| Karthik Raja | |
|---|---|
| Born | 29 June 1973 |
| Origin | Tamil Nadu, India |
| Occupations | Musician, Film composer, Music Director, Singer, Piano Artist, Keyboard Artist |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Website | Official website |
Karthik Raja (Tamil: கார்த்திக் ராஜா) is a Tamil musician from Chennai, India. He made his debut as music composer in the Tamil film Alexander.[1][2][3]
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Karthik Raja is the eldest son of musician Ilaiyaraaja and Jeeva. His brother Yuvan Shankar Raja and sister Bhavatharini, who are also Kollywood music directors and playback singers, have worked with him on notable projects. He graduated from St. Bede's School in Chennai. On June 8, 2000, Karthik Raja married Raja Rajeswari at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Born to a family of musicians, he had exposure various kinds of music at a very early age. He had his formal training in Western Classical music from the Trinity School of Music, mainly in piano (affiliated to Jacob John). He also had training in Carnatic music from T. V. Gopalakrishnan and Dakshina Murthy Swami. Even to this day he derives most of his inspiration from classical music (Western and Indian) and jazz.
As a child, he often used to accompany his dad Maestro Ilaiyaraaja to the recording studios and watching his dad compose would seem magical to him. Seeing the young boy so engrossed in everything happening around him, his dad spontaneously asked him to play the keyboards for one of the song recordings. So, at the age of 13, Karthik Raja played the keyboard for the song "Kannukkum" from the Tamil movie Ninaikka Therinda Maname (1987). Many such outings followed including playing keyboard for the soundtrack of the movie Nayagan. Karthik also arranged many recordings for his dad and composed his first song "Pandianin Rajiyathil" from the movie Pandiyan (1992) and "Ninaikindra" from the movie Athma (1993). Around this time, he also composed some background score for the TV series Bible.
Karthik is extra fond of composing background scores for films. Many of his projects between the years of 1992 and 1995 involved composing background scores for films where his dad composed the songs. Karthik is often quoted saying that the music he makes while doing the background score gives him complete liberty to do what he likes and also gives him the creative satisfaction. He says this is when he composes for himself. The background score of his recent release Achamundu Achamundu is considered phenomenal. In this thriller-horror film, Karthik composed a 40-minute-long eerie background score where the scenes were absolutely free of any human dialogue.
He debuted as a full fledged composer in 1996 through the Tamil movie Alexander, soon followed by Manikyam. Both were highly acclaimed for the songs and the background score. Then came many chart-busters that included Ullaasam, Naam Iruvar Nammaku Iruvar, Kadhala Kadhala and Dumm Dumm Dumm among others. He also debuted into Hindi films with Grahan which won him the R D Burman award for the best new talent.
In this age of state of the art recording technology where musicians are heavily incorporating software generated sounds and overly arranged compositions, Karthik emerges as a maverick by often including single instrument interludes in many of his songs. These interludes are some of his finest compositions. Here are a few classic ones listed.
He also known for his symphonic and jazz arrangements. He also accompanied his father on numerous outings, notably in Thiruvasagam Project.
Karthik's favorite Indian film composers (besides his father) include M. S. Viswanathan, S. D. Burman, R. D. Burman. His favorite Western composers are Bach and Mozart. He is also fond of pop artists in the likes of Wham/George Michael, Michael Jackson, Genesis/Phil Collins among the 80s brigade and few songs of Maroon 5 & Linkin Park from the current breed.
| Year | Film | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Veyilodu Velayadu | Tamil | (Filming - July 2011) |
| 2010 | Rettaisuzhi | Tamil | |
| 2009 | Anything For You | English | |
| 2009 | Achamundu Achamundu | Tamil | |
| 2008 | Chakkara Viyugam | Tamil | |
| 2008 | Mukhbiir | Hindi | |
| 2008 | Maamadurai | Tamil | |
| 2007 | Oru Ponnu Oru Paiyan | Tamil | |
| 2007 | Murugaa | Tamil | |
| 2007 | Manathodu Mazhaikalam | Tamil | |
| 2006 | Thullura Vayasu | Tamil | |
| 2006 | Naalai | Tamil | |
| 2006 | Mercury Pookkal | Tamil | |
| 2005 | Neranja Manasu | Tamil | |
| 2004 | Rightaa Thappaa | Tamil | |
| 2004 | Kudaikul Mazhai | Tamil | |
| 2004 | Singara Chennai | Tamil | |
| 2003 | Ragasiyamai | Tamil | |
| 2003 | Inii | Tamil | (Short feature film) |
| 2003 | Pudhiya Geethai | Tamil | (Background Score only) |
| 2002 | Three Roses | Tamil | |
| 2002 | Album | Tamil | |
| 2002 | 16 December | Hindi | |
| 2001 | Mitr, My Friend | English | (Background Score only) |
| 2001 | Hum Ho Gaye Aap Ke | Hindi | (Background Score Only) |
| 2001 | Dumm Dumm Dumm | Tamil | |
| 2001 | Ullam Kollai Poguthae | Tamil | |
| 2001 | Vaanchinathan | Tamil | |
| 2000 | Hoo Anthiya Ohoo Anthiya | Kannada | |
| 2000 | Raju Chacha | Hindi | (Background Score only) |
| 1998 | Kadhala Kadhala | Tamil | |
| 1998 | Naam Iruvar Nammaku Iruvar | Tamil | |
| 1997 | Ullaasam | Tamil | |
| 1997 | Grahan | Hindi | Winner, Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent |
| 1996 | Yenakku Oru Magan Pirappan | Tamil | |
| 1996 | Alexandar | Tamil | |
| 1996 | Manickam | Tamil | |
| 1994 | Raasamagan | Tamil | (Background Score only) |
| 1994 | Amaithi Padai | Tamil | (Background Score only) |
| 1993 | Aathma | Tamil | One track |
| 1993 | Sakkarai Thevan | Tamil | (Background Score only) |
| 1993 | Ponnumani | Tamil | One track |
| 1993 | Uzhaippali | Tamil | (Background Score only) |
| 1992 | Pandiyan | Tamil | One track |
| Year | Film | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Split Wide Open - Album | Hindi | One track |
| 2000 | Kaathalai Gauravikkum Neram | Tamil | |
| 2000 | India Unlimited | Hindi | |
| 2000 | Haule Haule | Hindi | Three tracks |
| 1997 | Meri Jaan Hindustan | Hindi | One track |