Nandini Srikar


Nandini Srikar is an Indian singer and performer. Her popular songs include Jo Bheji thi Duaa from the Bollywood movie, Shanghai, "Bhare Naina" from Ra.One and "Kannamma" from Rekka.

Early life

She was born in Hyderabad, India. She went to school and university there. Her mother, Shakunthala Chellappa, was a Carnatic vocalist and Hindustani Sitar player. As a child, she studied classical music, learning how to play veena at age three. She later learned sitar and guitar and Bharatanatyam. She earned a master's degree in pure Mathematics from Osmania University and a degree in information systems management.

Career

Srikar after graduation, worked in software in Pune. She originally had no intention of becoming a professional musician and pursued music only as a hobby.
In 1997, playback singer Hariharan heard her sing and suggested to Vidyasagar that he hire her to sing for his upcoming film Uyirodu Uyiraga. In the film, she performed a duet with KK called "I Love You" and the song became a hit. She quit her job and focused on music, collaborating with Ranjit Barot, Trilok Gurtu and Wally Badarou. She also began to write advertising jingles. In 2001, she appeared on Mahmood Khan's album Panah.
In 2008, she worked with music director Dhruv Ghanekar with the vocal arrangements and harmonies for the songs in Drona. Her debut solo album Beete Pal was released in 2011 in which she has composed, programmed, produced and performed all the songs. The album features Kai Eckhardt, Prasanna, Michael Pope, Steve Zerlin, Atma Anur, Ed DeGenaro and other musicians. Her next venture is a collaboration with Shri and DJ Badmarsh.
In year 2016, she also worked for a Pakistani movie Hijrat . She sang an item song "Chali Re Chali" and Sana Nawaz appeared in the song.
She is married and speaks Tamil, English, Hindi and Telugu.

Discography

- Nandini Srikar won the best playback singer female for her song Bhare Naina in Ra.One.
Mirchi Music Awards South 2014 - Nandini Srikar won the best female singer of the year award for her song "Aaha Kaadhal" from Moondru Per Moondru Kaadhal.
Southern India Cinematographers' Association - SICA Award 2015 - Nandini Srikar won the best female singer of the year award for her song "Harjaiyaan" from the film Queen. She also won Norway Tamil awards - Best Playback singer for Kannamma for Movie Rekka