Vidhu Pratab, one of the most talented young male singers from South India,
hails from Kaithamukku in Trivandrum, Kerala. He did his early education from Holy
Angels and then completed his schooling at Christ Nagar. During his school days in Christ Nagar, he used to participate in
mono-acts,
mimicry and had a real penchant for singing. Vidhu was the Arts Club
Secretary in Mar Ivanios college where he did his graduation. In 1997-98, at the age of 17, he won
the 'Voice of the Year Award' in a music competition conducted by a private
channel. It was after that, he seriously thought about becoming a singer.
Vidhu started taking music lessons when he was three years old and has won
many competitions in several musical categories. He first sang for a movie called 'Paadamudra', when he was in class IV. But his real break was in
1999 in a movie 'Devadasi' rendering 'Pon Vasantham', a difficult song with a
classical touch.
His rendering of the fast number 'Sukriya' in Niram (1999) made him a favourite
with the masses, especially the youth. Besides, with a generation shift in Malayalam
films, younger actors like Dileep, Kunchakko Boban and Prithviraj needed a young
voice to suit their style. That was where Vidhu fitted in. His depth and range
were once again evident in 'Sayahnam', directed by R. Sarath, which won Vidhu
the Kerala State Film award in 2001 for the song 'Kalame Kaikolluka nee'. His
sensitive rendition of Mohan Sithara's 'Enthu Sukhamani Nilavu' a romantic
song in the movie 'Nammal' won him the Lux-Asianet
best male singer award in 2002.The credit for his 'mood rendition' should go
to Devarajan, the famous music director, with whom he trained for four years.
He has also trained under Music director Perumbavoor
G Ravindranath.
Ilayaraja introduced him in Tamil in a movie 'Solla Marantha Kathai'
(2002). Later he sang many Tamil songs, most of them became hits. In
2003, he got another hit song 'Valeduthal Angakali' in 'Meesa Madhavan'.
Some movies that featured songs by him are 'Swapnakoodu', 'Pattalam',
'Runway', 'Pandippada', 'Ravanan', 'Vargam', 'Out of Syllabus', 'Thanmatra'
etc. He has sung the most number of songs for music director Mohan Sithara.
He also sang for more than 45 music albums, in which 'Ente Suhra' is
the most popular Mappila song album in Malayalam. Vidhu is also an active
performer in many stage shows in India as well as abroad.
According to Vidhu it was his father Pratap who motivated and supported him
to reach the position he is in now. He is indebted to his family and
God for his success. This very down to earth, talented personality
is a believer in God. When asked about the girl he would like to marry,
he said he wants someone who would gel well with his family and, if
not a singer she should at least be someone who appreciates music.
Vidhu renders his songs especially emotional ones with a pathos
and feeling that only he can. He is still concentrating on learning
classical music for versatility. No doubt that his voice will create
ripples in days to come.
