Karthik (singer)

Karthik (born 7 November 1980) is an Indian playback singer. Karthik started his professional career as a backing vocalist and has since been working as a playback singer. He has sung in multiple languages including Tamil( over 1000 songs), Telugu( over 500 songs), Kannada( over 300 songs), and in other languages like Malayalam, Odia, Bengali and Hindi. Karthik is known for his versatility in the industry which gave him opportunity to sing a variety of songs.^[1]

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. He was part of a college band and regularly participated in IIT Madras Fest Saarang. An ardent fan of A. R. Rahman, Karthik's dream was to meet Rahman and sing for him. Playback singer Srinivas, who collaborated often with Rahman was Karthik's close friend's cousin. Srinivas encouraged Karthik to look at singing as a career, which prompted Karthik to resume his singing lessons. One year later, Srinivas recommended Karthik's name to Rahman, who needed fresh voices for backing vocalists for a song from Pukar. 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, A. R. Rahman wanted a high-pitched alap and he eventually chose Karthik to sing the alap. Soon after, Rahman asked him to sing the song "Nendhukittaen" from the film Star.

Karthik has sung a number of songs for many popular music directors, including A. R. Rahman, Ilaiyaraaja, Hamsalekha, Vidyasagar, Devi Sri Prasad, Harris Jeyaraj and Manisharma. Karthik has sung songs in several languages – Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam. "Ennaku Oru Girlfriend" from the Tamil film Boys was one of the biggest hits of the year as was "Oru Maalai" (Ghajini; 2005). His songs for Telugu films for Kotha Bangaru Lokam (Nijanga Nenenaa), Happy Days (Arare Arare, Oh My Friend), "Badhulu Tochanai" (Mr.Perfect), "Manase Guvvai" (Naa Peru Shiva), "Oh Oh My Friend" (Oh My Friend), "Yedhuta nlichindhi choodu" (Vaana), "Meghama" (Journey), "Yevvaro" (Bodyguard (Telugu)) are very popular. His other popular songs include "Ava Enna" from the Vaaranam Aayiram (2009), the title track from Unnale Unnale, "Behka" from Ghajini.

Karthik has sung Kannada songs and has many super hit chart buster songs to his credit like Ale Ale, Anuraaga Aralo Samaya, Thangaliyalli Theli Hode, Nee Chummu Chummu Munjaaneli, Manasaithu Ninna Myaale, Sum Sumne Yaako, Hosadondu hesaridu Nanange, Kanne Koodiruvaaga, Madhumasa, Nenapidu Nenapidu, Thanthaane Thannamthaane, Baruve Odi Odi Nalidu, Raktha Sambandhagala, Saluge Saluge, Mannige Mara Bhaarave and many more.

In 2010, he sang a track "Behene De", from Hindi film Raavan, which is widely considered as the biggest song in his career.^[2] The track, which topped music charts for many continuous weeks, also received rave critical reviews.^[2] Karthik also performed the Tamil and Telugu versions of the same song, titled "Usure Poghudhey" and "Usire Poyene" respectively. He also sang "Adhigora Choodu" in the movie Mirapakaay.

Composing

He has composed music for a multi lingual Coca Cola Advertisement (for Rajeev Menon featuring actor Vijay)^[3] and Prince Jewellery advertisements. He is the music director of Vasanthabalan's period film Aravaan and Srinivas Raga's Okkadine starring Nara Rohit and Nithya Menen in Telugu.

He has also released an album called "Music I Like". It is based on carnatic ragaas and it is a contemporary take on some well known keerthanas.^[4] The Orchestration was done my Music director Sai Madhukar. He also performed in Oxford engineering college Bengaluru.

Filmography

As Composer

• The films are listed in order that the music released, regardless of the dates the film released.
• The year next to the title of the affected films indicates the release year of the either dubbed or remade version in the named language later than the original version.
• • indicates original language release. Indicates simultaneous makes, if featuring in more languages
• ♦ indicates a remade version, the remaining ones being dubbed versions

As playback singer

This is only a partial list; it is noteworthy that Karthik has sung over 500 songs in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi.

Tamil songs

Telugu songs

Kannada songs

Hindi songs

Awards

• Filmfare Awards South

• Other Awards

References

External links

• Karthik at the Internet Movie Database
• Listing of Karthik's songs in alphabetical order of albums
• Listing of Karthik's songs in alphabetical order of songs