Job Kurian (born 29 July 1982) is an Indian singer and composer who works in both indie music and in Malayalam films. He won the South Indian International Movie Award for Best Male Playback Singer in Malayalam in 2023.
Early life and education Job Kurian was born in Vattiyoorkavu, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, and hails from Alappuzha (Alleppey). He attended St. Shantal, Christ Nagar, and Bhavan's Senior Secondary School, Kodunganoor for schooling. Prithviraj Sukumaran was his schoolmate at Bhavan's. He pursued his B.Tech. at Malanad College of Engineering, Karnataka.
He developed an interest in music from an early age and was influenced by a variety of musical traditions, including folk, contemporary and world music. Over the years, he established himself as both a playback singer in Malayalam cinema and an independent musician, known for blending multiple musical styles while maintaining a distinctive vocal identity.
Personal life Job married Athira on 10 November 2012 at St. Joseph's Church in Thiruvananthapuram. The couple has two sons, with the first born on 25 April 2014.
Career Job Kurian first came into public recognition in 2006 after emerging as the runner-up in the reality music competition Super Star, aired on Amrita TV. The platform introduced him to a wider audience and marked the beginning of his professional music career.
Job made his playback singing debut with the song “Aathmavin Kaavil” from the Malayalam film Black Cat, alongside veteran singer K. S. Chithra . His breakthrough came with “Aaranne Aaranne” from the historical film Urumi (2011), composed by Deepak Dev . The song brought him widespread recognition and established him as a playback singer in Malayalam cinema.
Following his breakthrough, Job lent his voice to numerous Malayalam films. Some of his best-known playback songs include “Manikyachirakulla” from Idukki Gold , “Mandaarame”, “Chillu Ranthal”, “Arike Ninna”, “Pakalo Kaanaathe”, and “Kaavalaai Chekavar”, among others. His singing style is recognised for its emotional depth and versatility across different genres.
Alongside playback singing, Kurian developed a significant presence in Kerala’s independent music scene. His original compositions blend elements of folk, alternative folk, world music, contemporary music and pop. His independent works have contributed to the growing popularity of non-film music in Malayalam.
His early independent projects include Thaalam (2008), followed by performances on platforms such as Music Mojo, which helped introduce his original music to a wider audience. Between 2017 and 2020, he released a series of original compositions under the HOPE Project , exploring themes of hope, relationships, humanity and personal experiences.
One of his most recognised independent songs, “Kannodu”, performed with singer Mridula Warrier on Music Mojo, experienced renewed popularity years after its original release when it went viral across social media platforms, introducing the song to a new generation of listeners.
Apart from singing, Kurian expanded his creative work by making his debut as a music director with the Malayalam film Rasam (2015). He has also collaborated with several independent musicians and bands, contributing as a singer, composer and performer across various musical projects.
Musical style and collaborations Job Kurian’s music is characterised by a blend of folk traditions, contemporary arrangements and world music influences. While he is recognised as a playback singer, much of his work has focused on promoting independent Malayalam music through original compositions and live performances.
Throughout his career, he has collaborated with several musicians and independent artists, including Shankar Tucker , When Chai Met Toast , Ricky Kej , Avial , and Charan Raj , among others. These collaborations have allowed him to experiment with different musical styles while reaching audiences beyond Malayalam cinema.
Live performances Job Kurian is known for his live performances featuring both film songs and original compositions. His concerts are designed to present a combination of playback music and independent works, often incorporating storytelling and audience interaction.
He has performed extensively across India and has toured internationally in countries including the United Kingdom, Ireland, United Arab Emirates, Australia, United States, and Canada.
Job has also performed at music festivals and cultural events including NH7 Weekender, Ragam, SouthSideStory, Indiegaga, and Oddball Festival, contributing to the visibility of Malayalam independent music on larger platforms
Filmography +YearSong Title Credited asNotesRef.Singer Composer2007"AathmavinKaaval"Black CatDebut as a playback singer2009"Chanjalam"Ritu2011"Aaranne Aarane"Urumi2012"Melle Kollum"22 Female Kottayam"Pala Pala"I Love Me2013"Akaluvathenthino"Red Wine"Manikyachirakulla"Idukki Gold"Innalakale"Honey Bee"Nila Vaname"English"Thaazhe Nee Tharame"Thira2014"Mandaarame"Ohm Shanthi Oshaana"Vaa Maaro Thammaaro"Garbhashreemaan"Thaane Pookkum"Sapthamashree Thaskaraha2015"Unaroo"Nellikka"Dhanumasa Palazhi"Rasamrowspan="3" Debut as a film composer"Sarasa Sarasaro""Mayamo Marimayamo""Minnaaminunge"Nirnayakam"Dheera Charitha"Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi"Hey Neela Vaan"Ayal Njanalla"Saarangiyil"Yoo Too Brutus2016"Chillu Ranthal"Kali"Mele Mukilodum"Kochavva Paulo Ayyappa Coelho2017"Aaro Kannil"History of Joy"Aarini Yarini"Paippin Chuvattile Pranayam2018"Naadottukku"Kuttanpillayude Sivarathri"Thodu Thodu"Angane Njanun Premichu"Appooppan Thaadi"B.Tech"Thaa Thinnam"Theevandi"Melle Mulle"Mangalyam Thanthunanena2019"Oru Thuruthin"Thottappan2020"Aaroral"Maarjaara Oru Kalluvacha Nuna"Uyire"Kuttiyappanum Daivadhootharum2021"Bhoomi Thuranne"Kannalan2022"Arike Ninna"Hridayam"Pakalo Kaanaathe"Saudi VellakkaSIIMA Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Malayalam 2024"Vaanara Lokam"Kishkindha Kaandam2025"Kaavalaai"Empuraan
Discography +YearAlbumCredited asNotesRef.Singer Composer2008ThaalamDebut as a composer, co-composers: Charan & Yakzan2013AarenteCo-singer: Neha NairEmpranKaanan2015PadayathraCo-singer: Harish SivaramakrishnanEllaamYesYesJob Kurian CollectiveRootsPoliyoCo-singer: Resmi SateeshMayamoTharaatuNilavoNenjinneenamKannoduCo-singer: Mridula Warrier2017Enthavo1st track of Hope Project2018Parudeesa2nd track of Hope ProjectMulla3rd track of Hope Project2020Kaalam4th track of Hope ProjectYennum Yellow2023Athe NilaYesYesKappa OriginalsBhaavam2024DaanamYesYesMalayalam Daan Utsav Anthem; Co-created with Arun Pullat2025NizhalPaalayanamYesYesDreamlandWith When Chai Met Toast
Accolades YearAwardCategoryResultRef.2015Campus Choice Cine AwardsThe Most Promising VoiceWon2017Indywood Music Excellence AwardsYouth IconWon2018Mazhavil Mango Music AwardsBest Non Film Song - "Enthavo"Indywood Music Excellence AwardsBest Independent Musical Project - "HOPE Project"2023South Indian International Movie AwardsBest Male Playback Singer – Malayalam Mazhavil Manorama Music AwardsBest Independent Music - "Bhaavam"Won2025P. Jayachandran Memorial AwardsFace of Independent Music in KeralaWonResonance Music and Sound AwardsIndie Icon of the YearWon
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