# Shakthisree Gopalan

Shakthisree Gopalan is an Indian vocalist, composer, songwriter and performer, famous for her collaborations with the top south-Indian music composers like A.R. Rahman. Aside from the film music, she is a regular in the independent music scene, performing with various bands over the years dabbling in Pop, R'n'B, trip-hop and jazz.
She has also been performing and releasing music independently in multiple languages.
She is an architect by profession, graduating from School of Architecture and Planning.

## Early life and education

Shakthisree Gopalan was brought up in Kochi, Kerala. She did her schooling in Rajagiri Public School, Kalamassery. She moved to Chennai after her school and pursued her degree in architecture at the Anna University's School of Architecture and Planning.
She was trained in Carnatic music for 13 years. During her 11th standard, SS Music conducted Voice Hunt 1. Since she was under 18, it ended with the auditions. Eventually in 2008, she won the second season of SS Music's Voice Hunt. She was first auditioned in November 2008 and got the opportunity to sing her debut song for the film Taxi 4777.

## Career
### 2008–2012: Career beginnings

At the age of 13, Shakthisree Gopalan was already trained in the field of Carnatic music and rock. After having won the "SS Music Voice Hunt " title in the year 2008, Gopalan debuted into film playback in the same year. She was placed third in the Chennai Live's Band hunt. In the year 2014, she performed in MCC (Madras Christian College) cultural fest at Deepwoods and National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli cultural fest Festember, SASTRA University cultural fest Kuruksastra'14, VIT University cultural fest Riviera 14 and Madras Institute of Technology cultural fest Mitafest 15.
"Off the Record" consists of Vikram Vivekanand (Guitar), Satish Narayanan (Bass) and Tapas Naresh/Vinay Ramakrishnan (Drums).

### 2012–2016: Break and playback songs

Shakthisree met A R Rahman when she got an assignment to design his music school, K M Music Conservatory. It was around that time she shared the music she had composed with him. That's when she got a break to sing 'Nenjikulle' for the movie Kadal, the first song that she recorded in her career. However, the title track for the composer's Bollywood film, Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012) released first. She also got to jam the unplugged version of her Tamil film song "Nenjukkule" from the film Kadal with A R Rahman. She subsequently went on to record a number of songs for films such as "Irumbukottai Murattu Singham", "Kattradhu Kalavu". She has also been a backlisted vocalist for many A R Rahman compositions.

### 2016–present: Song releases

She also released 'By Your Side' in December 2016, in which she collaborated with Hari Dafusia, a Toronto-based keyboardist-producer, and Nigel Roopnarine, a bass player. Apart from playback singing for movies, she also collaborated with Prashanth and released an indie single called Begin in November 2017.
She recorded the song Aga Naga for A. R. Rahman in the film Ponniyin Selvan, which was first used as a short background song in the first part of the movie. The song gained immense popularity among the audiences upon release of the first part. The entire song was then released as part of the main soundtrack of the second part.

### 2024–present: Debut as a composer

She is set to debut as a music composer in January 2024 for the film The Test directed by S. Sashikanth and starring Madhavan, Nayanthara, Siddharth, and Meera Jasmine. Music composer A. R. Rahman announced her debut as music director on Twitter on 4th May 2023.

## Discography
### Composer

List of composer credits :
| Year | Film Title | Language | Director |
| 2025 | Test | Tamil | S. Sashikanth |

### Cover singer

    Source:
List of cover singing credits :
| Year | Song | Co-artists | Original Artist |
| 2014 | "Crazy" | Michael Dias, Cherian K K | Gnarls Barkley |
| 2015 | "Nocturne" | Michael Dias, Cherian K K | Pentagram |
| 2017 | "Caramel" | | Susan Vega, Chiara Civello |
| 2021 | "I'd Rather Go Blind" | Vikram Vivekanand, Conrad Simmons | Etta James |
| 2021 | "Summertime" | David Joseph, Naveen Napier, Shyam Benjamin | George Gershwin |
| 2021 | "Naima" (1959) | David Joseph, Naveen Napier, Shyam Benjamin | John Coltrane |

### Independent singer

    Source:
List of singing credits :
| Year | Song | Co-artists |
| 2011 | "Little Star" | Shyam Benjamin |
| 2012 | "Voices" | |
| 2016 | "By Your Side" | Dafusia |
| 2017 | "Begin" | Prashanth Techno |
| 2018 | "Phir Wahin" | |
| 2019 | "Wake Up" | Prashanth Techno |
| 2020 | "Cycle Gap" | |
| 2020 | "Birds and the Bees" | Alfie |
| 2021 | "Nee Pothumey" | Akshay Yesodharan |
| 2021 | "Litle Star" (10 years remix) | Shyam Benjamin, David Joseph and Naveen Napier |
| 2022 | "Love is..." | Sio Tepper |
| 2023 | "Old Friend" | |

### Playback singer

    Source:

### Tamil

List of Tamil film playback singing credits :
| Year | Title | Song | Composer | Co-Singers |
| 2008 | TN 07 AL 4777 | "Sorgam Madhuvile" | Vijay Antony | Rahul Nambiar |
| 2009 | Rajadhi Raja | "Yelantha Pazham" | Karunas | Dinesh |
| 2009 | Vettaikaaran | "En Uchimandai" | Vijay Antony | Krishna Iyer, Shoba Chandrasekhar, Charulatha Mani |
| 2010 | Irumbu Kottai Murattu Singam | "Raja Sindinesm" | G. V. Prakash Kumar | Rahul Nambiar, Big Nikk |
| 2010 | Kattradhu Kalavu | "Sudhandiram" | Paul J | |
| 2010 | Dam 999 | "Everyday" | Ouseppachan | Ouseppachan |
| 2010 | Dam 999 | "Dakkanaga" | Ouseppachan | Suchith Suresan, Ouseppachan |
| 2011 | Naan | "Makkayala" | Vijay Antony | Krishan Maheson, Mark Thomas |
| 2012 | Konjam Koffee Konjam Kaadhal | "Uyir Thozha" | Phani Kalyan | |
| 2012 | Kadal | "Nenjukkulle" | A. R. Rahman | A.R. Rahman |
| 2012 | Haridas | "Vazhkaiye" | Vijay Antony | Maalavika Manoj, GNR Kumar |
| 2012 | Maryan | "Enga Pona Raasa" | A. R. Rahman | |
| 2013 | Irandaam Ulagam | "Mannavane" | Harris Jayaraj | Gopal Rao |
| 2013 | Raja Rani | "Angnyaade" | G. V. Prakash Kumar | |
| 2013 | Raja Rani | "Imaye Imaye" | G. V. Prakash Kumar | G. V. Prakash Kumar |
| 2013 | Aarambam | "Hare Rama" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Tanvi Shah |
| 2014 | Aaha Kalyanam | "Padhiye Padhiye" | Dharan Kumar | |
| 2014 | Velmurugan Borewells | "Sathamilla Muttu Pola" | Srikanth Deva | |
| 2014 | Malini 22 Palayamkottai | "Vinmeengal" | Aravind–Shankar | |
| 2014 | Madras | "Naan Nee" | Santhosh Narayanan | Dhee |
| 2014 | Vizhi Moodi Yosithaal | "Saala Saloothey" | B.Aathif | Deepak, Vikram |
| 2014 | Vaayai Moodi Pesavum | "Kadhal Ara Onnu Vizundhuchu" | Sean Roldan | Sean Roldan |
| 2015 | Anegan | "Thodu Vaanam" | Harris Jayaraj | Hariharan |
| 2015 | Kakki Sattai | "Kadhal Kan Kattudhe" | Anirudh Ravichander | Anirudh Ravichander |
| 2015 | Mahabalipuram | "Usrey Nee" | K | Imman |
| 2015 | Agathinai | "Ilaigalile Sadugudu Nadathuthu" | Maria Manohar | Maria Manohar |
| 2015 | Kanchana 2 | "Vaaya En Veera" | Leon James | |
| 2015 | Vasuvum Saravananum Onna Padichavanga | "Adada Onnum Solladha" | D Imman | Benny Dayal |
| 2015 | Maya | "Thoonga Kangal" | Ron Ethan Yohann | |
| 2015 | Vedalam | "Don't You Mess With Me" | Anirudh Ravichander | Shruti Haasan |
| 2015 | Eetti | "Naan Pudicha Mosakuttiye" | G.V. Prakash Kumar | G. V. Prakash Kumar |
| 2016 | Azhagu Kutty Chellam | "Azhagu Kutty Chellam" | Ved Shanker Sugavanam | |
| 2016 | 24 | "Aararo" | A. R. Rahman | |
| 2016 | Thirunaal | "Ore Oru Vaanam" | Srikanth Deva | Mahalakshmi Iyer |
| 2017 | Dhayam | "Kolai Ondrey" | Sathish Selvam | |
| 2017 | Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thorae | "Hai En Kai Mela" | Vishal Chandrasekhar | Anirudh Ravichander |
| 2017 | Vikram Vedha | "Yaanji Yaanji" | Sam C. S. | Anirudh Ravichander, D. Sathyaprakash |
| 2017 | Aval | "Kaarigai Kanne" | Girishh | Vijay Prakash |
| 2017 | Velaikkaran | "Vaa Velaikkara" | Anirudh Ravichander | Bjorn Surrao |
| 2018 | Chekka Chivantha Vaanam | "Bhoomi Bhoomi" | A. R. Rahman | |
| 2018 | Chekka Chivantha Vaanam | "Kalla Kalavani" | A. R. Rahman | Lady Kash |
| 2019 | Dev | "Oru Nooru Murai" | Harris Jayaraj | D. Sathyaprakash |
| 2019 | The Lion King (dubbed) | "Vaazhkaiye Vattamaai/Nants' Ingonyama" | Elton John | |
| 2020 | Odavum Mudiyadhu Oliyavum Mudiyadhu | "Magave" | Kaushik Krish | |
| 2020 | Dharala Prabhu | "Payanangal" | Bharath Shankar | |
| 2021 | Oh Manapenne | "Nee Yenadharuginil Nee" | Vishal Chandrasekhar | |
| 2021 | Kaathu Vaakula Rendu Kaadhal | "Rendu Kadhal" | Anirudh Ravichander | Anirudh Ravichander, Aishwarya Suresh Bindra |
| 2023 | Pathu Thala | "Ninaivirukka" | A. R. Rahman | A. R. Ameen |
| 2023 | Ponniyin Selvan: II | "Aga Naga" | A. R. Rahman | |
| 2023 | Maamannan | "Nenjame Nenjame" | A. R. Rahman | Vijay Yesudas |
| 2023 | Iraivan | "Idhu Pola" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Yuvan Shankar Raja |
| 2023 | Leo | "Villain Yaaru" | Anirudh Ravichander | Anirudh Ravichander |
| 2023 | Minmini | "Iru Perum Nadhigal" | Khatija Rahman | |
| 2023 | Blue Star | "Railin Oligal" | Govind Vasantha | Pradeep Kumar |
| 2024 | Singappenney | "Idha Thane Ethir Paathen" | Kumaran Sivamani | |
| 2024 | Laandhar | "Ayalpirai" | M. S. Prraveen | |
| 2024 | Lover | "Thaensudarae" | Seon Roldan | |
| 2024 | Emakku Thozhil Romance † | "Vaada Poda (Reprise)" | Nivas K. Prasanna | |

### Other languages

List of film playback singing credits in other languages :
| Year | Title | Song | Language | Composer |
| 2012 | Jab Tak Hai Jaan | "Jab Tak Hai Jaan" | Hindi | A. R. Rahman |
| 2013 | KQ | "Chenthalire" | Malayalam | Stephen Devassy |
| 2013 | Camel Safari | "Suruma Suruma" | Malayalam | Deepankuran |
| 2013 | Pattam Pole | "Hey Vennila" | Malayalam | M. Jayachandran |
| 2014 | Samsaaram Aarogyathinu Haanikaram | "Thammil Oru Vaaku" | Malayalam | Sean Roldan |
| 2014 | Mr. Fraud | "Poonthikale" | Malayalam | Gopi Sundar |
| 2014 | Raja Rani (dubbed) | "Ayyare Ayyare" | Telugu | G. V. Prakash Kumar |
| 2014 | Raja Rani (dubbed) | "Vinave Vinave" | Telugu | G. V. Prakash Kumar |
| 2014 | Maine Pyar Kiya | "Shwaase Nuvve" | Telugu | Pradeep Kumar |
| 2014 | Chaturbhuja | "Ee Tharadha Jothegara" | Kannada | Poornachandra Tejaswi |
| 2015 | Kanchana 2 (dubbed) | "Reppakela vodharpu" | Telugu | Leon James |
| 2015 | Neena | "Remember You" | Malayalam | Nikhil J Menon |
| 2015 | Charlie | "Pularikalo" | Malayalam | Gopi Sunder |
| 2016 | Single | "By Your Side" | English | Hari Dafusia, Nigel Roopnarine |
| 2016 | Jalam | "Koodu Vekkan" | Malayalam | Ouseppachan |
| 2016 | Jalam | "Yathra Manoramayude" | Malayalam | Ouseppachan |
| 2016 | Jalam | "Bhoomiyil Enganum" | Malayalam | Ouseppachan |
| 2017 | Single | "Begin" | English | Prashanth |
| 2017 | Adventures of Omanakuttan | "Ilamai" | Malayalam | Arun |
| 2017 | Mental Madhilo | "Oohale" | Telugu | Prashanth R Vihari |
| 2017 | Villain | "Angkale" | Malayalam | 4 Musics |
| 2018 | Yuddam Saranam | "Yelugula Taraley" | Telugu | Vivek Sagar |
| 2018 | Hey Jude | "Nishashalabame" | Malayalam | M. Jayachandran |
| 2018 | Parole | "Ilakal ayi Pookal ayi" | Malayalam | Evelyn |
| 2018 | Mandharam | "Pulari Mazhakal" | Malayalam | Mujeeb Majeed |
| 2018 | Nawab (dubbed) | "Bhaga Bhaga" | Telugu | A. R. Rahman |
| 2018 | Nawab (dubbed) | "Nannu Nammanee" | Telugu | A. R. Rahman |
| 2019 | Uyare | "Kaatil" | Malayalam | Gopi Sundar |
| 2019 | Suryakantham | "Nenena Nenena" | Telugu | Mark K Robin |
| 2019 | Jersey | "Padhe Padhe" | Telugu | Anirudh Ravichander |
| 2019 | The Lion King (dubbed) | "Jeevana Chakkram/Nants' Ingonyama" | Telugu | Elton John |
| 2019 | Saaho (dubbed) | "Ekantha Thaarame" | Malayalam | Guru Randhawa |
| 2022 | Thallumaala | "Tupathu" | Malayalam | Vishnu Vijay |
| 2023 | Ponniyin Selvan: II | "Aaganandhe" | Telugu | A. R. Rahman |
| 2023 | Ponniyin Selvan: II | ''Akamalar'' | Malayalam | A. R. Rahman |
| 2023 | Samajavaragamana | "Humsafar" | Telugu | Gopi Sundar |
| 2023 | Sapta Sagaradaache Ello - Side A | "Kanmaraye Kaade" | Kannada | Charan Raj |
| 2023 | Falimy | "Karayaruthe" | Malayalam | Vishnu Vijay |
| 2023 | Hi Nanna | "Ammaadi" | Telugu | Hesham Abdul Wahab |
| 2023 | Hi Nanna | "Asalelaa" | Telugu | Hesham Abdul Wahab |
| 2024 | Premalu | "Welcome to Hyderabad" | Malayalam | Vishnu Vijay |

## Filmography
### As a dubbing artist

List of film dubbing credits :
| Year | Title | Language | Dubbing for |
| 2013 | Kadal | Tamil | Lakshmi Manchu |
| 2013 | Annayum Rasoolum | Malayalam | Andrea Jeremiah |
| 2021 | Maara | Tamil | Shraddha Srinath |
| 2021 | Nizhal | Malayalam | Nayanthara |

## Awards and nominations

She has won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil and the Vijay Award for Best Female Playback Singer for singing "Nenjukkulle" from Kadal.
Following is a list of Awards won by Shakthisree
* Won – Femina Award-Women of Power
* Won – Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil – "Nenjukkulle" – Kadal
* Won – Radio Mirchi Music Awards Vocalist of the Year
* Won – SIIMA Award Best Playback Singer Female Tamil
* Won – The Pride of Tamil Nadu Award
* Won – Vijay Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Nenjukkulle" – Kadal
* Won – SIIMA Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Telugu – "Ammaadi" – Hi Nanna
* Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil – "Naan Nee" – Madras
* Nominated-Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil – "Bhoomi Bhoomi" – Chekka Chivantha Vaanam
* Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Telugu – "Ammaadi" – Hi Nanna
* Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil – "Aga Naga" – Ponniyin Selvan: II
* Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil – "Nenjame Nenjame" – Maamannan
* Nominated – SIIMA Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Tamil – "Bhoomi Bhoomi" – Chekka Chivantha Vaanam
* Nominated – Vijay Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Naan Nee" – Madras