Karthik Raja
| Karthik Raja | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Tamil Nadu, India |
| Occupation(s) | Film composer, musician, Music Director, Singer, Piano Artist, Keyboard Artist |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Website | Official website |
Karthik Raja is an Indian composer based in Chennai, India. He made his debut as film composer in the Tamil film Alexander (1996) and went on to score music for many critically and commercially acclaimed feature films.[1][2][3]
Personal life
Karthik Raja is the eldest son of musician Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. His brother Yuvan Shankar Raja and sister Bhavatharini, who are also Tamil film music directors and playback singers, have worked with him on notable projects. He did his schooling at St. Bede's School and Boston Matriculation higher secondary school in Chennai and graduated from Loyola College, Chennai. On 8 June 2000, Karthik Raja married Raja Rajeswari at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Career
Born to a family of musicians, he had exposure to 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 with Jacob John). He also had training in Carnatic music from T. V. Gopalakrishnan and Malayalam composer V. Dakshinamoorthy.[4]
As a child, he often used to accompany his father to the recording studios. At the age of 13, Karthik Raja played the keyboard for the song Kannukkum from the Tamil movie Ninaikka Therinda Manam (1987). Many such outings followed including playing keyboard for the soundtrack of the movie Nayagan. Karthik also arranged many recordings for his father and composed his first song "Pandianin Rajiyathil" for the movie Pandiyan (1992) and "Ninaikindra" for the movie Athma (1993). Around this time, he also composed some background scores for the TV series Bible.
He debuted as a full-fledged composer in 1996 through the Tamil movie Alexander, soon followed by Manikyam. Then came many chart-busters that included Ullaasam, Naam Iruvar Nammaku Iruvar, Kadhala Kadhala and Dumm Dumm Dumm among others. He also debuted in Hindi films with Grahan which won him the R.D. Burman award for the best new talent.
Discography
Film scores/Soundtracks
| Year | Title | Language | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Padai Veeran | Tamil | |
| 2017 | Pagadi Aattam | Tamil | |
| 2016 | Dhilluku Dhuddu | Tamil | (Background Score only) |
| 2015 | Sagaptham | Tamil | |
| 2014 | Avan Aval | Tamil | |
| 2014 | Kadai Enn 6 | Tamil | |
| 2014 | Aranmanai | Tamil | (Background Score only) |
| 2014 | Rajadhi Raja | Malayalam | |
| 2014 | Vaaraayo Vennilaave | Tamil | |
| 2012 | Veyilodu Vilayadu | Tamil | |
| 2012 | Tuneega Tuneega | Telugu | |
| 2010 | Rettaisuzhi | Tamil | |
| 2009 | Anything For You | English | |
| 2009 | Kudiyarasu | Tamil | |
| 2009 | Achamundu Achamundu | Tamil | |
| 2008 | Chakkara Viyugam | Tamil | |
| 2008 | Mukhbiir | Hindi | |
| 2007 | Maa Madurai | 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 Aapke | Hindi | (Background Score Only) |
| 2001 | Dumm Dumm Dumm | Tamil | |
| 2001 | Ullam Kollai Poguthae | Tamil | |
| 2001 | Vaanchinathan | Tamil | |
| 2000 | Hoo Anthiya Uhoo Anthiya | Kannada | |
| 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 | Enakkoru Magan Pirappan | Tamil | |
| 1996 | Alexander | Tamil | |
| 1996 | Manickam | Tamil | |
| 1994 | Raasamagan | Tamil | (Background Score only) |
| 1994 | Amaidhi Padai | Tamil | (Background Score only) |
| 1993 | Aathma | Tamil | One track |
| 1993 | Sakkarai Thevan | Tamil | (Background Score only) |
| 1993 | Ponnumani | Tamil | (Background Score only) |
| 1993 | Uzhaippali | Tamil | (Background Score only) |
| 1992 | Pandiyan | Tamil | One track |
Albums
| 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 |
Awards
- 1998: Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent – Grahan
- 2001: Cinema Express Award for Best Music Director – Dumm Dumm Dumm
References
- ↑ Krithika Reddy, T (23 October 2009). "Yuvan Unplugged". The Hindu. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
- ↑ Krithika Reddy, T (3 April 2009). "Karthik Raja croons for Yuvan". www.indiaglitz.com. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
- ↑ Ashok Kumar, S. R (7 November 2008). "On a creative trip". The Hindu. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIaz2IJzr9g