Chinnaponnu | |
|---|---|
 Chinnaponnu in a Puthuyugam interview | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Sivagangai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Genres | Filmi, Folk music |
| Occupation(s) | Playback singer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocalist |
| Years active | 1990–current |
Chinnaponnu (also credited as Chinna Ponnu or Chinnaponnu Kumar) is a folk and playback singer from the state of Tamil Nadu, India.
Chinnaponnu was born in Suranam, a small village in Sivagangai district, Tamil Nadu, India. She started performing in temple festivals and churches when she was 13 years old. Soon afterwards, she began singing professionally in the troupe of fellow folk artist Kottaisamy, whom she credits as a mentor. Later her voice brought the attention of K.A. Gunasekaran, a leading researcher on the folk arts and folk songs of Tamil Nadu, who also had close ties to the Communist Party of India. Gunasekaran helped promote her performances in different parts of the state.[1]
In 2004, she broke into the Tamil film industry as a playback singer with the song "Annanoda Paatu” in the hit film Chandramukhi, starring Rajinikanth and Jyothika.[2] This led to television appearances and interest from other music directors.
In the year 2010, she won the Edition Award 2010 for the song "Theeka Theeka" from the film Suriyan Satta Kalloori directed by S.S. Pandian. In the same year she was also one of the artists featured in the theme song for the World Classical Tamil Conference 2010, composed by A. R. Rahman, with a video directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon.[3]
In 2010 and 2011, her troupe was one of the headlining acts at the Chennai Sangamam festival. In June 2011, she appeared on MTV Coke Studio television series in the episodes 'Vethalai' and 'Tere Naam' along with singer Kailash Kher and Papon.
In 2012, she entered the Telugu film industry with the song Pattuko Pattuko in the hit movie Bus Stop with music by JB and G. Anil.
Her next major hit, "Nakku Mukka", was featured in the 2008 film Kadhalil Vizhunthen. For this song she was honoured with the Kannadasan Award for best folk singer in a Tamil film. A different version of "Nakku Mukka" (with changed lyrics) was featured in a short Times of India ad film entitled A Day in the Life of Chennai, which won two Gold Lions at Cannes in 2009.[4][5] The song even featured in the Bollywood hit film The Dirty Picture.
She was a contestant in Bigg Boss (Tamil season 5). She got eliminated on Day 28 due to the lack of public votes.
Suriya Thoranam, her first audiocassette, released by Father Bakianathan.
Thannane, with songs written and composed by K.A. Gunasekaran, released by the CPI.
Chinnaponnu recorded many other cassettes in her childhood and young adulthood which were sold and circulated informally. A CD re-release of the best of these tracks is planned.
Marikkozhunthae (Symphony Records, 2005)
Thannane Thannane (Symphony Records, 2009)
| Song | Film | Music Director | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annanoda pattu | Chandramukhi | Vidyasagar | Tamil |
| Aathi Sivanae | Thagappansamy | Srikanth Deva | Tamil |
| Mannarkudi Kalakalakka | Sivappathigaram | Vidyasagar | Tamil |
| Naalugopura | Karuppusamy Kuththagaithaarar | Dheena | Tamil |
| Nakku Mukka | Kadhalil Vizhunthen | Vijay Antony | Tamil |
| Theeka Theeka | Suriyan Satta Kalloori | Deva | Tamil |
| Dindu Kallu | Dindigul Sarathy | Dheena | Tamil |
| Aakayam Edimughanka | Eesa | Haran | Tamil |
| Aaravaili | Avargalum Ivargalum | Srikanth Deva | Tamil |
| Aakayam Edimughanka | Eesa | Haran | Tamil |
| Kattu Sirukki (Slow Version) | Raavanan | AR Rahman | Tamil |
| Aaraaro Aaraaro | Pannaiyarum Padminiyum | Justin Prabhakaran | Tamil |
| Pattuko Pattuko | Bus Stop | JB and G. Anil | Telugu |
| Kaatuka Kallu | Sarocharu | Devi Sri Prasad | Telugu |
| Mirchi | Mirchi | Devi Sri Prasad | Telugu |
| Thappathaan Theriyum | Maari | Anirudh Ravichander | Tamil |
| Moonu Kodi | Oru Kanniyum Moonu Kalavaanikalum | Natarajan Sankaran | Tamil |
| Love In Wheels - Theme | Thodari | D.Imman | Tamil |
| Vodu Vodu Vodu | Bramman | Devi Sri Prasad | Tamil |
| Aararo | Katha Solla Porom | Pavan Kumar | Tamil |
| Bam Bam Bambaram | Raja Mandhiri | Justin Prabhakaran | Tamil |
| Oppaari | Saithan | Vijay Antony | Tamil |
| Anna Nadai | Thagaraaru | Dharan Kumar | Tamil |
| Oorellam Vettu Sattham | Thilagar | Kannan | Tamil |
| Valliamma | Seedan | Dhina | Tamil |
| Chikku Bukku | Madha Gaja Raja | Vijay Antony | Tamil |
| Vatta Vatta | Seeni | Srikanth Deva | Tamil |
| Anicham Poovazhagi | Thaandavam | G.V.Prakash Kumar | Tamil |
| Hello Brother | Irumbu Kuthirai | G.V.Prakash Kumar | Tamil |
| Kokkara Kozhi | Saivam | G.V.Prakash Kumar | Tamil |
| Athamaga Pudikavillai | Kannakkol | Bobby | Tamil |
| Koova | Ondraga Originals | Karthik | Tamil |
| Vengamavan | Natpe Thunai | Hiphop Tamizha | Tamil |
| Ready Steady Go | Anbarivu | Hiphop Tamizha | Tamil |
| Ningi Nela | F3 | Devi Sri Prasad | Telugu |
| Oorukaaran | Non-album singles | Hiphop Tamizha | Tamil |
In 1990 Chinnaponnu was married to composer and percussionist Selva Kumar (who generally performs under the name Kumar) at Thanjavur Mariamman Temple. They have composed music and performed together ever since.
In 2008, Chinnaponnu was involved in a serious car accident, in which her driver was killed.[6] She sustained head injuries and was hospitalised for several weeks, but was performing and recording again within a few months.
In 2021, Chinnaponnu participated in the reality show Bigg Boss Tamil Season 5 and became the only aged female contestant to survive in the house for 4 weeks.
In 2023, Chinnaponnnu is participating in Zee Tamil show Super Jodi.
