Karthik: From Backup Singer to Icon of Indian Playback Music
Karthik, a cherished voice in Indian cinema, has enthralled audiences with his expressive, resonant singing, especially in Telugu films. With over 8,000 songs across languages and collaborations with legends like A.R. Rahman, his heartfelt performances create timeless memories that resonate deeply. Known for his ability to bring emotion to every note, Karthik’s legacy continues to Celebrate, Explore, Connect! across generations.
For Tamil and Telugu audiences, Karthik is a household name. Over the years, he’s blessed us with countless superhits in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, and more. Apart from his musical contributions, Karthik has also appeared as a judge on various Tamil and Telugu singing shows, including Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Sun Singer, and Telugu Indian Idol.
Karthik’s musical journey began with Carnatic music, followed by Hindustani classical training. His career took off in 2000, when he first worked as a backup vocalist for A.R. Rahman in the film Pukar. After just one year, Rahman himself gave Karthik the opportunity for his first solo playback singing role in the Tamil film Star. Apart from playback singing, Karthik is also a part of a contemporary fusion band called Arka.
Throughout his distinguished career, Karthik has won numerous prestigious awards, including a Nandi Award for the Telugu song “Oh My Friend” from Happy Days, multiple Filmfare Awards, the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for “Usure Poguthey” from Raavanan, the Kerala State Film Award, and a SIIMA Award, all spanning across several languages. He also won the prestigious Bharat Ratna Dr. MGR Birth Centenary Prize 2018. His contributions to the music industry are immeasurable, with thousands of songs in his repertoire, influencing generations of listeners.
Karthik’s work spans collaborations with some of the most renowned music directors, including A.R. Rahman, M.M. Keeravani, Devi Sri Prasad, Amit Trivedi, Ilaiyaraaja, Vidyasagar, Pritam, and many more. His discography is filled with nostalgic childhood hits and anthems, many of which remain fan favorites to this day. Karthik has also proven his versatility as a composer, having composed songs for advertisements and worked as a music director for films, a web series, and an independent album.
Among his standout Telugu hits are “Pacha Bottesina” from Baahubali: The Beginning, “Dil Se Dil Se” from Gabbar Singh, “Oh My Friend” from Oh My Friend, and “Ale Ale” from Boys. His Tamil hits include “Ava Enna” from Vaaranam Aayiram, “Vizhi Moodi” from Ayan, “Oru Maalai” from Ghajini, and “Hasili Fisiliye” from Aadhavan. He also has a large collection of hits in Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi.
Karthik is a singer who has not only contributed massive hit songs that have defined many of our childhood movies, but he has also made a name for himself as a musician with a beautiful voice and a deep knowledge of music. From his iconic playback singing to live performances in concerts and reality shows, he hasn’t disappointed fans and admirers for a moment. Keep an eye out for his upcoming songs and events that are sure to add more timeless tracks to his legacy!
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