Shakthisree Gopalan

Multitalented, multilingual and multidisciplinary, Shakthisree Gopalan is a prolific Indian playback singer as well as a respected independent singer-songwriter. • Born to a Tamil family in Kochi, Kerala, Gopalan combined her studies with a passion for music in a childhood steeped in Carnatic music. • She made her film soundtrack debut in 2008 at the age of 20, collaborating with Rahul Nambiar on “Sorgam Madhuvilae”, a song from A. Lakshmikanthan’s thriller TN 07 AL 4777. • As a trained architect who obtained her degree in Chennai, Kaur’s two passions collided when she was commissioned to design the legendary composer A. R. Rahman’s music academy, KM Music Conservatory in Arumbakkam. • What began as an architectural collaboration blossomed into a musical one, with Gopalan becoming a regular fixture on Rahman’s soundtracks, including those for Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Kadal and 24. • She won both the Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Female Playback Singer in 2014 and the Vijay Award for Best Female Playback Singer in 2013 for “Nenjukkule”, her song on the Kadal soundtrack. • Away from her playback work, Gopalan is a respected figure in South India’s independent music scene, releasing a slew of intricately arranged and emotionally arresting solo singles such as “Phir Wahin” and “Nee Podhumey”. • Stylistically, Gopalan is versatile and adventurous, incorporating pop, jazz, trip-hop and R&B inflections into her songwriting. She has fronted two different Chennai bands: Off the Record and The Pyjama Conspiracy. • Her work in playback and film continues apace—she sang on both the Telugu and Tamil dubs of the 2019 remake of The Lion King, and also performs in Malayalam and English.