Introduction
Devan Ekambaram (born 25 December) is an Indian American film playback singer, actor and composer. He began his career as a playback singer in Tamil films and later branched out to many other south Indian languages as well like Telugu, Kannada and has so far sung over 500 songs.
Education
Devan pursued his higher school studies at the Freehold Township High School, New Jersey. He studied Electrical Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.
Playback singing career
Devan began his singing career in the year 1999, when he received an unexpected call from one of the musician A. R. Rahman's assistants for a voice audition. He then, went on to record his maiden song "O Mariah" for the film Kadhalar Dhinam along with Yugendran. The song proved to be a hit among all sections and thereafter he received several offers from many other Southern music directors.
Devan's second huge hit came in his short piece mellifluous rendition in "Ore Nyabagam" from Minnale (2001) composed by Harris Jayaraj. Thereafter he sang many popular tracks in Tamil and Telugu films under the compositions of Ilayaraja, Vidhyasagar, Deva, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Karthik Raja and others. The song "Anbil Avan" from Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa composed by A. R. Rahman ruled the music chart for months.
Most of his songs are for the music director Harris Jayaraj. And all the songs which he had sung for him have received a good reception from the audience.
Recently he has sung a peppy number called "Nahna na Na" for Director Venkat Prabhu's Biriyani Which was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja has become a viral hit from the day it was released. Two different remix versions of the song called "Jack Swing Mix" and "The Extended Mix" also received a massive response.
His latest song is " Hey Lamba Lamba " from the movie Yaan were he again sings for the music director Harris Jayaraj. This song was written by late lyricist Vaali. It is another peppy number.
Music direction
Devan debuted as a music director in the 2010 film Bale Pandiya. The music album was received with a mixed response .Besides this film, Devan has composed for several short Tamil album songs and has also sung for them.
Acting
Devan has also acted in few Tamil films as a character artist. The prominent ones being Parthiban Kanavu (debut film), Unnale Unnale and Jayam Kondaan.He also dubbed for Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu for character "Detective Anderson".
Discography
Tamil Songs
| Year | Album | Song Name | Film Composer | Co-Singer(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Idhu Enna Maayam | "Machi Machi" | G. V. Prakash Kumar | Udit Narayan, Navin Iyer | |
| 2015 | Yennai Arindhaal | "Yennai Arindhaal" | Harris Jayaraj | Mark Thomas, Abhishek | |
| 2015 | Om Shanthi Om | "Mazhai Thuli Azhaga" | Vijay Ebenezer | Aalap Raju, Dr. Burn | |
| 2014 | Yaan | "Hey Lamba Lamba" | Harris Jayaraj | Krishna Iyer, Divya Vijay | |
| 2013 | Biriyani | "Nahna Nah Na" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |
| 2013 | Endrendrum Punnagai | "Vaan Engum Nee Minna" | Harris Jayaraj | Aalap Raju, Harini, Praveen | |
| 2013 | Settai | "Theme Music of Settai" | S. Thaman | ||
| 2011 | Kanden | "Ninaivugal" | Vijay Ebenezer | ||
| 2011 | Engeyum Kadhal | "Engeyum Kadhal" | Harris Jayaraj | Aalap Raju, Ranina Reddy | |
| 2010 | Bale Pandiya | "Kannodu Illaye" | Devan Ekambaram | Haricharan, Naresh Iyer, Naveen Mathav, Ranjith, Rahul Nambiar, Paravai Muniyamma, Manikka Vinayagam, Anuradha Sriram, Srinivas, Mukesh, Divya, Suchitra, Velmurugan, Malgudi Subha, Vijay Yesudas, Aalap Raju | |
| 2010 | Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya | "Anbil Avan" | A. R. Rahman | Chinmayi | |
| 2009 | Ayan | "Honey Honey" | Harris Jayaraj | Sayanora Philip | |
| 2008 | Vaaranam Aayiram | "Nenjukkul Peidhidum" | Harris Jayaraj | Hariharan, Krish, Prasanna | |
| 2006 | Thalainagaram | "Yedho Ninaikiren" | D. Imman | ||
| 2003 | Punnagai Poove | "Venus Venus Pennae" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Harini | |
| 2003 | Kurumbu | "Adichchi Pudichchi" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Sunitha Sarathy | |
| 2003 | Kurumbu | "Aasai Nooru Vagai" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Malaysia Vasudevan | |
| 2002 | Majunu | "Mercury Mele" | Harris Jayaraj | P. Unnikrishnan | |
| 2002 | Majunu | "Hari Gori" | Harris Jayaraj | Tippu, Karthik, Ganga, Febi Mani | |
| 2002 | Kannathil Muthamittal | "Signore Signore" | A. R. Rahman | Swarnalatha, Rafique, Noel James, Anupama | |
| 2001 | Minnale | "Ore Nyabagam" | Harris Jayaraj | ||
| 2001 | Friends | "Manjal Poosum" | Ilayaraja | Sujatha Mohan | |
| 2001 | Kushi | "Premante" | Mani Sharma | Kalpana | |
| 2000 | Kandukondain Kandukondain | "Smayiyai" | A. R. Rahman | Clinton Cerejo, Dominique Cerejo | |
| 1999 | Kadhalar Dhinam | "Oh Mariya" | A. R. Rahman | Yugendran, Febi Mani |
Telugu Songs
| Year | Album | Song Name | Film Composer | Co-Singer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Vasu | "O Prema" | Harris Jayaraj | |
| 2001 | Kushi | "Premante" | Kalpana |