Yuvan Shankar Raja (born 31 August 1979) is an Indian singer-songwriter, film score and soundtrack composer, and occasional lyricist from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He composed music for Tamil films like his father Ilaiyaraaja. He began his career at the age of 16, when he composed the film music for Aravindhan. Then after a long break he composed for "Thulluvatho Ilamai" in the year 2001.[1][2] In 15 years, Yuvan Shankar Raja has worked on over 100 films. 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 having started the "era of remixes" in Tamil Nadu.[3][4][5]
He is the third and youngest child of musician and film composer Ilaiyaraaja and his late wife Jeeva. He is the younger brother of music director Karthik Raja and playback singer & music director Bhavatharini.[6] His father as well as his siblings have sung many songs under his direction. Yuvan Shankar did his schooling at St. Bede's Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School in Chennai,[7][8] and stopped his education after his tenth class. He started learning music from Jacob Master,[9] attending piano classes at "Musee Musical" in Chennai, which is affiliated to Trinity College in London, UK.[10]