Srinivas (singer)

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Srinivas
Srinivas
Srinivas
Background information
Birth nameSrinivasan Doraiswamy
Born (1959-11-07) 7 November 1959 (age 64)
OriginAmbasamudram, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India
GenresFilm Composer, Music Director, Playback Singer
Occupation(s)Film Composer, Music Director, Playback Singer
Years active1993–present

Srinivasan Doraiswamy, known by his stage name Srinivas, is an Indian Playback Singer who has sung over 2000 songs in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi.[1] He has two Daughters Sharanya Srinivas, Sunanda Srinivas. He has also worked independently as a music composer, working on films and private albums.

Early life[edit]

Singer Srinivas was born On 7 November in Ambasamudram in Tamil Nadu. He was born to Duraiswamy iyengar and Lakshmi. He learnt Carnatic music from his aunt Padma Narayanan. The great Carnatic stalwarts of the 60s influenced his early days. After which Hindi film music chiefly that of Kishore Kumar & R.D.Burman deeply influenced him in his childhood days.{Later on it was the ghazals of Mehdi Hassan which redefined his singing[citation needed]

He completed his BTech from UDCT of University of Bombay; during which he represented his university in youth festivals. After pursuing his career as a chemical engineer and a marketing professional for ten years, he decided to follow his passion for music. He studied in Kerala and was coached in Carnatic music by his aunt.[citation needed]

He got married in the year 1985. His marriage was done in a church on Muthuramalingam road near St.Marys road, attended by many.

Career[edit]

In 1988, Srinivas approached music director Ilaiyaraaja, who was at the helm of Tamil film music. He was offered the opportunity to work with Ilaiyaraaja, but things did not work out, as he was suffering from severe throat infection that day.

In 1992, the soundtrack of Mani Ratnam's Tamil film Roja reignited his dreams of playback singing. Mani Ratnam introduced composer A. R. Rahman with this movie, who then went on to change the music scene in the whole Indian film industry. Encouraged by the use of fresh voices in Roja, Srinivas approached Rahman. Rahman took a liking to his rendition of Mehdi Hassan's ghazals and offered him work at Chennai.

In 1994, Srinivas shifted base to madras and started lending his voice to advertisement jingles and devotional albums.

His first foray into playback singing began with the song "Sorgam Enbathu Namakku" with Swarnalatha from the movie Nammavar, acted by Kamal Haasan. Music was composed by late Mahesh. It went on to become a runaway hit.

Only in 1996 he did gain recognition with the song "Maana Madurai" from A. R. Rahman's Minsaara Kanavu. Then came "En Uyire" in Mani Ratnam's Uyire.. (the Tamil version of Dil Se..). This Rahman composition catapulted Srinivas into fame.

Srinivas has sung for leading music directors like A. R. Rahman, Ilaiyaraaja, Deva, Vidyasagar, Bharadwaj, and in languages like Tamil, Malayalam, etc. He has made a foray into music direction through the Tamil movie Yai Nee Romba Azhaga Irukey, in which he was one among the five music directors. His composition "Ini Naanum naanillai" in that film is a major hit. His famous albums include Ussele Ussele and Paarvai. Also he has worked as a co-composer to Praveen Mani for Little John. He has composed music for Two Malayalam films titled Seetha Kalyanam & Train.

The playback singer from the south cut his first private album in Hindi titled Yeh Duniya Sab Ki. His other hits in Hindi include "Kaisi Hai Yeh" from Dil Chahta Hai and "Zindagi" from the film Yuvvraaj.

Srinivas is a close associate to A. R. Rahman from the very first day they got introduced. On working with Rahman, he says,

"There can be only one Rahman. Two years ago, he called me out of the blue to supervise his recordings. I consider it an honour. Earlier, he would be there to monitor every single take. I sometimes wonder if I can match his perfection standards," and adds, "He's at lightning speed when it comes to creativity and innovations. There are times when he compliments me and nothing feels as good as that. For me, it's like an award."[2]

He was a judge on Airtel Super Singer, aired in Vijay TV along with Sujatha and P. Unnikrishnan. In 2010, he released an album: Timeless Classics by Srinivas. This was a tribute to Mehdi Hassan and included major ghazals of him sung by Srinivas. It was released on Saregama and was launched by A. R. Rahman.[3]

In May 2011, he composed music for Jayaraj's Mammootty-starrer thriller The Train. In 2013, he composed music for the Tamil film 'Kangaroo'. He was also judging a famous music reality show named Josco Indian Voice, telecasted in Mazhavil Manorama alongside Sujatha and Sharreth.

He worked on a private album named 'Siragadippen', which featured top musicians such as M.S Viswanathan, SPB, Shankar Mahadevan and himself.

As of 2013 and 2014, his discography boasts of back to back hits from Superstar Rajinikanth's movies, Kochadaiiyaan and Lingaa. Kochadaiiyaan had him croon 'Idhayam', a pathos song and 'En Mannava', a romantic duet from Lingaa. His song 'Parakkiren Naan' for the Vijay Sethupathi starrer Mellisai was released in 2015, which had music by Sam CS.

in 2016, Srinivas released his single, 'Adadadadadaa Kadhaippoma', a song saluting the spirit of Tamils across the world. With lyrics by esteemed composer Ramesh Vinayakam, it was extremely well received and garnered a lot of praise. He also composed a single for Doopadoo titled 'Kozhai', with his daughter Sharanya Srinivas on the vocals. It had thought provoking lyrics by Madhan Karky.

Awards[edit]

Tamil Nadu Government[edit]

Kerala state film awards[edit]

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards[edit]

Vijay Television Awards[edit]

  • 2017 - Vijay Television Awards for Favourite Judge Male

His song ‘Minsara Poove’ in ‘Padayappa’ won him the Tamil Nadu Government's Award for the best Playback Singer . He won the Tamil Nadu state award again in 2008 for the song 'Margazhiyil' composed by Bharadwaj. He won the Cinema Express Award twice, the Dinakaran Award once, and the Film Fans Award twice for the best singer. He was also awarded the best playback singer at the International Tamil Film Awards held at Malaysia for the song ‘Apple Penne’ from Roja Kootam. He was conferred with the Kalaimamani Title by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 2006, and Kerala State Award for the song ‘Baansuri’ from the movie ‘Rathri mazha’ . In Hindi films, he won the A.V Max Award for the best playback singer for his splendid rendering of the song ‘Kaisi He Yeh Rut’ from ‘Dil Chahta Hai’.

Controversy[edit]

After denouncing the director P.Ranjith's The Casteless Collective, an initiative for native Chennai music he was severely criticized on social media and prime debates for his casteist fundamentalism. He also sparked controversy on Twitter for criticizing Tamil cricket player's welcome ceremony and at the same time for supporting another player's ceremony who belong to his community. After a strong reaction from social media, he made his account private.

Discography[edit]

Tamil Discography (Selected Songs)[edit]

Year Film Song Composer(s) Co-Singer(s) Lyricist
1998 Uyire “Ennuyire“ A. R. Rahman Sujatha Mohan Vairamuthu
1999 Taj Mahal “Chotta Chotta” A. R. Rahman Vairamuthu
1999 Padayappa "Minsara Poove" A. R. Rahman Nithyasree Mahadevan, Palakkad Sreeram Vairamuthu
2014 Naan Than Bala "Uyire Unakkaga" Venkat Krishi Priyadarshini Na. Muthukumar

Telugu Discography[edit]

Year Film Song Composer(s) Co-Singer(s)
1993 Donga Donga (D) "Etilona Chepalanta" A. R. Rahman Suresh Peters
Gentleman (D) "Maavele Maavele" A. R. Rahman Minmini, Noel James
1994 Palnati Pourusham "O Silku Paapa" A. R. Rahman Malgudi Subha, Suresh Peters
1995 Bombay (D) "Poolakundi Komma" A. R. Rahman Pallavi,Subha,Anupama
"Idhu Matrubhoomi" Sujatha Mohan, Noel
Vaddu Bava Thappu "Hello Hello Sreevaru" Vidyasagar K. S. Chithra
1996 Prema Desham (D) "Hello Doctor" A. R. Rahman KK
Mr. Romeo (D) "Evaridhi Evaridhi" A. R. Rahman Noel James, Chandran, Anto
1997 Merupu Kalalu (D) "Oh La La La" A. R. Rahman K. S. Chithra, Unni Menon
1998 Jeans (D) "Priya Priya Champodde" A. R. Rahman
"Gundello Gayanni"
Aahaa..! "Manasaina" Vandemataram Srinivas
Pelli Peetalu "Chitapata Chinukulu" S. V. Krishna Reddy K. S. Chithra
"Jil Jil Jil"
Prematho (D) "Ooristhu Ooguthu" A. R. Rahman Sujatha Mohan
1999 Jodi (D) "Nanu Preminchananu" A. R. Rahman Sujatha Mohan
Premikula Roju (D) "Manasu Padi" A. R. Rahman M. G. Sreekumar
"Roja Roja"(Sad)
Premaku Velayera "Kannu Kannu Kalupukoni" S. V. Krishna Reddy K. S. Chithra
Oke Okkadu (D) "Eruvaka Saguthundaga" A. R. Rahman Swarnalatha
Narasimha (D) "Meriseti Puvva" A. R. Rahman Nithyasree Mahadevan
A. K. 47 (D) "Alala Alala Nee Kosam" Hamsalekha K. S. Chithra
Harischandraa "Daychey Dora" Agosh Gopal Rao
"Vinudu Vinudu Antha" Mano
2000 Sakhi (D) "Vasanthapu" A. R. Rahman Shankar Mahadevan
"Snehituda Snehituda" Sadhana Sargam
"Maangalyam" Clinton Cerejo
Manoharam "Bharatha Maatha" Mani Sharma K. S. Chithra
Priyuralu Pilichindi (D) "Yemaaye Naa Kavitha" A. R. Rahman K. S. Chithra
Chirunaama (D) "O Sakha Sakha" Deva Swarnalatha
Madhuri "Gee Laila" Murali Gopika Poornima
"Sannaga O Pilupu" Sujatha Mohan
Premani Cheppara (D) "Adhe Vennela" Rajesh Roshan
"Nidurinche Gundela"
2001 Durga "Kannukotti" SD Shantakumar
Akrosham (D) "Amma Antunna" Yuvan Shankar Raja
Prematho Raa "Preminchadame" Mani Sharma
Hanuman Junction "Konaseemallo O Koyila" Suresh Peters K. S. Chithra
Kushi "Cheliya Cheliya" Mani Sharma Harini
Cheli (D) "Varshinche Megham" Harris Jayaraj
Chiranjeevulu "Anuraagam Anubandham" A.B.Murali K. S. Chithra
"Palliey Pachani" Gopika Poornima
Ramana "Raayanchala Raave" Maharshi Amrutha
2002 Bramhachari (D) "Sakala Kala Vallabuda" Deva Sujatha Mohan
"Ghatothkacha"
Priyadarshini "Maatalake Andhanidi" Mani Sharma Prasanna
Allari "Nara Naram" Paul J Aparna
Baba (D) "Baba Theme" A. R. Rahman
Panchatantram (D) "Meri Jaan" Deva Shalini
Kanulu Moosina Neevaye "Aalapana Aagena" Chakri Sunitha Upadrashta
2003 Donga Ramudu And Party "Chalirathiri" Chakri Sunitha Upadrashta
Ammayilu Abbayilu "Neeloni Andhalu" Kousalya
"Ishtapadi Ishtapadi"
Ishtapadi "Rayabharamenduke" M. M. Srilekha Sujatha Mohan
2004 Gharshana "Ye Chilipi" Harris Jayaraj
Megham "Neepai Naakunnadi" K. M. Radha Krishnan K. S. Chithra
2005 Preminchi Choodu (D) "Enno Janmala Bandham" Harris Jayaraj Saindhavi
Aaru (D) "Hrudayam Anu" Devi Sri Prasad Srilekha Parthasarathy
Mr Errababu "Neeli Meghala" Koti Malavika
Naidu LLB "Nuvve Nuvve" S. A. Rajkumar Harini
Thaka Thimi Tha (D) "Neelo Dagina Prema" D. Imman Usha
"Himsa"
Muddula Koduku (D) "Chirugali" Vidyasagar Sadhana Sargam
2006 Bommarillu "Bommanu Geesthe" Devi Sri Prasad Gopika Poornima
Raghavan (D) "Hrudayame" Harris Jayaraj Mahalakshmi Iyer
Kokila "Kokila Kokila" Madhukar Shreya Ghoshal
Vesavi (D) "Urikene Manasane" G. V. Prakash Kumar Shreya Ghoshal
2007 Himsinche 23Va Raju Pulikesi (D) "Aasha Kanvey" Sabesh–Murali
Nava Vasantham "Friendshippe Thiyyani" S. A. Rajkumar Tippu, Gopika Poornima
Sathyabhama "Theme Music" Chakri
Deva (D) "Peguthenchukunna" Yuvan Shankar Raja
Tinnama Padukunnama, Tellarinda "Konchem Konge Pattu" M. M. Srilekha M. M. Srilekha
2008 Jodhaa Akbar (D) "Aamani Ruthuvu" A. R. Rahman
Jayam Mandhe (D) "Nee Vechiunna Vakili" Vidyasagar Shravya
Adivishnu "Eedu Rangula Harivillu" M. M. Srilekha K. S. Chithra
2009 Ananda Thandavam (D) "Poovunai" G. V. Prakash Kumar Harini
Sontha Ooru "Kanula Vakite Kadulutunna" Saketh Sairam
2010 Pappu "Mellaga O" Phani Kalyan Radhika
2014 Lingaa (D) "Chinna Chinna" A. R. Rahman Aditi Paul
Premalayam (D) "Chalunaya" A. R. Rahman Bela Shende
2015 Anekudu (D) "Yegise Nadhi" Harris Jayaraj Shakthisree Gopalan

Kannada Discography (Selected Songs)[edit]

Year Film Song Composer(s) Co-Singer(s) Lyricist
1998 Yaare Neenu Cheluve “Kushalave Kshemavee“ Hamsalekha Anuradha Sriram Hamsalekha


Albums
Year Album Name Song Composer Language
2019 Ee Mazhayil Ariyathe Ennil Nee Anoop Sathyaraj Malayalam

As music composer[edit]

Television
  • 2005 En Thozhi En Kadhali En Manaivi
Films
Year Film Language Notes
2002 Yai! Nee Romba Azhaga Irukke! Tamil Composed one song "Ini Naanum"
2003 Ivar Malayalam
2009 Seetha Kalyanam Malayalam
2010 Kushti Hindi
2011 The Train Malayalam
2015 Kangaroo Tamil

Onscreen appearances[edit]

Albums
Year Film Language Notes
1999 Poovellam Kettuppar Tamil himself in song "Sevvanam Vetkam"
2008 Vallamai Tharayo Tamil appearance in song "En Veettil"
2019 Sarvam Thaala Mayam Tamil as himself
2021 Nee Yente Rajakumari Malayalam Malayalam Romantic Music Album Directed BY Lijo Augustin

Television[edit]

Be it Vijay Television Super singer or Zee Tamil's Saregamapa, with his outspoken comments and the continuous support and encouragement for the contestants throughout the season speaks volume about his passion on music which makes him one of the most favourite judges in the reality shows of Tamil Nadu.

As a Judge[edit]

Tamil
Malayalam
  • 2010: Gandharvasangeetham
  • 2011-2012:Indian Voice
  • 2013:Indian Voice season 2
  • 2019: Top Singer Season 1

References[edit]

  1. "Video interview with Srinivas". Video.webindia123.com. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  2. "There can only be one Rahman: Srinivas". The Times of India. 8 November 2010. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  3. "Saregama India launches Timeless Classics by Srinivas". Indiainfoline.com. 9 November 2010. Retrieved 10 March 2012.

External links[edit]

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