Introduction
This is continuation of our young singer series where we select young talents from all over India based on nominations from the community. As always, it gives immense happiness when this process involves excellent nominations and the selection goes to a single singer that showed the readiness to a singing career. The simple rule that stood as a main measure is talent and the readiness for a singing career.
Athira is our choice, for several reasons.Throughout the process of interacting with her, It was really nice to see that she dared to dream big and said she wanted to write her own songs and music. Joined with friends she wanted to give music to her own songs and do covers. She stood out among many we screened for this position. Many of her responses to the questions were outstanding in its thought process and were very coherent. Please read on to find a very self made, confident young Athira with very distinct views on her music. It is really a blessing to find young singer like her and there is nothing more that makes us happy about presenting Athira’s music for all you guys.
Athira’s social media links
On Insta you can find Athira here https://www.instagram.com/stories/athira_k_unni
On YouTube you can find her in two places, both links are added here.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5dAhF3opFPfnBMunIaFjrQ/featured
Please Introduce yourself for the readers
Athira K Unni, that is my name and I am from the cultural capital of Kerala, Thrissur. Exactly from Machad (It is a small hamlet for around 24 km away from Thrissur). I have recently completed my Bachelor’s degree in Bachelors in Commerce, from St. Thomas college, Thrissur which is nationally accredited A Grade College. Currently I am preparing for the CMA (Cost Management Accountant) final examinations.
“My father Mr. Unnikrishnan is a retired army person who worked for Border Security Force, India, and my mom is Mrs. Sreedevi, a homemaker. I have no siblings, I am the only daughter.” Athira breaks into a big laugh.
What are your earliest memories of getting familiar with singing and your earlier interactions with music?
“From a very young age itself I used to sing freely, while listening to some of my favorite songs. My mom says she realized then itself my inner urge to sing and my passion towards music. My father was a good musician all the way. He is an untrained singer also used to play piano, tabla, flute and he had a music band. Thus there is some music in my bringing up. Everybody supported me a lot and that played a huge role in building my confidence. I really liked singing for others at my small age itself. As I said, my dad used to have his own band and thus music was plenty around. I studied for my schools at various schools, including Bhathiia Vidya Bhavan, where I had ample opportunities to develop my artistic side along with studies. I changed my schools later in years. All my schools play a huge role in my music and singing. I live far from the main city, anything I need to get access I need to travel quite a bit.”
How was your music nurtured over the years go stage by stage and try to say school, college, friends
I started learning carnatic music at around age six. My first guru was Mrs. Geetha Sethudas who was my neighbor and really must say she molded me as a singer. She was my all time music companion who helped me to learn Carnatic basics. I must say that she was the reason for my successful music journey. I used to participate in school level competitions for Carnatic music and light music more than anything and with god’s grace I was able to grow through music competitions and small concerts.
During school days, as a part of Kerala State level festivals, I had won prizes (second position in light music female) which took my music career to next level. Those were really great achievements at that level, overcoming intense competition. My college days were superb and cool with a lot of music memories. I was more attracted to music than to my college lectures. I am proud that I was one among the leaders of St.Thomas college, Eastern Band. There were gigs, stage programs and competitions between different groups (Dzone, Interzone, south zone etc). Last year, I represented Calicut University for Indian group song at Chennai Alagappa University. I am happy to say that I had an amazing music life there and cherish all those moments of singing and learning.
Talk to us about your classical music training?
I learned classical music for about eight years, from my guru Mrs. Geetha Sethu das. I studied Keerthanams and Varnams. There were gaps in between now and that intense study period. The high school graduation made a big stop due to pressures on study. I myself found it difficult to give so much attention to both. I continued my training from two gurus, Mr. Jagadeesh who is an amazing Carnatic trainer and Mrs. Sowmya Nambeesan for two years where I concentrated on my further training in music. Smule is my other guru which gives me the opportunity to practice and learn music the way I want. Smule helped me in nurturing my talent, and made me think about taking up music seriously.
What do you think about insisting that training in classical music is important ? Either way you substantiate your claim with examples
“Yes, I agree that training in classical music is important because Indian classical music provides a good and strong foundation which is of utmost importance to any aspiring musician. Hence a person who is trained in the classical music forms will have less difficulty in trying out other styles of music like folk, movie songs and western. Classical music includes both Hindustani and Karnatic music. The best examples for this are famous singers like Lata Mangeshkar, Yesudas, Chithra, Shreya Ghoshal and many more famous singers. Many newcomers also seem to have taken note of this fact and have started learning classical music. So learning classical music makes it easier to sing a song. At the same time insisting to learn Carnatic music doesn’t always help to sing all kinds of songs. For example light music, it should have a kind of feel of expression.”
What does music mean to you?
Music is always my stress reliever and my companion, who will make me happy. Music is a divine blessing where singers and musicians are themselves gifts from God by entertaining from their hearts with love. Music must be respected with love because they refresh our minds in every possible way. I will sing all my life no matter whatever happens.
As a woman artist do you think you were not given enough respect from peers? if you think there is such a trend in India’s playback industry, what is your opinion about it?
No, I don’t think so. There is nothing like gender disparity being a male or a female singer. I believe if you are talented and are much confident then everything will be on the right track. One has to have a lot of patience, and face struggles. There are many upcoming singers who are female singers as well. So nothing like lack of support and such talk. I being a girl, a female singer did not feel such things from anywhere.
Are you a socially responsible artist? Either way tell more about what it means to you?
I believe that to a limited extent, all artists have a social responsibility to uphold in the creation and presentation of their works of art. Being an artist they should have a commitment to the society to present good quality music.
If you are famous and asked to stand for an issue that matters to the world, what would be your stand?
Not afraid at all for an issue matter to me or others; because this is our land and if we are going through any kind of issue we all are having equal right to stand for the truth. No need to be afraid about what’s gonna happen in future, live life without much concern on future. Today is a gift and live it to the truth as much as possible.
What are your concerns about the current music industry?
Overall I see a positive outlook. Lots of new music directors, singers and some of them from the Malayalam music industry are very promising musicians who can do wonders. I think all we need is to support them and appreciate their talent.
What are your current music activities locally?
“I have done lot of on stage programs, gigs with my college band and started doing some music covers as a part of my passion and among them one of my music cover of the song “Madhupole peytha mazhaye” published by Pattu-petty has gone viral and got much recognition from people. I would like to do more such collaborations in future. Let’s hope for the best. I want to give music to lyrics and sing my own covers. I am working now with few friends to make my own albums and post on my YouTube channel. Need all the support from all you guys. Please visit my YouTube Channel at the link and subscribe and listen.”
Why do we have to have good lyrics in songs? either way substantiate your answer with examples
I believe that lyrics are quite important for one to express the feelings through music. If we don’t know the meaning of a song, how we will convey those emotions through a song! Our old gems lyrics by ONV Kurup sir, Vayalar are my all time favorites.
World music? strange or familiar? any thoughts?
I am not a good listener of songs in different languages. My world is confined to listening to Tamil, Hindi and of course Malayalam.
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a singer/musician?
Yes, as a singer I want to learn more classical music. I always try to improvise a song, rather than learning the original track. My weakness is my lack of listening to songs of different languages. I want to improve my playlist of different genres.
List all your fav singers music directors both male female.
My all time favorite female singer goes to Shreya Ghoshal, the one with an amazing voice and next goes to Chittaramma, such a divine singer.
In male category it is Hariharan ji, SPB sir and the list goes on..
Favorite music director is always the legend in music composer A.R. Rahman sir, and I love to listen Jayachandran sir and Sarath sir in Malayalam industry because they always touch Mallus heart through their compositions, Vidyasagar ji too is my favorite.
Let us hear some outstanding songs from her Smule profile. She sings mainly in Malayalam and thus songs here hopefully transcending beyond language barriers. These are best of Malayalam’s music directors and lyricists that Athira picked for all you guys.
Tharam Vaal Kanndi Noki (It roughly means A star is looking into the mirror made from the tail of a shooting star, in a full moon light). The songs lyrics are written by poet Kaithapram. Sung by K. S. Chithra and hear in Athira’s beautiful voice. Amazing details in here.
Vaarmukile Vanil Nee | MAZHA | K. S. Chitra| Athira K Unni| Smule featured artist| Lyrics : Yusufali Kecheri, Music : Raveendran Master. Listen this beautiful melody in even more melodious voice of Athira.
Music : Johnson, Lyrics: Kaithapram |Mounasarovarm| Chitra|Music : Johnson|Athira K Unni Cover| Smule featured artist|The lyrics of this song is made in heaven.
“Baale” unfolds the unfathomable beauty and dimensions of womanhood waxing poetic on its audio-visual narrative. Written and directed by Shruthi Namboodiri, “Baale” has been composed and sung by Sudeep Palanad, founding members of World Music Festival Foundation, that has produced “Baale”. Hear this beautiful song in the voice of Athira.
Song – Enthinaay Nin Music Director – Raveendran Lyrics – Sarath Vayalar Singers – K. S. Chitra. Another beautiful gem of a composition from Malayalam movies in Athira’s beautiful voice.
Hai Rama Yeh Kya Hua, original Artists A.R. Rahman, Hariharan, Sujatha. Joined here by Sangeeth Krishnan, a featured artist and peer on the young artist selection for the blog. It is a short one.
Tamil song, Malargale unplugged by Athira. Beautiful this is, give a listen. She made it her own.
An old Malayalam song sung originally by S. Janaki, and here is a short version of it in Athira’s voice.
Another excellent composition from Malayalam. Film : Ivan Megharoopan
Lyrics : ONV Kurup, Music : Sarath, Singer : Swetha Mohan. Excellent rendition of this very unique song from Sarath in Athira’s voice.
END NOTES
When finish writing about Athira the main thought comes to mind is her maturity in views, musicality that was evident in song selections and a focused direction for a career in music. She is at par with many other excellent talents we presented in the past. A very strong consistent performance in her Smule profile is evidence of this. We are placing Athira among one of the finest young talents we came across in a long time. Please follow on her profile as Athi_pallavi and encourage her.
Next week is a break and Athira may come Live on one of the group platforms or other social media links and will be singing K. S. Chitra songs for all you guys. Please stay tuned for the time and details next weekend and join her live jam to encourage her music. Happy Independence week to all Fellow India singers. Jai hind.
