Uthara Unnikrishnan

Uthara Unnikrishnan
Background information
Born (2004-06-11) 11 June 2004 (age 19)
Years active2012–present

Uthara Unnikrishnan (born 2004) is an Indian playback singer. In 2015, she won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer at the 62nd National Film Awards for her rendition of the song "Azhagu" from the 2014 Tamil film Saivam, a family drama directed by A. L. Vijay. She received the award at the age of 10, becoming its youngest recipient.[1][2]

Biography[edit]

Uthara Unnikrishnan is the daughter of Carnatic classical singer P. Unni Krishnan and Bharatanatyam dancer Priya Unnikrishnan. Her father, a recipient of multiple National Film Awards for Best Male Playback Singer, received his first award in 1995 for his debut performance of the Tamil songs "Ennavale Adi Ennavale" and "Uyirum Neeye".[1]

Uthara began learning Carnatic music at the age of six from Sudha Raja. She studied in Lady Andal school and APL Global school. Apart from Tamil music, she enjoys Western (classical, rock and pop) and wants to master all these genres.[3]

Songs[edit]

"Azhagu" (Beauty) was composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, based on raga Kanada. The song describes a child's perception of the beauty around her. The song was penned by Na. Muthukumar, who also received the National Film Award for Best Lyrics.[4] When Uthara Unnikrishnan accompanied her mother to Carnatic singer Saindhavi's house during Golu festival, she sang a few lines. A couple of months later, Saindhavi's husband G. V. Prakash Kumar called upon Uthara to croon a solo melody for Saivam.[5] Uthara recorded the song for child actor Sara Arjun when she was eight years old in 2013.[6] Apart from "Azhagu", she has sung two more Tamil songs.[7]

Praised by most in regards towards her 2015 win of the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for her rendition of the song "Azhage". Uthara later worked on Theri with G. V. Prakash Kumar in the song "Eena Meena Teeka".[8]


Year Film Language Song Notes
2014 Saivam Tamil "Azhagu" National award-winning
2014 Pisasu Tamil "Pogum Padhai"
2015 Dagudumootha Dandakor Telugu "Evaru Nearparu"
Strawberry Tamil "Kaiveesum"
2016 Theri Tamil "Eena Meena Teeka"
2018 Lakshmi Tamil "Morrakka Mattraakka"

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Like Father, Like Daughter". Tehleka.com. 11 April 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  2. ^ "62nd National Film Awards: Complete list of winners". IBN Live. 24 March 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  3. ^ "10-year-old Uthara to receive National Award 20 years after father singer P Unnikrishnan got". The Indian Express. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  4. ^ "62nd National Film Awards: Tamil movies bag eight honours". Times of India. 24 March 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  5. ^ "The family note". The Hindu. 24 March 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  6. ^ "Eight-year old Uthara croons for 'Saivam'". sify.com. 19 November 2013. Archived from the original on 11 March 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  7. ^ "Uthara Unnikrishnan: Like father, like daughter". Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  8. ^ "GV50- 'Theri' audio review". Sify. Archived from the original on 21 March 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
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