Yuvan Shankar Raja (born 31 August 1979) is an Indian singer-songwriter, film score and soundtrack composer, and occasional lyricist from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He composed music for Tamil films like his father Ilaiyaraaja. He began his career at the age of 16, when he composed the film music for Aravindhan. 
Then after a long break he composed for "Thulluvatho Ilamai" in the year 2001. Within 15 years, Yuvan Shankar Raja has worked on over 100 films. Considered a multi-talented composer. He is particularly known for his use of western music elements and often credited with having introduced Hip hop to the Tamil film and music industry and having started the "era of remixes" in Tamil Nadu.

Early life
Born on 31 August 1979, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu into a Tamil family, Yuvan Shankar Raja is the third and youngest child of musician and film composer Ilaiyaraaja and his late wife Jeeva. He is the younger brother of music director Karthik Raja and playback singer & music director Bhavatharini. His father as well as his siblings have sung many songs under his direction. Yuvan Shankar did his schooling at St. Bede's Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School in Chennai, and discontinued his education after his tenth class. He started learning music from Jacob Master, attending piano classes at "Musee Musical" in Chennai, which is affiliated to Trinity College in London, UK.

Discography
As composer

Lyricist

Non-film works
 Television
 Perai Solla Vaa
 Panchavarnakili
 Ananda Bhavan
 Ladies Club-Senior Junior.

Albums
 1999 – The Blast

Theatre
 2014 – Chicago upcoming

Awards
 Cyprus International Film Festival
 Best Musical Score Feature Film for Raam (2006)

 South Indian International Movie Awards
 SIIMA Award for Best Playback Singer – Telugu for Panjaa (2012)

 Filmfare Awards South
 Best Music Director – Tamil for 7G Rainbow Colony (2004)
 Special Jury Award for Oy! (2009)
 Nominated, Best Music Director – Tamil for Paruthiveeran
 Nominated, Best Music Director – Telugu for Aadavari Matalaku Ardhalu Verule (2007)
 Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Tamil for Yaaradi Nee Mohini (2008)
 Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Tamil for Paiyaa (2010)
 Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Tamil for Naan Mahaan Alla (2010)
 Nominated, Best Male Playback Singer – Tamil for "Iragai Pole" – Naan Mahaan Alla (2010)
 Nominated, Best Male Playback Singer – Tamil for "Kadal Rasa" – Maryan (2013)

 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
 Best Music Director for Pattiyal (2006)
 Best Music Director for Paiyaa (2010)

 Vijay Awards
 Favourite Song of the Year for "En Kadhal Solla" (Paiyaa) (2010)
 Best Background Score for Aaranya Kaandam (2011)
 Best Background Score (2012)
 Best Male Playback Singer for "Kadal Rasa" (Maryan) (2013) 
 Nominated, Best Music Director for Paruthiveeran (2007)
 Nominated, Vijay Award for Best Music Director for Saroja (2008)
 Nominated, Vijay Award for Best Music Director for Siva Manasula Sakthi (2009)
 Nominated, Vijay Award for Best Music Director for Paiyaa (2010)
 Nominated, Vijay Award for Best Music Director for Kazhugu (2012)
 Nominated, Vijay Award for Best Music Director for Anjaan (2014)

 Other awards
 Ananda Vikatan Award for Best Composer of the Year (2007)
 Ananda Vikatan Award for Best Male Playback Singer of the Year for "Neethane" (Sarvam) (2009)
 Swarna Saravanan Excellence in Music Award (2013)
 Big FM Tamil Entertainment Awards – Most Entertaining Music Director of the Year Award for Paiyaa (2011)
 Big Tamil Melody Award for Most popular composer-director
 Big Tamil Melody Award for Best Background Score for Aaranya Kaandam (2011)
 Cinema Rasigargal Sangam Best Music Director Award for Billa (2007)
 CJA Cine Critics' Best Music Director Award for Kattradhu Thamizh (2007)
 GAMA Tollywood Music Awards
Nominated, Best Music Director – Telugu for Govindudu Andarivadele (2015)
 GV South Indian Cinematographers Association (SICA) Best Music Director Award (2007)
 Isaiyaruvi Tamil Music Awards
 Isaiyaruvi Album of the Year – Paruthiveeran (2007)
 Isaiyaruvi Best Folk Song of the Year – "Oororam Puliyamaram" (Paruthiveeran) (2007)
 Miranda Crazy Song of the Year – "Saroja Saamaan Nikalo" (Chennai 600028) (2007)
 Isaiyaruvi Sensational Youth Album – Silambattam (2008)
 Crazy Song of the Year – "Where Is The Party" (Silambattam) (2008)
 Isaiyaruvi Best Remix Song of the Year – "Vechikkava" (Silambattam) (2008)
 Jayam Charitable Trust Film Music Awards
 Best Sensational Musician (2007)
 Best Singer of the Year Special Award for "Arabu Naade" (Thottal Poo Malarum) (shared with Haricharan) (2007)
 Medimix-Dinakaran Best Music Director Award for Manmadhan (2004)
 Mirchi Music Awards South
 Mirchi Music Award for Best Music Composer of the Year for "Oru Kal Oru Kannadi" (Siva Manasula Sakthi) (2009)
 Mirchi Music Award for Best Album of the Year for Paiyaa (2010)
 Mirchi Music Award for Mirchi Listeners' Choice – Best Song of the Year for "En Kadhal Solla" (Paiyaa) (2010)
 Mirchi Music Award for Mirchi Listeners' Choice – Best Album of the Year for Paiyaa (2010)
 Spell Bound Best Music Director Award for Vallavan (2006)
 Vijay Music Awards
 Best Singer with the Maximum Hits of 2010
 Popular Duet of the Year – "Idhu Varai" (Goa) (2011)
 Popular Song sung by a Music Director – "En Kadhal Solla" (Paiyaa) (2011)
 Mirchi Listeners Choice of the Year – "Thuli Thuli" (Paiyaa) (2011)

References

Tamil musicians
Tamil singers
Bollywood playback singers