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Anoop Sankar
Anoop Sankar
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Key Information

Anoop Sankar (born 22 May 1979) is an Indian film playback singer, songwriter, stage performer, VJ, RJ and media personality.[1]

Early life and family

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Anoop Sankar was born on 22 May 1979 into a family of music lovers, as the eldest son of T. A. Sankar and Latha Sankar who are ardent music lovers. Latha Sankar is a trained classical vocalist and the winner of Kerala University classical music competition.[2] Anoop was initiated into Carnatic classical music learning at the age of six under the guidance of Sri. Chalappuram Pappa, under whom he learnt for 12 years. After completing his graduation, he moved to Chennai where he continued his learning under the renowned musician Neyveli Santhanagopalan. Anoop Sankar after completing his MCT & Master of Engineering chose to pursue his career in Music. He married Viji Viswanathan in 2009. Viji is a playback singer and a songwriter .[3][4]

Career

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Anoop Sankar came into limelight after winning the 2002 edition of the popular musical talent hunt Sapthaswarangal telecast in Sun TV. In the same year, on 21 and 22 September, Anoop along with 20 musicians under the name "Sangamam" set the Guinness World Records for the longest musical performance spanning over 40 hours at the Santhome Monfort School Auditorium, Chennai.[5] He has performed extensively across the globe with legends like Dr. S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Shankar Mahadevan, Hariharan, K. S. Chithra, Sujatha Mohan, Sadhana Sargam and Anuradha Sriram.

Anoop Sankar is a popular media personality having an experience of more than a decade. He has been a part of more than 1500 episodes of various television and radio shows of South Indian media as Judge, Host and Music mentor.[6]

In 2003, he started working with the renowned music director Gopi Sundar and he was associated with him for more than 100 commercials of leading brands as a singer and a writer. Later he Sang for the movies of National Award-winning music directors like Ouseppachan, Vidyasagar, M. Jayachandran & Biji bal. Anoop's biggest hit came through the Musical single "Kurutham Kettavan" which was written and composed by Hariprasad and performed by National award-winning actor Suraj Venjaramoodu and Popular VJ Ranjini Haridas. He also got wide appreciation for the challenging classical song "Chandrachooda" composed by Navneeth Sundar from the movie Karmayogi.[7][8][9]

Anoop made his debut in Tamil playback singing through Yuvan Shankar Raja musical "Agarram" and into Tulu films in the year 2015 through the song "Ora Oppi Bokka" for the movie "Dhand" composed by Abhishek SN. Anoop was also the Model for the brands Kalyan Sarees and Vishraam Builders and he did a cameo in the Malayalam Movie Vaadhyar.He is also the founder and creative head of AUM – Academy of Universal Music at Thrissur which was launched in the year 2016.[10][11]

Anoop Sankar's Musical video of the Diwali celebrations hosted by Kalyan Jewellers in presence of legends Amitabh Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar, Nagarjuna, Mammooty, Nivin Pauly, Manju Warrier, Prabhu, Jayaram, Hariharan, Sujata and Shweta Mohan became popular and has a viewership of more than 10 million across various pages in Social media. His Annual Charitable Musical event The Anoop Sankar Experience has been happening in Calicut Music Circle for a decade now. This is the tenth year of the show which spans over six hours featuring evergreen melodies in various languages and genres. Anoop also performed along with Shah Rukh Khan at Dubai in an exclusive musical event where Anoop rendered the legendary songs performed by Shah Rukh Khan. He also did an exclusive musical event in Mumbai attended by the Mukesh Ambani Family.[12][13] He also performed a Unique Musical on 10 November 2019 at Calicut as a part of 10th Edition of Anoop Sankar Experience hosted by Calicut Music Circle. Anoop performed a Musical Tribute to the Maestro Isaignani Ilaiyaraja by singing 105 songs of him for 11 Hours non-stop. This fete is all set to enter the Record Books where only One Composers songs has been performed by One Singer for the longest duration.[14]

Anoop Sankar also had a rare opportunity to perform for the prime minister of India Narendra Modi at Thrissur. Anoop rendered the inaugural welcome song written about the prime minister of India.

Filmography

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As playback singer

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Year Film Song Music director Co–singer
2003 Choonda Thayirkudam Mohan Sithara Solo
2004 Viralthumbil Aaro Avaniyil Azha Kezhum Job Kuruvilla Solo
Chadapadapada Afsal, Rimi Tomy
2005 Kochi Rajavu Thankakutta Vidyasagar Sujata Mohan
Police Ninnil Nizhalay Ouseppachan K. S. Chithra
Oru Manvilakkin K. S. Chithra, Franco, Balu thankachan
Sukran Title Song Vijay Antony Renjith, Jaidev
2007 Agaram Adaadaa Adadaa Yuvan Shankar Raja Harini
Unnai Naan Parthen Mahalakshmi Iyer
2008 Positive Enthininnu Mizhineer Alex Paul Franco, Ramesh babu
2009 Gulumaal Gulumaal Manu Ramesan Roshan, Ajay sathyan
Tham Tharikida Salim Kumar, G. Venugopal, Vidhu pratap
2011 Three Kings Chakkaramaavin Ouseppachan Shweta Mohan
Once Up On A Time Jerry John
Engine Njaan Franco
Chakkaramaavin Swetha Mohan
Bangkok Summer Chakkaramaavin Ouseppachan Jyotsna Franco
2012 Karmayogi Sivam Sivakaram Ouseppachan Solo
Chandrachooda Navneeth Sundar Solo
Da Thadiya Maveli Née Bijibal Bijibal
Poppins Valam Nadannu Ratheesh Vegha Manjari
Raattinam Yakkai Sutrum Manu Ramesan Bhavyalakshmi
Yethu Yethu Jassie Gift
Vaadhyar Vaa Vaa Vadhyare Rinil Gowtham Kids chorus
Friday Nlaavay Pookum Roby Abraham Solo track
2015 Ettuthikkum Madhayaanai Asanthuputtene Manu Ramesan Solo track
Nellai Cheemayithu Santosh hariharan, Sannidhanandan
Ettu Thikkum Madha Yaanai K.S. Thangasami
Dhand Ora Oppi Bokka Abhishek SN Pushpanjali Suchi
Ee Manjil Virinja Pookal Karalukatoru Jeevan Nandan Jyotsna
Manal Naharam Manasil Mazhayay Rinil gowtham Sithara
Parayanirunathu Doore Doore Hariprasad Reshma Satish
2015 Passion Iravil Ethayo Manu Ramesan Solo track
Nirnayakam Ilaveyil Chirakumay M. Jayachandran Chimayi Sriprada

As lyricst

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Year Song Movie Composer Singer
2011 Once Upon A Time Three Kings Ouseppachan Anoop Sankar, Jerry John
2012 Chandrachooda Karmayogi Navneeth Sundar Anoop Sankar
2015 Neelavaan Mukile Ayal Njanalla Manu Ramesan Job kurian, Sithara, Vidhu Pratap, Soorya Narayanan, Nawas
2015 Iravil Ethayo Passion Anoop Sankar

Television

[edit]
Year Show Name Channel Role
2006 Music Carnival Asianet Plus Host
2006 VJ plus Asianet Plus Host
2006 Star Singer Asianet Team lead & Mentor
2007 Limelight Asianet Host
2008 Vodafone Thakadhimi Asianet Host
2009 Star Singer Asianet Mentor
2010 Musical Chair Asianet Plus Host
2011 Junior Idol Jaihind TV Host
2012 Junior Idol Jaihind TV Judge
2013 Super star Amrita TV Groomer
2014 Television and Film awards Various channels As Host and Performer
2015 Puzha Media One TV Host
2016 Puzha Media One TV Host
2016 Super Star Junior Amrita TV Consultant
2016 Music Mojo Season 4 Kappa TV Band name: Anoop Sankar and Navneeth Sundar Trio
2020 Super 4 Season 2 Mazhavil Manorama Groomer

Awards and honors

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  • Member and lead male singer of the band "Sangamam" which created Guinness World Records in the year 2002 for the longest musical performance spanning 40 hours
  • Frame media award for best singer for his single "Kurutham kettavan" in 2010
  • Vibgyor award for the best single "Kurtham Kettavan" in 2010.

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Anoop Sankar (born 22 May 1979) is an Indian playback singer, songwriter, stage performer, VJ, RJ, and media personality renowned for his versatile contributions to South Indian cinema, particularly in Malayalam and Tamil films, as well as his classical music roots and record-breaking live performances. Born in Kottayam, Kerala, as the eldest son of music enthusiasts T. A. Sankar and Latha Sankar, Anoop began his musical training at the age of six in Carnatic classical music under the guidance of Sri. Chalappuram Pappa, later advancing his studies with Neyveli Santhanagopalan. He holds a Master's degree in Engineering alongside his musical pursuits. His early career gained momentum in 2002 when he won the Sapthaswarangal talent hunt on Sun TV, marking his entry into professional playback singing. That same year, as the lead singer of the band Sangamam, he achieved international recognition by setting a Guinness World Record for the longest continuous musical performance, spanning 40 hours in Chennai from 21 to 22 September. Sankar made his playback singing debut in Tamil cinema with the song in the film Agaram, composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja. In Malayalam, he has lent his voice to numerous popular tracks, including "Chandrachooda" from Karmayogi (2012) and "Thankakutta" from Kochi Rajavu (2005), blending classical influences with contemporary film scores. Beyond music, he expanded into acting with his Mollywood debut in Vadhyar (2012), where he initially contributed a song but took on acting roles as well, and later provided playback singing for the Tulu film Dhand (2015) with the song "Ora Oppi Bokka". As a media personality, Sankar has hosted shows as a VJ and RJ, and continues to captivate audiences through live concerts and devotional renditions like "Shiva Shankaraa."

Early life and family

Childhood and upbringing

Anoop Sankar was born on 22 May 1979 in , , . He was raised in a middle-class family that placed a strong emphasis on the arts, as the eldest son of T. A. Sankar and Latha Sankar, a trained classical vocalist who had won a traditional at the in 1973. From a young age, Anoop was immersed in music through his mother's influence, who regularly exposed him to Carnatic classical renditions and encouraged artistic expression within the household. During his college years in , Anoop developed early interests in music and , participating in local cultural events and school activities that highlighted his budding talent. This familial and regional environment in , known for its rich including the famous festival, nurtured his passion before he pursued more structured musical pursuits.

Musical training and influences

Anoop Sankar began his formal musical training at the age of six, when he was initiated into the intricacies of Carnatic classical music under the guidance of his first guru, Sri. Chalappuram Pappa. This initial phase lasted for 12 years, during which he developed a solid grounding in the fundamentals of the tradition, including vocal exercises and basic repertoire. Following his early education, Sankar pursued advanced training under the renowned Carnatic vocalist Neyveli Santhanagopalan in Chennai, emphasizing sophisticated classical techniques such as elaboration of raga (melodic frameworks) and tala (rhythmic cycles). This mentorship honed his technical proficiency and expressive depth, allowing him to master complex improvisations central to Carnatic performances. Growing up in a family of ardent music lovers, Sankar was exposed to a rich musical environment that complemented his formal training. His mother's background in , combined with the household's appreciation for film songs, influenced his artistic sensibilities, fostering a distinctive vocal style that seamlessly blends classical rigor with contemporary melodic elements. Parallel to his musical pursuits, Sankar balanced academic endeavors in , ultimately earning a degree before fully committing to his career in music. This dual path underscored his disciplined approach, integrating analytical precision with artistic passion.

Professional career

Debut and breakthrough

Anoop Sankar first gained public recognition in 2002 by winning the Sapthaswarangal musical talent hunt, a popular competition broadcast on Sun TV that showcased emerging singers in South India. This victory marked his transition from local performances to broader visibility in regional media, highlighting his vocal versatility rooted in classical training. Following the win, Sankar became the lead male singer of the band Sangamam, formed in the same year to perform fusion and classical-inspired . The group quickly engaged in high-profile stage shows across and other South Indian cities, blending Carnatic elements with contemporary styles to captivate audiences at cultural events. Post-2002, Sankar's initial professional engagements focused on non-film live performances, including concerts and corporate events that solidified his reputation as a dynamic stage artist. These appearances, often featuring improvisational renditions of classical and devotional pieces, helped him build a dedicated following in and before venturing into playback singing.

Playback singing and compositions

Anoop Sankar began collaborating with music director in 2003 on advertisements. His playback singing career in films started in 2004 with the "Avaniyil Azhakezhum" from Viralthumpilaaro. He has since established himself through key partnerships with composers such as (primarily in advertisements), , and , contributing vocals to diverse soundtracks with the latter two that showcase his range. Notable among these is his Tamil debut in the 2007 Agaram, where he sang tracks like "Unnai Naan Paarthen" under Yuvan Shankar Raja's direction. In 2015, he expanded into Tulu-language cinema with the "Ora Oppi Bokka" for the Dhand, composed by Abhishek SN. Beyond singing, Sankar has earned songwriting (lyrics) credits for several tracks, often performing pieces that integrate Carnatic classical influences with modern rhythmic elements. Examples include his independent singles like "Ooh Yah Ooh Yah," which blend multilingual and fusion beats to create accessible devotional and contemporary sounds. His work with , such as in the 2011 film , further highlights this fusion approach in film contexts. Sankar's vocal style has evolved significantly from his foundational training in Carnatic classical music, transitioning to a versatile playback technique suited for emotional depth and rhythmic versatility across genres. This adaptability is evident in his primary work in , extending to Tamil and Tulu languages, where he employs subtle ragas alongside pop and folk infusions to suit narrative demands.

Media and educational ventures

Anoop Sankar entered the media landscape in the early , starting as a (VJ) for Music in 2003 and later as a radio jockey (RJ) for Radio Mango. He transitioned into television hosting and judging roles from 2006 to 2020, participating in over 1,500 episodes of South Indian radio and TV programs as a music mentor, judge, and host. In 2016, Sankar founded AUM Academy of Universal Music in , , serving as its creative head to provide structured music education programs for aspiring singers and musicians. The academy emphasizes universal music principles, blending classical and contemporary training to nurture talent. Sankar has conducted global live performances, including concerts alongside music legends such as , , , and . A notable highlight was his performance at an event for in , where he rendered the inaugural welcome song. From 2024 to 2025, Sankar remained active through engagements and live events, including Navratri performances like the Kalyan Navratri musical featuring collaborations with artists such as and . He also hosted e-concerts, such as the 2020 "Anoop Sankar Experience" series and tributes like the four-hour "SPB Lives On" event honoring , performed across multiple languages with a live band.

Filmography and television

Playback singing in films

Anoop Sankar began his playback singing career in with the song "Avaniyil Azhakezhum" from the Viralthumpilaaro in 2004, composed by Job Kuruvilla. This debut marked his entry into music, followed by "Thankakkutta" in Kochi Rajavu (2005), a duet with under Vidyasagar's composition, which highlighted his versatile vocal range in upbeat tracks. In the same year, he contributed "Nin Nizhalaay" to Police, composed by , showcasing his ability to blend classical influences with contemporary scores. His work in the late 2000s included two songs in Positive (2008), "Oru Kaattaay Paari Nadakkaam" and "Enthininnu Mizhineer," both composed by Alex Paul, which were praised for their emotional depth in a film addressing HIV/AIDS themes. By 2009, Sankar lent his voice to "Thaam Tharikida" and the title track "Gulumaal" in Gulumaal: The Escape, under Manu Ramesan's music, contributing to the film's comedic tone through lively rhythms. The early 2010s saw prolific output, such as three tracks in Three Kings (2011)—"Paara Paara," "Pachakuthu," and "Chakkaramaavin"—all composed by Ouseppachan, emphasizing his rhythmic precision in ensemble numbers. In Bangkok Summer (2011), "Engine Njaan" further demonstrated his adaptability to youth-oriented themes. Sankar's contributions extended to Vadhyaar (2012) with "Vaa Vaa Vaadhyaare," composed by Rinil Gautham, a motivational piece fitting the film's educational narrative. In Karmayogi (2012), he sang "Shivam Shivakaram" (Ouseppachan) and the devotional "Chandrachooda" (Navaneeth Sundar), blending Carnatic elements with cinematic drama. His final noted Malayalam film song in this period was "Ilaveyil" from Nirnnayakam (2015), composed by M. Jayachandran, marking a shift toward introspective melodies. Overall, Sankar's Malayalam playback work from 2004 to 2015 spanned over 18 songs across diverse genres, often collaborating with composers like Ouseppachan and Alex Paul. Venturing into Tamil cinema, Sankar debuted in 2007 with two songs in Agaram, composed by : the duet "Adadaa Adadaa Ennai" with Harini and the romantic "Unnai Naan Parthen" with , introducing his voice to a broader South Indian audience through energetic and melodic tracks. These contributions highlighted his early foray beyond , focusing on youthful and emotional themes in urban settings. In , Sankar made his mark in 2015 with "Ora Oppibokka" from Dhand, a wedding song composed by Abhishek S. N. and sung as a with Pushpanjali Suchi, capturing the film's cultural vibrancy and contributing to its regional acclaim. This track represented his expansion into coastal Karnataka's , emphasizing festive and folk-infused elements up to the mid-2010s. No further film playback credits in Tamil or Tulu were prominently recorded through 2023, with Sankar's focus shifting toward non-film ventures.

Lyricist and acting roles

Anoop Sankar transitioned into in the early , marking a shift from his primary career in playback singing. In 2012, he made his acting debut with a in the film Vaadhyar, directed by Nidheesh Sakthi. Initially approached to sing a song for the project, Sankar's involvement expanded to include performing in the song sequence as well as appearing in a couple of additional scenes. As a lyricist, Sankar contributed to Malayalam cinema by adapting traditional compositions into the language. A notable example is his work on "Chandrachooda" from the 2012 film Karmayogi, where he provided Malayalam lyrics for the original Sanskrit keertana by Purandaradasa; the song was composed by Navneeth Sundar and performed by Sankar himself.

Television appearances

Anoop Sankar's television career gained momentum in 2006 when he hosted the music reality show Music Carnival on Asianet Plus, marking one of his early forays into on-screen presenting roles within Malayalam media. That same year, he also hosted VJ Plus on the same channel, blending his vocal talents with video jockey duties to engage audiences in music-centric programming. In parallel, Sankar served as a mentor for the inaugural season of the singing competition on Asianet, providing guidance to contestants and contributing to the show's focus on emerging musical talent. He reprised a similar role in the 2009 edition of , further establishing his reputation as a key figure in nurturing young singers through formats. Over the years, he has participated in more than 1,500 episodes across various South Indian television and radio programs in capacities as judge, host, and music mentor, though specific credits beyond these examples remain broadly documented in media profiles. Sankar continued his television engagements into the 2010s and beyond, appearing as a performer and guest in shows like Music Mojo Season 4 on Kappa TV in 2016 and Super 4 Season 2 on Mazhavil Manorama in 2020. In the latter, he featured as a guest singer during a special tribute episode honoring S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, sharing insights on the legendary musician's influence. His contributions extended to networks like Sun TV, where he made guest performances in music segments following his breakthrough win on the channel's Sapthaswarangal in 2002, though detailed post-2020 virtual or on-air roles remain limited in public records up to 2025.

Awards and honors

Guinness World Record

In 2002, Anoop Sankar, as the lead singer of the band Sangamam, achieved a for the longest continuous musical performance, lasting over 40 hours. The event took place on September 21 and 22 at the Monfort School Auditorium in , involving Sankar and 20 other musicians who performed non-stop singing and instrumentation without any breaks, showcasing a blend of Indian classical and film music. This marathon performance, organized as a collaborative effort by the Kerala-origin band formed shortly after Sankar's win in a national talent hunt, highlighted endurance and musical versatility in the Indian music scene. The record not only earned official certification from but also garnered significant media attention across South Indian outlets, positioning Sankar as a rising star in playback singing. The achievement provided a pivotal boost to Sankar's professional opportunities, elevating his profile from local performer to nationally recognized artist and opening doors to film industry collaborations and stage shows in the years that followed. It underscored his commitment to live performances, influencing his later career trajectory in media and music education.

Music and media awards

While Sankar has garnered appreciation for subsequent playback contributions in films and live performances, no additional regional film awards for music were documented as of 2025. His media ventures, including television hosting, have earned informal recognition for blending entertainment with educational elements, though formal honors in this area remain limited.

References

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