Aaron at 00:40, 22 March 2026

2026-03-22T00:40:36Z

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{{Infobox person
| name = Binni Krishnakumar
| image =
| image_size =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1974|6|10}}
| birth_place = [[Thodupuzha]], [[Kerala]], [[India]]
| occupation = Singer
| parents =
| spouse = K. Krishnakumar
| honours = [[Kalaimamani]] from [[Government of Tamil Nadu]] <br/> [[Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award]] from [[Government of Kerala]]
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed = yes
| background = solo_singer, dancer, television personality
| genre = {{flat list|
* [[Carnatic music|Carnatic]]
* [[Indian classical music]]
* [[playback singer|Playback singing]]
* [[Filmi]]
* [[Bharatanatyam]]
}}
| instrument = Vocals, [[Veena]]
| label =
| website =
}}
| years_active = 1987 – Present
| children = [[Sivaangi Krishnakumar|Sivaangi]]
}}

'''Binni Krishnakumar''' (born 10 June 1974) is an Indian [[Carnatic musician]], [[playback singer]], [[Bharatanatyam]] dancer and a [[television personality]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2018/Oct/09/i-am-lucky-to-be-a-follower-of-balamuralikrishna-sir-1882873.html|title='I am lucky to be a follower of Balamuralikrishna sir'|website=TheNewIndianExpress.com|date=9 October 2018}}</ref> Regarded as a prominent vocalist, she has performed at all major sabhas (music organisations) in India and has released over 100 classical albums. Besides, she has performed as a Bharatanatyam dancer across various arenas. She is the recipient of [[Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award]] (2012)<ref>{{cite news |title=18 bag Sangeeta Nataka Akademi awards |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2013/feb/22/18-bag-sangeeta-nataka-akademi-awards-452828.html |access-date=26 February 2023 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=22 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226182341/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2013/feb/22/18-bag-sangeeta-nataka-akademi-awards-452828.html |archive-date=26 February 2023}}</ref> and [[Kalaimamani]] award (2020) presented by the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tn-govt-announces-kalaimamani-awards-for-2019-2020/article33885249.ece|title=T.N. govt. announces Kalaimamani awards for 2019, 2020|website=TheHindu.com|date=20 February 2021}}</ref>

Binni is also known for her work as a playback singer in [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]] and [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam]] cinema, particularly for her song, "[[Chandramukhi (2005 soundtrack)|Raa Raa]]" composed by [[Vidyasagar (composer)|Vidyasagar]] for the 2005 film ''[[Chandramukhi]]'' for which she won the [[Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer - Tamil|Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/raa-raa-gets-an-a-cappella-makeover-in-this-new-cover/articleshow/76649756.cms|title=Raa Raa gets an a cappella makeover in this new cover|website=TimesofIndia.com|date=27 June 2020}}</ref> She has featured in several television reality shows, both as a contestant and judge, such as ''[[Top Cooku Dupe Cooku]], [[Cooku with Comali]], [[Samayal Samayal with Venkatesh Bhat]], [[Top Singer (TV series)|Top Singer]]'' and ''[[Super Singer (Tamil TV series)|Super Singer]]''.

==Early life and background==
Binny was born to K. N. Ramachandran and Santha Ramachandran in [[Thodupuzha]], [[Kerala]]. She comes from a distinguished musical lineage and began learning Carnatic Music (Vocal) at the age of seven under Vidwan Thiruvizha Surendran. She has five siblings who are all pursuing their careers as music teachers. She received the National Talent Scholarship and came under the tutelage of [[Govindan Namboothiri|Thamarakkad Govindan Namboothiri]]. She pursued her B.A and M.A degrees in Music from the [[University of Kerala]]. During her post graduation, she was mentored by violinist [[B. Sasikumar]] and Prof. Neyyattinkara Mohanachandran at [[Thiruvananthapuram]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chennaievent.com/artist-view.php?artist_id=1473|title=Best Carnatic Music Events in Chennai|website=Chennaievent.com|accessdate=25 September 2025}}</ref>

Binny's earliest recognition came in 1989 when she bagged the "Kalaathilakam" title at the Kerala State Youth Festival Committee.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://events.sulekha.com/binni-krishnakumar_tickets_artist_427|title=Binni Krishnakumar Event Tickets & Concerts Dates|website=Sulekhaevents.com|accessdate=25 September 2025}}</ref> She further pursued [[M. Phil]] in music at [[Kamaraj University]], [[Madurai]] and secured first grade. Binni is a B-High grade artist at the [[All India Radio]] and performs regularly during cultural and Government organized ceremonies.

==Career==
===Carnatic music===
Binny started her public concerts while she was pursuing her graduation at the Youth festivals organized by the university. She was conferred upon many honors and prizes post her performances. Post her marriage to Krishnakumar in 1999, the couple have been performing extensively across India and internationally, with concerts in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Singapore, among other countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/and-quiet-flows-the-karamana-two-of-a-kind/article3968866.ece|title=And Quiet Flows The Karamana: Two of a kind|website=TheHindu.com|date=5 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/music/not-quite-classical/article6682682.ece|title=Not quite classical|website=TheHindu.com|date=11 December 2014}}</ref> The duo have performed together in more than 150 shows across various countries and consider themselves as disciples of eminent vocalist [[M. Balamuralikrishna]].

===Playback singing===
Binny's career as a playback singer began in 2004 with the song "Yamunayum" composed by [[M. Jayachandran]] for the Malayalam film ''[[Amrutham (film)|Amrutham]]''. However, she reached her popularity when [[Vidyasagar (composer)|Vidyasagar]] invited her to record "Raa Raa Sarasaku Raa Raa" for the film ''[[Chandramukhi]]'' (2005). The song was an immediate success and earned her the [[Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer - Tamil|Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer]].

She continued to collaborate with M. Jayachandran, [[Ilaiyaraaja]], [[Ouseppachan]] and Vidyasagar on several popular songs in films such as ''[[Boyy Friennd]]'' (2005), ''[[SMS (2008 film)|SMS]]'' (2008), ''[[Thozhi]]'' (2009), ''[[Thambi Vettothi Sundaram]]'' (2011) and ''[[Poraali|Sangharshana]]'' (2011). She has also recorded songs for films in other South Indian languages, including [[Kannada language|Kannada]] and [[Telugu language|Telugu]].

==Personal life==
Binny is married to K. Krishnakumar who is a classical vocalist and a composer. They have two children and her daughter [[Sivaangi Krishnakumar]] is an actress and playback singer.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/from-65-kg-to-sivaangi-krishnakumar-shares-her-inspiring-weight-loss-journey-4828202.html |title='From 65 Kg to...': Sivaangi Krishnakumar Shares her Inspiring Weight Loss Journey |website=news18.com |access-date=2 March 2022 |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309074949/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/from-65-kg-to-sivaangi-krishnakumar-shares-her-inspiring-weight-loss-journey-4828202.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Binny has mentored as a [[Guru|musical Guru]] for younger playback singers, namely [[Swetha Mohan]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indulgexpress.com/culture/music/2023/Apr/13/my-amma-is-my-idolsays-singer-shweta-mohan-48288.html|title='My Amma is my idol,' says singer Shweta Mohan|website=Indulgexpress.com|date=13 April 2023}}</ref> [[Gopika Poornima]]<ref>{{cite web|last1=Vemuri|first1=Radhakrishna|title=Open Heart with RK|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2oHgLpZ1jU|via=YouTube|publisher=ABN Andhra Jyothi|access-date=8 December 2016}}</ref> and [[Kalyani Nair]].

==Discography==
===Films===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="background:#f5f5f5;"
|-
! Year
! Film
! Language
! Song title
! Music director
! Co-singer
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Amrutham (film)|Amrutham]]''
| [[Malayalam]]
| "Yamunayum"
| [[M. Jayachandran]]
|
|-
| rowspan="6" | 2005
| ''[[Chandramukhi]]''
| [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| "Ra Ra Sarasaku"
| [[Vidyasagar (composer)|Vidyasagar]]
| [[Tippu (singer)|Tippu]]
|-
| ''[[Bus Conductor (film)|Bus Conductor]]''
|rowspan="3"| Malayalam
| "Vaathaapi"
|rowspan="4"| M. Jayachandran
|
|-
| ''[[Boyy Friennd]]''
| "Ramzan Nilaavotha"
| [[K. J. Yesudas]]
|-
| ''[[Lokanathan IAS]]''
| "Manjaadikombilinnoru"
| [[K. K. Nishad]]
|-
| ''[[Albhutha Dweep|Arputha Theevu]]'' (D)
| rowspan="4" | Tamil
| "Oridatthil"
| Tippu
|-
| ''[[Aanai]]''
| "Azhagiya Darisanam"
| [[D. Imman]]
| [[Madhu Balakrishnan]]
|-
| 2006
| ''[[Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikecei]]''
| "Aah Aadivaa"
| [[Sabesh-Murali]]
| [[Manikka Vinayagam]], [[Saindhavi]], [[Vadivelu]], Kovai Kamala
|-
| 2007
| ''[[Thottal Poo Malarum]]''
| "Ennai Pidichha"
| [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]]
| [[Haricharan (singer)|Haricharan]]
|-
|rowspan="4"| 2008
| ''Kovalam (Theeram)''
|rowspan="2"| Malayalam
| "Konchum Thinkale"
| Natesh Shankar
| [[M. G. Sreekumar]]
|-
| ''[[SMS (2008 film)|SMS]]''
| "Innale Muttathu Kinnaram"
| [[Ilaiyaraaja]]
| [[Vineeth Sreenivasan]], Rakesh Brahmanandam, [[Vidhu Prathap]]
|-
| ''[[Nadigai]]''
| rowspan="5" | Tamil
| "Roja Malare"
| [[Babu Ganesh]]
| Mary George, Rajakumar
|-
| ''[[Mahesh, Saranya Matrum Palar]]''
| "Thajam Thajam"
| Vidyasagar
|
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Thozhi]]''
| "Isaiyin Meedhuthan"
| R. Shankar
| Madhu Balakrishnan
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2010
| ''[[Magizhchi]]''
| "Kanne Kaniyurangu"
| Vidyasagar
| Madhu Balakrishnan
|-
| ''[[Nagavalli (film)|Nagavalli]]''
| "Ra Ra 2.0"
| [[Guru Kiran]]
| Tippu, [[Ranjith (singer)|Ranjith]]
|-
|rowspan="3"| 2011
| ''[[Poraali|Sangharshana]]'' (D)
| [[Telugu language|Telugu]]
| "Yevvaro Yevarithado"
| [[Sundar C. Babu]]
|
|-
| ''[[Kal Manja]]''
| [[Kannada language|Kannada]]
| "Indhe Kano"
| [[Emil Mohammed]]
|
|-
| ''[[Thambi Vettothi Sundaram]]''
| Tamil
| "Netru Illai Illai"
| Vidyasagar
| Madhu Balakrishnan
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Ennum Eppozhum]]''
| rowspan="3" | Malayalam
| "Dhithiki Dhithiki"
| Vidyasagar
|
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2016
| ''Mazhaneer Thullikal''
| "Aaro Mooliya"
|rowspan="2"| [[Ouseppachan]]
|
|-
| ''[[Jalam (film)|Jalam]]''
| "Pakal Paathichaari"
|
|-
|}

===Albums===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="background:#f5f5f5;"
|-
! Year
! Album title
! Language
! Song title
|-
| 2005
| ''Velli Malargal''
| rowspan="4" | Tamil
| "En Sontham"
|-
| 2007
| ''Ramayanam Kadhai Pattu''
| Various songs
|-
| 2008
| ''Thandayum Thayum''
| "Ezhisai Ragam"
|-
| 2009
| ''Enakkoru Aasai''
| "Nee Mattum Vendum"
|-
| 2010
| ''Varumo Nee''
| Malayalam
| "Muraleeganam"
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2011
| ''Maaberum Narseithi''
|rowspan="2"| Tamil
| "Vaanum Mannum"
|-
| ''Thaayaga Vaa''
| "Aadhi Muthalva"
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2012
| ''Ranga Baro''
| Kannada
| Various songs
|-
| ''Nama Sravana Sukham''
| Malayalam
| "Bhaktajana Vatsale"
|-
| 2015
| ''Ananda Mazhai''
| Tamil
| "Azhagana Veenai"
|-
| 2018
| ''Avarkkoppam''
| Malayalam
| "Engottennillathe"
|-
| 2022
| ''Balamurali Pancharathnam''
| Telugu
| Various songs
|-
|}

===Television ===
Binny has appeared as a guest judge in various [[reality TV]] music talent shows such as ''[[Super Singer (Tamil TV series)|Super Singer]], [[Top Singer (TV series)|Top Singer]], [[Jaya Super Singer South India]], [[Start Music (TV series)|Start Music]], [[Super Singer Junior]]'', often aired on [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and [[Malayalam]] TV channels. She has also appeared as a contestant and guest in several other shows such as ''[[Naanum Rowdy Dhaan (TV series)|Naanum Rowdy Dhaan]], [[Top Cooku Dupe Cooku]], [[Cooku with Comali]], [[Samayal Samayal with Venkatesh Bhat]]''.

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
! Serial name !! Music director !! Channel(s)
|-
| ''[[Lakshmi (2006 TV series)|Lakshmi]]'' || [[Dhina]] || [[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]]
|-
|}

==Titles, awards and other recognition==
Binny is a "Top Rank" graded artist of [[Akashvani (radio broadcaster)|Akashvani]] and All India Radio, Chennai. She won the [[Kalaimamani]] award from the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]] in 2020, along with her husband Krishnakumar. During her career, She has been bestowed with numerous other titles and won numerous other awards and prizes.

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
|-
! width=5%| Year
! style="width:40%;"| Honour
! style="width:40%;"| Honouring bestowed or presented by
! style="width:5%;"| Ref
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 1989
| style="text-align:center;" | Kalathilakam
| style="text-align:center;" | Kerala State Youth Festival Committee
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 1992 & 1994
| style="text-align:center;" | First Prize in music
| style="text-align:center;" | Kerala University Youth Festivals
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref name="DN2002">{{cite news|author=Sarath Malalasekera|title=Online Edition of Daily News|publisher=The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd|date=24 August 2002|url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2002/08/24/fea10.html|access-date=28 December 2014}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 2000
| style="text-align:center;" | The Junior Fellowship
| style="text-align:center;" | Government of India (Cultural Department)
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 2012
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Government of Kerala]]
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite news |title=Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Awards 2012 announced |url=https://www.apnnews.com/kerala-sangeetha-nataka-akademi-awards-2012-announced/|work=APNNews.com|date=20 February 2013}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" | 2020
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Kalaimamani]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Government of Tamil Nadu]]
| style="text-align:center;" |
|-
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Binni Krishnakumar}}
[[Category:Women Carnatic singers]]
[[Category:Carnatic singers]]
[[Category:Musicians from Chennai]]
[[Category:Musicians from Kerala]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Performers of Hindu music]]
[[Category:Indian women classical singers]]
[[Category:Indian women playback singers]]
[[Category:Tamil-language playback singers]]
[[Category:Kannada-language playback singers]]
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:People from Idukki district]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women singers]]
[[Category:Indian women musicologists]]
[[Category:Indian musicologists]]
[[Category:Women musicians from Kerala]]
[[Category:Singers from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Kerala academics]]
[[Category:Educators from Kerala]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award]]

Binni Krishnakumar - Revision history

Aaron at 00:40, 22 March 2026