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P. Unnikrishnan | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | (1966-07-09)9 July 1966 (age 59) Palakkad, Kerala, India |
| Genres | Indian classical music |
| Occupation(s) | Playback Singer & Classical Singer |
| Years active | 1992–present |
Parakkal Unnikrishnan (born 9 July 1966) is an IndianCarnatic vocalist and playback singer.[1]
Unnikrishnan was born to K. Radhakrishnan and Dr. Harini Radhakrishnan inPalakkad, Kerala.[2]The family home, Kesari Kuteeram, was a well-known[by whom?] landmark of Madras city, with great-grandfatherDr. K. N. Kesari, an Ayurvedic physician and the promoter of the Telugu women's magazine Gruhalakshmi.
He went to Asan Memorial Senior Secondary School, Chennai.[3] He later transferred to Santhome Higher Secondary School in Chennai and completed his schooling in 1984.[3] He graduated fromRamakrishna Mission Vivekananda College,Chennai, and received hisB.Com degree from theMadras University.[citation needed] He earned a General Law and Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations.[citation needed]
He worked as an executive inParry's Confectionery Ltd. from 1987 to 1994, when he quit his job to become a professional singer.[citation needed]
Unnikrishnan was initiated intoCarnatic music aged 12 by V. L. Seshadri.[4] He was inspired byDr. S. Ramanathan.[1] Later, under the tutelage of Savithri Sathyamurthy, a student of Dr. S Ramanathan herself, helped Unnikrishnan become the singer.[5] He attended a special workshop for six months on "Veena Dhanammal Bhani" under T. Brinda and T. Vishwa Nathan.[6]
He won theNational Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for his debut film songs "Ennavale Adi Ennavale" and "Uyirum Neeye".[7] These songs were composed byA. R. Rahman, with whom Unnikrishnan gave most of his memorable songs. He is the first male playback singer to be awarded the national award for a Tamil song.[citation needed] He was one of the permanent judges in the reality television show AIRTEL Super Singer onVijay TV in seasons (2006, 2008, 2010–2011, 2013, 2015–2016, 2018) and 2008 Idea Star Singer onAsianet.[citation needed]
Unnikrishnan is also becoming known for his experimental work. In 2008, he presented a novel jazz concert in Thiruvananthapuram with the Eli Yamin Jazz Quartet and pianistAnil Srinivasan.
He prefers singing classical songs over pop music.[citation needed] He is the recipient of many awards like Tamil Nadu's Kalaimamani, Nada Bhushanam, Isai Peroli, Yuva Kala Bharathi, Isayin Punnagai, Isai Selvam, Sangeetha Kalasarathy, Sangeetha Chakravarthy.[citation needed] In 2014, he received theKerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award for Classical Music.[8]
In 2012, Unnikrishnan rendered a series of Devotional songs on LordGanesha, LordAyyappan, LordVenkateswara, andDevi among others. The albums were produced by Gaananjali Recordings and were composed and released by Manachanallur Giridharan. The album titles include Ayyan Malai Engal Malai, Om Nava Sakthi Jaya Jaya Sakthi, Sabarimalai Va Charanam Solli Va, Vindhaigal Purindhai Nee En Vazhvile, jeans, and Uchi Pillaiyare Charanam.[9] Notable among them is the Harivarasanam, part of the Ayyappa album and is the only other popular rendering after the famousK. J. Yesudas's.[10]
Unnikrishnan is married to Priya, aBharathanatiyam andMohiniyattam dancer and a native ofKozhikode, Kerala. They got married in November 1994 and have 2 children – a son named Vasudev Krishna (b. 1997) and a daughterUthara (b. 2004). Uthara won the National award for playback singing for her debut song "Azhagu" in the movie "Saivam". Both Unnikrishnan and Uthara received national awards for their debut songs.
Vasudev is passionate about cricket and is a member of theMadras Cricket Club and Life Member of theTamil Nadu Cricket Association.[11]
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| Genres | |
| Traditional Instruments | |
| Awards | |
| Classical Musicians |
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| Traditional Musicians | |
| Film Music | |
| Popular Music | |
