Binni Krishnakumar

Binni Krishnakumar (born 10 June 1974) is an Indian Carnatic musician, playback singer, Bharatanatyam dancer and a television personality. Regarded as a prominent vocalist, she has performed at all major sabhas (music organisations) in India and has released over 100 classical albums. Besides, she has performed as a Bharatanatyam dancer across various arenas. She is the recipient of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (2012) and Kalaimamani award (2020) presented by the Government of Tamil Nadu

Binni is also known for her work as a playback singer in Tamil and Malayalam cinema, particularly for her song, "Raa Raa" composed by Vidyasagar for the 2005 film Chandramukhi for which she won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer. She has featured in several television reality shows, both as a contestant and judge, such as Top Cooku Dupe Cooku, Cooku with Comali, Samayal Samayal with Venkatesh Bhat, Top Singer and Super Singer.

Early life and background

Binny was born to K. N. Ramachandran and Santha Ramachandran in Thodupuzha, Kerala. She comes from a distinguished musical lineage and began learning Carnatic Music (Vocal) at the age of seven under Vidwan Thiruvizha Surendran. She has five siblings who are all pursuing their careers as music teachers. She received the National Talent Scholarship and came under the tutelage of Thamarakkad Govindan Namboothiri. She pursued her B.A and M.A degrees in Music from the University of Kerala. During her post graduation, she was mentored by violinist B. Sasikumar and Prof. Neyyattinkara Mohanachandran at Thiruvananthapuram.

Binny's earliest recognition came in 1989 when she bagged the "Kalaathilakam" title at the Kerala State Youth Festival Committee. She further pursued M. Phil in music at Kamaraj University, Madurai and secured first grade. Binni is a B-High grade artist at the All India Radio and performs regularly during cultural and Government organized ceremonies.

Career

Carnatic music

Binny started her public concerts while she was pursuing her graduation at the Youth festivals organized by the university. She was conferred upon many honors and prizes post her performances. Post her marriage to Krishnakumar in 1999, the couple have been performing extensively across India and internationally, with concerts in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Singapore, among other countries. The duo have performed together in more than 150 shows across various countries and consider themselves as disciples of eminent vocalist M. Balamuralikrishna.

Playback singing

Binny's career as a playback singer began in 2004 with the song "Yamunayum" composed by M. Jayachandran for the Malayalam film Amrutham. However, she reached her popularity when Vidyasagar invited her to record "Raa Raa Sarasaku Raa Raa" for the film Chandramukhi (2005). The song was an immediate success and earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer.

She continued to collaborate with M. Jayachandran, Ilaiyaraaja, Ouseppachan and Vidyasagar on several popular songs in films such as Boyy Friennd (2005), SMS (2008), Thozhi (2009), Thambi Vettothi Sundaram (2011) and Sangharshana (2011). She has also recorded songs for films in other South Indian languages, including Kannada and Telugu.

Personal life

Binny is married to K. Krishnakumar who is a classical vocalist and a composer. They have two children and her daughter Sivaangi Krishnakumar is an actress and playback singer. Binny has mentored as a musical Guru for younger playback singers, namely Swetha Mohan, Gopika Poornima and Kalyani Nair.

Discography

Films

Albums

Television

Binny has appeared as a guest judge in various reality TV music talent shows such as Super Singer, Top Singer, Jaya Super Singer South India, Start Music, Super Singer Junior, often aired on Tamil and Malayalam TV channels. She has also appeared as a contestant and guest in several other shows such as Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, Top Cooku Dupe Cooku, Cooku with Comali, Samayal Samayal with Venkatesh Bhat.

Titles, awards and other recognition

Binny is a "Top Rank" graded artist of Akashvani and All India Radio, Chennai. She won the Kalaimamani award from the Government of Tamil Nadu in 2020, along with her husband Krishnakumar. During her career, She has been bestowed with numerous other titles and won numerous other awards and prizes.