Karthik Raja
Encyclopedia
Karthik Raja is a Tamil
musician from Chennai
, India
. He made his debut as music composer in the Tamil
film Alexander.
and Jeeva. His brother Yuvan Shankar Raja
and sister Bhavatharini
, who are also Kollywood
music directors and playback singers, have worked with him on notable projects. He graduated from St. Bede's School
in Chennai. On June 8, 2000, Karthik Raja married Raja Rajeswari at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
, India
.
and Dakshina Murthy Swami. Even to this day he derives most of his inspiration from classical music (Western and Indian) and jazz.
As a child, he often used to accompany his dad Maestro Ilaiyaraaja
to the recording studios and watching his dad compose would seem magical to him. Seeing the young boy so engrossed in everything happening around him, his dad spontaneously asked him to play the keyboards for one of the song recordings. So, at the age of 13, Karthik Raja played the keyboard for the song "Kannukkum" from the Tamil movie Ninaikka Therinda Maname (1987). Many such outings followed including playing keyboard for the soundtrack of the movie Nayagan
. Karthik also arranged many recordings for his dad and composed his first song "Pandianin Rajiyathil" from the movie Pandiyan
(1992) and "Ninaikindra" from the movie Athma (1993). Around this time, he also composed some background score for the TV series Bible.
Karthik is extra fond of composing background scores for films. Many of his projects between the years of 1992 and 1995 involved composing background scores for films where his dad composed the songs. Karthik is often quoted saying that the music he makes while doing the background score gives him complete liberty to do what he likes and also gives him the creative satisfaction. He says this is when he composes for himself. The background score of his recent release Achamundu Achamundu
is considered phenomenal. In this thriller-horror film, Karthik composed a 40-minute-long eerie background score where the scenes were absolutely free of any human dialogue.
He debuted as a full fledged composer in 1996 through the Tamil movie Alexander, soon followed by Manikyam. Both were highly acclaimed for the songs and the background score. Then came many chart-busters that included Ullaasam, Naam Iruvar Nammaku Iruvar
, Kadhala Kadhala
and Dumm Dumm Dumm
among others. He also debuted into Hindi films with Grahan
which won him the R D Burman award for the best new talent.
In this age of state of the art recording technology where musicians are heavily incorporating software generated sounds and overly arranged compositions, Karthik emerges as a maverick by often including single instrument interludes in many of his songs. These interludes are some of his finest compositions. Here are a few classic ones listed.
Violin : Dil Mera Ik Tara from 16 December (film)
Hamsanada Raagam, Konjum Manjal from Ullaasam and Unakenna Raasa from Manikyam in Sri Ranjini Ragam.
Metal acoustic : Un Perai Chonnale from Dumm Dumm Dumm
in Suddha Dhanyasi Raagam.
Electric heavy metal : "Vaalibam" from Ullaasam in Naata Raagam.
He also known for his symphonic and jazz arrangements. He also accompanied his father on numerous outings, notably in Thiruvasagam Project.
, S. D. Burman, R. D. Burman. His favorite Western composers are Bach
and Mozart. He is also fond of pop artists in the likes of Wham/George Michael, Michael Jackson, Genesis/Phil Collins among the 80s brigade and few songs of Maroon 5 & Linkin Park from the current breed.
Tamil people
Tamil people , also called Tamils or Tamilians, are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada,...
musician from Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. He made his debut as music composer in the Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
film Alexander.
Personal life
Karthik Raja is the eldest son of musician IlaiyaraajaIlaiyaraaja
Ilaiyaraaja is an Indian film composer, singer, and lyricist mainly in the Tamil film Industry. He is regarded as one of the finest music composers in India. Ilaiyaraaja is also an instrumentalist, conductor, and a songwriter...
and Jeeva. His brother Yuvan Shankar Raja
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Yuvan Shankar Raja is an Indian film score and soundtrack composer, singer and occasional lyricist. He has predominantly scored music for Tamil as well as several Telugu films. His musical career began in 1996, at age 16, as he composed the film score for Aravindhan...
and sister Bhavatharini
Bhavatharini
Bhavatharani is an Indian Tamil singer and music director. She is the daughter of film composer Ilaiyaraaja and her brothers are the noted film composers Karthik Raja and Yuvan Shankar Raja and has mostly sung songs under her father and her brothers' direction...
, who are also Kollywood
Tamil cinema
Tamil cinema is the film industry based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to the production of films in the Tamil language. It is based in Chennai's Kodambakkam district, where several South Indian film production companies are headquartered...
music directors and playback singers, have worked with him on notable projects. He graduated from St. Bede's School
St. Bede's Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School
St. Bede's is a school in Chennai , Tamil Nadu, India. The school was started in 1907 to provide Catholic education for children of European and Anglo-Indian descent.-The first 25 years:St. Bede’s School was born in 1907...
in Chennai. On June 8, 2000, Karthik Raja married Raja Rajeswari at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
Musical journey
Born to a family of musicians, he had exposure various kinds of music at a very early age. He had his formal training in Western Classical music from the Trinity School of Music, mainly in piano (affiliated to Jacob John). He also had training in Carnatic music from T. V. GopalakrishnanT. V. Gopalakrishnan
Tirupanithurai Viswanatha Gopalakrishnan is a Carnatic and Hindustani musician from Chennai.Gopalakrishnan hails from a family of musicians, spanning over two centuries; his father was a court musician for the Cochin Royal Family. He is a vocalist, plays the violin and is also an exponent of the...
and Dakshina Murthy Swami. Even to this day he derives most of his inspiration from classical music (Western and Indian) and jazz.
As a child, he often used to accompany his dad Maestro Ilaiyaraaja
Ilaiyaraaja
Ilaiyaraaja is an Indian film composer, singer, and lyricist mainly in the Tamil film Industry. He is regarded as one of the finest music composers in India. Ilaiyaraaja is also an instrumentalist, conductor, and a songwriter...
to the recording studios and watching his dad compose would seem magical to him. Seeing the young boy so engrossed in everything happening around him, his dad spontaneously asked him to play the keyboards for one of the song recordings. So, at the age of 13, Karthik Raja played the keyboard for the song "Kannukkum" from the Tamil movie Ninaikka Therinda Maname (1987). Many such outings followed including playing keyboard for the soundtrack of the movie Nayagan
Nayagan
Nayagan is a Indian film, written, directed, and co-produced by Mani Ratnam which released on 21 October 1987 coinciding with Diwali. Upon release, the film got rave reviews across India. Kamal Hassan's performance as Velu Naiker earned him a National Film Award for Best Actor. The film also...
. Karthik also arranged many recordings for his dad and composed his first song "Pandianin Rajiyathil" from the movie Pandiyan
Pandiyan
Pandiyan may refer to:*Any of the kings of the Pandyan Dynasty, which ruled South India from pre-historic times until end of the 15th century*Pandiyan - Tamil actor...
(1992) and "Ninaikindra" from the movie Athma (1993). Around this time, he also composed some background score for the TV series Bible.
Karthik is extra fond of composing background scores for films. Many of his projects between the years of 1992 and 1995 involved composing background scores for films where his dad composed the songs. Karthik is often quoted saying that the music he makes while doing the background score gives him complete liberty to do what he likes and also gives him the creative satisfaction. He says this is when he composes for himself. The background score of his recent release Achamundu Achamundu
Achamundu Achamundu
Achchamundu! Achchamundu! is a Tamil social thriller directed by Arun Vaidyanathan, starring Prasanna, Sneha and Emmy Award-winning American film actor John Shea. It is the first film in Indian cinema to be shot with the Red One camera system. A Telugu dubbed version is to be released as Bhayam...
is considered phenomenal. In this thriller-horror film, Karthik composed a 40-minute-long eerie background score where the scenes were absolutely free of any human dialogue.
He debuted as a full fledged composer in 1996 through the Tamil movie Alexander, soon followed by Manikyam. Both were highly acclaimed for the songs and the background score. Then came many chart-busters that included Ullaasam, Naam Iruvar Nammaku Iruvar
Naam Iruvar Nammaku Iruvar
Naam Iruvar Namakku Iruvar is a 1998 Tamil film directed by Sundar C and produced by K. Balachandar. Prabhu Deva and Meena played the leading roles, whilst the film featured an extensive cast, along with a bevy of supporting actors. The film released on 14 January 1998 and became successful at the...
, Kadhala Kadhala
Kadhala Kadhala
Kaathala Kaathala is a Tamil language film directed by Singeetham Srinivasa Rao and produced by P. L. Thenappan. The film stars Kamal Haasan, Prabhu Deva, Soundarya and Rambha in the lead roles with an ensemble cast in supporting roles...
and Dumm Dumm Dumm
Dumm Dumm Dumm
Dumm Dumm Dumm is a 2001 Tamil drama film co-written and directed by Azhagam Perumal and produced by noted director Mani Ratnam under his home studio, Madras Talkies. The film features Madhavan and Jyothika in the leading roles with Vivek, Manivannan and Murali portraying other pivotal roles...
among others. He also debuted into Hindi films with Grahan
Grahan
Grahan is a 2001 film directed by Shashilal Nair, starring Jackie Shroff and Manisha Koirala. The film follows the story of Parvati, a rape victim who quests for justice, and comes to know that it is not such a simple task.-Plot:...
which won him the R D Burman award for the best new talent.
In this age of state of the art recording technology where musicians are heavily incorporating software generated sounds and overly arranged compositions, Karthik emerges as a maverick by often including single instrument interludes in many of his songs. These interludes are some of his finest compositions. Here are a few classic ones listed.
Violin : Dil Mera Ik Tara from 16 December (film)
16 December (film)
16 December is a film by director Mani Shankar, based around a plot to destroy the capital city of New Delhi with a nuclear bomb on 16 December 2001 – 30 years after the surrender of Pakistan at the end of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.The film's title comes from the historical date of 16...
Hamsanada Raagam, Konjum Manjal from Ullaasam and Unakenna Raasa from Manikyam in Sri Ranjini Ragam.
Metal acoustic : Un Perai Chonnale from Dumm Dumm Dumm
Dumm Dumm Dumm
Dumm Dumm Dumm is a 2001 Tamil drama film co-written and directed by Azhagam Perumal and produced by noted director Mani Ratnam under his home studio, Madras Talkies. The film features Madhavan and Jyothika in the leading roles with Vivek, Manivannan and Murali portraying other pivotal roles...
in Suddha Dhanyasi Raagam.
Electric heavy metal : "Vaalibam" from Ullaasam in Naata Raagam.
He also known for his symphonic and jazz arrangements. He also accompanied his father on numerous outings, notably in Thiruvasagam Project.
Trivia
Karthik's favorite Indian film composers (besides his father) include M. S. ViswanathanM. S. Viswanathan
Manayangath Subramanian Viswanathan , is a Tamil music director. He is popularly known as "Mellisai Mannar" . His major works over the past five decades have been in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films...
, S. D. Burman, R. D. Burman. His favorite Western composers are Bach
Bạch
Bạch is a Vietnamese surname. The name is transliterated as Bai in Chinese and Baek, in Korean.Bach is the anglicized variation of the surname Bạch.-Notable people with the surname Bạch:* Bạch Liêu...
and Mozart. He is also fond of pop artists in the likes of Wham/George Michael, Michael Jackson, Genesis/Phil Collins among the 80s brigade and few songs of Maroon 5 & Linkin Park from the current breed.
Film scores/Soundtracks
| Year | Film | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Veyilodu Velayadu | Tamil | (Filming - July 2011) |
| 2010 | Rettaisuzhi Rettaisuzhi Rettaichuzhi is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by newcomer Thamira. It stars ace filmmakers K. Balachander and Bharathiraja in lead roles along with Anjali, debutant Aari, Manobala, Ilavarasu, Karunas and Jayachitra in supporting roles. The film released on 23 April... |
Tamil | |
| 2009 | Anything For You | English | |
| 2009 | Achamundu Achamundu Achamundu Achamundu Achchamundu! Achchamundu! is a Tamil social thriller directed by Arun Vaidyanathan, starring Prasanna, Sneha and Emmy Award-winning American film actor John Shea. It is the first film in Indian cinema to be shot with the Red One camera system. A Telugu dubbed version is to be released as Bhayam... |
Tamil | |
| 2008 | Chakkara Viyugam Chakkara Viyugam Chakkara Viyugam: The Battle of The Brains is a drama Tamil film starring Nataraj of Naalai fame, Raaghav, Jayasurya and Daisy Bopanna. It is directed by Udayabanu Maheshwaran. A trailer was released in January 2008 and the film released in April 2008.-External links:**... |
Tamil | |
| 2008 | Mukhbiir Mukhbiir Mukhbiir is a 2008 Indian thriller film directed by the Mani Shankar. Filmed in Hindi, the film revolves around the life and events surrounding an Indian spy... |
Hindi | |
| 2008 | Maamadurai | Tamil | |
| 2007 | Oru Ponnu Oru Paiyan | Tamil | |
| 2007 | Murugaa Murugaa Murugaa is a Tamil movie starring Ashok, Shruti Sharma and Samiksha. The story, screenplay and dialogues are by R.T.Nesan, who has worked as assistant to the likes of Udayashankar and Vincent Selva. Ram Senthil’s Cocktail Dream Productions distributed the movie... |
Tamil | |
| 2007 | Manathodu Mazhaikalam Manathodu Mazhaikalam Manathodu Mazhaikalam is a 2006 Tamil drama film directed by Arputhan, that stars Jayasurya, Nithya Das, Samiksha and Shaam. It released on 22 September 2006.-Plot:... |
Tamil | |
| 2006 | Thullura Vayasu | Tamil | |
| 2006 | Naalai Naalai Naalai is a South Indian Tamil film released in 2006.Singapore actor Sivakumar debuted in this movie for a guest appearance... |
Tamil | |
| 2006 | Mercury Pookkal Mercury Pookkal Mercury Pookkal is a Tamil movie, directed by Stanley, starring Srikanth, Meera Jasmine. The music is by Karthik Raja.Srikanth, is from a middle class family and is doing his MCA final year. He is an outstanding student with high ambitions. He works part time in a courier company and takes care... |
Tamil | |
| 2005 | Neranja Manasu | Tamil | |
| 2004 | Rightaa Thappaa | Tamil | |
| 2004 | Kudaikul Mazhai Kudaikul Mazhai Kudaikul Mazhai is a South Indian Tamil film released in 2004.The film is a love story that is partially a thriller. Most of the film story depicts the matters or stories imagined by the hero caused by the trauma of his love failure. The film bombed at the box office but was critically acclaimed... |
Tamil | |
| 2004 | Singara Chennai | Tamil | |
| 2003 | Ragasiyamai | Tamil | |
| 2003 | Inii | Tamil | (Short feature film) |
| 2003 | Pudhiya Geethai Pudhiya Geethai The songs were composed by his younger brother Yuvan Shankar Raja. The audio cd containing songs released on 29 March 2003 and features 6 tracks, the lyrics were penned by 'Kavignar' Vaali, Pa. Vijay, Yugabharathi and Vijay Sagar... |
Tamil | (Background Score only) |
| 2002 | Three Roses Three Roses Three Roses is a Tamil action film released in 2003. It was produced by Rambha, and starred Jyothika Saravanan, Rambha and Laila as the "three roses". Actors included Abbas, Govinda and Vivek.-Plot summary:... |
Tamil | |
| 2002 | Album Album (film) Album is a 2002 Indian Tamil romantic drama film written and directed by Vasanthabalan, starring Aryan Rajesh and Shruthika. The story portrays the love and affection between two families. The film, produced by Kavithalayaa Productions, was Vasanthabalan's directorial debut and became a commercial... |
Tamil | |
| 2002 | 16 December 16 December (film) 16 December is a film by director Mani Shankar, based around a plot to destroy the capital city of New Delhi with a nuclear bomb on 16 December 2001 – 30 years after the surrender of Pakistan at the end of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.The film's title comes from the historical date of 16... |
Hindi | |
| 2001 | Mitr, My Friend Mitr, My Friend Mitr, My Friend is an Indian movie, directed by Indian actress Revathi. Set partly in India and the US, Mitr, My Friend was Revathi's debut directorial venture. The film was also noted for having an all-woman crew.... |
English | (Background Score only) |
| 2001 | Hum Ho Gaye Aap Ke | Hindi | (Background Score Only) |
| 2001 | Dumm Dumm Dumm Dumm Dumm Dumm Dumm Dumm Dumm is a 2001 Tamil drama film co-written and directed by Azhagam Perumal and produced by noted director Mani Ratnam under his home studio, Madras Talkies. The film features Madhavan and Jyothika in the leading roles with Vivek, Manivannan and Murali portraying other pivotal roles... |
Tamil | |
| 2001 | Ullam Kollai Poguthae Ullam Kollai Poguthae Ullam Kollai Poguthae is a South Indian Tamil film released in 2001. This film revolves around Prabhu deva, Anjala Zaveri, Karthick and Deepa Venkat.* Dhamu* Senthil... |
Tamil | |
| 2001 | Vaanchinathan Vaanchinathan Vaanchinathan is a Tamil action film directed by Shaji Kailas in his tamil debut. It stars Vijayakanth, Sakshi Shivanand Ramya Krishnan and Prakash Raj pivotal roles.-Plot:... |
Tamil | |
| 2000 | Hoo Anthiya Ohoo Anthiya | Kannada | |
| 2000 | Raju Chacha Raju Chacha Raju Chacha is an Indian Bollywood film directed by Anil Devgan, released on 20 December 2000. The film stars Ajay Devgan, Kajol, Rishi Kapoor and Sanjay Dutt in lead roles.-Plot:... |
Hindi | (Background Score only) |
| 1998 | Kadhala Kadhala Kadhala Kadhala Kaathala Kaathala is a Tamil language film directed by Singeetham Srinivasa Rao and produced by P. L. Thenappan. The film stars Kamal Haasan, Prabhu Deva, Soundarya and Rambha in the lead roles with an ensemble cast in supporting roles... |
Tamil | |
| 1998 | Naam Iruvar Nammaku Iruvar Naam Iruvar Nammaku Iruvar Naam Iruvar Namakku Iruvar is a 1998 Tamil film directed by Sundar C and produced by K. Balachandar. Prabhu Deva and Meena played the leading roles, whilst the film featured an extensive cast, along with a bevy of supporting actors. The film released on 14 January 1998 and became successful at the... |
Tamil | |
| 1997 | Ullaasam | Tamil | |
| 1997 | Grahan Grahan Grahan is a 2001 film directed by Shashilal Nair, starring Jackie Shroff and Manisha Koirala. The film follows the story of Parvati, a rape victim who quests for justice, and comes to know that it is not such a simple task.-Plot:... |
Hindi | Winner, Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent The Filmfare R.D. Burman Award for New Music Talent is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films.The award is named after late R.D. Burman... |
| 1996 | Yenakku Oru Magan Pirappan | Tamil | |
| 1996 | Alexandar | Tamil | |
| 1996 | Manickam | Tamil | |
| 1994 | Raasamagan | Tamil | (Background Score only) |
| 1994 | Amaithi Padai | Tamil | (Background Score only) |
| 1993 | Aathma | Tamil | One track |
| 1993 | Sakkarai Thevan | Tamil | (Background Score only) |
| 1993 | Ponnumani | Tamil | One track |
| 1993 | Uzhaippali Uzhaippali Uzhaippali is a love-comedy Tamil language movie directed by the Tamil Director P. Vasu. It stars Rajinikanth and Radha Ravi in the lead roles. The film was much in news as, Distributors banned Rajini movies and to resolve the issue, Rajni met Kamal Haasan and the next day, Uzhaippali was... |
Tamil | (Background Score only) |
| 1992 | Pandiyan Pandiyan (film) Pandiyan is a 1992 action Tamil language movie directed by the Tamil director SP. Muthuraman. It stars Rajinikanth, Kushboo, Janagaraj and Jayasudha in the lead roles. It was released on October 25, 1992. Its music was composed by Ilayaraja.... |
Tamil | One track |
Albums
| Year | Film | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Split Wide Open - Album | Hindi | One track |
| 2000 | Kaathalai Gauravikkum Neram | Tamil | |
| 2000 | India Unlimited | Hindi | |
| 2000 | Haule Haule | Hindi | Three tracks |
| 1997 | Meri Jaan Hindustan | Hindi | One track |
Awards
- 1998:Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music TalentFilmfare RD Burman Award for New Music TalentThe Filmfare R.D. Burman Award for New Music Talent is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films.The award is named after late R.D. Burman...
- GrahanGrahanGrahan is a 2001 film directed by Shashilal Nair, starring Jackie Shroff and Manisha Koirala. The film follows the story of Parvati, a rape victim who quests for justice, and comes to know that it is not such a simple task.-Plot:... - 2001: Cinema Express Award for Best Music Director - Dumm Dumm DummDumm Dumm DummDumm Dumm Dumm is a 2001 Tamil drama film co-written and directed by Azhagam Perumal and produced by noted director Mani Ratnam under his home studio, Madras Talkies. The film features Madhavan and Jyothika in the leading roles with Vivek, Manivannan and Murali portraying other pivotal roles...