Pradeep Kumar (musician)

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Pradeep Rangaswamy Kumar
Pradeep Rangaswamy Kumar.png
Background information
Birth namePradeep Rangaswamy Vijayakumar
Born (1986-05-12) 12 May 1986 (age 37)
Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
Genres Playback singing
Occupation(s)Singer, Music Director
Years active2010–present
Spouse(s) 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 Manjummel Boys MalayalamSushin Shyam

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

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References

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  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.
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  12. "Aadai first lookout: A bruised and beaten Amala Paul hangs on to her life in this poster – Entertainment News". timesnownews.com.