G. Venugopal
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G. Venugopal | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | December 10, 1960 |
| Occupation(s) | Playback Singer, Composer, Writer, Television Presenter, Social Activist |
| Years active | 1984 – present |
| Spouse | Reshmi |
| Website | http://www.gvenugopal.com/ |
Introduction
G Venugopal - Indian playback singer- the name invokes memories of lilting music and haunting melody. Gifted with a voice described by discerning music lovers as "unbelievably rich", "lush", "opulent" and a singing quality filled with depth and warmth, G Venugopal has in a short span made a mark as a singer par excellence. Hailing from a family of gifted classical musicians has no doubt shaped the formative years of this talented young singer. G Venugopal 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). These further reiterate his popular appeal among the audience. The Kerala State award for Best Playback singer (2004) for the song "aadedee..aadaadedee" from the film "Ullam" makes his tally of state awards an impressive Three!! Anchoring musical programmes in various Malayalam channels has made him a household name. Venugopal has composed two songs, one for the album-‘Mizhiyariyathe’ and other one for the Kerala Govt. Harithasree project, to the lyrics of poetess Sugatha Kumari.
As he completes 30 years of playback singing, he extends his sincere gratitude and indebtedness to his mentors and teachers Shri Cherthala Gopalan Nair, Shri Mangad Natesan, Shri B Sashikumar, Sreemathy Palkulangara Ambikadevi, Shri Perumbavoor Raveendranath, and Shri V Subramanyam. He adds his respect of obligation to Shri M G Radhakrishnan who positioned him behind a mike when he was just 12 years old. There has been no looking back since then.
Early and personal life
G Venugopal was born in Trivandrum, Kerala in south India. 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 Womens College, Trivandrum. K Sharadamani and K Radhamani who were popularly known as Paravur sisters are the maternal aunts of G Venugopal .
Education
Venugopals 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 Zoology at Trivandrum University College. 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 English Literarture at Mar Ivanios College Trivandrum. He went on to pursue his second Post graduate 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 post graduate 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 sahasranam, 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 GVenugopal’ 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
- 1988 - Best Playback Singer - Moonnaam Pakkam (Song: "Unarumee Gaanam")
- 1990 - Best Playback Singer - Sasneham (Song:"Thaaney Poovitta Moham")
- 2004 - Best Playback Singer - Ullam (Song: "Aadedee aadaadedee")
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")
- 2006 - Best Male Playback - Baba Kalyani
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)
Popular works
| 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 | Raveendran |
| 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 | |
| 2013 | Iniyumeerananiyumo .[1] | Flat No.4B | Nikhil Prabha | Riaz M T |
References
- ^ http://www.m3db.com/lyric/34574 Riaz M T| Malayalam Movie Flat No.4B | Song | Singer G Venugopal | Nikhil Prabha
External links
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