Shakthisree Gopalan
Shakthisree Gopalan (born 25 October 1988) is an Indian vocalist, composer, songwriter and performer, famous for her collaborations with the top south-Indian music composers like A.R. Rahman.[1] Aside from the film music, she is a regular in the independent music scene, performing with various bands over the years dabbling in Pop, R'n'B, trip-hop and jazz.[2]
Shakthisree Gopalan | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | 25 October 1988 Kochi, Kerala, India |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Instrument(s) |
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| Years active | 2008–present |
| Formerly of | Off The Record Pyjama Conspiracy |
| Website | shakthisreegopalan |
She has also been performing and releasing music independently in multiple languages.
She is an architect by profession, graduating from School of Architecture and Planning.
Early life and education
Shakthisree Gopalan was born and brought up in Kochi, Kerala. She did her schooling in Rajagiri Public School, Kalamassery. She moved to Chennai after her school and pursued her degree in architecture at the Anna University's School of Architecture and Planning.[3]
She was trained in Carnatic music for 13 years. During her 11th standard, SS Music conducted Voice Hunt 1. Since she was under 18, it ended with the auditions. Eventually in 2008, she won the second season of SS Music's Voice Hunt. She was first auditioned in November 2008 and got the opportunity to sing her debut song for the film Taxi 4777.[4][5]
Career
2008–2012:Career beginnings
At the age of 13, Shakthisree Gopalan was already trained in the field of Carnatic music and rock. After having won the "SS Music Voice Hunt "[6] title in the year 2008, Gopalan debuted into film playback in the same year. She was placed third in the Chennai Live's Band hunt. In the year 2014, she performed in MCC (Madras Christian College) cultural fest at Deepwoods and National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli cultural fest Festember, SASTRA University cultural fest Kuruksastra'14, VIT University cultural fest Riviera 14 and Madras Institute of Technology cultural fest Mitafest 15.
"Off the Record" consists of Vikram Vivekanand (Guitar), Satish Narayanan (Bass) and Tapas Naresh/Vinay Ramakrishnan (Drums).[7][8]
2012 Break and Playback songs
Shakthisree met A R Rahman when she got an assignment to design his music school, K M Music Conservatory. It was around that time she shared the music she had composed with him. That's when she got a break to sing 'Nenjikulle' for the movie Kadal, the first song that she recorded in her career. However, the title track for the composer's Bollywood film, Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012) released first.[9] She also got to jam the unplugged version of her Tamil film song "Nenjukkule" from the film Kadal with A R Rahman.[10] She subsequently went on to record a number of songs for films such as "Irumbukottai Murattu Singham", "Kattradhu Kalavu". She has also been a backlisted vocalist for many A R Rahman compositions.
2016–present: Song releases
She also released ‘By Your Side’ in December 2016, in which she collaborated with Hari Dafusia, a Toronto-based keyboardist-producer, and Nigel Roopnarine, a bass player.[11] Apart from playback singing for movies, she also collaborated with Prashanth and released an indie single called Begin in November 2017.[12]
She recorded the song Aga Naga for A. R. Rahman in the film Ponniyin Selvan, which was first used as a short background song in the first part of the movie. The song gained immense popularity among the audiences upon release of the first part. The entire song was then released as part of the main soundtrack of the second part.
2023–present: Debut as a composer
She debuted as a music composer in 2023 for the film The Test directed by S. Sashikanth and starring Madhavan, Nayanthara, Siddharth, and Meera Jasmine. Music composer A. R. Rahman announced her debut as music director on Twitter on 4th May 2023.
Discography
Composer
| Year | Film Title | Language | Director | Actors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | The Test | Tamil | S. Sashikanth | Madhavan, Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine |
Cover Singer[13]
| Year | Song | Co-artists | Original Artist | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Crazy | Michael Dias, Cherian K K | Gnarls Barkley | [14] |
| 2015 | Nocturne | Michael Dias, Cherian K K | Pentagram | [15] |
| 2017 | Caramel | Susan Vega, Chiara Civello | [16] | |
| 2021 | I'd Rather Go Blind | Vikram Vivekanand, Conrad Simmons | Etta James | [17] |
| Summertime | David Joseph, Naveen Napier, Shyam Benjamin | George Gershwin | [18] | |
| Naima (1959) | David Joseph, Naveen Napier, Shyam Benjamin | John Coltrane | [19] |
Independent Singer[20]
| Year | Song | Co-artists | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Little Star | Shyam Benjamin | [21] |
| 2012 | Voices | [22] | |
| 2016 | By Your Side | Dafusia | [23] |
| 2017 | Begin | Prashanth Techno | [24] |
| 2018 | Phir Wahin | [25] | |
| 2019 | Wake Up | Prashanth Techno | [26] |
| 2020 | Cycle Gap | [27] | |
| 2020 | Birds and the Bees | Alfie | [28] |
| 2021 | Nee Pothumey | Akshay Yesodharan | [29][30] |
| Litle Star (10 years remix) | Shyam Benjamin, David Joseph and Naveen Napier | [31] | |
| 2022 | Love is... | Sio Tepper | [32] |
| 2023 | Old Friend | [33] |
Playback Singer[34]
| Year | Song | Film Title | Language | Composer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "Sorgam Madhuvile" | TN 07 AL 4777 | Tamil | Vijay Antony |
| 2009 | "Yelantha Pazham" | Rajadhi Raja | Karunas | |
| "En Uchimandai" | Vettaikaaran | Vijay Antony | ||
| 2010 | "Raja Sindinesm" | Irumbu Kottai Murattu Singam | G V Prakash Kumar | |
| "Sudhandiram" | Kattradhu Kalavu | Paul J | ||
| "Everyday"
"Dakkanaga" |
Dam 999 | Ouseppachan | ||
| 2011 | "Makkayala" | Naan | Vijay Antony | |
| 2012 | "Uyir Thozha" | Konjam Koffee Konjam Kaadhal | Phani Kalyan | |
| "Jab Tak Hai Jaan" | Jab Tak Hai Jaan | Hindi | A R Rahman | |
| "Nenjukkulle" | Kadal | Tamil | A R Rahman | |
| "Vazhkaiye" | Haridas | Vijay Antony | ||
| "Enga pona raasa" | Maryan | A R Rahman | ||
| 2013 | "Chenthalire" | KQ | Malayalam | Stephen Devassy |
| "Mannavane" | Irandaam Ulagam | Tamil | Harris Jayaraj | |
| "Angnyaade"
"Imaye Imaye" |
Raja Rani | G V Prakash Kumar | ||
| "Suruma Suruma" | Camel Safari | Malayalam | Deepankuran | |
| "Hey vennila" | Pattam Pole | M. Jayachandran | ||
| "Hare Rama" | Aarambam | Tamil | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |
| 2014 | "Thammil Oru Vaaku" | Samsaaram Aarogyathinu Haanikaram | Malayalam | Sean Roldan |
| "Padhiye Padhiye" | Aaha Kalyanam | Tamil | Dharan Kumar | |
| "Sathamilla Muttu Pola" | Velmurugan Borewell | Srikanth Deva | ||
| "Poonthikale" | Mr. Fraud | Malayalam | Gopi Sundar | |
| "Ayyare Ayyare"
"Vinave Vinave" |
Raja Rani (Dubbed version) | Telugu | G V Prakash Kumar | |
| "Vinmeengal" | Malini 22 Palayamkottai | Tamil | Aravind–Shankar | |
| "Shwaase Nuvve" | Maine Pyar Kiya | Telugu | Pradeep Kumar | |
| "Naan Nee" | Madras | Tamil | Santhosh Narayanan | |
| "Saala Saloothey" | Vizhi Moodi Yosithaal | B.Aathif | ||
| "Kadhal Ara Onnu Vizundhuchu" | Vaayai Moodi Pesavum | Sean Roldan | ||
| "Ee Tharadha Jothegara" | Chaturbhuja | Kannada | Poornachandra Tejaswi | |
| 2015 | "Thodu Vaanam" | Anegan | Tamil | Harris Jayaraj |
| "Kadhal Kan Kattudhe" | Kakki Sattai | Anirudh Ravichander | ||
| "Usrey Nee" | Mahabalipuram | K | ||
| "Ilaigalile Sadugudu Nadathuthu" | Agathinai | Maria Manohar | ||
| "Vaaya En Veera" | Kanchana 2 | Leon James | ||
| "Reppakela vodharpu" | Telugu (Dubbed version) | Leon james | ||
| "Remember You" | Neena | Malayalam | Nikhil J Menon | |
| "Adada Onnum Solladha" | Vasuvum Saravananum Onna Padichavanga | Tamil | D Imman | |
| "Thoonga Kangal" | Maya | Ron Ethan Yohann | ||
| "Don't You Mess With Me" | Vedalam | Anirudh Ravichander | ||
| "Naan Pudicha Mosakuttiye" | Eetti | G.V. Prakash Kumar | ||
| "Pularikalo" | Charlie | Malayalam | Gopi Sunder | |
| 2016 | "Azhagu Kutty Chellam" | Azhagu Kutty Chellam | Tamil | Ved Shanker Sugavanam |
| "Aararo" | 24 | A R Rahman | ||
| "By Your Side" | Single | English | Hari Dafusia, Nigel Roopnarine | |
| "Koodu Vekkan" | Jalam | Malayalam | Ouseppachan | |
| "Yathra Manoramayude" | ||||
| "Bhoomiyil Enganum" | ||||
| "Ore oru vaanam" | Thirunaal | Tamil | Srikanth Deva | |
| 2017 | "Kolai Ondrey" | Dhayam | Sathish Selvam | |
| "Begin" | Single | English | Prashanth | |
| "Hai En Kai Mela" | Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thorae | Tamil | Vishal Chandrasekhar | |
| "Yaanji Yaanji" | Vikram Vedha | Sam C. S. | ||
| "Ilamai" | Adventures of Omanakuttan | Malayalam | Arun | |
| "Oohale" | Mental Madhilo | Telugu | Prashanth R Vihari | |
| "Kaarigai Kanne" | Aval | Tamil | Girishh | |
| "Vaa Velaikkara" | Velaikkaran | Anirudh Ravichander | ||
| "Angkale" | Villain (2017 film) | Malayalam | 4 Musics | |
| "Yelugula Taraley" | Yuddam Saranam | Telugu | Vivek Sagar | |
| 2018 | "Nishashalabame" | Hey Jude (film) | Malayalam | M. Jayachandran |
| "Ilakal ayi Pookal ayi" | Parole | Evelyn | ||
| "Pulari Mazhakal" | Mandharam | Mujeeb Majeed | ||
| "Bhoomi Bhoomi" | Chekka Chivantha Vaanam | Tamil | A. R. Rahman | |
| "Kalla Kalavani" | ||||
| "Bhaga Bhaga" | Nawab | Telugu (Dubbed version) | ||
| "Nannu Nammanee" | ||||
| 2019 | "Kaatil" | Uyare | Malayalam | Gopi Sundar |
| "Nenena Nenena" | Suryakantham | Telugu | Mark K Robin | |
| "Oru Nooru Murai" | Dev | Tamil | Harris Jayaraj | |
| "Padhe Padhe" | Jersey | Telugu | Anirudh Ravichander | |
| "Vaazhkaiye Vattamaai/Nants' Ingonyama" | The Lion King | Tamil (Dubbed version) | Elton John | |
| "Jeevana Chakkram/Nants' Ingonyama" | Telugu (Dubbed version) | |||
| "Ekantha Thaarame" | Saaho | Malayalam (Dubbed version) | Guru Randhawa | |
| "Mazhaiyum Veiyilum" | Tamil | |||
| 2020 | "Magave" | Odavum Mudiyathu Oliyavum Mudiyathu | Tamil | Kaushik Krish |
| "Payanangal" | Dharala Prabhu | Bharath Shankar | ||
| 2021 | "Nee Yenadharuginil Nee" | Oh Manapenne | Vishal Chandrasekhar | |
| "Rendu Kadhal" | Kaathu Vaakula Rendu Kaadhal | Anirudh Ravichander | ||
| 2022 | "Tupathu" | Thallumaala | Malayalam | Vishnu Vijay |
| 2023 | ''Ninaivirukka'' | Pathu Thala | Tamil | A. R. Rahman |
| "Aga Naga" | Ponniyin Selvan: II | |||
| ''Aaganandhe'' | Telugu | |||
| ''Akamalar'' | Malayalam | |||
| "Humsafar" | Samajavaragamana | Telugu | Gopi Sundar | |
| "Nenjame Nenjame" | Maamannan | Tamil | A. R. Rahman | |
| "Idhu Pola" | Iraivan | Yuvan Shankar Raja |
Filmography
As a dubbing artist
| Year | Movie | Language | Dubbing for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Kadal | Tamil | Lakshmi Manchu |
| 2013 | Annayum Rasoolum | Malayalam | Andrea Jeremiah |
| 2021 | Maara | Tamil | Shraddha Srinath |
| 2021 | Nizhal | Malayalam | Nayanthara |
Television
- Vani Rani – 2013
- Singing Stars of Colors Tamil – Judge
- Top Singer of Flowers Malayalam – Judge
Awards and nominations
She has won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil and the Vijay Award for Best Female Playback Singer for singing "Nenjukkulle" from Kadal.[35][36]
Following is a list of Awards won by Shakthisree[37]
- Won – Femina Award-Women of Power
- Won – Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil – "Nenjukkulle" – Kadal
- Won – Radio Mirchi Music Awards Vocalist of the Year
- Won – SIIMA Award Best Playback Singer Female Tamil
- Won – The Pride of Tamil Nadu Award
- Won – Vijay Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Nenjukkulle" – Kadal
- Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil – "Naan Nee" – Madras
- Nominated-Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil – "Bhoomi Bhoomi" – Chekka Chivantha Vaanam
- Nominated – SIIMA Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil – "Bhoomi Bhoomi" – Chekka Chivantha Vaanam
- Nominated – Vijay Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Naan Nee" – Madras
References
- "Narrow-minded and insensitive: Singer Shakthisree Gopalan on Rahman concert walk out". New Indian Express. 15 July 2017. Archived from the original on 22 October 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
- "Know your stars: Shakthisree Gopalan". Indian Rock MP3. Archived from the original on 18 November 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
- "Singing away to glory". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 15 November 2012. Archived from the original on 18 November 2012. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
- Kamath, Sudhish (13 January 2011). "Three's Company". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
- Ramanujam, Srinivasa (5 November 2015). "Taking the retro route". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- "SS Music". ssmusictheblog.blogspot.in. Archived from the original on 2 March 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- "Off the Record". My Band - Indian Music Bands. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
- "Off The Record". Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
- Nathan, Archana (24 September 2018). "'An explorer at heart': Shakthisree Gopalan on her film songs and indie music". Scroll.in. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- "Shakthisree Gopalan - one of the most promising voices in Tamil cinema". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 5 January 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- Ramanujam, Srinivasa (21 December 2016). "Anirudh to release Shakthisree's single". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 22 December 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
- "Shakthisree Gopalan's new indie single Begin releases today". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 14 November 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
- "LiveJAM videos - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
- Gnarls Barkley - Crazy (Cover) - Mad Shakthi Cherry Works Ft. Carl & David, retrieved 26 August 2023
- Pentagram - Nocturne (Cover) - Mad Shakthi Cherry Works Ft. Carl & David, retrieved 26 August 2023
- Caramel (Cover by Shakthisree Gopalan and Band Live at Bay 146), retrieved 26 August 2023
- I'd Rather Go Blind - Etta James (Cover) - Shakthisree Gopalan Ft. Vikram Vivekanand, Conrad Simmons, retrieved 26 August 2023
- Summertime (Live Cover) - Shakthisree Gopalan ft. David Joseph, Naveen Napier, Shyam Benjamin, retrieved 26 August 2023
- Naima (Live Cover) - Shakthisree Gopalan ft. David Joseph, Naveen Napier, Shyam Benjamin, retrieved 26 August 2023
- "Independent Music". Shakthisree Gopalan. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
- Little Star ft. Shyam Benjamin (Official Music Video), retrieved 26 August 2023
- Shakthisree Gopalan - Voices (Official Music Video), retrieved 26 August 2023
- Shakthisree Gopalan ft. Dafusia - By Your Side (Official Music Video), retrieved 26 August 2023
- Shakthisree Gopalan and Prashanth Techno - BEGIN (Official Video), retrieved 26 August 2023
- Phir Wahin - Shakthisree Gopalan (Official Music Video), retrieved 26 August 2023
- Shakthisree Gopalan - Wake Up feat. Prashanth Techno (Official Audio), retrieved 26 August 2023
- Shakthisree Gopalan - Cycle Gap (Official Music Video), retrieved 26 August 2023
- Shakthisree Gopalan & Alfie : Birds and the Bees (Official Music Video), retrieved 26 August 2023
- Shakthisree Gopalan ft. Akshay Yesodharan : Nee Podhumey (Official Music Video), retrieved 26 August 2023
- "Official Press Release - Nee Podhumey". Shakthisree Gopalan. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
- Little Star (Live 2021) - Shakthisree Gopalan ft. Shyam Benjamin, David Joseph and Naveen Napier, retrieved 26 August 2023
- Shakthisree Gopalan ft. Sio Tepper - Love is..., retrieved 26 August 2023
- Shakthisree Gopalan - Old Friend, retrieved 26 August 2023
- "Film Music". Shakthisree Gopalan. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
- "I would like to play a superwoman: Shakthisree Gopalan". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 8 November 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- "Shakthisree Gopalan comes to M-Town". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 7 January 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- "About". Shakthisree Gopalan. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
External links
