Unnikrishnan is an accomplished vocalist in Carnatic music. He has also done playback singing for a number of South Indian movies and sung the compositions of some of the most renowned music directors. His soulful renditions of devotional songs also earned him huge popularity in the music world. P. Unnikrishnan owns the credit of being the first male singer to receive the Best Male Singer National Award for a Tamil song. Apart from this, he has bagged a number of other awards too for his appealing renditions. He has been given credit for connecting classical music with film music.

Early Life

Unnikrishnan was born on 9th July in the year 1966 to parents K. Radhakrishnan and Dr. Harini Radhakrishnan. His home, Kesari Kuteeram, is considered as the landmark of Chennai city as his great grandfather, Dr K.N Kesari, was an eminent Ayurvedic physician and the impresario of the popular Telugu women's magazine 'Gruhalakshmi'. P. Unnikrishnan's home was frequently visited by artists, singers and eminent personalities. These artists on a regular basis used to come there to execute their renditions and Dr K. N. Kesari used to reward them after their performances.

During his childhood and later on too, cricket occupied a pivotal position within him. But his talent in the realm of music was noticed by his mother and with her initiative P. Unnikrishnan was registered under Sri VL Seshadri to receive music lessons. During his school days at the Asan Memorial School, P. Unnikrishnan simultaneously carried out both cricket and music. He not only carried it out but also started exhibiting his excellence in both the stream of lines. In the year 1987, P. Unnikrishnan obtained his graduation in commerce from the Vivekananda College, Madras University. While doing his graduation P. Unnikrishnan was also receiving training in music from Dr S. Ramanathan, the well-known musician. P. Unnikrishnan's love for cricket led him to obtain graduation in it and he was enrolled as a top order batsman and wicket keeper in the Tamil Nadu Senior Division League.

Personal life and Background

The personal life of Unnikrishnan is very interesting to know and also it is good to know about a great person and the family background of this great person. Unnikrishnan, the famous playback singer of South India, was born in a very beautiful place in southern India which is the state of Kerala and that too in Palakkad. His parents were K.Radhakrishnan and Dr.Harini Radhakrishnan who were very supportive to Unnikrishnan throughout his life. The family home which is very popular and the best known landmark of Chennai city is Kesari Kuteeram, with great grandfather Dr.K.N.Kesari being an eminent Ayurvedic physician and the promoter of popular Telugu women's magazine Gruhalakshmi.

Unnikrishanan had his schooling at the Asan memorial school, Chennai in 1983. He got his Bachelor's degree from the Vivekananda College, Chennai and received a B.Com degree from the Madras University. He was merited with a General Law and a post graduate Diploma in Personnel Management and Industrial relations. After his graduation, he worked as an executive in Parrys Confectionery Ltd. during the period 1987 to 1992. He quit his job to become a professional singer.

Unnikrishnan's wife's name is Priya who is a well known Bahrathanatiyam and Mohiniyattam dancer. Their marriage took place in November 1994 and they were also blessed with one son and also one daughter. The name of Unnikrishnan's son is Vasudev Krishnan and daughter's name is Uthra. He was a life member of the Tamil Nadu cricket association. To tell about the family of Unnikrishnan, it can also be said that they are very much encouraging and helpful for all his success in his career and life path.

Career

Unnikrishnan was initiated into Carnatic Music at the age of 12 by Seshadri. He was inspired by Sangita Kalanidhi Dr. S. Ramanathan. He attended a special workshop for six months on "Veena Dhanammal Bhani" under Sangeetha Kalanidhi T. Brinda and Sangeetha Kalanidhi Dr. T. Vishwanathan.

He is a national award-winning playback singer. He was one of the permanent judges on the reality television show Airtel Super Singer, which was aired on Vijay TV in both the seasons (2006 & 2008) and in the 2008 Idea Star Singer on Asianet.

Unnikrishnan also became famous for his experimental work. In 2008, he presented a jazz concert in Trivandrum with the Eli Yamin Jazz Quartet and pianist Anil Srinivasan.

Awards and Recognitions

Unnikrishnan is a recipient of many honors and awards in the field of carnatic and Hindustani music. Unnikrishnan received much recognition not only as the playback singer in the film industry but also as a very good carnatic vocal singer. It is indeed great to see such persons as judges in various stage shows and TV shows. As a good playback singer he has also given various stage performances along with the playback singing. Some of his noteworthy awards include:

Kalaimamani from the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Yuvakala Bharati from Bharat Kalachar.
National award for the best male playback singer for the song ‘ennavale adi ennavale' for the movie Kadhalan.
Isai Peroli award instituted by Karthik Fine arts in the year 1998.
“A" grade artist of the All India Radio.

Unni has given a number of live concerts all over India and abroad nations like the U.S.A, The Middle East, The United Kingdom, The Far East, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The stage show of Unnikrishnan was in various parts of India and also in various parts of the world as listed above. His fan count is not only in greater numbers in South India but it is also all over the world. Not only in the Film song has concerts but he also performed various live concerts in Carnatic and Hindustani Music.