← Back to Blog

Sid Sriram: From Carnatic Roots to Film Playback Stardom

Sid Sriram, born Siddharth Sriram on 19 May 1990 in Chennai, is an Indian music producer, playback singer, and songwriter who has become one of the most distinctive voices in South Indian cinema. Raised in the Bay Area of California, he fuses Carnatic classical music with R&B, soul, and contemporary sounds. His songs, from "Thalli Pogathey" to "Srivalli" and "Deva Deva," have become some of the most replayed tracks in Indian film music.

Carnatic Foundations

Sid's musical journey began at the age of three, when he immersed himself in Carnatic music. He learned varnams from his mother, Latha Sriram, in their Fremont living room, and later studied music production and engineering at Berklee College of Music, where he explored jazz, blues, and R&B while staying rooted in his Carnatic heritage. He made his Carnatic concert debut as a child at Chennai's Margazhi season and continues to return to the classical stage.

The Rahman Breakthrough

Sid's viral 2011 cover of Frank Ocean's "We All Try" drew A.R. Rahman's attention. A year later, he was in Rahman's studio recording "Adiye" for Mani Ratnam's Kadal (2013), his playback debut. His breakout arrived with "Thalli Pogathey" from Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada in 2016, alongside Rahman. He went on to win the Filmfare Award for Best Playback Singer for his rendition of "Ennodu Nee Irundhaal" from I (2015).

A Run of Defining Songs

Sid's catalogue spans Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi cinema. His hits include "Inkem Inkem" from Geetha Govindam (2018), "Samajavaragamana" from Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, "Kadalalle" from Dear Comrade, "Maruvaarthai" from Enai Noki Paayum Thota, "Srivalli" from Pushpa: The Rise, and "Deva Deva" from Brahmastra. He has also composed for films, scoring Mani Ratnam's production Vaanam Kottattum, and his independent releases such as Entropy explore a more experimental side of his artistry, blending genres around themes of identity and longing.

Legacy

Known for eclectic set lists that fuse Carnatic and R&B, Sid has built a career that bridges two worlds: the classical stage and the film industry. His concerts blend film hits with reinterpretations of songs he grew up loving and his own original music, moving between high-energy moments and intimate, vulnerable passages. His work has introduced Carnatic phrasing and emotion to a generation of film listeners who might never otherwise encounter it.

Apply →