Pradeep Kumar (musician)

Last updated

Pradeep Kumar
Pradeep Rangaswamy Kumar.png
Background information
Birth namePradeep Rangaswamy Vijayakumar
Born (1986-05-12) 12 May 1986 (age 38)
Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
Genres Playback singing
Occupation(s)Singer, Music Director
Years active2010–present
Spouse Kalyani Nair

Pradeep Rangaswamy Kumar (born 12 May 1986) is an Indian playback singer and music director who has worked in Tamil language films. After beginning his career as a Carnatic musician, in the 2010s, he has regularly collaborated with composers Santhosh Narayanan and Sean Roldan.

Contents

Career

Born to a police inspector father and a music teacher mother, Pradeep Kumar grew up in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. His mother, Lalitha Vijayakumar, taught Carnatic music through private lessons and at a government school in the area, meaning that Pradeep Kumar was constantly exposed to Carnatic music as a youngster and often joined his mother in singing at home. He later was introduced as a playback singer in Tamil cinema through the film Attakathi by Santhosh Narayanan [1] He later began studying music under J. Venkataraman from the Aalathur School of music, who became his first guru. [2]

Outside music, Pradeep Kumar studied science, wrote the engineering entrance examination and joined an engineering college in Thanjavur hoping to become a theoretical physicist. However, after a week, he decided to opt out of college. As a backup career plan, he instead pursued a diploma course in audio engineering, which also taught him more about sound composition. [2] In 2003, Pradeep Kumar visited Chennai to participate in a competition conducted by the music studio, Carnatica. K. Shashikiran of Carnatica heard him sing and requested that he stay back in Chennai and subsequently from 2003 to 2005, Pradeep Kumar stayed in Chennai to collaborate with Carnita, and his parents joined him later. [2] He continued to perform in katcheris across Chennai and abroad, while also briefly serving as the secretary of the Youth Association of Classical Music, Chennai. [2] Pradeep Kumar later became nuanced in western classical music after apprenticing with Augustin Paul, and also worked as an audio engineer for four years. [3] In 2014, he worked on a documentary called Arunagiri Perumale, which was a live concert recording of a three-piece Indian band along with a 16-piece chamber symphony orchestra, which had taken place in 2014, in Boston. [4] He described the venture as his "pet project", and relied on crowd-funding to get it completed by 2017. [3] [5] During the same period, he married his fellow singer, Kalyani Nair. [6] He also worked as a composer on his first film album for the Telugu project, Maine Pyar Kiya (2014). [7]

Through his work as a musician, Pradeep Kumar became acquainted with composer Santhosh Narayanan. The pair had first met in Trichy when Pradeep Kumar was 18 and then continued to jam together, while studying for the same course in audio engineering. After Santhosh Narayanan became a film composer, Pradeep Kumar regularly worked as his acoustic guitarist. [3] He later featured prominently as a singer, often collaborating with Santhosh Narayanan and another friend Sean Roldan in their albums including Jigarthanda (2014), Irudhi Suttru (2016) and Kabali (2016). [3] [8] He had also worked as a lyricist in Jigarthanda. [9] In 2016, a music critic from The Hindu labelled the three as "the new-age musical trio of Tamil cinema". [10]

In 2017, Pradeep Kumar made his debut as a music composer in Tamil cinema after Santhosh Narayanan had convinced the producers of Meyaadha Maan to allow him to work on the film. [11] Subsequently, Rathna Kumar who directed Meyaadha Maan selected him as a music director for Amala Paul's next film, Aadai. [12]

Discography

Composer

YearFilmLanguageNotes
2014 Maine Pyar Kiya Telugu
2017 Meyaadha Maan Tamil2 songs only.
2019 Aadai Tamil
2019 Sillu Karupatti Tamil
2020 Andhaghaaram Tamil
2021 Methagu Tamil
2021 Vaazhl Tamil
2022 Veyil Malayalam
2022 Kuthiraivaal Tamil
2024 Nalla Perai Vaanga Vendum Pillaigale TamilAlso producer

Playback singer

YearSong titleFilmLanguageMusic directorNotes
2010Chitti Dance Showcase Enthiran Tamil, Telugu, Hindi A. R. Rahman
Adi Sarale Chikku Bukku Tamil Colonial Cousins Colonial Cousins - Hariharan, Lesle Lewis, Pravin Mani
2012Aasai Oru Pulveli Attakathi Tamil Santhosh Narayanan
Vazhi Parthirundhen
Mogathirai Pizza
Naanaga Naanindri(Ennavo)Uyir Mozhi
Oru Murai
2013Boomiyil Pizza II: Villa
2014Agasatha Cuckoo
Kodaiyila
Jigar Jigarthanda
Maatra Paravai Vaayai Moodi Pesavum Sean Roldan
Kadhal Kanave Mundaasupatti
Aagayam Theepiditha Madras Santhosh Narayanan Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Tamil
South Indian International Movie Award for Best Male Tamil Playback Singer
Vijay Award for Best Male Playback Singer
Yemarum Jename Sathuranga Vettai Sean Roldan
Thanniyila Aadama Jaichomada
Poo Avizhum Pozhudhil Enakkul Oruvan Santhosh Narayanan
2016Poda Poda Irudhi Suttru
Aval Manithan
Maya Nadhi Kabali Norway Tamil Film Festival Award for Best Male Playback Singer
Veera Thurandhara
Vaanam Paarthen
Thoondil Meen
Jadoo Rawan Rawan Kabali Hindi
Taare Saare Chupke
Kalavani O Nadhi Kabali Telugu
Gunde Ninda Yenno
Inaivom Maaveeran Kittu Tamil D. Imman
2017Nee Kavithaigala Maragatha Naanayam Dhibu Ninan Thomas
Pogaadhey Kanmaniye Veera Leon James
Marete Hodenu Dayavittu Gamanisi Kannada Anoop Seelin
Pogatha Yennavittu Vikram Vedha Tamil Sam C.S
Idhuvum Kadandu Pogum Nibunan Navin
Ammukkutiye Gemini Ganeshanum Suruli Raajanum D. Imman
Enno Enno Bhaavaley Yuddham Sharanam Telugu Vivek Sagar
Azhagazhaga Karuppan Tamil D. Imman
Manavi Alakinacharadate Mental Madhilo Telugu Prashanth R Vihari
Kaadhalaada Vivegam Tamil Anirudh Ravichander
Enna Naan Seiven Meyaadha Maan Pradeep Kumaralso lyricist
Megamo Aval Santhosh Narayanan
Rail Aaraaro Nenjil Thunivirundhal D. Imman
Azhagile Enai Kaathiruppor Pattiyal Sean Roldan
Mudalaothonda C/O Surya Telugu D. Imman
2018Kannamma Kaala Tamil Santhosh Narayanan
Thanga Sela
Raaye Naa Range LeelaTelugu
Sone Ki Tu Ek MuratHindi
Sengathire Kadaikutty Singam Tamil D. Imman
Kalavarame Thamizh Padam 2 Kannan
The Life of Ram 96 Govind Vasantha
Thaabangale
Iravingu Theevai
Kaarkuzhal Kadavaaiye Vada Chennai Santhosh Narayanan
2019Kodi Aruvi Mehandi Circus Sean Roldan
Agam Thaanai Sillu Karuppatti Pradeep Kumar
Pranthan Kandal Thottappan Malayalam Leela L. Girish Kuttan
Kaathellam Poo Manakka Gypsy Tamil Santhosh Narayanan
Very Very Bad
Oru Naal Aadai Pradeep Kumar
Mailaanji Namma Veettu Pillai D. Imman
2020Life of Ram Jaanu Telugu Govind Vasantha
Maragatha MaalaiTakkerTamil Nivas K. Prasanna
Marandhaye Teddy D. Imman
Maatra Thendral Dharala Prabhu Bharath Shankar
Suzhalum Irulil Andhaghaaram Pradeep Kumar
2021Kanavil Kan Malarum Kabadadaari Simon K. King
Kalalo Kanupaape Kapatadhaari Telugu
Aahaa Vaazhl TamilPradeep Kumar
Inba Visai
Pudhu Vidha Anubavam
Semmaan Magalai
Vaazha Vaa
Naan
Bandeena Bandeena Raja Raja Chora Telugu Vivek Sagar
Thala Kodhum Elangathu Jai Bhim Tamil Sean Roldan
Penne Penne Sabhaapathy Sam C. S.
Raavil Minnal Murali Malayalam Sushin Shyam Kerala State Film award for best playback singer 2021
Ye PorapatoSakala GunabhiramaTelugu Anudeep Dev
Parimitha Neram Madhuram Malayalam Govind Vasantha
Ullam Urugudhaiya Etharkkum Thunindhavan Tamil D. Imman
Ennai Aalum Pennilave Velan Gopi Sundar
Kaanal neeraai Writer Govind Vasantha
2022Nizhal Tharum Idham Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadhaa Pradeep Kumar
Mother Song (Version 2) Valimai Yuvan Shankar Raja
Mother Song Valimai Telugu
Thanga Sela Anbarivu Tamil Hiphop Tamizha
Uyir Thirandhu Infinity Balasubramanian G
Thozhi Hey Sinamika Govind Vasantha
Ice Katti Kuruvi D Block Ron Ethan Yohann
Unaraa UnarvaeyMr.MuraliBarath Dhanasekar
Varayaatha Oviyam Koorman Tony Britto
Yaar Varuvaar
Parandhu Pogindren Kuthiraivaal Pradeep Kumar
Maname Veyil Malayalam
NenjoramaMadhil Mel KaadhalTamil Nivas K. Prasanna
Engirundho Vandhaan Oh My Dog
NedumaramJ.BabyTony Britto
Vaanam Yaavum O2 Vishal Chandrashekhar
Dhooram Vezham Jhanu Chanthar
Dhooram (sad)
Idam
Thangamey My Dear Bootham D. Imman
Kanneeraey Poikkal Kudhirai
Un paarvai Cadaver Ranjin Raj
Kadavul Thantha Yugi Ranjin Raj
Nee Podhum Enakku Michael Sam C. S
Ilakana Kavithai Banaras B. Ajaneesh Loknath
2023Adiyae AdiyaeNandhivarmanJerard Felix
Uchathula Vennilavu Thalaikoothal Kannan
Yaar Arindhadho
Kaatrodu Pattam Pola Ayothi N. R. Raghunanthan
Ottamuri Vakkumayi Romancham Malayalam Sushin Shyam
Ponniyamma Harkara TamilRamshanker
Podhum Podhum Chandramukhi 2 TamilM M Kerravani
Arikil Onnu Vannal Pulimada Malayalam Ishaan Dev
Neela Vaanile
Kangal Etho Chithha Tamil Dhibu Ninan Thomas
2024Nedumaram J Baby Tony Britto
"Nebulakal" (Travel Song) Manjummel Boys MalayalamSushin Shyam
"Chillanjirukkiye" Lubber Pandhu TamilSean Roldan

Singles

YearSongNotes
2017Kaatru Veliyidai KannammaReleased (on YouTube): 15 April 2017 (collaboration with BP Collective)
2021Konjam PesuReleased (on YouTube): 9 July 2021
KaatrileReleased (on YouTube): 13 Aug 2021
2022Mayakural Ondru KetkutheyReleased (on YouTube): 13 March 2022
Maayavi NeeReleased (on YouTube): 27 July 2022
2023IsaiReleased (on YouTube): 14 July 2023

Awards

YearCategorySongFilm
2021 Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer (male)"Ravil" Minnal Murali
YearCategorySongFilm
2015Best playback singer (Male)"Aagayam Theepiditha" Madras
2017Best playback singer (Male)"Maya Nadhi, Vaanam Paarthen" Kabali
YearCategorySongFilm
2015 Best Tamil Male Playback Singer Award "Aagayam Theepiditha" Madras
YearCategorySongFilm
2015 Best Tamil Male Playback Singer Award "Aagayam Theepiditha" Madras
YearCategorySongFilm
2015 Best Male Playback Singer Award "Aagayam Theepiditha" Madras
YearCategorySongFilm
2016 Best Male Playback Singer Award "Maya Nadhi" Kabali
YearCategorySongFilm
2018Best Singer (Male)"Kadhalaadaa, Enna Naan Seiven, Pogatha enna vittu" Vivegam

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Music of Tamil Nadu</span> Musical traditions of the state of Tamil Nadu, India

Music of Tamil Nadu has a long tradition and history going back thousands of years. Music is a very important aspect of marriage and temple festival Tamil people.

<i>Attakathi</i> 2012 Indian film

Attakathi is a 2012 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Pa. Ranjith, a former assistant of Venkat Prabhu. Produced by C. V. Kumar, it stars Dinesh, Nandita Swetha and Aishwarya Rajesh. The film garnered attention after being praised and promoted by several acclaimed directors. Attakathi fetched positive reviews and emerged successful at the box office.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santhosh Narayanan</span> Musical artist

Santhosh Narayanan is an Indian film composer and musician who has worked predominately worked in Tamil cinema, while also having some Telugu and Malayalam films to his credit.

<i>Jigarthanda</i> (2014 film) Indian crime comedy by Karthik Subbaraj

Jigarthanda (transl. Cold-heart) is a 2014 Indian Tamil-language crime comedy film written and directed by Karthik Subbaraj and produced by S. Kathiresan. The film stars Bobby Simha, Siddharth, Lakshmi Menon, Karunakaran, Guru Somasundaram and Aadukalam Naren. Gavemic U. Ary was the cinematographer, making his debut in Tamil cinema, and Vivek Harshan was the editor. Santhosh Narayanan composed the songs and background score.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sean Roldan</span>

Raghavendra Raja Rao, known by his stage name Sean Roldan is an Indian composer, musician, and lyricist who predominantly works in the Tamil film industry. He has worked on Carnatic music, independent music, and film scores for the Tamil film industry. He rose to fame after gaining critical acclaim for his work in Balaji Mohan's Tamil-Malayalam bilingual Vaayai Moodi Pesavum / Samsaaram Aarogyathinu Haanikaram (2014).

Anthony Daasan is an Indian folk singer, who is currently working in the Tamil film industry. He is known for contributing a powerful voice to fusions of Tamil-folk, country, jazz, electronica and rock styles. Before this phase of playback singing, he worked as a travelling festival folk singer artist, collaborating with players of Nadaswaram, Thavil and Thappu, dancers and acrobats among others. He has performed with influential movie industry veterans such as Usha Uthup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vishal Chandrashekhar</span> Indian film score and soundtrack composer

Vishal Chandrashekhar is an Indian film score and soundtrack composer, who has predominantly scored music for Tamil and Telugu films.

Dheekshitha Venkadeshan, known professionally as Dhee, is an Australian-Tamil playback singer. She works predominantly in Indian cinema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vivek Prasanna</span> Indian actor

Vivek Prasanna is an Indian actor who appears in Tamil language films, mostly in supporting roles. In 2017, he won the Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the film Meyaadha Maan.

<i>Meyaadha Maan</i> 2017 film by Rathna Kumar

Meyaadha Maan is a 2017 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Rathna Kumar in his feature directorial debut and produced by Karthik Subbaraj's Stone Bench Creations. The film stars Vaibhav and Priya Bhavani Shankar in the leads, with Vivek Prasanna, Indhuja Ravichandran, Arun Prasath, and Amrutha Srinivasan in supporting roles. It is an adaptation of Kumar's own short film Madhu, which he had directed for the Stone Bench Creation's anthology film Bench Talkies. This is the screen debut of both Priya and Indhuja.

<i>Kabali</i> (soundtrack) 2016 soundtrack album by Santhosh Narayanan

Kabali is the soundtrack album, composed by Santhosh Narayanan for the 2016 Indian Tamil-language action crime film of the same name written and directed by Pa. Ranjith and produced by Kalaipuli S. Thanu, starring Rajinikanth, Radhika Apte and Winston Chao. The soundtrack album featuring five songs with lyrics written by Kabilan, Vivek, Umadevi and Arunraja Kamaraj was released on 12 June 2016, at Chennai and was also released in Telugu, Hindi and Malay languages. Santhosh Narayanan won the Best Music Director Award at the 2017 Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards. Initially, he was nominated for the Best Music Director – Tamil award at the 2017 Filmfare Awards South, along with Arunraja Kamaraj, for Best Lyricist – Tamil, Best Male Playback Singer – Tamil for the song "Neruppu Da". However, Shweta Mohan won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil for "Maya Nadhi".

Rathna Kumar is an Indian film director and writer. He is known for directing Meyaadha Maan (2017).

Madhu is a 2014 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy short film written, directed and produced by Rathna Kumar, starring Sananth, Roshini Abraham and Vivek Prasanna. The music for the film is composed by Javed Riaz, with cinematography handled by Vijay Kartik Kannan and editing done by Sridharan G. K. It was released through YouTube on 6 June 2014.

<i>Vada Chennai</i> (soundtrack) 2018 soundtrack album by Santhosh Narayanan

Vada Chennai is the soundtrack album for the 2018 action crime film of the same name directed by Vetrimaaran, starring Dhanush in the lead role. The film featured music composed by Santhosh Narayanan in his maiden collaboration with Vetrimaaran. Vada Chennai also marks the 25th film of Narayanan as a composer in his career. The album in its entirety was released on 23 September 2018 to positive response from critics and audiences. At the 12th Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards held in Chennai, Santhosh received an award for Best Music Director also for his work in Kaala and Pariyerum Perumal.

<i>Meyadha Maan</i> (soundtrack) 2017 soundtrack album by Santhosh Narayanan and Pradeep Kumar

Meyaadha Maan is the soundtrack album jointly composed by Santhosh Narayanan and Pradeep Kumar for the 2017 film of the same name directed by Rathna Kumar. The album had seven tracks written by Vivek, Pradeep Kumar, Rathna Kumar and Mirchi Vijay. Prior to the album release, three songs – "Thangachi Song", "Enna Naan Seiven" and "Address Song" released as singles on 7, 25 August and 13 September, and the full album was unveiled on 27 September 2017, to positive reviews from critics and audience. Post-release, the tracks "Address Song" and "Thangachi Song" gained popularity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RJ Sarithiran</span>

Sarithiran Raa is an Indian film actor and radio jockey. He is known for his pranks and show Sarithiranin Narithanam On BIG FM 92.7.

<i>Cuckoo</i> (2014 soundtrack) 2014 soundtrack album by Santhosh Narayanan

Cuckoo is the musical album composed by Santhosh Narayanan to the 2014 Tamil film Cuckoo, directed by journalist-turned-filmmaker Raju Murugan in his directorial debut. The film starred Attakathi Dinesh and debutant Malavika Nair in leading roles, and was jointly produced by the companies Fox Star Studios and The Next Big Film Venture. The soundtrack album has six tracks, five of them being written by Yugabharathi and one song by Gaana Bala and R. K. Sundar.

<i>Gulu Gulu</i> 2022 Indian film

Gulu Gulu is a 2022 Indian Tamil-language road action comedy film written and directed by Rathna Kumar and produced by Raj Narayanan's banner Circle Box Entertainment. The film was distributed by Udhayanidhi Stalin under his banner Red Giant Movies. The film stars Santhanam and Athulya Chandra. The music is composed by Santhosh Narayanan with cinematography handled by Vijay Kartik Kannan and editing by Philomin Raj. The film was released theatrically on 29 July 2022 to mixed to negative reviews from critics and audiences.

<i>Chithha</i> (soundtrack) 2023 soundtrack album

Chithha is the soundtrack to the 2023 Tamil-language drama film of the same name directed by S. U. Arun Kumar starring Siddharth, Nimisha Sajayan and Anjali Nair. The film's soundtrack featured three songs composed by Dhibu Ninan Thomas and one song composed by Santhosh Narayanan. Preceded by three singles, the soundtrack was released through Think Music on 27 September 2023. At the 69th Filmfare Awards South, both composers won the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Tamil.

The music for the 2014 Tamil-language crime drama film Jigarthanda (transl. cold-hearted) is composed by Santhosh Narayanan. The film directed by Karthik Subbaraj and produced by S. Kathiresan, stars Siddharth, Bobby Simha, Lakshmi Menon, Karunakaran and Guru Somasundaram. The music for the film released under two different albums—one contains the original songs which had lyrics written by Muthamil, Arunraja Kamaraj, Anthony Daasan, Pradeep Kumar and Sean Roldan, and the other contained several cues of original music underscored in the background. The first album was released on March 2014, five months before the film's theatrical release with the second album being unveiled after the film's release. Both the albums were distributed under the Think Music label. Santhosh's work met with acclaim, both from critics and audiences, regarding it as one of his best works.

References

  1. "Suriya said his kids loved my song: Lalitha". The Times of India. 13 January 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "I learnt Carnatic music as just another subject". rediff.com.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Santhosh Narayanan and I have a vada-poda relationship: Pradeep Kumar". The Times of India. 14 January 2017.
  4. "Pradeep Kumar Biography". Concerty.com.
  5. "On a musical trail to document a saint". The New Indian Express.
  6. Rosebowl. "Kalyani Nair talks about her family – The Complete Jam Sessions" via YouTube.
  7. "All you want to know about #VPradeepKumar". FilmiBeat.
  8. "I have natural chemistry with Anirudh and Santhosh Narayanan". The Times of India. 14 January 2017.
  9. Kumar, S. R. Ashok (15 March 2014). "Audio Beat: Jigarthanda – Fusion, folk, rap and more". The Hindu.
  10. "Vaa machaney". The Hindu. 22 January 2016.
  11. "Meyaadha Maan director Rathna Kumar: We wanted Address Song to bring an end to female-bashing numbers". 25 October 2017.
  12. "Aadai first lookout: A bruised and beaten Amala Paul hangs on to her life in this poster – Entertainment News". timesnownews.com.