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Ajesh
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Key Information
Ajesh is an Indian music composer and singer from Chennai, Tamil Nadu.[1][2][3] He works primarily for the Tamil film industry.
Early life
[edit]Ajesh was born and brought up in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. His mother found music in him at a very young age and made him take up Carnatic music vocal lessons. He went on to explore other forms of music later. He did his schooling in Sri Krishnaswamy Matriculation Higher Secondary School and then graduated from Loyola College, Chennai.
Career
[edit]Ajesh started singing concerts and TV shows at the age of 5 and was thoroughly focused on pursuing music throughout. His first appearance on television was on Sun TV's Sapthaswarangal hosted by A.V.Ramanan in 1994. Since the age of 12 he was part of kids chorus for various composers such as Ilaiyaraaja, A. R. Rahman and Vidyasagar. When he was 19, he was crowned the winner of the popular reality based singing competition Airtel Super Singer 2008, AKA the second season of the Airtel Super Singer show chosen by the public through voting and also by composer Yuvan Shankar Raja. Later in 2010, Yuvan made Ajesh sing the famous romantic number Idhu Varai for the Tamil movie Goa,[4][5] which was his debut song in films. On 1 June 2013 he released an independent music album titled Rain, College, Love - The Connect.[6] He debuted as a composer with the Tamil film Paambhu Sattai in 2017. The song Nee Uravaaga from the album sung by Shreya Ghoshal and Haricharan topped the charts for several weeks in Chennai and overseas. Since the film didn't do well at the box office, he had to wait for the right scripts to arrive. Till 2020 he was surviving with a few ads and Indie projects. 2022 happened to be his biggest year yet, he had 4 releases in total. His work for the ZEE5 Original Series Vilangu brought him a lot of praise from film critics as well as the public. He teamed with ace filmmaker Suseenthiran in a film called Kuttram Kuttrame, when 'Iyakkunar Imayam' Director Bharathiraja praised him for his background score.
Discography
[edit]As a music composer
[edit]Films
[edit]- Note: all films are in Tamil, unless otherwise noted.
| Year | Title | Songs | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Paambhu Sattai | Yes | Yes | Won - Mirchi Music Award for Best Upcoming Music Composer |
| Thiri | No | Yes | ||
| 2021 | Sarbath | Yes | Yes | Colors Tamil release |
| 2022 | Naai Sekar | Yes | No | |
| Veerapandiyapuram | No | Yes | ||
| Kuttram Kuttrame | Yes | Yes | Kalaignar TV release | |
| 2023 | Vallavanukkum Vallavan | No | Yes | |
| Deiva Machan | No | Yes | ||
| 2024 | Family Padam | No | Yes | |
| Alangu | Yes | Yes | ||
| 2025 | Kali | No | Yes | |
| 2026 | Khaaki Squad | Yes | Yes | Pre-Production |
Streaming television
[edit]| Year | Title | Release | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Vilangu | Zee5 | [7] |
| Fall | Disney+Hotstar | ||
| 2024 | Chutney Sambar | Disney+Hotstar |
As a Playback Singer
[edit]| Year | Song | Film | Music composer | Language | Co-singers | Accolades |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | "Idhu Varai" | Goa | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Tamil | Andrea Jeremiah | Won - Vijay Music Award for Most Popular Melody of the Year Won - Mirchi Music Award for Best Upcoming Singer of the Year Nominated - Vijay Music Award for Best Debut Singer of the Year |
| "Thooral Thedum" | Uthamaputhiran | Vijay Antony | Tamil | Janaki Iyer | ||
| 2012 | "Idhazhin Oram"[8] | 3 | Anirudh Ravichander | Tamil | Nominated - Big Tamil Melody Awards for Best Singer Male | |
| "Yedhalo Oka Mounam" | 3 (D) (Telugu) | Anirudh Ravichander | Telugu | |||
| "Tan Ye Mera" | 3 (D) (Hindi) | Anirudh Ravichander | Hindi | Shruti Hassan | ||
| "Nimirndhu Nil" | Sattam Oru Iruttarai | Vijay Antony | Tamil | |||
| 2013 | "Paadhagal" | Immanuel | Afzal Yusuf | Malayalam | ||
| 2014 | "Kangalai Oru" | Thegidi | Nivas K. Prasanna | Tamil | ||
| "Kallalo Oka" | Bhadram (D) | Nivas K. Prasanna | Telugu | |||
| "Nenjukkulla Nee" | Vadacurry | Vivek-Mervin | Tamil | Vijay Prakash, Diwakar | ||
| 2016 | "Yedhedho Penne" | Meendum Oru Kadhal Kadhai | G. V. Prakash Kumar | Tamil | Harini | |
| "Kadhakaadhey" | Remo (D) | Anirudh Ravichander | Telugu | Srinidhi Venkatesh | ||
| 2017 | "Neeyum Naanum" | Paambhu Sattai | Ajesh | Tamil | ||
| "Yaavum Needhaaney" | Thiri | Ajesh | Tamil | |||
| 2019 | "Pathikichu Paathiyaa" | Kee | Vishal Chandrashekhar | Tamil | ||
| 2021 | "Karichaan Kuyile" | Sarbath | Ajesh | Tamil | ||
| "Theera Theera" | Ajesh | Tamil | Saindhavi | |||
| "Kavi Solla" | Ajesh | Tamil | ||||
| 2022 | "Nee Pirindhadheno" | Kuttram Kuttrame | Ajesh | Tamil | ||
| 2024 | "Appavin Thaalaatu" | Alangu | Ajesh | Tamil |
Miscellaneous Projects
[edit]| Year | Project | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Rain, College, Love - The Connect [6][9] | Independent Album |
| 2015 | Theme song for ISL Team Kerala Blasters | |
| 2017 | Half Boil | Web Series for YouTube |
| 2018 | Title song for TV Serial Sivagami for Colors Tamil | |
| 2020 | "Sakiye" | Indie Single |
| Title Song for TV Serial Thirumagal for Sun TV | ||
| 2023 | Title Song for TV Serial Meena for Sun TV | |
| Title Song for TV Serial Poova Thalayaa for Sun TV | ||
| 2025 | "Kan Kalangaamal" | Indie Single |
References
[edit]- ^ "Does Chennai strike the right chord? city pulse". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 2 March 2009. Archived from the original on 6 March 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
- ^ "Ace and Grace - Singer Ajeesh". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
- ^ "I want to stand out as a composer: Ajesh". The Times of India. 5 March 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
- ^ "From the 'Goa' front". IndiaGlitz.com. Archived from the original on 10 January 2010. Retrieved 19 January 2010.
- ^ "Airtel Super Singer 2008 Live Finale". chennaionline.com. Archived from the original on 31 December 2009. Retrieved 19 January 2010.
- ^ a b "An umbrella of songs from a rain man". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
- ^ "Vilangu (aka) Vilanku review". Behindwoods. 21 February 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
- ^ "3 Music Review songs lyrics". IndiaGlitz. Archived from the original on 21 November 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
- ^ "Charting their own course". The Hindu. 14 June 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
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Ajesh
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Early life and education
Childhood and family
Ajesh Ashok was born into a middle-class family in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.[4] From a young age, he displayed a natural aptitude for music, which his mother recognized and nurtured by enrolling him in Carnatic music classes.[4] This early exposure to classical music forms laid the foundation for his lifelong passion and professional career in the field.[4] During his childhood, Ajesh attended Sri Krishnaswamy Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Chennai, where he continued to develop his musical interests through school performances and local events.[4] His family's support, particularly his mother's encouragement, played a pivotal role in steering him toward formal musical training rather than other childhood pursuits.[4]Musical training and early performances
Ajesh Ashok received his initial musical training in Carnatic vocal music during his childhood in Chennai, where his mother identified and nurtured his innate talent for singing. He subsequently explored other musical forms to broaden his skills.[4] Ajesh later pursued higher education, graduating with a degree in Visual Communication from Loyola College, Chennai.[4] From a young age, Ajesh began performing in live concerts, stage shows, and television programs, marking the start of his early public exposure to music.[4]Career
Breakthrough in singing
Ajesh Ashok's breakthrough in singing came through his participation and victory in the reality television competition Airtel Super Singer 2008, the second season of the popular Vijay TV singing show. At the age of 19, he won the title on June 3, 2009, during the grand finale held at YMCA, Royapettah in Chennai, outperforming finalists Ravi and Renu based on viewer votes.[5] This win not only earned him a cash prize and a car valued at Rs. 7 lakhs but also provided a pivotal opportunity to record a song with acclaimed composer Yuvan Shankar Raja for an upcoming film.[5] The victory directly led to his debut as a playback singer with the romantic duet "Idhu Varai" from the 2010 Tamil film Goa, composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja with lyrics by Gangai Amaran and co-sung by Andrea Jeremiah. Ajesh has described this track as his favorite and a special milestone, marking his entry into the Tamil film industry after the Super Singer triumph.[6] The song's melodic appeal and youthful energy contributed to its popularity among audiences, helping establish Ajesh as a promising new voice in playback singing. Building on this debut, Ajesh gained further recognition with subsequent songs such as "Idhazhin Oram" from the 2012 film 3, composed by Anirudh Ravichander, and "Thooral Thedum" from Uthama Puthiran (2010), also by Yuvan Shankar Raja. These early tracks showcased his versatile vocal style, blending emotional depth with contemporary rhythms, and solidified his presence in Kollywood soundtracks during the initial phase of his career.[6]Transition to music composition
Ajesh Ashok, having established himself as a playback singer through his victory in the reality television show Super Singer in 2009, began exploring music composition during his early years in the industry. His debut as a singer came with the track "Idhu Varai" from the 2010 film Goa, directed by Venkat Prabhu, which marked his entry into Tamil cinema. Subsequent playback credits included "Idhazhin Oram" in 3 (2012) and "Thooral Thedum" in Uthama Puthiran (2010), where he collaborated with prominent composers such as Anirudh Ravichander. Despite his success in singing, Ajesh had nurtured an interest in composition since his school days, experimenting with band music and aspiring to create independent albums blending Tamil folk and Western elements.[6][7] The pivotal shift to full-time composition occurred in 2014 when Ajesh signed on as music director for the film Paambhu Sattai, starring Bobby Simha and produced by Manobala, though it released in 2017. This project, emphasizing live instrumentation for its background score, represented his first major opportunity to helm an album focused on emotional depth, particularly sadness. Ajesh described the transition as fulfilling a long-held dream, noting that while he cherished playback singing for its collaborative joy, composing provided an "out-of-the-world feeling" of creative autonomy. He approached the role cautiously, prioritizing quality over quantity and drawing inspiration from composers like Santosh Narayanan for innovative sound design.[6][7][2] Following Paambhu Sattai, Ajesh continued to balance singing and composing, contributing background scores to projects like Vallavanukkum Vallavan (2023) and songs for Thiri (2017), which included a mix of upbeat tracks and emotional melodies after composer S. Thaman's partial involvement. His selective project choices reflected a deliberate strategy to build a distinct compositional voice, as he aimed to "stand out as a composer" while mentoring emerging singers. By 2022, this transition had solidified, with Ajesh working on films like Kuttram Kuttrame and planning indie releases to further showcase his evolving style.[7][2] Subsequently, he composed songs for Naai Sekar (2022), including "Lol Lol Arasan" sung by Baba Sehgal and "90s Kid" by G. V. Prakash Kumar, the background score for Veerapandiyapuram (2022), and the music for the Disney+ Hotstar original series Chutney Sambar (2024), a comedy featuring Yogi Babu. As of 2025, Ajesh continues to select projects balancing film, web series, and independent music while supporting emerging artists.[2][3]Discography
Film compositions
Ajesh entered the realm of film composition with the Tamil action thriller Paambhu Sattai (2017), marking his debut as a full-fledged music director after years as a playback singer.[8] The album featured five tracks, including the melodic "Neeyum Naanum," which he sang himself, and "Nee Uravaaga," a duet by Shreya Ghoshal and Haricharan that topped charts for its emotive Carnatic influences blended with modern orchestration.[9][10] Critics noted the soundtrack's fresh energy, contributing to the film's commercial success despite its modest budget.[9] Building on this, Ajesh's compositions evolved to incorporate folk and rustic elements in subsequent projects, reflecting his preference for narratives that allow expansive background scores.[8] In Thiri (2017), his second venture, the album emphasized rhythmic percussion and heartfelt ballads like "Uravey Uravey Indhu," enhancing the film's romantic thriller tone.[7] By 2021, with the comedy-drama Sarbath, he explored light-hearted folk fusion in tracks such as "Karichaan Kuyile," earning praise for its accessibility and cultural resonance.[8] Ajesh continued to diversify his style in collaborations with established directors. For Kuttram Kuttrame (2022), directed by Suseenthiran, he delivered a six-song album with peppy numbers like "Maaman Magale," balancing high-energy rhythms with emotional depth to suit the film's dramatic narrative.[2] In Naai Sekar (2022), he composed the majority of the soundtrack, including comedic tracks that complemented the satirical plot, though one song was by Anirudh Ravichander.[11] His scores for the action thrillers Alangu (2024) and Family Padam (2024) feature folk-infused songs like "Kaaliyamma" and "Puli Yaaru Nari Yaaru" from Alangu, underscoring intense chase sequences and rural themes, while Family Padam blends family drama with light-hearted melodies.[2] Overall, Ajesh's film work highlights his versatility, often prioritizing narrative-driven scores over experimental flair, with recurring motifs of melody and regional sounds that have garnered steady industry recognition.| Film | Year | Notable Tracks | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paambhu Sattai | 2017 | "Neeyum Naanum," "Nee Uravaaga" | Debut album; positive reception for melodic fusion.[9] |
| Thiri | 2017 | "Uravey Uravey Indhu" | Emphasized rhythmic elements in romantic context.[7] |
| Sarbath | 2021 | "Karichaan Kuyile," "Theera Theera" | Folk-contemporary blend for comedy-drama.[8] |
| Kuttram Kuttrame | 2022 | "Maaman Magale" | Dramatic score for Suseenthiran directorial.[2] |
| Naai Sekar | 2022 | Multiple comedic tracks | Primary composer; one track by Anirudh.[11] |
| Alangu | 2024 | "Kaaliyamma," "Puli Yaaru Nari Yaaru" | Folk-action integration for thriller. |
| Family Padam | 2024 | Various family-themed tracks | Comedy-drama score emphasizing emotional bonds. |
Television and web series scores
Ajesh has contributed to the Tamil television and web series landscape through his compositions, often focusing on theme music and title tracks that enhance narrative tension and emotional depth. His work in this domain began with title songs for serials and expanded to full scores for streaming originals, blending contemporary sounds with traditional Tamil elements to suit dramatic and thriller genres. Notable projects include investigative thrillers and family dramas, where his scores have been praised for their atmospheric quality and integration with storytelling. In 2018, Ajesh composed the title song for the Colors Tamil serial Sivagami, a period drama that aired daily and explored themes of resilience and tradition. The track, featuring melodic strings and rhythmic percussion, set the tone for the show's historical backdrop.[6] For the 2020 Sun TV serial Thirumagal, Ajesh served as the theme music composer across its episodes, crafting a recurring motif that underscored the protagonist's journey of empowerment and familial bonds. His composition incorporated subtle folk influences, contributing to the serial's emotional resonance during its run.[12] Ajesh's entry into web series scoring came prominently with Vilangu (2022), a ZEE5 crime thriller directed by Prasanth Pandiraj. As the original music composer for all seven episodes, he delivered a tense, pulsating score that amplified the series' investigative plot involving memory loss and betrayal, earning acclaim for its suspenseful undertones and use of electronic elements blended with orchestral swells. The series, starring Vimal and Iniya, marked a significant expansion of his portfolio into OTT platforms.[13] From 2023 to 2024, Ajesh composed the theme music for the Sun TV serial Poova Thalaiya, a family-oriented drama starring Sithara and Dharshna Sripal. His work spanned over 200 episodes, featuring an uplifting theme song performed by K. S. Chithra that captured the show's themes of relationships and rural life, helping maintain viewer engagement throughout its broadcast.[14] In 2024, Ajesh composed the full score for Chutney Sambar, a Disney+ Hotstar comedy-drama web series directed by Radha Mohan and starring Yogi Babu and Vani Bhojan. The six-episode series follows an unlikely sibling reunion, and Ajesh's light-hearted yet poignant music, including quirky ensemble tracks, complemented the humorous narrative while highlighting emotional family dynamics. This project represented a full-circle moment, as Ajesh had previously sung for Mohan's films.[15]Playback singing credits
Ajesh entered the Tamil film industry as a playback singer following his victory in the second season of the reality singing competition Airtel Super Singer in 2008.[1] His vocal style, characterized by emotive depth and versatility, has been featured in soundtracks across genres, often collaborating with prominent composers like Yuvan Shankar Raja and Anirudh Ravichander. Over the years, he has contributed to more than 20 films, blending romantic ballads with upbeat tracks, though he transitioned increasingly toward composition by the mid-2010s.[16] The following table highlights selected playback singing credits, focusing on key films and songs that exemplify his contributions:| Year | Song | Film | Composer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Idhu Varai | Goa | Yuvan Shankar Raja |
| 2010 | Thooral Podum | Uthama Puthiran | G. V. Prakash Kumar |
| 2012 | Idhazhin Oram | 3 | Anirudh Ravichander |
| 2013 | Yedhedho Pennae | Vanakkam Chennai | Anirudh Ravichander |
| 2014 | Nenjukulle Nee | Vadacurry | Vivek Sagar |
| 2017 | Uravey Uravey Indhu | Thiri | Ajesh |
| 2019 | Pathikichu Paathiyaa | Kee | Vishal Chandrashekhar |
| 2021 | Karichaan Kuyile | Sarbath | Ajesh |
| 2024 | Kaaliyamma | Alangu | Ajesh |
Independent releases
Ajesh Ashok released his debut independent album, Rain, College, Love – The Connect, on June 1, 2013. The self-funded project marked his transition from playback singing to full composition and production, drawing inspiration from 1980s and 1990s music styles influenced by artists such as A. R. Rahman, Ilaiyaraaja, John Mayer, and Michael Jackson.[23][24] The album features five original tracks, all composed and primarily sung by Ajesh, with lyrics penned by his friend Raghav. It explores interconnected themes of rain, college experiences, and young love, presented through smooth, romantic melodies designed to evoke nostalgia and emotional connection. The release was launched at Express Avenue mall in Chennai, where Ajesh engaged directly with an audience of shoppers to promote the work.[23][24]| Track Title | Duration |
|---|---|
| Oh Mazhaye | 3:07 |
| Kaadhal Tune | 4:38 |
| Idhayame | 3:20 |
| Namma Game | 3:35 |
| Kaadhal Kandene | 3:00 |