Karthik Raja (born 29 June 1973) is an Indian composer and playback singer, who predominantly works in Tamil films, apart from a few Hindi films. He made his debut as a film composer in the film Pandiyan (1992) and is predominantely and known for his work in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Personal life Karthik Raja is the eldest son of music composer Illayaraja. His brother Yuvan Shankar Raja and sister Bhavatharini, also Tamil film music directors and playback singers, have worked with him on notable projects. He was schooled at St. Bede's School and Boston Matriculation higher secondary school in Chennai. On 8 June 2000, Karthik Raja married Raja Rajeshwari at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Career Born to a family of musicians, Raja had exposure to various kinds of music from a very early age. He had his formal training in Western classical music from the Trinity School of Music, mainly in piano (affiliated with Jacob John). He also had training in Carnatic music from T. V. Gopalakrishnan and Malayalam composer, V. Dakshinamoorthy.
As a child, Raja often used to accompany his father to the recording studios. 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 Nayakan. Karthik also arranged many recordings for his father and composed his first song "Pandianin Rajiyathil" for the movie Pandiyan (1992) and "Ninaikindra" for the movie Athma (1993). Around this time, he also composed some background scores for the TV series Bible.
Raja debuted as a fully-fledged composer in 1996 through the Tamil movie Alexander, soon followed by Manikkam. Then came many chart-busters that included Ullaasam, Naam Iruvar Nammaku Iruvar, Kadhala Kadhala and Dumm Dumm Dumm among others. He also debuted in Hindi films with Grahan which won him the R.D. Burman award for the best new talent.
Discography Tamil films Year Title ScoreSongs Other notes 1992 Pandiyan1 song; uncredited 1993 Uzhaippali Ponnumani1 song; uncredited DharmaseelanUncredited Sakkarai DevanUncredited Aathma"Ninaikkindra Paadhaiyil" song; uncredited 1994 Amaidhi Padai RaasamaganKanmani "Netru Vandha Kaatru" song; uncredited 1996 Enakkoru Magan Pirappan Manikkam Alexander1997 Ullaasam 1998 Naam Iruvar Nammaku Iruvar Kadhala Kadhala 2001 Vaanchinathan Ullam Kollai Poguthae Dumm Dumm Dumm2002 Album Three Roses 2003 Pudhiya Geethai Inii Short film Ragasiyamai 2004 Singara Chennai Kudaikul Mazhai 2005 Rightaa Thappaa Neranja Manasu 2006 Mercury Pookkal Naalai Thullura Vayasu 2007 Manathodu Mazhaikalam Murugaa Oru Ponnu Oru Paiyan 25th Film Maa Madurai2008 Chakkara Viyugam 2009 Achamundu Achamundu Kudiyarasu2010 Rettaisuzhi2012 Veyilodu VilayaduFilm unreleased 2014 Vaaraayo Vennilaave Film unreleased Aranmanai 2015 Sagaptham2016Avan Aval Dhilluku Dhuddu 2017 Pagadi Aattam 2018 Padaiveeran 2021 Aatkal Thevai Maadathy Chidambaram Railway Gate 2023 Web Mathimaran 2024 Bujji at Anupatti 2026 Vengeance Pisasu 2
Other language films Year Title ScoreSongs Language Notes 1997 GrahanHindi Audio released in 1997 but the film was released in 2001Winner, Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent 2000Hoo Anthiya Uhoo AnthiyaKannada2001 Hum Ho Gaye AapkeHindi2002Mitr, My Friend EnglishHindi Composed "Give Me Hugs" and played keyboard for "Ehsaas" 16 DecemberHindi 2008 Mukhbiir2 songs2009 Anything For You English 2010 Zamana Kannada 2012 Tuneega Tuneega Telugu 2012 Yuganiki Okka Premikudu Telugu2014 Rajadhi Raja Malayalam2 songs
As playback singer Year Title Song ComposerOther notes1990Anjali "Something Something", "Iravu Nilavu", "Motta Maadi", "Vaanam Namakku", "Anjali Anjali"Ilayaraja 1996 Enakkoru Magan Pirappan "Cham Cham" himself Alexander "Koothadichu" himself 1997 Devathai "Enge En Kaadhali" Ilayaraja Ullaasam "Ullasam", "Vaalibam Vaazhthu" himself1998Kaathala Kaathala"Saravana Bhava"himself2001Ullam Kollai Poguthae "Kathavai Naan", "Adada Adada" himself2003Ragasiyamai"Kadhal Mannile","Oduthe" himself2004Neranja Manasu "Tharisa Kedakkura"himself2005Rightaa Thappaa"Ilamai Enbathu"himself 2006 Mercury Pookkal"Solla Vaarthaigal"himself Thullura Vayasu"Mama Unakku"himself Manathodu Mazhaikalam"Pani Vizhum Kaalam"himself2007Oru Ponnu Oru Paiyan"Nenjil"himself2008Chakkara Viyugam"Idyatha Kaanam", "Padaithal Kadhal", "Yei Unnidam"himself2009Kudiyarasu"Idhu Enna"himself2010Goa "Yezhezhu Thalamuraikkum" Yuvan Shankar Raja2012Kazhugu "Aathadi Manasuthan"Yuvan Shankar Raja2014Vanavarayan Vallavarayan "Kongu Naatu Thendralukkum"Yuvan Shankar Raja
Albums Year Album Language Notes 1997 Meri Jaan Hindustan Hindi One track 2000 Split Wide Open – Album Hindi One track Kaathalai Gauravikkum Neram Tamil India Unlimited Hindi Haule Haule Hindi Three tracks2012 Srivilliputtur AndalTamil 12 Tracks
Television YearName of Television ShowRoleNetwork2024Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Seniors 4GuestZee Tamil
Awards 1998: Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent – Grahan 2001: Cinema Express Award for Best Music Director – Dumm Dumm Dumm
References
External links
Karthik Raaja Lounge