K (composer) explained

K
Birth Name:Krishna Kumar
Alias:K
Birth Date:1987 1, df=yes
Origin:Chennai
Years Active:2010–present

Krishna Kumar, better known by his stage name K, is an Indian music composer.[1]

Background

K did his schooling at Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan, Chennai, where he took lessons in playing the keyboard. He quickly progressed and finished Grade 8 certificate exams in music with the Trinity College of Music, London. K graduated in genetic engineering (BTech) from SRM University, Chennai.

His musical talent found an outlet when he joined his first rock band aged 12, and then played with a successful funk/rock and roll band ‘Panatella’ for several years after that. He moved to creating jingles for advertisements and corporate films, singing several songs for the same.

Music career

In the year 2010, K was brought on board for director Mysskin's film Yuddham Sei. The film's sound track was a hit. He then composed for Mysskin's Mugamoodi starring Jiiva. His next big career break came when famed cinematographer Rajeev Ravi roped him for his directorial venture in Malayalam, Annayum Rasoolum. The movie went on to become a cult favourite.

He marked his debut in Bollywood with the Hindi remake of the hit Tamil film Pizza, by composing the background score of the movie.[2] In 2015, the film Kirumi opened to positive response subsequently becoming one of the most acclaimed Tamil films of the year.

Almost for the entire first half of the year 2016, K was working on the Dulquer Salmaan starrer Malayalam film Kammatipaadam, his second collaboration with Rajeev Ravi.[3] K's background score for the film too received tremendous praise, with a reviewer saying "Composer K's music peps up these action sequences. With his adrenaline igniting music, he even manages to make the sight of bones cracking look cool. He is to Rajeev Ravi what Amit Trivedi and Sneha Khanwalker were to Anurag Kashyap in Gangs Of Wasseypur".[4]

Kallapadam, directed by debutant Vadivelu, was the first film in which K was featured on-screen. He had previously turned down a role in his first film 'Yuddham Sei', but had agreed to play one of the leads in Kallapadam.

Directed by M.Manikandan of Kaaka Muttai and Kutrame Dhandanai fame, Aandavan Kattalai, his next major release was very well received. The music for the film, including the 9 songs, was supplemented by a background score where the lyrics of the songs were based on the dialogues on screen.[5] In 2017, a Telugu remake of the film was made by Chinni Krishna, named London Babulu, which featured music re-used from K's Tamil original. The remake only featured 5 out of the 9 tracks from the original.[6]

Ammani, Lakshmy Ramakrishnan's 3rd film as a director, was released a month later amidst mounds of praises. The film received laurels from all sides, much to the surprise of the director who has been vocal in interviews about her expectations of a more neural response towards the film. The background music of the film was handled very maturely, leaving a lot of silent spaces, so as to not disturb the emotional and poignant storyline. The highlight of the Ammani album was 'Mazhai Ingillaye', sung by the prodigious Vaikom Vijayalakshmi, who rendered the song pitch perfect, adding to the unique blend of Carnatic music and synth sounds.[7] [8] [9]

In 2016, K composed the background score for N. Padmakumar's 'A Billion Colour Story' which won several awards and accolades worldwide, including Best Feature, LIFF, London, and Best Feature Audience Award, IFF, Los Angeles.[10] [11] [12]

In 2017, Sankalp Reddy's[13] Ghazi (The Ghazi Attack) was released to raving reviews from viewers and critics alike.[14] [15] Produced by PVP Cinema, the film was released in three languages – Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi. The Hindi version of the film was distributed by Karan Johar’s[16] Production House – Dharma Productions.[17] K[18] [19] received widespread appreciation[20] At the 65th National Film Awards 2018, the film won the Best Feature Film in Telugu.[21]

Anando Brahma, a Telugu horror-comedy directed by Mahi V Raghav starring Taapsee Pannu, was released on 18 August 2017. K composed the music for the film.[22] [23] The promo song features Malgudi Subha[24] and is a rendition of a Mohammed Rafi song from 1970.[25]

K has worked on the music of Telugu film[26] Yatra – a biographical film about Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy. The film is written and directed by Mahi V. Raghav and stars Mammootty as YSR.[27] [28]

In 2019, K agreed to compose for Prasanna Vithanage’s off-beat Sinhala film Gaadi which premiered at Busan International Film Festival in October 2019.[29] [30] [31]

In late 2019, he was also signed by Mani Ratnam's Madras Talkies to compose the background score of Vaanam Kottattum, written and produced by Mani Ratnam and directed by his protege, Dhana Sekhar.

K has composed the music for the 2023 German Documentary, Sara Mardini – Gegen den Strom directed by Charlie Wai Feldman.[32] K composed the music for the 2023 British documentary ‘Neither Confirm nor Deny’ a British directed by Philip Carter.[33]

K composed the background score for veteran director Prasanna Vithanage's film Paradise, presented by Mani Ratnam and Madras Talkies.[34] The film stars Roshan Mathew, Darshana Rajendran, Shyam Fernando, and Mahendra Perera. It premiered at the 2023 Busan International Film Festival, winning the Kim Jiseok Award for Best Film and the Prix du Jury Lycéen at the Vesoul International Film Festival in February 2024.[35] Paradise is set for release in India in June 2024.[36]

K also composed the score for Atul Sabharwal's film Berlin (2022), starring Rahul Bose, Aparshakti Khurana, and Ishwak Singh.[37]

Film discography

Feature films

Indian films

List of K Indian film credits
YearTitleLanguageNotes
2011 Yuddham Sei
2012 Mugamoodi
Aarohanam
2013 Annayum Rasoolum Malayalam
Onbadhule Guru Tamil
2014 Mahabalipuram
Kaadu
Pizza Background music only
2015 Cartoon Malayalam
49-O Tamil
Kallappadam also actor (as Himself)
Kirumi
2016 Ammani
Aandavan Kattalai
Kammatipaadam Malayalam
A Billion Colour Story English
2017 The Ghazi Attack
Anando Brahma Telugu
London Babulu Remake of Aandavan Kattalai. Same music re-used.
2019 Yatra
Kallan Tamil
2020 Vaanam Kottattum Background music only
2022 Panni Kutty
Berlin Hindi
2023 Thuramukham Malayalam
Paradise

Foreign films

Documentaries

List of K documentary film credits
YearTitleLanguage
2016 Silence in the Courts
2017 Is it too much to ask Tamil
2017 The Talwars – Behind Closed Doors English
2023 Sara Mardini – Gegen den Strom German
2023 Neither Confirm Nor Deny English

Awards

'Best Background Score' – Yuddham Sei at the 2013 BIG 92.7FM Tamil Melody Awards (2013).[38]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Manigandan . K. R. . 2 August 2012 . Shot Cuts . . 11 August 2023 . 11 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230811050725/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/shot-cuts/article3717602.ece . live.
  2. Web site: 'An Actor's Life is very Demanding' . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140407143516/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/An-Actor%E2%80%99s-Life-is-very-Demanding/2014/03/04/article2088586.ece . 7 April 2014 . 1 April 2014.
  3. Web site: Anurag Kashyap is all praise for Dulquer Salmaans Kammattipaadam . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160528160723/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/anurag-kashyap-dulquer-salmaan-kammattipaadam-rajeev-ravi/1/678520.html . 28 May 2016 . 27 May 2016.
  4. Web site: 21 May 2016 . Kammattipadam Review: A Tale Of Blood & Fire . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160526031707/http://silverscreen.in/malayalam/reviews/kammattipadam-review-a-tale-of-blood-fire/ . 26 May 2016 . 26 May 2016 . Silverscreen.in.
  5. News: Vasudevan . K. V. . 24 September 2016 . 'I don't want to be a one-film wonder' . The Hindu . live . 4 November 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160924115823/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/composer-k-talks-about-aandavan-kattalai-and-why-he-is-very-choosy-about-his-films/article9142691.ece . 24 September 2016 . 0971-751X.
  6. News: Swathi Reddy gets a pat from London Babulu maker Maruthi . The Times of India . live . 2 November 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180113225646/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/swathi-reddy-gets-a-pat-from-london-babulu-maker-maruthi/articleshow/59180649.cms . 13 January 2018.
  7. News: Music Review: Ammani . The Times of India . live . 4 November 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161127014053/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/Music-Review-Ammani/articleshow/54831169.cms . 27 November 2016.
  8. News: Rangan . Baradwaj . 14 October 2016 . Ammani – Mother superior . The Hindu . 4 November 2016 . 0971-751X . 11 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230811050729/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/Ammani-%E2%80%94-Mother-superior/article16072056.ece . live.
  9. News: 13 October 2016 . Ammani review: Good performances in a weather-beaten plot . Hindustan Times . live . 4 November 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161112035142/http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/ammani-review-good-performances-in-a-weather-beaten-plot/story-8pMkw9LlTlOL5uNxj0w2uL.html . 12 November 2016.
  10. Web site: A BILLION COLOUR STORY IFFLA . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170824193048/http://www.indianfilmfestival.org/a-billion-colour-story/ . 24 August 2017 . 24 August 2017 . www.indianfilmfestival.org.
  11. News: Rubin . Rebecca . 30 June 2017 . 'A Billion Colour Story' Wins Top Prize at London Indian Film Festival . Variety . live . 24 August 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170824180418/http://variety.com/2017/film/news/a-billion-colour-story-wins-top-prize-london-indian-film-festival-1202484465/ . 24 August 2017.
  12. News: 'A Billion Colour Story' film wins top award at UK festival . The Times of India . live . 24 August 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170926133113/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/a-billion-colour-story-film-wins-top-award-at-uk-festival/articleshow/59397990.cms . 26 September 2017.
  13. News: Rana to act in India's first submarine film . The Times of India . live . 3 April 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170820004911/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Rana-to-act-in-Indias-first-submarine-film/articleshow/48745988.cms . 20 August 2017.
  14. News: The Ghazi Attack Review : Despite the hitches, this underwater thriller is worth a watch . The Times of India . 3 April 2017.
  15. News: 15 February 2017 . The Ghazi Attack movie review: Nothing shrill about Rana Daggubati's patriotism . hindustantimes.com/ . live . 3 April 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170404044908/http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/the-ghazi-attack-movie-review-a-fine-war-film-with-some-brilliant-performances/story-MmopXhhpwlZVd0VXmiQwgN.html . 4 April 2017.
  16. News: 19 October 2016 . Karan Johar to distribute Ghazi . . live . 3 April 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161022122233/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/191016/karan-johar-to-distribute-ghazi.html . 22 October 2016.
  17. News: 25 October 2016 . Karan Johar to distribute Rana Daggubati's Ghazi in Hindi . The Indian Express . live . 3 April 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170220154531/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/karan-johar-to-distribute-rana-daggubatis-ghazi-in-hindi-3102580/ . 20 February 2017.
  18. News: 6 December 2016 . Music director K makes his Telugu-Hindi debut . . live . 3 April 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170404051752/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/061216/music-director-k-makes-his-telugu-hindi-debut.html . 4 April 2017.
  19. News: 18 May 2016 . Interview with K – "Aandavan Kattalai is an exciting prospect for me" . Only Kollywood . live . 3 April 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170429065114/http://www.onlykollywood.com/interview-with-k-aandavan-kattalai-is-an-exciting-prospect-for-me/ . 29 April 2017.
  20. News: The Ghazi Attack movie review: A spectacular Indian war film . live . 3 April 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170401041702/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/the-ghazi-attack-movie-review-rana-daggubati-taapsee-pannu-kay-kay/1/884056.html . 1 April 2017.
  21. Web site: 13 April 2018 . 65th National Film Awards LIVE: Sridevi Posthumously Awarded Best Actress; Vinod Khanna Honoured With Dada Saheb Phalke Award . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180414010453/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/65th-national-film-awards-live-sridevi-posthumously-awarded-best-actress-vinod-khanna-honoured-with-dada-saheb-phalke-award-1717053.html . 14 April 2018 . 29 November 2019 . News18.
  22. News: 27 May 2017 . Anando Brahma first look: Taapsee Pannu returns to Telugu cinema with a horror-comedy . The Indian Express . live . 5 August 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170805220929/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/anando-brahma-first-look-taapsee-pannu-returns-to-telugu-cinema-with-a-horror-comedy-4676345/ . 5 August 2017.
  23. News: Trailer of 'Anando Brahma' starring Taapsee Pannu is out and is quite quirky . The Times of India . live . 17 August 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170725213558/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/trailer-of-anando-brahma-starring-taapsee-pannu-is-out-and-is-quite-quirky/articleshow/59682025.cms . 25 July 2017.
  24. News: Naa Madhi Ninnu: The latest video song from Taapsee Pannu's Anando Brahma is spooky . Pinkvilla South . live . 14 August 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200805214532/https://regional.pinkvilla.com/telugu/news/naa-madhi-ninnu-latest-video-song-taapsee-pannus-anando-brahma-spooky/ . 5 August 2020.
  25. News: 12 August 2017 . Anando Brahma song Naa Madhi Ninnu: If Taapsee Pannu is a ghost, and so pretty, we are ready to confront her. Watch video . The Indian Express . live . 14 August 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170814101328/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/taapsee-pannu-anando-brahma-song-naa-madhi-ninnu-4793480/ . 14 August 2017.
  26. Web site: kavirayani . suresh . 14 April 2018 . Ghazi wins national award . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191216162502/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/140418/ghazi-wins-national-award.html . 16 December 2019 . 16 December 2019 . Deccan Chronicle.
  27. News: Powerful teaser of Mahi V Raghav and Mammootty's 'Yatra' released! . The Times of India . live . 12 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181009121031/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/powerful-teaser-of-mahi-v-raghav-and-mammoottys-yatra-released/articleshow/64903454.cms . 9 October 2018.
  28. News: Mammootty starts shoot for YSR biopic Yatra; movie to release during Sankaranti 2019 . Firstpost . live . 12 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180709155126/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/mammootty-starts-shoot-for-ysr-biopic-yatra-movie-to-release-during-sankaranti-2019-4562121.html . 9 July 2018.
  29. Web site: 19 October 2019 . A film questioning identity politics . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191021092508/https://indiansapidnews.com/world/a-film-questioning-identity-politics/ . 21 October 2019 . 20 January 2020 . Indiansapidnews.com.
  30. Web site: Ramnath . Nandini . 3 October 2019 . In Sri Lankan film 'Gaadi', a searing exposition of the caste system across the Palk Straits . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191208061952/https://scroll.in/reel/939270/in-sri-lankan-film-gaadi-a-searing-exposition-of-the-caste-system-across-the-palk-straits . 8 December 2019 . 20 January 2020 . Scroll.in.
  31. Web site: In Sri Lankan film 'Gaadi', a searing exposition of the caste system across the Palk Straits . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191021092505/https://www.srilankafoundation.org/newsfeed/in-sri-lankan-film-gaadi-a-searing-exposition-of-the-caste-system-across-the-palk-straits/ . 21 October 2019 . 20 January 2020 . Sri Lanka Foundation.
  32. Web site: Sara Mardini – Gegen Den Strom • Dokumentarfilm • mindjazz pictures . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230322053930/https://mindjazz-pictures.de/filme/sara-mardini-gegen-den-strom/ . 22 March 2023 . 22 March 2023 . mindjazz pictures . de-DE.
  33. Web site: NEITHER CONFIRM NOR DENY . 21 August 2023 . DOC NYC . en-US.
  34. Web site: SDM . Bash . 25 May 2023 . Paradise – Newton Cinema . 16 February 2024 . newtoncinema.com . en-GB.
  35. Web site: Uniindia News Service . Newton Cinema's Paradise wins Prix du Jury Lycéen at Vesoul International Film Festival . 16 February 2024.
  36. Web site: 2024-06-24 . Filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage's 'Paradise' screening graced by Roshan Mathew, Darshana Rajendran, Jasmeet K Reen . 2024-06-25 . Firstpost . en-us.
  37. Web site: BERLIN . 16 February 2024 . IFFLA . en-US.
  38. News: 3 September 2013 . Music awards . . live . subscription . https://web.archive.org/web/20140407090533/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/music-awards/article5090509.ece . 7 April 2014.

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