Shakthisree Gopalan age, height, weight, boyfriend, family, biography, wiki and more

Lesser Known Facts About Shakthisree Gopalan

Beyond her well-known achievements as a playback singer and music composer, Shakthisree Gopalan has several interesting lesser-known facts that reveal unique aspects of her personality, background, and career journey.

Early Career and Training

Shakthisree began her Carnatic music training at the tender age of three and achieved expert-level proficiency by age 12 after 13 years of intensive training. This strong classical foundation became the bedrock of her versatile vocal abilities across multiple genres. During her school days, she participated in SS Music’s Voice Hunt 1 during her 11th standard, but since she was under 18, her participation ended with the auditions. She returned to win the second season in 2008 at age 18.

Dual Career as Architect and Musician

Shakthisree is one of the rare artists who maintains professional excellence in two completely different fields. She holds a degree in architecture from Anna University’s School of Architecture and Planning in Chennai. Her architectural skills led to a life-changing opportunity when A.R. Rahman commissioned her to design his music school, KM Music Conservatory, in 2011. The project took two years to complete and was inaugurated in 2013. This professional relationship eventually blossomed into her musical breakthrough when Rahman heard her demo CD and offered her the song “Nenjukulle” for the film Kadal.

International Education

After establishing herself in the Indian music industry, Shakthisree pursued graduate studies at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in New York, one of the world’s leading music institutions. During her time at Berklee, she served as a Graduate Assistant at Special Operations in the Office of the Executive Director at Berklee NYC, combining her education with practical administrative experience.

Band Leadership

In May 2009, at just 21 years old, Shakthisree formed her own freestyle band called “Off the Record” with three other members. The band excels in Indian Contemporary, Pop, and Soft Rock genres, and has been performing consistently for over 15 years. She serves as the lead vocalist and the band regularly performs at various college festivals across India. The band placed third in Chennai Live’s Band Hunt competition, establishing their credibility in the independent music scene.

Unique Career Moments

When one of A.R. Rahman’s assistants met Shakthisree for a song offer, she got so excited that in her haste, she gave him a wrong contact number. This amusing incident highlights her genuine and unpretentious personality. Her first opportunity to record came from composer Guruprasad Subramaniam for a Kannada film after he discovered her songs on ReverbNation, a platform for musicians where she used to upload original compositions created with friends. Unfortunately, that particular song never got released, but it opened doors for her future career.

MTV Unplugged Performance

Shakthisree’s performance of “Nenjukulle” on MTV Unplugged Season 2 alongside A.R. Rahman became one of the most memorable moments of her career. This live performance showcased her vocal prowess to a national audience and significantly boosted her popularity. The song went on to win her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer in 2014.

Voice of The Lion King

Shakthisree has the distinction of being the voice behind the iconic song “Circle of Life” in both Tamil and Telugu versions of The Lion King 2019 remake. The original composition by Hans Zimmer received her unique Indian interpretation, connecting her to a global musical legacy.

Social Activism Through Music

In 2017, Shakthisree released a special video on Women’s Day dedicated to all women who chase their dreams against all odds, and to those who give up their dreams to support their families or loved ones. She actively advocates for a society free from gender-based violence, social stigma, and inequality, using her platform to promote social causes.

Mentorship from A.R. Rahman

A.R. Rahman personally announced Shakthisree’s debut as a music director on Twitter in May 2023 for the film “Test.” This public endorsement from the Oscar-winning composer whom she considers her mentor, idol, and greatest inspiration represents one of the highest honors in her career. Rahman’s faith in her abilities as a composer marks a significant transition from playback singer to music director.

ReverbNation Discovery

Before her film career took off, Shakthisree regularly uploaded original compositions to ReverbNation, an online platform for independent musicians. These early uploads caught the attention of composer Guruprasad Subramaniam, leading to her first studio recording opportunity. This demonstrates how digital platforms played a crucial role in launching her career in the pre-social media era.

College Festival Circuit

In 2014, Shakthisree performed at numerous prestigious college cultural festivals including Madras Christian College’s Deepwoods, National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli’s Festember, SASTRA University’s Kuruksastra’14, VIT University’s Riviera 14, and Madras Institute of Technology’s Mitafest 15. These performances helped build her fan base among younger audiences and established her presence in the live performance circuit.

Multiple Band Projects

Beyond “Off the Record,” Shakthisree has also fronted another Chennai-based band called “The Pyjama Conspiracy,” showcasing her versatility in different musical styles and her ability to adapt to various collaborative environments in the independent music scene.

Collaborative Independent Releases

In December 2016, Shakthisree released “By Your Side,” an independent single where she collaborated with Hari Dafusia, a Toronto-based keyboardist-producer, and Nigel Roopnarine, a bass player. This international collaboration demonstrates her ability to work across borders and blend different musical influences.

Original Composition Philosophy

Shakthisree has stated that she always carried a demo CD with her during her early career, ready to share her work at any opportunity. This preparedness and dedication to her craft exemplifies her professional approach and readiness to seize opportunities when they arose.