Unnikrishnan and Uthra | Photo courtesy: Thamodharan B
Unnikrishnan hums the tune of ‘Narumugaye’ (Iruvar) while he is getting ready for the photoshoot. Uttara comes in and completes the photoshoot.
Music is a common topic of discussion at his ninth-floor sea-facing residence on ECR.
And why not? In 1994, Unnikrishnan won the National Award for the song ‘Ennavale’ from his debut film. Kadhlan. Twenty years later, in 2014, his daughter Uttara Unnikrishnan debuted in films with the track ‘Azhaage’. SaivamWhich also won the National Award.
Music dominates the conversation, but the father-duo also have other interests in common, like cricket and Chennai. “This city (Madras) made me a musician and also made me the person I am today,” says Unnikrishnan. He remembers travelling to school in buses 21C and 12B.
Uthara, on the other hand, loves driving from Muttukadu to her college in Nungambakkam almost every other day. “I love ECR and it’s really quiet. I get the best sleep here,” smiles Uthara, adding that she loves strolling with friends on Khader Nawaz Khan Road.
Unnikrishnan and Uthra | Photo courtesy: Thamodharan B
on a different pitch
While pursuing education and music, young Unnikrishnan had his eyes set on one thing: becoming a cricketer. “Cricket has always been my first love. I went to Santhome Higher Secondary School because of my cricketing skills, not my marks. Those two years really shaped my game; I then played for Tamil Nadu Colts and Madras Cricket Club First Division League. I remember playing with famous cricketers like Robin Singh, who was so fit that he would complete two runs before I could complete one. All my First Division matches were at Chepauk, which was a great opportunity. Even today, I look forward to spending time with sports,” he says.
Sports is nothing new for Uttara, she used to play a lot of cricket herself. But now she likes to delve deeper into matters of the mind; she is currently studying psychology at MOP College for Women. “I hope to combine it with music someday and explore music therapy,” she says.
Stepping into the movies
In Madras in the nineties, when Unnikrishnan was gaining popularity in the Carnatic music world, he got his first film break when AR Rahman offered him a song. Kadhlan. “Rajeev (Menon) had given him one of my classical albums and when the idea for this song came up, Rahman called me up. It was difficult to decide whether I should sing the song or not – as I am very fond of Carnatic concerts and I was worried whether singing a film song would affect that. Then I decided to give it a try.”
That shot brought Unnikrishnan fame and helped him win a National Award, which motivated him to do even better. “I wanted to prove myself in both Carnatic and film music. It was not easy, as Carnatic music critics were harshly critical of my decision to sing a film song. Someone even wrote: ‘Kedaram sedaram aayuduthu’, referring to the raga used in ‘Ennavale’. These were all stages of my journey, but I was sure of what I wanted to do.”
Uthara Unnikrishnan in a file photo
Uthara barely remembers the experience of recording ‘Azhaage’ in 2014. “I remember GV Prakash uncle gave me the lyrics and music of the song. At that time, I used to fight a lot with my mother over singing it!” She shot to fame after winning the National Award. “But it never affected me, because my parents left me on my own and never forced me to do anything.”
exploring new paths
The Unnikrishnan family now lives near the sea, but when Unnikrishnan was a child he studied at Asan Memorial and later Santhome Higher Secondary School, Mamallapuram, and the road leading there, now called ECR, was part of his school trips. “Today, we have everything in the neighbourhood. The views are amazing. After a tiring day, all you have to do is look at the sea….”
Uthra Unnikrishnan and Unnikrishnan in a file photo
He frequently visits the city to see his house in Royapettah, where he has lived for several decades. In fact, his apartment was once the family home, Kesari Kutiram, where Unnikrishnan’s great-grandfather, Dr KN Kesari, lived. “He (Dr KN Kesari) was an Ayurvedic physician and a great philanthropist who founded the Kesari High School in Mylapore and T Nagar. He was also a patron of the arts; in fact, the Music Academy was functioning in our residence for some time when the present building where it stands was being constructed,” recalls Unnikrishnan.
Unnikrishnan has one wish for Chennai: a state-of-the-art convention centre for the arts. “Chennai is a Mecca for classical and film music. The city has fantastic musicians and it would be wonderful to have a facility like the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre.” However, Uttara loves Chennai the way it is. “It has always been my home. I miss the wide roads though; I just wish the metro rail is completed soon so I can drive around in peace.”
