Kannamangalam Sreekumar Harisankar (born 18 November 1993) is a Carnatic musician and Indian layback singer known for his work across South Indian cinema, performing in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada films.
He made his Malayalam debut under composer Ouseppachan with the song Kaatte from Kanavar. He rose to prominence with hits such as Jeevamshamayi (Theevandi), Pavizha Mazhaye (Athiran), Nee Hima Mazhayayai, Kamini (Anugraheethan Antony), Vaanam Chaayum (Anarkali), and Kiliye (ARM).
In Tamil cinema, Harisankar was introduced by composer Dhibu Ninan Thomas with Pesadhe Mozhiye (a duet with Chinmayi) and later collaborated with G. V. Prakash Kumar for the pan-Indian film Thalaivii.
His entry into Kannada cinema came through Nobin Paul’s compositions for 777 Charlie, followed by songs in Kantara: Chapter 1 for B. Ajaneesh Loknath, including Brahmakalasham and Oh Madhanamana Mohini. He later performed Nee Dhaare in Sapta Sagaradaache Ello – Side B, composed by Charan Raj.
In Telugu, Harisankar rendered the Malayalam version of Naatu Naatu from S. S. Rajamouli’s RRR, the Academy Award– and Golden Globe–winning track for Best Original Song. [1]He has also contributed to other pan-Indian films such as Sita Ramam, 2018, 777 Charlie, and Kantara: Chapter 1.
Beyond film music, Harisankar has built a strong following for his independent and cover songs, many of which have garnered millions of views online. Popular renditions include Pookal Pookkum, Mizhi Ariyathe, and Jiya Jale. Rooted in Carnatic music, he has performed at prestigious venues including the Madras Music Academy, Shanmukhananda Sabha, Narada Gana Sabha, and the Chembai Sangeetholsavam.
Early life
Harisankar was born on 18 November 1993 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, to musicians Alappuzha Sreekumar and Kamala Lakshmi. He is the grandson of Padma Shri Dr. K. Omanakutty, and grandnephew of noted musicians M. G. Radhakrishnan and M. G. Sreekumar.[2]
He began his Carnatic music training at the age of four and gave his first public performance at Asianet 99 show in the year 1999 when he was around 12 years old.
Career
Harisankar made his playback debut in 1997, singing for the film Saphalyam alongside K. J. Yesudas. The following year, he recorded for the devotional album Sabarimala with his granduncle M. G. Sreekumar. Although trained as a dentist and having briefly practiced, he ultimately chose to pursue music full-time.
In 2008, he won the All India Radio National Classical Music Competition and was later accredited as a Grade A artiste.[3] In 2023, he was invited to inaugurate the Soorya Festival on 1 October—a date traditionally reserved for K. J. Yesudas—marking a milestone in his classical career.
As a playback singer, Harisankar has recorded extensively across four South Indian languages:
Malayalam – His breakthrough came with Jeevamshamayi (Theevandi), a duet with Shreya Ghoshal. Other popular songs include Pavizha Mazhaye (Athiran), Hima Mazhayayai, Kamini (Anugraheethan Antony), Vaanam Chaayum (Anarkali), and Kiliye (ARM).
Tamil – Debuted with Dhibu Ninan Thomas’s Pesadhe Mozhiye (with Chinmayi) and later collaborated with G. V. Prakash Kumar for Thalaivii.
Kannada – Introduced by Nobin Paul in 777 Charlie, followed by Brahmakalasham and Oh Madhanamana Mohini in B. Ajaneesh Loknath’s Kantara: Chapter 1, and Nee Dhaare in Charan Raj’s Sapta Sagaradaache Ello – Side B.
Telugu – Rendered the Malayalam version of Naatu Naatu from RRR, the Academy Award– and Golden Globe–winning track for Best Original Song. .
His association with pan-Indian and globally recognized films such as RRR, 777 Charlie, Kantara: Chapter 1, Sita Ramam, and 2018 has established him as one of the most versatile voices of his generation.
Internationally, he has toured extensively under KS Harisankar Live, performing across the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Qatar, Austria, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Bahrain, the United States, Canada, Ireland, and several other countries.
Personal life
Harisankar was born in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, into a family of musicians. He pursued dentistry at PMS College of Dental Science and Research, and after briefly practicing as a dentist, chose to dedicate himself fully to music.
He is married to Dr. Ghadha Sidharthan.
Awards
2008
Raaga Ratnam Juniors Carnatic Music Reality Show by Amrita TV Winner
2015
Radio Mirchi Award BEST UPCOMING SINGER
2016
Asia Vision Award BEST SINGER
2018
Movie Street Award BEST SINGER (2018)
M.S. Subbulakshmi Fellowship Holder in Carnatic Music
A Grade Artist in All India Radio (AIR) in both Carnatic Music & Light Music
2019
SIIMA Award for BEST MALE PLAYBACK SINGER in Malayalam
Asianet Award-BEST SINGER
Mazhavil Music Award- BEST SINGER
Asia Vision Award-BEST SINGER
2020
Asianet Film Award Nomination- BEST SINGER
2021
Mazhavil Music Awards - BEST SINGER & BEST DUET SONG
2022
Big Screen Award-BEST SINGER
2023
Kerala Film Critics Award - BEST SINGER
Vayalar Ramavarma Film Award-BEST SINGER
Big Screens Award-BEST SINGER
IFF Award-BEST SINGER
Anand TV Awards (Asianet, UK Division)-BEST SINGER
Part of OSCAR & GOLDEN GLOBE winning Song "Naattu Naattu.."
Kerala Film Critics Award - BEST SINGER
Vayalar Ramavarma Film Award-BEST SINGER
SIIMA Awards Nomination - BEST MALE PLAYBACK SINGER (Malayalam & Kannada)
2024
SIIMA- best playback singer (Venmegham from Jude)
Film critics award - Best playback singer (Endhinende Nenjinullile from Cobra)
Mazhavil Music Awards - Best song of the year ( Kiliye from ARM)
2025
Flowers TV - Most popular singer (For Kiliye from ARM)
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