Karthik (singer)
Encyclopedia
Karthik (born 7 November 1980 in Chennai
, Tamil Nadu
) is an Indian playback singer
.
Karthik started his professional singing career as a backing vocalist
and has since been a playback singer in Tamil cinema
while also single in other Indian languages for various composers. Karthik has sung in multiple languages including Tamil
, Telugu
, Malayalam
, Kannada and Hindi
among others.
’.
Being an ardent fan of A. R. Rahman
, Karthik is known to have a dream of meeting Rahman and sing for him. Karthik's close friend's cousin happened to be popular singer Srinivas
, who sang many songs for Rahman
. During their brief chat, Srinivas encouraged Karthik to look at singing further as a career, as he thought he had key talent. Taking cue, Karthik resumed his singing lessons.
After nearly a year since his meeting with Srinivas
, he telephoned Karthik in relation to an opportunity with Rahman
. Rahman needed fresh voices for backing vocalist
s for a song from Pukar
and Srinivas
recommended Karthik's name. Karthik eventually got the opportunity and recorded for the song.
Having spent over a year being a backing vocalist
, Karthik got his break during the re-recording of One 2 Ka 4
. For the background score of one of the scenes in the movie, A. R. Rahman
wanted a high-pitched alap
and Karthik along with other chorus singers gave a shot at it. Rahman
finally chose Karthik to sing the alap
which he did. Soon after, Rahman
asked him to sing the song Nendhukittaen from the film Star.
Karthik is known for his versatility in the industry which gave him opportunity to sing a variety of songs.
He performed in cultural fest of BITS-Pilani Hyderabad campus on 27 March 2010.
Karthik has sung a number of songs for many popular music directors, including A. R. Rahman
, Ilayaraaja, Vidyasagar
, Yuvan Shankar Raja
, Harris Jeyaraj and Manisharma. Karthik has sung songs in several languages – Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. Ennaku Oru Girlfriend from the Tamil movie
Boys was one of the biggest hits of the year as was Oru Maalai from the 2005 film Ghajini. His songs for Telugu films for Kotha Bangaru Lokam (Nijanga Nenanaa), Happy Days (Arare Arare, Oh My Friend) are very popular. His other popular songs include "Ava Enna" from the 2009 film Vaaranam Aayiram, "Behka" from Ghajini and "Alle Alle" from the Kannada movie Savaari. Karthik is also a lead singer for the music (lyrics penned by Dr. Vanamali
) in the upcoming Telugu film, O Manasaa, set to be released in Spring 2012.
In 2010, he sang a track "Behene De", from Hindi film Raavan
, which is widely considered as the biggest song in his career. The track, which remained top in music charts for many continuous weeks, also received rave critical reviews. It was composed by Rahman and penned by Gulzar. Karthik also performed the Tamil and Telugu versions of the same song, titled "Usure Poghudhey" and "Usire Poyene" respectively.
Karthik performed with guitarist/music director Bennet
from kerala at Festember
08, the annual cultural fest of National Institute of Technology Trichy and Ragam
08, the annual cultural fest of the National Institute of Technology Calicut
, on 28 March 2008. Karthik has sung at the recent Indian Premier League
Twenty 20 cricket events held in Chennai
. Karthik with Bennet
performed at Nova 9, the ninth foundation week celebration of UST Global in Thiruvananthapuram
on August 22, 2008. He again performed with Bennet
in Thiruvananthapuram as part of the 11th foundation week celebrations of UST Global.
He has also performed with his full zeal along with Bennet Roland in Techofes
, the annual cultural festival of College of Engineering, Guindy
(CEG), Chennai
and in Mitafest'09,the cultural fest of Madras Institute of Technology
(MIT), Chennai
. He also performed in a International Carnival graVITas 2010 in VIT university Vellore on 17 September 2010. He has also performed for Annual Function (JASHN'10) of Multi National Company Capgemini Hyderabad in Dec 2010.
's upcoming film Aravaan
. (A Period Film Starring Adhi and Dhansika)
Nominated
Discographies
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
) is an Indian playback singer
Playback singer
A playback singer is a singer whose singing is prerecorded for use in movies. Playback singers record songs for soundtracks, and actors or actresses lip-sync the songs for cameras, while the actual singer does not appear on screen.-South Asia:...
.
Karthik started his professional singing career as a backing vocalist
Backing vocalist
A backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
and has since been a playback singer in Tamil cinema
Tamil cinema
Tamil cinema is the film industry based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to the production of films in the Tamil language. It is based in Chennai's Kodambakkam district, where several South Indian film production companies are headquartered...
while also single in other Indian languages for various composers. Karthik has sung in multiple languages including Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
, Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
, Malayalam
Malayalam language
Malayalam , is one of the four major Dravidian languages of southern India. It is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India with official language status in the state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry. It is spoken by 35.9 million people...
, Kannada and Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
among others.
Biography
Karthik developed an interest in music, early in his life. He is a trained Carnatic music vocalist and has been training since his school days. (Started From the age of 4, discontinued for a while and started again from the age of 17.) He was part of a college band and regularly participated in IIT Madras Fest ‘SaarangSaarang
Saarang is the annual social and cultural festival of IIT Madras. It is a five-day long event held towards the end of January every year and is attended by around 50,000 students. Called Mardi Gras when it was started more than thirty years ago, the fest has gone on to become an integral part of...
’.
Being an ardent fan of A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...
, Karthik is known to have a dream of meeting Rahman and sing for him. Karthik's close friend's cousin happened to be popular singer Srinivas
Srinivas (singer)
Srinivas 'Srini' is an award winning playback singer who has sung over 2000 songs in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi. He is also a music composer.-Early life:...
, who sang many songs for Rahman
A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...
. During their brief chat, Srinivas encouraged Karthik to look at singing further as a career, as he thought he had key talent. Taking cue, Karthik resumed his singing lessons.
After nearly a year since his meeting with Srinivas
Srinivas (singer)
Srinivas 'Srini' is an award winning playback singer who has sung over 2000 songs in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi. He is also a music composer.-Early life:...
, he telephoned Karthik in relation to an opportunity with Rahman
A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...
. Rahman needed fresh voices for backing vocalist
Backing vocalist
A backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
s for a song from Pukar
Pukar (2000 film)
Pukar is a Hindi film directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and starring Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Namrata Shirodkar, Danny Denzongpa and Om Puri. The film was critically acclaimed and a moderate success at the box office...
and Srinivas
Srinivas (singer)
Srinivas 'Srini' is an award winning playback singer who has sung over 2000 songs in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi. He is also a music composer.-Early life:...
recommended Karthik's name. Karthik eventually got the opportunity and recorded for the song.
Having spent over a year being a backing vocalist
Backing vocalist
A backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
, Karthik got his break during the re-recording of One 2 Ka 4
One 2 Ka 4
One 2 Ka 4 is an Indian film directed by Shashilal Nair. The film stars Shahrukh Khan, Juhi Chawla and Jackie Shroff. The music composition is by A.R.Rahman. The film received a lukewarm response at the box office. The usual chemistry between the lead pair was greatly missing in this venture...
. For the background score of one of the scenes in the movie, A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...
wanted a high-pitched alap
Alap
The alap is the opening section of a typical North Indian classical performance. It is a form of melodic improvisation that introduces and develops a raga...
and Karthik along with other chorus singers gave a shot at it. Rahman
A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...
finally chose Karthik to sing the alap
Alap
The alap is the opening section of a typical North Indian classical performance. It is a form of melodic improvisation that introduces and develops a raga...
which he did. Soon after, Rahman
A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...
asked him to sing the song Nendhukittaen from the film Star.
Karthik is known for his versatility in the industry which gave him opportunity to sing a variety of songs.
He performed in cultural fest of BITS-Pilani Hyderabad campus on 27 March 2010.
Karthik has sung a number of songs for many popular music directors, including A. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman
Allah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...
, Ilayaraaja, Vidyasagar
Vidyasagar (music director)
Vidyasagar is an Award-Winning Indian film music director and music composer in the Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Hindi film industry. He is very popular in South Indian music industry and best known for his soulful melodies. His fast numbers to many films have earned him much fame too. He has...
, Yuvan Shankar Raja
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Yuvan Shankar Raja is an Indian film score and soundtrack composer, singer and occasional lyricist. He has predominantly scored music for Tamil as well as several Telugu films. His musical career began in 1996, at age 16, as he composed the film score for Aravindhan...
, Harris Jeyaraj and Manisharma. Karthik has sung songs in several languages – Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. Ennaku Oru Girlfriend from the Tamil movie
Tamil cinema
Tamil cinema is the film industry based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to the production of films in the Tamil language. It is based in Chennai's Kodambakkam district, where several South Indian film production companies are headquartered...
Boys was one of the biggest hits of the year as was Oru Maalai from the 2005 film Ghajini. His songs for Telugu films for Kotha Bangaru Lokam (Nijanga Nenanaa), Happy Days (Arare Arare, Oh My Friend) are very popular. His other popular songs include "Ava Enna" from the 2009 film Vaaranam Aayiram, "Behka" from Ghajini and "Alle Alle" from the Kannada movie Savaari. Karthik is also a lead singer for the music (lyrics penned by Dr. Vanamali
Vanamali
Mani Gopal , popularly known by his pen-name, Vanamali is a world-renowned Telugu lyricist and poet. He is the recipient of the prestigious Filmfare Best Lyricist Award. His works include the musical hit Arey Arey from Happy Days. He holds a Phd in Telugu literature from Madras...
) in the upcoming Telugu film, O Manasaa, set to be released in Spring 2012.
In 2010, he sang a track "Behene De", from Hindi film Raavan
Raavan
Raavan is a 2010 Hindi film directed, written and produced by Mani Ratnam. It stars Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and Vikram in the lead roles while Govinda, Ravi Kishan, Nikhil Dwivedi, Tejaswini Kolhapure and Priyamani feature in key supporting roles...
, which is widely considered as the biggest song in his career. The track, which remained top in music charts for many continuous weeks, also received rave critical reviews. It was composed by Rahman and penned by Gulzar. Karthik also performed the Tamil and Telugu versions of the same song, titled "Usure Poghudhey" and "Usire Poyene" respectively.
Karthik performed with guitarist/music director Bennet
Bennet
Bennet may refer to:-People:* Charles Bennet, 6th Earl of Tankerville* Claire Bennet, writer from Vermont * Douglas J...
from kerala at Festember
Festember
Festember is the national-level cultural festival of the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli. It is held annually in the third week of September when college students from all over India participate in various cultural, literary and artistic events to compete for the coveted...
08, the annual cultural fest of National Institute of Technology Trichy and Ragam
Ragam (music festival)
RAGAM is the annual inter-collegiate fiesta of National Institute of Technology, Calicut , Kerala, India, which started in the late seventies to commemorate the death of a former student P. Rajan, who died after being held under police custody...
08, the annual cultural fest of the National Institute of Technology Calicut
National Institute of Technology Calicut
The National Institute of Technology Calicut is a federally funded technical university and an institute of national importance governed by an act passed by the Parliament of India. The campus is situated 22 km north-east of Kozhikode city on the Calicut – Mukkam Road. It was established in 1961...
, on 28 March 2008. Karthik has sung at the recent Indian Premier League
Indian Premier League
The Indian Premier League is a professional league for Twenty20 cricket competition in India. It was initiated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India , headquartered in Mumbai, and is supervised by BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla, who serves as the league's Chairman and Commissioner...
Twenty 20 cricket events held in Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
. Karthik with Bennet
Bennet
Bennet may refer to:-People:* Charles Bennet, 6th Earl of Tankerville* Claire Bennet, writer from Vermont * Douglas J...
performed at Nova 9, the ninth foundation week celebration of UST Global in Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
on August 22, 2008. He again performed with Bennet
Bennet
Bennet may refer to:-People:* Charles Bennet, 6th Earl of Tankerville* Claire Bennet, writer from Vermont * Douglas J...
in Thiruvananthapuram as part of the 11th foundation week celebrations of UST Global.
He has also performed with his full zeal along with Bennet Roland in Techofes
Techofes
Techofes is the annual inter college social and cultural festival of College of Engineering, Guindy, Anna University. It is usually held in mid February. Techofes is held for four nights and thee days and draws students from nearly 100 colleges...
, the annual cultural festival of College of Engineering, Guindy
College of Engineering, Guindy
College of Engineering, Guindy in Chennai, India, is India's oldest engineering and technical institution, having been established in 1794. Today it is one of the four constituent colleges of Anna University, Chennai....
(CEG), Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
and in Mitafest'09,the cultural fest of Madras Institute of Technology
Madras Institute of Technology
The Madras Institute of Technology is an engineering institute located in Chromepet, Chennai , India. It is one of the four autonomous constituent colleges of Anna University. It was started in 1949 by Mr. C. Rajam as the first self-financing engineering institute in the country, and later it...
(MIT), Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
. He also performed in a International Carnival graVITas 2010 in VIT university Vellore on 17 September 2010. He has also performed for Annual Function (JASHN'10) of Multi National Company Capgemini Hyderabad in Dec 2010.
Music
He has composed music for a multi lingual Coca Cola Advertisement (for Rajeev Menon featuring Actor Vijay). and also for Prince Jewellery advertisements. He is the music director upcoming VasanthabalanVasanthabalan
-Career:The director began his career with Album, which failed at the box-office. His second film, produced by the prestigious S Pictures company, Veyil became a blockbuster and was shown as the Indian representative at Cannes in 2007...
's upcoming film Aravaan
Aravaan
Aravaan is an upcoming Indian Tamil period film directed by Vasanthabalan, based on Su. Venkatesan's novel Kaaval Kottam. It stars Aadhi, Dhansika, Malayalam actress Archana Kavi and Pasupathy in the lead roles, with Kabir Bedi playing a prominent role, and Bharath appearing in a cameo role...
. (A Period Film Starring Adhi and Dhansika)
Awards
- 2003 - ITFA Best Male Playback AwardITFA Best Male Playback AwardThe ITFA Best Male Playback Singer Award is given by the state government as part of its annual International Tamil Film Awards for Tamil films.-The list:Here is a list of the award winners and the films for which they won....
- Oru Ooril (Kaakha KaakhaKaakha KaakhaKaakha Kaakha is a 2003 Tamil crime thriller film starring Surya, Jyothika and Jeevan in the lead roles. The film was written and directed by Gautham Menon and the music was composed by Harris Jayaraj...
) - 2005 - Filmfare Best Male Playback Award (Tamil)Filmfare Best Male Playback Award (Tamil)The Tamil Filmfare Best Male Playback Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Tamil films. The award was first presented in 2005 with Karthik as winner....
- Oru Maalai (Ghajini) - 2007 - Filmfare Best Male Playback Award (Telugu)Filmfare Best Male Playback Award (Telugu)The Telugu Filmfare Best Male Playback Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Telugu films.The award was first given in 1997. Here is a list of the award winners and the films for which they won.- See also :...
- Arey Rey (Happy DaysHappy Days (2007 film)Happy Days is a 2007 film directed by Sekhar Kammula. The film was very popular in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. The target audience for this movie was primarily the engineering college students in these states...
) - 2007 - Nandi Award for Best Male Playback SingerNandi Award for Best Male Playback SingerThe Nandi Award for Best Male Playback Singer started in the year 1977....
- Oh, My Friend (Happy DaysHappy Days (2007 film)Happy Days is a 2007 film directed by Sekhar Kammula. The film was very popular in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. The target audience for this movie was primarily the engineering college students in these states...
) - 2008 - Filmfare Best Male Playback Award (Telugu)Filmfare Best Male Playback Award (Telugu)The Telugu Filmfare Best Male Playback Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Telugu films.The award was first given in 1997. Here is a list of the award winners and the films for which they won.- See also :...
- Nizanga (Kotha Bangaru LokamKotha Bangaru LokamKotha Bangaru Lokam is a Telugu movie which got released on 9 October 2008 on the eve of Vijaya Dasami. The film starring Varun Sandesh and Shweta Prasad was directed by debutant Srikanth Addala under the production of Dil Raju...
) - 2009 - Tamil Isaiaruvi Music Awards 2010 - Hasili Fisili (AadhavanAadhavanAadhavan is a 2009 Tamil action thriller, directed by K. S. Ravikumar and written by Ramesh Khanna. The film features Surya Sivakumar in the title role along with Nayantara in lead roles and Murali, Vadivelu, Anand Babu, Ramesh Khanna, B. Saroja Devi, Rahul Dev, Sayaji Shinde in its supporting...
) - 2009 - Filmfare Best Male Playback Award (Tamil)Filmfare Best Male Playback Award (Tamil)The Tamil Filmfare Best Male Playback Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Tamil films. The award was first presented in 2005 with Karthik as winner....
- Hasili Fisili (AadhavanAadhavanAadhavan is a 2009 Tamil action thriller, directed by K. S. Ravikumar and written by Ramesh Khanna. The film features Surya Sivakumar in the title role along with Nayantara in lead roles and Murali, Vadivelu, Anand Babu, Ramesh Khanna, B. Saroja Devi, Rahul Dev, Sayaji Shinde in its supporting...
) - 2010 - Asiavision Awards Best Male Playback Singer (Malayalam) - Neelathamara (NeelathaamaraNeelathaamaraNeelathamara is a 2009 Malayalam romantic drama film written by M.T. Vasudevan Nair and directed by Lal Jose. It is the remake of the 1979 film of the same name, scripted by M.T. himself and directed by Yusuf Ali Kechery. The film was produced by Suresh Kumar under the banner of Revathy Kalamandir...
) - 2010 - Filmfare Best Male Playback Award (Tamil)Filmfare Best Male Playback Award (Tamil)The Tamil Filmfare Best Male Playback Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Tamil films. The award was first presented in 2005 with Karthik as winner....
- Usure Poguthey (Raavanan) - 2010 - Vijay Music AwardsVijay Music AwardsA Vijay Music Award is an accolade given by Vijay TV to recognize outstanding achievement in the Tamil music industry. The annual awards ceremony made its debut in 2011 for the previous calender year. It launched its official website in partnership with Galatta.com. Its main sponsor was India Gate...
Popular Singer Male - Usure Poguthey (Raavanan) - 2010 - Mirchi Music Awards SouthMirchi Music Awards SouthMirchi Music Awards South is the South Indian segment of the annual Mirchi Music Awards, presented by Radio Mirchi to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the South Indian music industry. The awards are separately given for Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films...
- Best Male Vocalist of the year - Usure Poguthey (Raavanan)
Nominated
- 2009 - Filmfare Best Male Playback Award (Tamil)Filmfare Best Male Playback Award (Tamil)The Tamil Filmfare Best Male Playback Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Tamil films. The award was first presented in 2005 with Karthik as winner....
- Vizhi Moodi (AyanAyanAyan is a rural locality and the administrative center of Ayano-Maysky District of Khabarovsk Krai, Russia, located on the shore of a well-protected bay of the Sea of Okhotsk, from Khabarovsk and by sea from Nikolayevsk-on-Amur...
)
External links
Discographies