Nikhil Mathew

Nikhil Mathew is an Indian playback singer, who usually works for Tamil and Malayalam films and is known for his award winning hit song , Azhanlinte Azhangalil. Born to a Christian family on 23rd October 1983, he hails from Kottayam, Kerala. In 2006, he won the Airtel Super Singer on Vijay, which earned him his breakthrough song Enayudhire, under music composer Harris Jayaraj for the Tamil film Bheema. Nikhil Mathew’s parents are Dr. A.V. Mathew and Saly Mathew who currently live in Kottayam. He married Meena, who comes from a Brahmin family, and lives with her in Chennai. Mathew completed his school and graduation in Kerala before moving to Chennai for MBA at Satyabhama Deemed University. Mathew was passionate about music from a very young age and had a habit of memorizing Tamil songs.

He even received training in classical music from Ambilikuttan, when he was in eighth standard. He also received training in classical singing from Vaikom Radhamani and Kottayam Veeramoni. During his school and under graduate years, he won the first prize in light music at State School Youth Festival in 2000, State Higher Secondary Youth Festival in 2002 and M.G. Youth Festival in 2004. Mathew was doing his post graduation in Chennai when he decided to try his luck at the very first season of Airtel Super Singers on Vijaya TV in 2006. He was selected from among more than one lakh aspirants and went on to win the reality show against five finalists. After this he was chosen by musician Harris Jayaraj to sing Enayudhire for the movie Bheema released in 2008, marking the beginning of a steady career in the Tamil film industry.

Mathew entered the Malayalam industry with the Nilavinte Thoovaral for the movie Moonnamathoral in 2006 under music composer Ouseppachan, on recommendation by Prem Prakash. But unfortunately his version of the song only made it to the CD. This was before his breakthrough in the Airtel Super Singers contest. Interestingly enough, he has worked in more Tamil songs than Malayalam ones. His popular hits include Karmukili for Bachelors Party, Endredrum for Endredrum, Cherupunjiri for Maheshante Pratheekaaram, Shoonyamai for Paathshala, Hailesa lesa for Pullipulikalum Attinkuttiyum, and many more. But his most popular song was Azhanlinte Azhangalil for the movie Ayalum Njanum Thammil in 2012 which won him Big FM Melody Awards under Manassil Thotta Singer category and Mirchi Awards for the Best Song of the year, both in 2013.