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P. Unnikrishnan

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For the Malayalam actor, see Oduvil Unnikrishnan.
P. Unnikrishnan
Background information
Born (1966-07-09) July 9, 1966 (age 58)
Palakkad, Kerala, India
GenresIndian classical music
Occupation(s)Playback Singer, Classical Singer & Judge (Idea Star Singer, Airtel super singer 2008)
Years active1992–present
Websitewww.unnikrishnan.com

P. Unnikrishnan (born 9 July 1966) is an Indian Karnatic vocalist and playback singer.

Early life and background

Unnikrishnan was born in a Tamil family who were originally hailed from Tamil Nadu to K. Radhakrishnan and Dr. Harini Radhakrishnan in Palakkad, Kerala.[1] The family home, Kesari Kuteeram, was a well-known landmark of Madras city, with great grandfather Dr. K. N. Kesari being an eminent Ayurvedic physician and the promoter of the popular Telugu women's magazine Gruhalakshmi .

He went to Asan Memorial Senior Secondary School, Chennai and later transferred to Santhome Higher Secondary School ,Chennai and completed his schooling in 1984.He graduated from Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College, Chennai, and received his B.Com degree from the Madras University. He earned a General Law and Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations.

He worked as an executive in Parry's Confectionery Ltd. from 1987 to 1994 and quit his job to become a professional singer.

Singing career

Unnikrishnan was initiated into Carnatic music at age of 12 by Seshadri, Unnikrishnan. He was inspired by Sangita Kalanidhi Dr. S. Ramanathan.[2] He attended a special workshop for six months on "Veena Dhanammal Bhani" under Sangeetha Kalanidhi T.Brinda and Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr.T.Vishwa Nathan.[3]

He is a national award-winning playback singer for his debut film songs "Ennavale Adi Ennavale" and "Uyirum Neeye". These songs were composed by A. R. Rahman, with whom Unni Krishnan gave most of his memorable songs.He was the first male playback singer to get national award for a Tamil song. He was one of the permanent judges in the reality television show AIRTEL Super Singer on Vijay TV in seasons (2006, 2008, 2010-2011, 2013, 2015-2016,2018) and 2008 Idea Star Singer on Asianet.

Unnikrishnan is also becoming known for his experimental work. In 2008, he presented a novel jazz concert in Thiruvananthapuram with the Eli Yamin Jazz Quartet and pianist Anil Srinivasan.

He prefers singing classical songs over pop music.

“Carnatic music has grown to a great extent. The taste of the audience has changed with time. Youngsters have developed a taste for the music form and the number of people flocking to these concerts has increased by leaps and bounds. There is novelty in the genre.”He got many awards like "Tamil Nadu's Kalaimamani","Nada Bhushanam","Isai Peroli","Yuva Kala Bharathi","Isayin Punnagai","Isai Selvam","Sangeetha Kalasarathy","Sangeetha Chakravarthy".

“The nuances of Carnatic music may be difficult for a layman to understand but music lovers today are willing to put in the effort to enjoy the music. I have seen youngsters talking about this form of music with enthusiasm. People take time off their busy schedules to come and listen to us artistes. So, it’s our responsibility to ensure that they enjoy the music. Even in reality shows, we ask the contestants to develop a taste for Carnatic music so that they can perform better in light music”.[4]

Personal life

Parrakkal Unnikrishnan is married to Priya, a Bharathanatyam and Mohiniyattam dancer and a native of Kozhikode, Kerala. They were married on November 1994 and have 2 children - a son named Vasudev Krishna and a daughter named Uthara. Vasudev Krishna was born on 27 May 1997 and Uthara was born on 11 June 2004. Uthara won National award for playback singing for her debut song "Azhagu" in the movie "Saivam". Vasudev is passionate about cricket and is a member of the Madras Cricket Club and Life Member of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association.[5]

Partial playback singing discography

Year Song Title Film Name Language Music Director Co-Singers
1994 Ennavale Adi Ennavale Kadhalan Tamil A. R. Rahman Solo
Uyirum Neeye Pavithra Tamil A. R. Rahman Solo
Thenmearku Paruvakkatru Karuthamma Tamil A. R. Rahman K. S. Chitra
1995 Meenamma Adikalaiyulum Aasai Tamil Deva Anuradha Sriram
Pulveli Pulveli (Humming) K. S. Chitra
"Maharajan Odu Rani" Sathi Leelavathi Tamil Ilaiyaraja K. S. Chitra
1996 O Vennilaa Kadhal Desam Tamil A. R. Rahman Solo
Thendrale Thendrale Mano
Sakhiye Neethan Anthimanthaarai Tamil A. R. Rahman Solo
Ya Ya Ya Yadava Devaraagam Malayalam M. M. Keeravani K. S. Chitra
Kaalamellam Kadhal Vaazhga Kadhal Kottai Tamil Deva K. S. Chitra
Naalai Ulagam Illai Endral Love Birds Tamil A. R. Rahman Sujatha Mohan
1997 Narumughaye Iruvar Tamil A. R. Rahman Bombay Jayashree
Manam Virumbudhe Nerukku Ner Tamil Deva Solo
Soniyaa Soniyaa Ratchagan Tamil A. R. Rahman Harini, Udit Narayan
Veesum Kaatrukku Ullaasam Tamil Karthik Raja Bhavatharini
Mayilu Mayilu Mayilamma V.I.P Tamil Ranjith Barot K. S. Chitra, Mano, Ranjini
Innallu ye mabbullo daagunnavo Ugadi Telugu S.V.Krishna Reddy
chusa-oka-maaru Ugadi Telugu S.V.Krishna Reddy Sunitha
enthandamga-undo Ugadi Telugu S.V.Krishna Reddy Sunitha
naa-paate-hoyna-hoyna Ugadi Telugu S.V.Krishna Reddy Prasanna
daddy-katha-vinavaa-chebuthanu Ugadi Telugu S.V.Krishna Reddy Srilekha PParthasarathy
1998 Selaiyile Veedu Kattava Aval Varuvala Tamil S. A. Rajkumar K. S. Chitra
Hai Rabba Jeans Tamil A. R. Rahman Pallavi
Poovukul Sujatha Mohan
Romance lo Rhythms Tholi Prema Telugu Deva Suresh Peters
Kanave Kalayaadhe Kannedhirey Thondrinal Tamil Deva K. S. Chitra
Taare Taare
Thutta Muttha		 Thuttha Muthha Kannada Hamsalekha Solo
1999 Thirakkadha Kattukulley En Swasa Katre Tamil A. R. Rahman K. S. Chitra
Roja Roja Kadhalar Dhinam Tamil A. R. Rahman Solo
Athikaalayil Sevalai Nee Varuvai Ena Tamil S. A. Rajkumar Sujatha Mohan
O Senyorita Poovellam Kettuppar Tamil Yuvan Shankar Raja Solo
Poova Poove (Male Version)
Ippatikippudu Premaku Velayara Telugu S. V. Krishna Reddy Solo
Marghazhi Thingal Allava Sangamam Tamil A. R. Rahman S. Janaki
Maalaiyin Vedhanai Sethu Tamil Ilayaraja Solo
Sikkadha Sittondru Arun Mozhi
Kulirudhu Kulirudhu Taj Mahal Tamil A. R. Rahman Swarnalatha
Innisai Paadivarum Thulladha Manamum Thullum Tamil S. A. Rajkumar Solo
Nilavai Konduvaa Vaali Tamil Deva Anuradha Sriram
April Madhathhil Harini
2000 Antha Vaanukku Poomagal Oorvalam Tamil Deva Solo
Roja Poonthotam Kannukkul Nilavu Tamil Ilayaraja Anuradha Sriram
Enthan Kuyil Tamil Ilaiyaraja Anuradha Sriram
Poo Virinchachu Mugavari Tamil Deva Anuradha Sriram
Oh Vennilaa Kushi Tamil Deva Anuradha Sriram
Unnaikodu Ennai Tharuven Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven Tamil S. A. Rajkumar K. S. Chitra
Vaada Vaada Appu Tamil Deva Shankar Mahadevan
Idam Tharuvaaya Pop Shalini
Vasantha Masadalli Vaali Kannada Rajesh Ramnath Anuradha Sriram
Enakkena Yerkanavey Parthen Rasithen Tamil Bharathwaj Harini
Ovvoru Paadalilum Ennavale Tamil S. A. Rajkumar Solo
Kaatre En Vasal Rhythm Tamil A. R. Rahman Kavita Krishnamurthy
Gaalena Vatikikoche Veturi Telugu A. R. Rahman Kavita Krishnamurthy
2001 Ivan Yaaro Minnale Tamil Harris Jayaraj Harini
Pallanguzhiyin Vattam Anandam Tamil S. A. Rajkumar Harini
Emaindo Emogani Ninnu Choodalani Telugu S. A. Rajkumar Harini
Or Ayiram Yaanai Nandha Tamil Yuvan Shankar Raja Solo
Oru Sundari Vandaalam Azhagi Tamil Ilayaraja Sadhana Sargam, Malgudi Subha, Arun Mozhi
Un Samayal Araiyil Dhill Tamil Vidhyasagar Sujatha Mohan
Un Perai Sonnale Dumm Dumm Dumm Tamil Karthik Raja Sadhana Sargam
Hussusey Hussusey Majunu Tamil Harris Jayaraj Devan
2002 Theendi Theendi Bala Tamil Yuvan Shankar Raja Sujatha Mohan
Theenda Theenda Thulluvadho Ilamai Tamil Yuvan Shankar Raja Bombay Jayashree
Nee Navvula Aadi Telugu Mani Sharma Mallikarjun, Harini
Vennelalo Malli Malli Chudali Telugu Yuvan Shankar Raja Bhavatharini
Rayile Five Star Tamil Parasuram Solo
Kannukkule Kaadhala Thamizh Tamil Bharathwaj Swarnalatha
Sil Sil Silalaa Unnai Ninaithu Tamil Sirpi Sujatha Mohan
2003 Nenjodu Kalandhidu Kaadhal Kondein Tamil Yuvan Shankar Raja Sujatha Mohan
Mainaave Mainaave Thithikudhe Tamil Vidhyasagar Sadhana Sargam
Snehitude Unte Nee Manasu Naaku Telusu Telugu A. R. Rahman Chinmayi
Edhuthillaa Chokka Thangam Tamil Deva Anuradha Sriram
2004 Naam Vayathukku 7G Rainbow Colony Tamil Yuvan Shankar Raja Pop Shalini, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Ganga
Kaalayil Dhinamum New Tamil A. R. Rahman Sadhana Sargam
Pedhave Palikina Naani Telugu A. R. Rahman Sadhana Sargam
Vayasa Vayasa Adhrushtam Telugu Mani Sharma Sujatha Mohan
Madhura Madhuratara Arjun Telugu Mani Sharma Harini
Hottu Gottu Ba Baaro Rasika Kannada Mahesh K. S. Chitra
2005 Saage Neeli Megham Seenugadu Chiranjeevi Fan Telugu Siva Kaakani Solo
Mazhai Mazhai Ullam Ketkume Tamil Harris Jayaraj Harini
Kumari Aparichit Hindi Harris Jayaraj Harini
En Swaasame Otta Nanayam Malayalam S. P. Venkitesh Sujatha Mohan
2006 Sudum Nilavu Thambi Tamil Vidhyasagar Harini
Manasa Vacha Godavari Telugu K.M. Radha Krishnan K.S.Chitra
2007 Prati Dinam Anumanaspadam Telugu Ilayaraja Solo
2008 Saradaga Ee Samayam Vinayakudu Telugu Sam Prasan Solo
2009 Vaarayo Vaarayo Aadhavan Tamil Harris Jayaraj Chinmayi, Mega
Enduku Chentaki Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam Telugu Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy Solo
2010 Manasaare Taare Kannada C. R. Bobby Kavita Krishnamurthy
Kangaley Kamalalayam Bale Pandiya Tamil Devan Ekambaram Mrinalini
2012 Ayuvichi O Manasa Telugu Sahaja Rao Solo
2013 Nilavattam Nethiyile Desingu Raja Tamil D. Imman Harini
2014 Nenje Nenje Yaan Tamil Harris Jayaraj Chinmayi
Yedemaina Sakhi Kochadaiyan Telugu A.R.Rahman Solo
2015 Oorellaam Unnai Kandu Nanbenda Tamil Harris Jayaraj Bombay Jayashree
2016 Mazhayil Sawari Tamil Vishal Chandrasekhar Sindhuri

In 2012, Unnikrishnan rendered a series of Devotional songs on Lord Ganesha, Lord Ayyappan, Lord Venkateswara, and Devi among others. The albums were produced by Gaananjali Recordings and were composed and released by Manachanallur Giridharan. The album titles include AYYAN MALAI ENGAL MALAI, OM NAVA SAKTHI JAYA JAYA SAKTHI, SABARIMALAI VA CHARANAM SOLLI VA, VINDHAIGAL PURINDHAI NEE EN VAZHVILE, and UCHI PILLAIYARE CHARANAM.[6] Notable among them is the Harivarasanam, part of the Ayyappa album and is the only other popular rendering after the famous K J Yesudas's.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Unnikrishnan:Profile And Biography". Metromatinee.com. 9 July 1966. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  2. ^ "Touch of class". The Hindu. 23 October 2003. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  3. ^ "Friday Review Thiruvananthapuram / Focus : Heights of melody". The Hindu. 30 June 2006. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  4. ^ "Article Window". E paper.timesofindia.com. 15 December 2009. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  5. ^ [1] Archived 17 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "Ayyan Malai Engal Malai". iTunes.
  7. ^ The popular Harivarasanam song by Unnikrishnan, next only to the famous K J Yesudas's number. 28 November 2012 – via YouTube.
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