Who Is Yuvan Shankar Raja? Age, Biography and Wiki
Yuvan Shankar Raja was born on August 31, 1979, making him 45 years old in 2025. Hailing from a prestigious musical lineage, he is the son of the illustrious music director Ilaiyaraaja. With a prolific career spanning over two decades, Yuvan is celebrated for redefining contemporary Tamil music, infusing it with innovative sounds and styles. His wiki page details his extensive discography and accolades, showcasing his influence and legacy in the industry.
| Occupation | Composer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 31, 1979 |
| Age | 45 Years |
| Birth Place | Madras, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | India |
Popularity
Yuvan Shankar Raja's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Yuvan Shankar Raja stands at a height of approximately 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm). His weight is around 70 kg (154 lbs), and his body measurements are well-proportioned, maintaining a fit and healthy appearance. Yuvan’s charismatic persona paired with his musical talents makes him a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
Yuvan Shankar Raja (born 31 August 1979), is an Indian composer and playback singer. He mainly scores music for Tamil films along with few Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi films.
Considered a versatile composer, he is particularly known for his use of Western music elements and often credited with having introduced hip hop to the Tamil film and music industry and started the "era of remixes" in Tamil Nadu which included mixed EDM and jazz. He is frequently referred to as the "BGM King" of Tamil film music.
Yuvan has won two Filmfare Awards South, five Mirchi Music Awards South, three Vijay Awards and two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Yuvan Shankar Raja is known to maintain a degree of privacy concerning his personal life. As of 2025, he is reportedly in a relationship, though he tends to keep details about his girlfriend out of the public eye. His family plays a significant role in his life; he is married and shares children with his spouse. His marriage has been a blend of personal fulfillment and mutual respect, contributing positively to his career.
He is the third and youngest child of musician and film composer Ilaiyaraaja. He is the younger brother of music director Karthik Raja and playback singer-music director Bhavatharini.
Yuvan once confessed that his brother Karthik Raja was more talented than him, but he did not get a successful break into the music business since he did not get a "good team to work with". His father as well as his siblings have sung many songs under his direction. Film director and film composer Gangai Amaran and R. D.
Bhaskar are his uncles and their sons Venkat Prabhu, Premgi Amaren and Parthi Bhaskar, who are working in the Tamil film industry as well, are his cousins.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Yuvan Shankar Raja's net worth is estimated to be around $20 million. His income primarily comes from his work as a music composer and playback singer in the Tamil film industry. Yuvan is also involved in various music-related projects, live concerts, and brand endorsements, significantly augmenting his annual earnings.
In 2024, After two decades, Yuvan and Vijay have reunited for The Greatest of All Time, marking their second collaboration since Puthiya Geethai. The first single, "Whistle Podu," sung by Vijay, broke records with 25.5 million views in 24 hours. Yuvan later revealed that Vijay has sung one more song in the movie.
The second single, "Chinna Chinna Kangal," released on Vijay's birthday, features his vocals alongside an AI-recreated version of the late Bhavatharini's voice, making it a heartfelt tribute.
Later, Venkat Prabhu revealed, "Vijay sir personally came forward to sing Chinna Chinna Kangal to pay tribute to the memory of Bhavatharani." Subsequent tracks "Spark" and "Matta" have garnered mixed and energetic responses, respectively.
Career, Business and Investments
Yuvan's career took off in the late 1990s, and he soon became one of the most sought-after music directors in Tamil cinema. He has composed music for numerous blockbuster films and worked with various eminent filmmakers. Beyond music, Yuvan has ventured into other business arenas, including music production and sound engineering studios. His investment in technology and innovative music solutions reflects his vision for the future of music.
Within a span of 25 years, Yuvan has worked on over 190 films. Being the youngest son of composer Ilaiyaraaja, he began his musical career in 1996, at the age of 16, when he composed the film score for Aravindhan.
He got his breakthrough with the Thulluvadho Ilamai (2002) soundtrack, and established himself as one of Tamil cinema's most sought-after composers by the mid-2000s. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Tamil in 2004 for his score in the drama 7G Rainbow Colony.
In 2006, he became the only Indian composer to win the Cyprus International Film Festival Award for the soundtrack of Raam. He also won the Filmfare Special Award – South in 2009 for his Telugu musical Oy!.
Social Network
Yuvan Shankar Raja is quite active on social media, engaging with fans and sharing updates about his musical journey. On platforms like Instagram and Twitter, he has a substantial following, where he posts snippets of his music, personal life, and collaborations. His social media presence significantly enhances his connection with fans and reinforces his brand.
In 2001, he had three album releases, the first being Thulluvadho Ilamai, collaborating with Selvaraghavan for the first time. The film was directed by Kasthuri Raja, but his son Selvaraghavan wrote the script and worked with Yuvan Shankar Raja for the film's soundtrack album.
The soundtrack album of Thulluvadho Ilamai particularly appealed to the younger generation. The film itself, marking the debut of Selvaraghavan's brother Dhanush, released one year later and became a sleeper hit at the Chennai box office. This was followed by Bala's Nandha (2001), for which he received rave reviews.
He then gained notice by churning out "youthful music" in the college-life based April Maadhathil (2002), the romantic comedy films Kadhal Samrajyam (2002) (The film was never released theatrically, the soundtrack was released in 2002) and Mounam Pesiyadhe (2002), Ameer's directorial debut film, and the triangular love story Punnagai Poove (2002),
in which he also made his on-screen debut, appearing in some scenes and one song sequence.
At the same time, he made his Telugu debut with Seshu and Malli Malli Chudali and also composed for the Tamil films Junior Senior and Pop Carn, starring Malayalam actors Mammootty and Mohanlal, respectively, though all of which performed poorly at the box office.
Education
Yuvan Shankar Raja pursued his early education in Chennai and later graduated from the esteemed Trinity College of Music in London. His formal training in music theory and composition has played an essential role in shaping his skills as a composer, allowing him to experiment with different genres and styles in his work.
In conclusion, Yuvan Shankar Raja remains an influential figure in the Indian music scene as of 2025. With a perfect blend of talent, dedication, and innovation, he continues to resonate with audiences around the world, solidifying his legacy in the music industry.
Yuvan did his schooling at St. Bede's Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School in Chennai, and discontinued his education after his tenth class. He started learning music from Jacob Master, attending piano classes at "Musee Musical" in Chennai, which is affiliated to Trinity College in London, UK.
