan
2006 Kai nirayai venna taraam Baba Kalyani Alex Paul
2006 Kando Kando Mahasamudram Jayachandran

Television shows

As Judge
Year Title Channel Notes
2008 Idea star singer 2008 Asianet
2008-2009 Munch Star singer Junior Asianet
2010-2012 Munch Star singer Junior season 2 Asianet
2015 Raree rareeram raro season2 Asianet Plus
2015 Pathinalam ravu season 2 Media One

References

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