Tuesday 26 June 2012

P. Unni Krishnan

  P. Unni Krishnan.

                                   P. Unnikrishnan (born 9 July 1965) (Malayalam:ഉണ്ണികൃഷ്ണൻ) is a Carnatic vocalist and a national award winning playback singer.

                                                         Unnikrishnan was born to K. Radhakrishnan and Dr. Harini Radhakrishnan in Palakkad, Kerala. 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 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 Parrys Confectionery Ltd. from 1987 to 1992 and quit his job to become a professional singer.

nnikrishnan was initiated into Carnatic Music at age of 12 by Seshadri, Unnikrishnan. He was inspired by Sangita Kalanidhi Dr. S. Ramanathan. He attended a special workshop for six months on "Veena Dhanammal Bhani" under Sangeetha Kalanidhi T.Brinda and Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr.T.Vishwanathan. 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.
“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.
   
 Personal life
                             Unni Krishnan is married to Priya, a Bharathanatyam and Mohiniyattam dancer. They were married on November 1996 and have a son named Vasudev Krishna and a daughter named Uthra. Vasudev Krishna was born in 27 May 2000 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.and he is the great grand son of Dr KN Kesari
.
















New path “Even Carnatic music, for that matter... One reaches a threshold point beyond which you begin to look at other genres. Singers always need to fight their way out of the monotony and find new methods to liven up their careers.” And the new path, for him, is fusing music that he loves.
He still sings Carnatic at fusion concerts but slots them in different genres whenever possible. Unifying the distinctiveness of each kind of music, he belts out South Indian music, trading phrases with Western and Hindustani compositions.
Something on similar lines was his recent jazz-carnatic fusion concert in Chennai. “A leading quartet from US performed on piano, double base, saxophone and drums. For my Carnatic singing, we had piano and ganjeera. They picked up our scales really well and the concert had spontaneity, which decides the success.”


Knowledge requirement
The fusion, however, demands a bit of knowledge in all kinds of music. And that’s precisely what Unnikrishnan has. “I grew up listening to a lot of Western, Hindustani and film music. It helps me slide from note to note even in non-Carnatic scales without a conscious effort.”
But after few seconds of quiet reflection, the Carnatic streak in him takes over. “For any musician, reproducing the ‘bhava’ of Carnatic music is a major challenge. The scales make the East and West meet. But the essence of our music remains inimitable.”


                             His concerts give a rare musical indulgence of the bygone era for the Carnatic connoisseurs. But the lay rasikas are sometimes seemingly left behind. “One doesn’t need to understand music. My audience appreciates the feel of music and that’s what matters.” First two hours of his concerts are pure classical and the rest depends on the popular demand of the audience.

   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 SoloLL
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 Barot 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[disambiguation needed] 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










 

Awards

                                       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). He was the first singer to get the Best Male singer National award for a Tamil song. 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.                 










DATE
CITY
ORGANIZATION
24-MAR-2012 (Saturday)
CHENNAI
HAMSADHWANI (Indira Nagar)
31-MAR-2012 (Saturday)
BOSTAN, MA
LEARN QUEST DURGA KRISHNAN (508) 481-7842
01-APR-2012 (Sunday)
TORONTO, CANADA
BBHARATHI KALAI MANRAM K.VENKATRAMAN (905) 568-1536
06-APR-2012 (Friday)
RICHMOND, VA
RISHMOND RASIKAS RAVI RAVINDRAN (804) 878-3335
07-APR-2012 (Saturday)
AUSTIN, TX
INDIAN FINE ARTS DR.A.NAGARAJAN (512) 922-7594
14-APR-2012 (Saturday)
LOS ANGELES, CA
SOUTH INDIAN MUSIC ACADEMY HARIS ASURI (949) 246-0943
15-APR-2012 (Sunday)
PORTLAND, OR
RASIKA RAMAN (503) 701-5906
21-APR-2011 (Saturday)
NEW YORK
PREMA AIYER (914) 741-5291
22-APR-2012 (Sunday)
SAN JOSE, CA
SOUTH INDIAN FINE ARTS VASANTHI VENKATRAMAN (408) 718-8835
27-APR-2012 (Friday)
SAN DIEGO, CA
INDIAN FINE ARTS SOCIETY DR.SHEKAR VISWANATHAN (858) 442-1586
29-APR-2012 (Sunday)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
INDIAN MUSIC ACADEMY SRIRAM NATARAJAN (630) 607-2958
7 TO 14-MAY-2012
FREMONT, CA
KALALAYA TEACHING/WORKSHOPS/LECTURES
15-MAY-2012 (Tuesday)
LEAVE FOR INDIA










Unnikrishnan's Classical Collection

Aanandam

P Unnikrishnan

1) Varalandu - Raga Gurjari 2) Nee Irangaayanil 3) Unnai Allaal 4) Nannubrovu Lalitha - Raga Lalitha 5) Pankajaksha - Raga Thodi 6) Krishnam Kalaya - Raga Mand 7) Kandu Nee Sollavendum - Raga Sindhu Bhairavi 8) Thillana - Raga Chenchuruti
  
  












Ragasudha
P.Unnikrishnan
1)Marugelara-Jaynthasri-Adi-Thyagaraja  2)Sugunamule-Chakravaham-Rupakam-Thyagaraja 3)Nandanandana-Anandhabhairavi-Adi-Calcutta Krishnamurthy 4)Sarigada-Subhapanturavali-Adi-Narayanatheertha 6)Sharavanabhava-Kannada-Adi-Papanasamsivam 7)Andavanne-Shanmughapriya-Rupakam-Papanasamsivan 8)Srichakraraja-Raagamalika-Adi-Traditional 9)Pullikalaabamayil-Kurinji-Adi-Annamalai Reddiar.










Golden Melodies
P Unnikrishnan
1) Karunalaya - Ragam: Hindolam, Talam: Adi 2) Mamava Sada - Ragam: Kanada, Talam: Roopakam 3) Dikku Theriyaatha Kattil - Ragam: Ragamalika, Talam: Adi 4) Janaki Ramana - Ragam: Kapi, Talam: Adi 5) Raga Sudha Rasa - Ragam: Antholika, Talam: Adi 6) Theeratha Villayattu Pillai - Ragam: Ragamalika, Talam: Jhampa 7) Visweshwara - Ragam: Sindhu Bhairavi, Talam: Roopakam 8) Pashyati - Ragam: Madhuvanti , Talam: Adi.
VANI   











Kadambam
P Unnikrishnan
1. Gaanaana Vinaayakane - Ragam: Gambheera Natai, Talam: Adi, Composer: Swamy Saravana Bavananda 2. Thoodhu Nee Soli - Ragam: Manirangu, Talam: Adi, Composer: Tirikooda Rasappa Kavi 3. Aadadhu Asangaadhu - Ragam: Madhyamavathi, Talam: Adi, Composer: Oothukaadu Subbaiyer 4. Inbakanaa Ondru Kanden - Ragamalik, Talam: Adi, Composer: Dhandapani Desikar 5. Iyye Methakadinam - Ragam: Punnagavarali, Talam: Adi, Composer: Gopalakrishna Bharathi 6. Manju Nigar - Kavadi Chindu, Talam: Misra Chapu, Composer: Annamalai Reddiyar 7. Rama Mantra - Ragam: Jonpuri, Talam: Adi, Composer: Purandhara Dasa 8. Priye Charu Sheele - Ragamalika, Talam: Jhampa, Composer: Jayadeva Ashtapadi 9. Broohi Mukundethi - Ragam: Kurinji, Talam: Adi, Composer: Sadasiva Brahmendra 10. Thedi Unnai - Ragam: Misra Sivaranjani, Talam: Adi, Composer: Subramanya Bharathi 11. Brahmamokate - Ragam: Bowli, Talam: Tisram, Composer: Thyagaraja















Mellifluous Melodies
P Unnikrishnan
1) Virutham - Ragam: Naattai; 2) Jagat Janani - Ragam: Ratipatipriya, Talam: Adi, Composer: Ganam Krishnaiyer; 3) Vaanathin Methu - Ragam: Mandu, Talam: Adi, Composer: Ramalinga Swamigal Arutpa; 4) Nallathor Veenai - Ragam: Brindavani, Talam: Adi, Composer: Subramania Bharathiar; 5) Maname Ganamum - Ragam: Bhimplas, Talam: Adi, composer: Papanasam Sivan; 6) Nadhavindhu - Ragam: Senchuruti, Talam: Adi -(Thirupugazh), Composer: Arunagirinathar; 7) Ethanai Kodi -Ragam: Tilang, Talam: Adi, Composer: Subramania Bharathiar; 8) Pachaimamalai - Ragam: Hindolam, Talam: Adi, (Divyaprapandam); 9) Chinnanchiru Kiliye -Ragamaalika, Talam: Adi (Tisra Nadai), Composer: Subramania Bharathiar; 10) Kannane En Kanavan - Ragam: Kalyani, Talam: Adi, Composer: Suddhananda Bharati; 11) Sennikula -Ragam: Senchuruti, Talam: Adi Tisram, Composer: Annamalai Reddiar.
VANL   















Melodious Moods of P. Unnikrishnan
P Unnikrishnan
1) Pooraya Mamakaamam Narayana Theerthar 2) Suttum Vizhi - Subramania Bharathiyar 3) Gayati Vanamaali - Sadasiva Brahmendra 4) Venkatachal Nilayam - Purandaradasa 5) Radha Sametha - Traditional 6) Thunai Purindarul - Papanasam Sivan 7) Kannan Thiruvadi - Subramania Bharathiyaar 8) Kaakai Siraginile - Subramania Bharathiyar 9) Govinda Ninna - Purandaradasa 10) Dheera Sameere - Jayadeva's Ashtapathi.






Best of P Unnikrishnan - Special Edition
P Unnikrishnan
1) Thunai Purindarul - Papanasam Sivan 2) Vara Leela Gana Lola - Thyagaraja 3) Varuvai Varuvai - Subramania Bharathiyaar 4) Radha Sametha - Traditional 5) Suttum Vizhi - Subramaniya Bharathiyar 6) Pooraya Mamakaamam - Narayana Theerthar 7) MA Ramanan - Papanasam Sivan, 8) Venkatachal Nilayam - Purandaradasa 9) Dheera Sameere - Jayadeva, S. Ashtapathi 10) Anila Tharala - Jayadeva, S. Ashtapathi





nnikrishnan - A Scintillating Experience
P Unnikrishnan
1) Gajavadama - Sriranjani - Adi - Papanasam Sivan 2) Bhajare Yadunadham - Malayamarutham - Adi - Sadasiva Brahmendra 3) Jayathi Jayathi - Khamas - Adi (Tisra Nadai) - Mayuram Viswanatha Sastri - 4) VAruvai Varuvai - Bageshri - Adi - Subramaniya Bharathiyar 5) Tumuko Meri Laaj - Misra Peelu - Adi - Tulsi Das - 6) Vara Leela Gana Lola - Sankarabharanam - Adi (Tisra Nadai) Thyagaraja 7) Neene Parama Pavani - Brindhavani - Adi - Mahipathi Dasa 8) Anila Tharala - Patdheep - Adi - Jayadeva's Ashtapathi 9) MA Ramanan - Hindolam - Rupakam - Papanasam Sivan 10) Sankara Srigiri - Hamsanandhi - Adi - Swathi Thirunal 11) Ninnaiyae Radhi Yendru - Sindu Bhairavi - Adi (Tisra Nadai) - Subramania Bharathiyaar
















P. Unnikrishnan - Live in Singapore
P Unnikrishnan
1) Varnam - abohi - adi - Pattnam Subramania Iyer 2) Shobhillu Saptaswara - Jaganmohini, Rupakam, Thyagaraja 3) Needaya Raada - Vasantha Bhairavi, Rupakam - Thyagaraja 4) Sri Venkata Girisham - Suruti - Adi - Muthuswamy Diskshitar 5) Bhavapriye - Bhavani, Rupakam, Dr. S Ramanathan, Kamboji 6) Tiruvadi Charanam - Kamboji, adi, gopalakrishna bharati, 7) Ragam thanam Pallavai - Lathangi, Kanta Thriputa 8) Theerada Vilayattu Pillai - Raagamalika, thisranadai, bharathiyar 9) Venkatachalanilayam - Sindhu Bhairavi, adi, purandaradasa




elodious moods of P Unnikrishnan
P Unnikrishnan
1) Kannanai Pani - Shanmugha Priya - Adi - Papanasam Sivan 2) Eppadi Padinaro - Karnatakadevagandhari - Adi - Suddhananda Bharathi 3) Savi Rahe - Bagesware - Adi - Jayadeva's Ashtapathi 4) Agaramumagi (Thiruppugazh) - Amrithavarshini - Misra Chapu - Arunagininathar 5) Muruga Muruga - Karaharapriya - Adi - Subramaniya Bharathiyar 6) Jayajaya Rama - Behag - Adi - Annamacharya 7) Parama Purusham - Janasammodhini - Adi - Narayana theerthar 8) Om Shakthi - Mayamalava Gowla - Adi (Tisram) - Subramania Bharathi 9) Unni Thuthikka - Kunthlavarali - Adi - Papanasam Sivan 10) Thayagi - Dharbari Kanada - Adi - Ramalinga Swamigal Arutppa 11) Manikkamkatti (Divyaprabandam) - Neelambari - Adi - Periyalvar Pasuram 12) Nagumomu - Madhyamavathi - Adi - Thyagaraja - (Utsava Sampradaya Kriti)


















Geetham
1. Adi Kondar, Mayamalava Gowlai, Adi, Muthuthandavar
2. Bhogindra Shayinam, Kuntala Varali, Kanda Chapu, Swathi Thirumal
3. Chandiran Oliyil, Keeravani, Adi, Subramanya Bharathiyar
4. Neeye Charan, Kamboji, Adi, Papanasam Sivan
5. Etijanma, Varali, Misra Chapu, Thiyagaraja,
6. Naan or Vilayattu, Navarasan Kantha, Adi, Papanasam Sivan
7. aagatti Velala, Ravathi, Adi, Annamacharya
8. Shaanthi Nilava Vendum, Thilang, Adi, Setumadhava Rao
9. Krishnakaro, Madhukauns, Adi, Meera Bhajan
10. Seervalar, Chakkarvaaham, Kanta Loghu, Annamalai Reddi
ar


































































































































































































































No comments:

Post a Comment