K. S. Harisankar

Dr K S Harisankar (born 18 November 1993) is an Indian playback singer popular mainly in South Indian cinema. He is quite familiar to the Malayali audience through hits like Jeevamshamayi from the movie Theevandi, Pavizha mazhaye from the movie Athiran, Kamini from Anugraheethan Antony, Nee Himamazha, Vaanam chaayum, Aalolam and several others. Harishankar is also a popular figure in Indian Independent music, with his band Pragathi. The five-member band, comprising Harisankar, Abishek Amanath, Abhijith Sudhi, Precious Peter and Abin Sagar was formed in 2018. One of the latest feathers in Harishankar’s cap was singing the Malayalam version of Naatu Naatu, the Golden-Globe winning song from the movie RRR.

Harishankar started his playback singing career interestingly at the age of five, when he made his singing debut alongside singing legend K J Yesudas. Rooted deeply in his Classical Music background regardless of all his musical adventures, Harishankar has performed at Madras Music Academy, Shanmukhanandha Sabha, Naradha Gana Sabha and Chembai Sangeetholsavam to name a few.

Early life
Harisankar was born on 18 November 1993 to musicians K. S. Sreekumar and Kamala Lekshmi. He was trained by his grandmother K. Omanakutty and his father. He is the sororal grandnephew of musicians M. G. Radhakrishnan and M. G. Sreekumar.

Career
Harisankar sang for the movie Saphalyam with K. J. Yesudas at the age of four in 1997 and for the devotional album Sabarimala with M. G. Sreekumar in 1998.

He graduated BDS from PMS College of Dental Science & Research, Vattapara, and practiced at a clinic for six months. Then he opted out from medical practicing and focused on katcheris and film songs.

Harisankar is the winner of the AIR classical competition in 2008 and an accredited Grade B artiste. He won the Kerala regional final of the M. S. Subbulakshmi Award 2016 held in Kochi.

His first song, "Kaatte Chaariya Vaathil", for the 2014 film Karanavar was penned by O. N. V. Kurup and composed by Ouseppachan, but the first song which came out was "Payye Payye" from the film Ormayundo Ee Mukham.

Harisankar formed a band with his friends named Pragathi in 2015. It has become a near-constant pick for pro-shows in Thiruvananthapuram. His brother Ravisankar, a violinist, is also a part of the band.

Harisankar also releases singles and covers from his YouTube channel.

Personal life
Harisankar married Gadha Sidharthan on 21 May 2017 at Thiruvananthapuram.

Awards

 * 2019 - SIIMA for Best Male Playback Singer (Malayalam) for the song Pavizhamazhaye from Athiran