Life's a song for the chosen one

Sri Krishna Vishnubotla, known for his sweet voice and also SP Balasubramanyam's favorite Gen-X singer, recalls his memories, sweet moments and achievements and also about the people who brought him into the lime light

I learnt few Kannada songs and won the first prize. I was the first Telugu person to win first prize in Kannada show 'Yede tumbi haduvunu' hosted by my idol SP Balasubramanyam sir

Purnima Sriram

Sri Krishna, who belongs to a simple, middleclass orthodox family in Vijayawada, made his way up into the music industry by winning in reality shows and hearts of music directors with his sheer musical prowess. The 29-year-old singer known for his heartfelt singing and performance has become a household name in Andhra Pradesh. Every aspiring singer wants to know the secret behind his sweet voice and training behind his way of his singing.

Though born in Hyderabad, he was raised in Vijayawada, his paternal hometown. He pursued his bachelor's in computer, statistics and mathematics from PB Siddhartha college and his masters in the same from Sharadha College, Vijayawada. Though his singing talent was groomed in Ramakrishna Vidyalaya where he studied till Class V, Bharath Vikas Parishad, Akashvani and PB Siddartha College gave him opportunities to showcase his musical talent.

The young singer says that both his parents Chandramohan Vishnubotla and Padmavathi Vishnubotla are not much into singing. "In Class VII, I joined Carnatic music class by Annapoorna. Though I attended very few classes, I learnt many Annamacharya keerthanas.

When I was in Class VI, I participated in a devotional music competition and was taken aback when I won a prize. I fell unconscious on the stage while receiving the prize. All my relatives and friends heard me sing 'Chukallara Chuppulara' from 'Apathbandhuvudu' and was astonished at my singing skills. They advised me to get formally trained in music," he added.

It was two years later that he took singing seriously by taking part in competitions and winning awards. "Once Bharath Vikas Parishad conducted a inter school competition. My principal discouraged me saying I would not win the competition. But I took part, composed and trained a few of my mates for the group singing competition. Suddenly in the competition, I observed other schools students were singing with swaras.

At the nth minute, I changed my song and added few swaras on my own. My brother and father too apparently attended the event without telling me. I was disappointed that we did not bag any of the three prizes and left the venue dejected. After a while, my brother came home with an award saying I had won the special jury award and my brother received it on my behalf. My happiness knew no bounds. The next morning, I went to my principal and showed her my award."

Though my parents were not too keen that I take up singing professionally, nothing could stop me from pursuing music. "I was so much in love with music that I participated in each and every kind of music competition. Though I am ignorant about Christian songs, I heard a couple of them and composed my own song and won the first prize.

In intermediate, I had two friends, Krishna and Hanuman, we had participated in 'Purna Vandemataram competition' conducted by Bharath Vikas Parishad. It was a competition where we could sing the Vandemataram song in our own composed tune. Out of 40 colleges including degree and PG, we won the first prize. Though we couldn't win in the state level, we won first in Krishna district and also represented my district in the state level," he added.

All India Radio gave him a lot of opportunities which helped him support himself financially. "I once went to give auditions in the All India Radio, they asked me to read a essay on 'Peacock'. They liked the way I read it and they made me the anchor for a children's show. My experience in All India Radio added to my resume which helped me get a job in 93.5 Red FM as a RJ," he added. He also doubled up as a music teacher for some time, taking home tuitions for students.

Though his dream of singing in 'Paadutha Teeyaga' didn't come true, he still didn't lose hope and went ahead in participating in 'Close Up Sa Re Ga Ma Pa,' an antakshari competition, hosted by Mano and Sailaja. "Ram Prasad was the judge and I was selected in the auditions. It was my onscreen debut. I lost the contest as I lacked cinema knowledge," the Gen-X melody king shared.

It was in college that his singing career really soared. "I was the only one from my college to get selected for light music competition at Nagarjuna University's inter college competition. I won the second prize and also the confidence of my folks. The next year, I was asked to select students for group singing. The following year, I again participated in the same competition and won first in light music, second in both patriotic and folk song. Every other college in my town was scared to compete with me," he added.

Shared his most memorable competition of his life, he says "'Padalani Undi' of MAA TV was hosted by my idol SP Balasubramanyam. I got selected for all the preliminary rounds and got the opportunity to sing in front of my role model and I went into the final round where Hariharan and Sivamani were the judges. I got to sing live amidst 6,000 people in Mumbai and won the first prize.

This competition strengthened my desire to sing in front of Balu sir again. I learnt that he was hosting a Kannada talent show 'Yede Tumbi Haduvunu' and the assistant director of the programme Indira was a good friend of mine. I got selected in preliminary rounds and entered the finals. Balu sir acknowledged my talent and it was a great moment to cherish. I learnt a few Kannada songs and won the first prize. I was the first Telugu person to win first prize in Kannada show," he shared.

"Koti sir gave me a break. My heart skipped a beat every time Balu sir called me to give opportunities to perform live in concerts in India and abroad. He called me to sing along with him on the occasion of Shiva Ratri in Sanga Reddy and after a few months, he called me asking me to check a website. No sooner had I opened the website, I jumped out of happiness to see my picture along with the most inspirational, evergreen singers.

It was an information site about a concert that was supposed to happen in US. I went along with SPB sir, Sailaja ma'am and Chitra ma'am to US and performed along with them," he says expressing joy.A His biggest hit 'Aadinchi Asta Chamma' from 'Asta chamma' was a huge hit and his another biggest hit in the recent times was 'Nestama' from 'Dhamarukam'.