P. Unni Krishnan

Biography

Parakkal Unnikrishnan (born 9 July 1966) is an Indian Carnatic vocalist and playback singer.

Early life and background

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. 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. He later transferred to Santhome Higher Secondary School in Chennai and completed his schooling in 1984. 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 Parry's Confectionery Ltd. from 1987 to 1994, when he quit his job to become a professional singer.

Singing career

Unnikrishnan was initiated into Carnatic music aged 12 by V. L. Seshadri. He was inspired by Dr. S. Ramanathan. Later, under the tutelage of Savithri Sathyamurthy, a student of Dr. S Ramanathan herself, helped Unnikrishnan become the singer. He attended a special workshop for six months on "Veena Dhanammal Bhani" under T. Brinda and T. Vishwa Nathan.
He won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for his debut film songs "Ennavale Adi Ennavale" and "Uyirum Neeye". These songs were composed by A. 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. He was one of the permanent judges in the reality television show AIRTEL Super Singer on Vijay TV in seasons (2006, 2008, 2010–2011, 2013, 2015–2016, 2018) 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 Thiruvananthapuram with the Eli Yamin Jazz Quartet and pianist Anil Srinivasan.
He prefers singing classical songs over pop music. 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. In 2014, he received the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award for Classical Music.
In 2012, Unnikrishnan rendered a series of Devotional songs on Lord Ganesha, Lord Ayyappan, Lord Venkateswara, and Devi 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. Notable among them is the Harivarasanam, part of the Ayyappa album and is the only other popular rendering after the famous K. J. Yesudas's.

Personal life

Unnikrishnan is married to Priya, a Bharathanatiyam and Mohiniyattam dancer and a native of Kozhikode, Kerala. They got married in November 1994 and have 2 children – a son named Vasudev Krishna (b. 1997) and a daughter Uthara (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 the Madras Cricket Club and Life Member of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association.