P. Unnikrishnan

P. Unnikrishnan
Background information
Born (1966-07-09) July 9, 1966
Palakkad, Kerala, India
Genres Indian classical music
Occupation(s) Playback Singer, Classical Singer & Judge (Idea Star Singer, Airtel super singer 2008)
Years active 1992–present
Website www.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

YearSong TitleFilm NameLanguageMusic DirectorCo-Singers
1994Ennavale Adi EnnavaleKadhalanTamilA. R. RahmanSolo
Uyirum NeeyePavithraTamilA. R. RahmanSolo
Thenmearku ParuvakkatruKaruthammaTamilA. R. RahmanK. S. Chitra
1995Meenamma AdikalaiyulumAasaiTamilDevaAnuradha Sriram
Pulveli Pulveli (Humming)K. S. Chitra
"Maharajan Odu Rani"Sathi LeelavathiTamilIlaiyarajaK. S. Chitra
1996O VennilaaKadhal DesamTamilA. R. RahmanSolo
Thendrale ThendraleMano
Sakhiye NeethanAnthimanthaarai TamilA. R. RahmanSolo
Ya Ya Ya YadavaDevaraagam MalayalamM. M. KeeravaniK. S. Chitra
Kaalamellam Kadhal VaazhgaKadhal KottaiTamilDevaK. S. Chitra
Naalai Ulagam Illai EndralLove BirdsTamilA. R. RahmanSujatha Mohan
1997NarumughayeIruvarTamilA. R. RahmanBombay Jayashree
Manam VirumbudheNerukku NerTamilDevaSolo
Soniyaa SoniyaaRatchaganTamilA. R. RahmanHarini, Udit Narayan
Veesum KaatrukkuUllaasamTamilKarthik RajaBhavatharini
Mayilu Mayilu MayilammaV.I.PTamilRanjith BarotK. S. Chitra, Mano, Ranjini
Innallu ye mabbullo daagunnavoUgadiTeluguS.V.Krishna Reddy
chusa-oka-maaruUgadiTeluguS.V.Krishna ReddySunitha
enthandamga-undoUgadiTeluguS.V.Krishna ReddySunitha
naa-paate-hoyna-hoynaUgadiTeluguS.V.Krishna ReddyPrasanna
daddy-katha-vinavaa-chebuthanuUgadiTeluguS.V.Krishna ReddySrilekha PParthasarathy
1998Selaiyile Veedu KattavaAval VaruvalaTamilS. A. RajkumarK. S. Chitra
Hai RabbaJeansTamilA. R. RahmanPallavi
PoovukulSujatha Mohan
Romance lo RhythmsTholi PremaTeluguDevaSuresh Peters
Kanave KalayaadheKannedhirey ThondrinalTamilDevaK. S. Chitra
Taare Taare
Thutta Muttha		Thuttha MuthhaKannadaHamsalekhaSolo
1999Thirakkadha KattukulleyEn Swasa KatreTamilA. R. RahmanK. S. Chitra
Roja RojaKadhalar DhinamTamilA. R. RahmanSolo
Athikaalayil SevalaiNee Varuvai EnaTamilS. A. RajkumarSujatha Mohan
O SenyoritaPoovellam KettupparTamilYuvan Shankar RajaSolo
Poova Poove (Male Version)
IppatikippuduPremaku VelayaraTeluguS. V. Krishna ReddySolo
Marghazhi Thingal AllavaSangamamTamilA. R. RahmanS. Janaki
Maalaiyin VedhanaiSethuTamilIlayarajaSolo
Sikkadha SittondruArun Mozhi
Kulirudhu KulirudhuTaj MahalTamilA. R. RahmanSwarnalatha
Innisai PaadivarumThulladha Manamum ThullumTamilS. A. RajkumarSolo
Nilavai KonduvaaVaaliTamilDevaAnuradha Sriram
April MadhathhilHarini
2000Antha VaanukkuPoomagal OorvalamTamilDevaSolo
Roja PoonthotamKannukkul NilavuTamilIlayarajaAnuradha Sriram
Enthan KuyilTamilIlaiyarajaAnuradha Sriram
Poo VirinchachuMugavariTamilDevaAnuradha Sriram
Oh VennilaaKushiTamilDevaAnuradha Sriram
Unnaikodu Ennai TharuvenUnnai Kodu Ennai TharuvenTamilS. A. RajkumarK. S. Chitra
Vaada VaadaAppuTamilDevaShankar Mahadevan
Idam TharuvaayaPop Shalini
Vasantha MasadalliVaaliKannadaRajesh RamnathAnuradha Sriram
Enakkena YerkanaveyParthen RasithenTamilBharathwajHarini
Ovvoru PaadalilumEnnavaleTamilS. A. RajkumarSolo
Kaatre En VasalRhythmTamilA. R. RahmanKavita Krishnamurthy
Gaalena VatikikocheVeturiTeluguA. R. RahmanKavita Krishnamurthy
2001Ivan YaaroMinnaleTamilHarris JayarajHarini
Pallanguzhiyin VattamAnandamTamilS. A. RajkumarHarini
Emaindo EmoganiNinnu ChoodalaniTeluguS. A. RajkumarHarini
Or Ayiram YaanaiNandhaTamilYuvan Shankar RajaSolo
Oru Sundari VandaalamAzhagiTamilIlayarajaSadhana Sargam, Malgudi Subha, Arun Mozhi
Un Samayal AraiyilDhillTamilVidhyasagarSujatha Mohan
Un Perai SonnaleDumm Dumm DummTamilKarthik RajaSadhana Sargam
Hussusey HussuseyMajunuTamilHarris JayarajDevan
2002Theendi TheendiBalaTamilYuvan Shankar RajaSujatha Mohan
Theenda TheendaThulluvadho IlamaiTamilYuvan Shankar RajaBombay Jayashree
Nee NavvulaAadiTeluguMani SharmaMallikarjun, Harini
VennelaloMalli Malli ChudaliTeluguYuvan Shankar RajaBhavatharini
RayileFive StarTamilParasuramSolo
Kannukkule KaadhalaThamizhTamilBharathwajSwarnalatha
Sil Sil SilalaaUnnai NinaithuTamilSirpiSujatha Mohan
2003Nenjodu KalandhiduKaadhal KondeinTamilYuvan Shankar RajaSujatha Mohan
Mainaave MainaaveThithikudheTamilVidhyasagarSadhana Sargam
Snehitude UnteNee Manasu Naaku TelusuTeluguA. R. RahmanChinmayi
EdhuthillaaChokka ThangamTamilDevaAnuradha Sriram
2004Naam Vayathukku7G Rainbow ColonyTamilYuvan Shankar RajaPop Shalini, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Ganga
Kaalayil DhinamumNewTamilA. R. RahmanSadhana Sargam
Pedhave PalikinaNaaniTeluguA. R. RahmanSadhana Sargam
Vayasa VayasaAdhrushtamTeluguMani SharmaSujatha Mohan
Madhura MadhurataraArjunTeluguMani SharmaHarini
Hottu GottuBa Baaro RasikaKannadaMaheshK. S. Chitra
2005Saage Neeli MeghamSeenugadu Chiranjeevi FanTeluguSiva KaakaniSolo
Mazhai MazhaiUllam KetkumeTamilHarris JayarajHarini
KumariAparichitHindiHarris JayarajHarini
En SwaasameOtta NanayamMalayalamS. P. VenkiteshSujatha Mohan
2006Sudum NilavuThambiTamilVidhyasagarHarini
Manasa VachaGodavariTeluguK.M. Radha KrishnanK.S.Chitra
2007Prati DinamAnumanaspadamTeluguIlayarajaSolo
2008Saradaga Ee SamayamVinayakuduTeluguSam PrasanSolo
2009Vaarayo VaarayoAadhavanTamilHarris JayarajChinmayi, Mega
Enduku ChentakiKonchem Ishtam Konchem KashtamTeluguShankar-Ehsaan-LoySolo
2010ManasaareTaareKannadaC. R. BobbyKavita Krishnamurthy
Kangaley KamalalayamBale PandiyaTamilDevan EkambaramMrinalini
2012AyuvichiO ManasaTeluguSahaja RaoSolo
2013Nilavattam NethiyileDesingu RajaTamilD. ImmanHarini
2014Nenje NenjeYaanTamilHarris JayarajChinmayi
Yedemaina SakhiKochadaiyanTeluguA.R.RahmanSolo
2015Oorellaam Unnai KanduNanbendaTamilHarris JayarajBombay Jayashree
2016MazhayilSawariTamilVishal ChandrasekharSindhuri

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. 1966-07-09. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  2. ↑ "Touch of class". The Hindu. 2003-10-23. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  3. ↑ "Friday Review Thiruvananthapuram / Focus : Heights of melody". The Hindu. 2006-06-30. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  4. ↑ "Article Window". E paper.timesofindia.com. 2009-12-15. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  5. ↑ 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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