| P. Unnikrishnan | |
|---|---|
Unnikrishnan |
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| Background information | |
| Born | July 9, 1966 Palakkad, Kerala, India |
| Genres | Indian classical music |
| Occupations | Playback Singer, Classical Singer & Judge (Idea Star Singer, Airtel super singer 2008) |
| Years active | 1992 – present |
| Website | http://www.unnikrishnan.com/ |
P. Unnikrishnan (born 9 July 1966) (Tamil:பி. உன்னிகிருஷ்ணன்) is a Carnatic vocalist and a national award winning playback singer.
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Unnikrishnan was born 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 KN 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, in 1983. He graduated from 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 Parrys Confectionery Ltd. from 1987 to 1992 and quit his job to become a professional singer.
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.Vishwanathan.[3]
He is a national award winning playback singer for his debut film song "Ennavale Adi Ennavale". The song was composed by A. R. Rahman, with whom Unni Krishnan gave most of his memorable songs. He is one of the permanent judges in the reality television show AIRTEL Super Singer on Vijay TV in both the seasons (2006, 2008 & 2010-2011) 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 Trivandrum with the Eli Yamin Jazz Quartet and pianist Anil Srinivasan.
He prefers singing classical songs to movies.[4]
“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.”
“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”.[5]
Unni Krishnan is married to Priya, a Bharathanatyam and Mohiniyattam dancer. They were married on November 1994 and have a son named Vasudev Krishna and a daughter named Uthra. Vasudev Krishna was born in 27 May 1997 and Uthra was born in 11 June 2004. He is passionate about cricket and is a member of the Madras Cricket Club and Life Member of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association.[6] and he is the great grand son of Dr KN Kesari.
| 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 | |
| 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 | K. S. Chitra, Mano, Ranjini | |
| Yen Pen Endru | Love Today | Tamil | Siva | Solo | |
| 1998 | Selaiyile Veedu Kattava | Aval Varuvala | Tamil | S. A. Rajkumar | K. S. Chitra |
| Hai Rabba | Jeans | Tamil | A. R. Rahman | Pallavi | |
| Adhisayam | Sujatha Mohan | ||||
| Kanave Kalayaadhe | Kannedhirey Thondrinal | Tamil | Deva | K. S. Chitra | |
| Taare Taare | 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 | Roja Poonthotam | Kannukkul Nilavu | Tamil | Ilayaraja | Anuradha Sriram |
| Enthan Kuyil | |||||
| Poo Virinchachu | Mugavaree | 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 | |
| 2001 | Ivan Yaaro | Minnale | Tamil | Harris Jayaraj | Harini |
| Pallanguzhiyin Vattam | Anandam | Tamil | 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 | |
| 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 | |
| Vayasa Vayasa | Adhrushtam | Telugu | Mani Sharma | Sujatha Mohan | |
| Hottu Gottu | Ba Baaro Rasika | Kannada | Mahesh | K. S. Chitra | |
| 2005 | Saage Neeli Megham | Seenugadu Chiranjeevi Fan | Telugu | Siva Kaakani | Solo |
| 2006 | Sudum Nilavu | Thambi | Tamil | Vidhyasagar | Harini |
| 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 |
He is the recipient of many honours and Awards which include Kalaimamani from the Government of Tamilnadu, Best Raaga award from Music Academy, Yuvakala Bharati from Bharat Kalachar. He received the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for his first song Ennavale in 1994 (Kadhalan). Krishnan is also the recipient of Isai Peroli Award instituted by Kartik Fine Arts for the year 1998. He received national award for uyirum neeye (pavithra). He was awarded "Isai Peroli" "Yuva Kala Barathi" "Nada Bhushanam" and the title "Kalaimamani" by the Govt. of TamilNadu. Krishnan is an "A" grade artist of the All India Radio and has given a number of concerts all over India, U.S.A, The Middle East, The United Kingdom, The Far East, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.