Sooraj Santhosh, also known as Suraj Santhosh is an Indian playback singer who sings mainly in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam languages. He has also sung in Hindi, Kannada and Badaga.
Early and Personal life
Sooraj, who hails from Thiruvananthapuram, was born on September 19, 1987 in Kollam. He did his schooling at Government Model Boys Higher Secondary School, Thiruvananthapuram. He pursued his B.Com in MG College and then went on to do his M.Com in Mar ivanious College. Sooraj's father, Santhosh Kumar, a senior administrative assistant in the forest department, his mother, Jayakumari, a teacher and younger brother Dheeraj, who is an engineer working in IBM.
Musical career
He had won the 2004 School Youth Festival and 2004–2005 Kerala State Higher Secondary Youth Festival.[1] He represented Kerala University in the South Zone Inter-University Youth Festival and was declared the winner three years in a row – 2009, 2010 and 2011. He has participated in the National Inter University Youth Festival.
In 2009 he shifted his base from Trivandrum to Chennai.[2]
He was under the tutelage of flutist Kudamaloor Janardanan. He says that if it was not for his guru, Kudamaloor Janardanan, a professional flutist and Carnatic musician, he wouldn't have understood music in this depth.[3] Sooraj had accompanied Kudamaloor Janardhanan for a fusion ensemble at the Kovalam Lit Fest (2010) (he was the only singer in the group).[4]
Sooraj is a vocalist with Ashram Oriental Rock, a seven-member Indo-Austrian band and had been on a European tour with the band in 2011.[5]
Masala Coffee
Sooraj Santhosh is also the co-founder and lead vocalist of Masala Coffee, the band, which made its debut on Kappa TV’s Music Mojo[6][7][8]
- The band has entered the field of music composition for a Tamil movie, 'Uriyadi', produced by Nalan Kumarasamy[9][10]
- The band, who has composed the title track for the Malayalam movie, Hello Namasthe, also features in an exclusive promo video for the same.[11]
- Masala Coffee was one of the bands that performed in the RAAG 'N' ROCK Indie Music Festival which took place at the Al Nasr Leisureland, Dubai, on September 11, 2015.[12]
Playback singing career
His first song ′Inka Etho′ composed by G.V Prakash for a Telugu thriller Darling won him the Mirchi Music Awards South conducted by Radio Mirchi for the Best Upcoming Singer in Telugu (2010). "A Special Program on the Mirchi Music Awards hosted To felicitate all the Singers And musicians of South India"[13]
Sooraj made his debut in Malayalam with the song ′Ee Ramayanakkootil′ in the film Second Show. Music was composed by Nikhil Rajan starring Dulquar Salman. He sang the song ′Iniyum Nin Mounamenthe′ for the film KQ for the music composition of Stephen Devassy. He has also recorded for music director Ratheesh Vegha for the movies Lokpal, Ladies & Gentleman and Uthup Kizhakkemala.[14]
Sooraj made his entry into the Tamil film industry by singing ′Uyirin Suvaril′ and ′Vegam vegam′ in the movie Sridhar(2012)for which music was composed by Rahul Raj. He got his break with a duet song ′Yamma Yamma′in All in All Azhagu Raja(2013) with Shreya Ghoshal, music composed by S. Thaman. ′Othakadai othakadai′ and ′Yaelley Yaelley′ from the film Pandiya Naadu(2013)[15] composed by D. Imman are the other chart busters in the Tamil film industry. His recent song ′Madai Thirandhathu′ is for music director M M Sreelekha in the film Kaadhal Solla Aasai.
Sooraj has sung two songs ′Sawariya′ and ′Har Har Mahadev′, composed by Sreejith-Sachin in the upcoming movie Kamasutra 3D. Five songs from the multilingual film Kamasutra 3D are among the 75 numbers in contention for nominations in the Original Song category for the 86th Oscars.[16]
He has been nominated in the category of Best Upcoming Vocalist (Male)in Malayalam (2013) by Music Mirchi Awards, for his rendition of the song 'Iniyum Nin Mounam' for the movie KQ.[17]
Sooraj at Mojo Rising Music festival
Discography
| Year |
Album |
Song |
Music Director |
|---|
| 2016 |
Yeshunadha |
Krooshithane |
Jeneesh John |
| Year | Film | Song | Music Director |
| 2012 | Sridhar | Uyirin Suvaril Naane | Rahul Raj |
| 2012 | Sridhar | Vegam vegam | Rahul Raj |
| 2012 | Chandramouli | Kala Kala kala Kala | Maragadhamani |
| 2012 | Chandramouli | Dharmam Vazha | Maragadhamani |
| 2013 | Pandiya Naadu | Yaeley Yaeley Maruthu | D Imman |
| 2013 | Pandiya Naadu | Othakadai Othakadai Machaan | D. Imman |
| 2013 | All in all Azhaghu Raja | Yamma Yamma | S. Thaman |
| 2013 | Varutha Padathe Valibar Sangam | Yennada Yennada | D Imman |
| 2013 | Kadhal Solla Aasai | Madai Thiranthathu | M. M. Srilekha |
| 2014 | Bramman | Vaanathile Nilavu | Devi Sri Prasad |
| 2014 | Sooraiyadal | Adiye Sarithaana | Mithun Eshwar |
| 2014 | Kadavul Paathi Mirugam Paathi | Naan Indru Naan Thaane | Rahul Raj |
| 2014 | Anjaan | Kaadhal Aasai | Yuvan Shankar Raja |
| 2015 | Soan Papdi | Enga Kaattula Mazhai | Dhanraj Manickam |
| 2014 | Mozhivathu Yadhenil | Vilai Illathadhu | Nithyan Karthick |
| 2015 | Ore Oru Raja Mokka Raaja | Malare Mooche Eduthu | Suman Bichu |
| 2015 | Thoppi | Paava patta naanga | Ramprasad Sundar |
| 2015 | Achchaaram | Perazhaghai Thirudida | Srikanth Deva |
| 2015 | Ivanuku Thannila Gandam | Mappilla Mappilla | A7 |
| 2015 | Nanbargal Narpani Mandram | Sirichaenae Chinna Ponudha | Srikanth Deva |
| 2015 | Kanchana 2 | Motta Paiyan | S.S.Thaman |
| 2015 | Vaa Deal | Vaa Deal | S.S.Thaman |
| 2015 | Kida Poosari Magudi | Chinna Paya Vayasu | Ilaiyaraaja |
| 2015 | Ithiraiyil Varum Sambavangal Anaihtum Karpanaiyae | Somariyum Neethan | Maria Jerald |
| 2015 | Vasuvum Saravananum Onna Padichavanga | Vasuvum Saravananum | D Imman |
| 2015 | Puli (2015 film) | Mannavanae Mannavanae [21] | Devi Sri Prasad |
| 2015 | Pattanathu Raja | Edho Ondru Thonudhadi | Manoj |
| 2015 | Selvandhan | Rama Rama | Devi Sri Prasad |
| 2015 | Mooch | Marachan Bommai | Nithyan Karthik |
| 2015 | Jippaa Jimikki (2015) | Ayyo Ayyo | Ranib & Mohanrajan |
| 2015 | Kuttram Nadanthathu Enna | Nee Konjumbothey | Naresh |
| 2015 | Meymarandhaen Paaraayoa | En Kaadhale | Himesh Reshammiya |
| 2015 | Meymarandhaen Paaraayoa | Appuram Enoa | Himesh Reshammiya |
| 2016 | Vidayutham | Allipoo | Mithun Eshwar |
| 2016 |
Agni |
Uriyadi |
Masala Coffee |
| 2016 |
Kaantha |
Uriyadi |
Masala Coffee |
| Year | Film | Song | Music Director |
| 2008 | Villagelo Vinayakudu | Muddugaare | Manikanth Kadri |
| 2010 | Darling | Inka Edho | GV Prakash |
| 2012 | Marina | Snehitudokadunte | Girish |
| 2012 | Crazy | Alagodhey Alagodhey | S Thaman |
| 2012 | Crazy | Theme Music | S Thaman |
| 2013 | ABCD: Any Body Can Dance | I am a fool | Sachin-Jigar |
| 2013 | ABCD (Any Body Can Dance) | Chirunavvula Thotaku Swagatam | Sachin-Jigar |
| 2013 | Tadakha | Viyyalavaru | S Thaman |
| 2013 | Palnadu | Kalley Kalley Palike | Imman D |
| 2013 | Satya 2 | Bhashma dhaari | Shree, Ishq |
| 2013 | Satya 2 | Samaram Daarilo Velithey | Sanjeev, Darshan |
| 2013 | Adhee Lekka | Emaina edhemaina | Chinni Charan |
| 2013 | 1-Nenokkadine | O Sayonara Sayonara | Devi Sri Prasad |
| 2014 | Legend | Thanjavuru | Devi Sri Prasad |
| 2014 | Ra Ra Krishnayya | Come on baby | Achu Rajamani |
| 2014 | Alludu Sreenu | Labbar Bomma | Devi Sri Prasad |
| 2014 | Rabhasa | Dam Damare | S Thaman |
| 2014 | Paathshala | Friendship Day Anthem Song | Rahul Raj |
| 2014 | Power | Nuvvu Nenu Janta | S Thaman |
| 2014 | Aagadu | Bhelpuri[22] | S Thaman |
| 2014 | Ala Ela | Yedutakaladu | Bheems Cecirolio |
| 2014 | Ala Ela | Yenduke[23] | Bheems Cecirolio |
| 2015 | Tiger | Hey Tiger | S Thaman |
| 2015 | Maha Maharaju | Evaremi Antunna | Hip Hop Tamizha |
| 2015 | S/O Satyamurthy | One & Two & Three | Devi Sri Prasad |
| 2015 | S/O Satyamurthy | Chal Chalo Chalo | Devi Sri Prasad |
| 2015 | Mosagaallaku Mosagaadu | Oho Sundari | Manikanth Kadri |
| 2015 | Mosagaallaku Mosagaadu | Raamaaya Raamabhadraaya | Manikanth Kadri |
| 2015 | Rakshasudu (2015) | Masss (Remix) | Yuvan Shankar Raja |
| 2015 | Ganga | Gundabbaayi | SS Thaman |
| 2015 | Ak Rao Pk Rao | Nuvu Vachetappudu | K S Rao |
| 2015 | Rahadhari | Na Manasu | Rahul Raj |
| 2015 | Srimanthudu | Rama Rama[24] | Devi Sri Prasad |
| 2015 | Jaya Suriya | Urike Chilaka | D Imman |
| 2015 | Prema Leela | Jatha Kadathaavo | Himesh Reshammiya |
| 2015 | Prema Leela | Jvaliyinchele | Himesh Reshammiya |
| 2015 | Nenu Sailaja | Masti Masti | Devi Sri Prasad |
| 2016 | Nannaku Prematho | Love Me Again | Devi Sri Prasad |
| Year | Film | Song | Music Director |
| 2013 | Kamasutra 3D | Saawariya | Sachin-Sreejith |
| 2013 | Kamasutra 3D | Har Har Mahadev | Sachin-Sreejith |
| Year |
Album |
Song |
Music Director |
|---|
| 2016 |
Dhuun |
Theme |
Sreejith Edavana |
| Year | Album | Song | Music Director |
| 2012 | Parayathe | Devathe en Nenjile | Rijesh K Ramakrishnan |
| 2014 | Love Policy | Sakhiye En Sakhiye | Sreejith-Sachin |
| 2014 | Namma Ooru | Kaatrey Maasai | Augustine Rajendran |
| 2015 | Ammakinavukal | Vellambal | Ajith Mathew |
| 2015 | London Love | Azhake Ninave | Yesu |
International Concerts
- US-Canada tour with Music director Devi Sri Prasad for a series of performances in cities across USA and Canada (July–August 2014)[25] - 'Team for US Tour'
- Sooraj performed with the band Masala Coffee in Dubai on 17 October 2014 at the inaugural ceremony of KPL Dubai Season 3.[26]
- Sooraj and his band, Masala Coffee will be performing live for Raag 'N' Rock - The Indie Music Festival, on 11 September 2015 in Dubai[27][28]
- Sooraj is the Soloist Tenor who will be accompanying the Chennai-based composer Mr. Ganesh B. Kumar and team to premiere the Shanmuga Kavacham with the European Choir Group. It is the world’s first Choral composition from India, to adorn the Western Classical Choral repertoire. This composition titled “Shanmuga Kavacham” [29] is a spiritual masterpiece in Tamil, written by the Saint / Poet Srimath Pamban Swamigal, in 1891. The World Premiere of “Shanmuga Kavacham”, along with other selected mantras would be performed in Choral a cappella style in Germany on the 20th of September 2015 at Kurhaus Weisbaden / Friedrich-von-Thiersch-Saal, Germany. This auspicious event is titled “Mantra Meets Classic” and will be conducted by Mr. Nicol Matt, one of Germany’s few new generation conductors enjoying international reputation.[30][31]
References
External links
