Job Kurian is a singer-songwriter from Alleppey, Kerala, the land of serene backwaters. Deeply rooted in Kerala’s folk traditions, his sound blends world music with alternative folk influences, fusing classical, contemporary, pop, and alternative styles. He has received multiple honors, including “The Face of Independent Music in Kerala” (P. Jayachandran Memorial Awards), “Indie Icon of the Year” (Resonance Awards), and Best Playback Singer at the South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA).
With a career spanning over two decades, Job has been a defining presence in both the independent music scene and the Malayalam playback industry. Known for his powerful storytelling through music, songs such as Padayatra, Bhaavam, and Kannodu showcase his signature sound and emotional artistry. His work in acclaimed TV shows such as Music Mojo and Straight from the Heart, along with projects like Thaalam (2008) and the Hope Project (2017), has solidified his reputation as a distinguished artist. Often described as “Kerala’s soul wrapped in an international sound, ” his music continues to stand out in the industry.
Beyond independent work, Job has lent his voice and collaborated with all major music directors in the Malayalam film industry, renowned bands like Avial, Shankar Tucker, and When Chai Met Toast, Grammy Award-winner Ricky Kej, and Charan Raj (Kannada films). His live act, Job Kurian Live, has toured extensively across India and internationally including the UK, Ireland, the UAE, other parts of the Middle East, and Australia. He has also performed at major festivals such as Pune NH7 Weekender, SouthSideStory, Indiegaga, Oddball Festival, and Ragam. Tours across the US, Canada, and beyond have further expanded his global fan base. Celebrated for authenticity and emotional richness, Job’s music leaves a lasting impact, with each project inspired by real-life experiences. As he says: “After all, my music is an extended expression of who I truly am.”
Early Life and Breakthrough
Job Kurian, born on July 29, 1982, in Thiruvananthapuram and hailing from Alleppey, Kerala, is a singer-songwriter whose two-decade journey has been marked by soulful yet energetic performances, groundbreaking independent projects, and emotionally resonant playback tracks that have significantly contributed to contemporary Malayalam music. A B.Tech graduate in Instrumentation Technology from Malnad College of Engineering, Karnataka, he rose to prominence as the runner-up of Amrita TV’s Super Star in 2006 — a platform that introduced his talent to the public and laid the foundation for his career in the Malayalam music industry.
Independant Music Journey
Job has built a prolific independent career, debuting as a composer with the album Thaalam (2008, co-composed with Charan and Yakzan), which became one of the key reference points in India’s indie music scene. He was also associated with Rosebowl through the pioneering concert series Straight from the Heart, which reimagined film and non-film songs while preserving their soul and emotional essence — a concept that resonated deeply with audiences and earned high acclaim in the industry.
Kappa TV’s Music Mojo began its journey with Job Kurian performing in its very first episode. The show soon grew into one of the most popular platforms for musicians across diverse music industries in the country, and Job went on to be associated with three seasons of this revolutionary program, which gave birth to many timeless indie songs with distinct orchestration that continue to be cherished by music lovers. Over the years, Job released defining independent works such as Aarente, Embran, Kaanan Kannu, Padayatra, Ellaam, Roots, Poliyo, Thaaraattu, Nilavu, Nenjinneenam, and the widely loved duet Kannodu with Mridula Warrier, first performed on Music Mojo during 2014–2015. Kannodu experienced a resurgence in 2025, going viral on Instagram and YouTube Reels as audiences rediscovered its emotional depth — amplified by Job’s own heartfelt tributes to his wife, Athira.
Padayatra — one of the most popular Malayalam indie tracks — featuring renowned Carnatic vocalist Harish Sivaramakrishnan, firmly established Job Kurian as a leading voice in India’s indie music scene.
Deeply rooted in Kerala’s traditional folk music, his sound blends world music with alternative folk influences, fusing classical, contemporary, pop, and alternative styles.
In addition to his independent projects, Job continues to lend his voice and compositions to other non-film works, further expanding his creative footprint.
Hope Project
Between 2017–2020, Job released the HOPE Project, a series of deeply autobiographical singles — Enthavo, Parudeesa, Mulla, and Kaalam — notable for their deep emotions conveyed through raw storytelling. The music video of Enthavo, which featured acclaimed actor Fahadh Faasil in a cameo role, was an experimental project filmed entirely on a GoPro camera. Each song carried a unique emotional theme: Parudeesa voiced his anguish about the social climate, Mulla evoked nostalgia for childhood, and Kaalam served as a note of gratitude to his great-grandmother, the iron lady of his family, “Kalapurackal.”
The HOPE Project further strengthened Job’s reputation as an artist of soulfulness, substance, and integrity.
Playback Singing Career
Job made his playback debut with Aathmavin Kaavil in Black Cat, a memorable duet with the legendary K. S. Chithra. His breakthrough came with Aaranne Aaranne (Urumi, 2011), after which his voice became synonymous with emotional richness, vulnerability, and rustic energy.
Memorable tracks include Melle Kollum (22 Female Kottayam), Manikyachirakulla (Idukki Gold), Mandaarame (Ohm Shanthi Oshaana), Ennalakale (Honey Bee), Thaazhe Nee (Thira), Thaane Pookkum (Sapthamashree Thaskaraha), and Chillu Ranthal (Kali).
More recent successes include Thaa Thinnam (Theevandi), Arike Ninna (Hridayam), and Pakalo Kaanaathe (Saudi Vellakka), the latter earning him the SIIMA Award for Best Male Playback Singer in 2023.
Collaborations
Over the years, Job has collaborated with legendary artists such as Nedumudi Venu and Kavalam Narayana Panicker; bands including Avial, Shankar Tucker, When Chai Met Toast, and Stephen Devassy & Band; and leading composers of the Indian film industry such as M. Jayachandran, Vidyasagar, Ouseppachan, Gopi Sunder, Deepak Dev, Rex Vijayan, Shaan Rahman, Bijibal, Rahul Raj, Alphons Joseph, Hesham Abdul Wahab, Palee Francis, Sooraj S Kurup, Sayanora Philip, and Charan Raj (Kannada cinema), among others.
Music Direction in Films
Job Kurian made his debut as a film composer with the Mohanlal-starrer Rasam (2015), marking an important extension of his artistic journey. He is currently composing for a couple of upcoming films that are slated for release soon.
Recent Releases
In 2023, he released his indie single Bhaavam, a track that reinforced why his music is often described as “Kerala’s soul wrapped in an international sound.” This was followed by Athe Nila (featuring actor Roshan Mathew in a cameo for Kappa Originals), Nizhal (featuring veteran actor T. G. Ravi in a prominent role), Palaayanam (shot entirely on iPhone), along with several other notable singles. He also composed and sang a major track for Kerala Blasters from the album Yennum Yellow and co-created the Malayalam Daan Utsav Anthem – Daanam with Arun Pullat in 2024. His playback work continues with Vaanara Lokam (Kishkindha Kaandam, 2024) and Kaavalaai Chekavar from the highly anticipated Empuraan (2025). These releases, widely streamed across Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, highlight his ongoing relevance and fan loyalty.
Awards & Recognition
SIIMA Awards (2023) – Best Male Playback Singer (Malayalam)
P. Jayachandran Memorial Awards (2025) – “Face of Independent Music in Kerala”
Resonance Music and Sound Awards (2025) – “Indie Icon of the Year”
Mazhavil Manorama Music Awards (2023) – Best Independent Music (Bhaavam)
Indywood Music Excellence Awards (2018) – Best Independent Musical Project (HOPE Project)
Mazhavil Manorama Music Awards (2018) – Best Non-Film Song (Enthavo)
Indywood Music Excellence Awards (2017) – Youth Icon
Campus Choice Cine Awards (2015) – The Most Promising Voice
Vayalar Ramavarma – Balabhaskar Yuva Prathibha Award
Legacy
Today, Job Kurian is among the rare Indian artists to balance commercial film success with a bold, experimental independent career. His live act, Job Kurian Live, has toured extensively across India and internationally — including the UK, Ireland, UAE and other parts of the Middle East, Australia, Delhi, Bangalore, and Kerala. He has also performed at major music festivals such as Pune’s NH7 Weekender, SouthSideStory, Indiegaga, Oddball Festival, and Ragam, to name a few. In addition, he has toured the US, Canada, and other global destinations multiple times, cementing his fan base across different parts of the world.
His catalog, both celebrated and undiscovered, reflects emotional authenticity, sonic craftsmanship, and fearless creativity. More than just a singer, Job Kurian continues to stand out as a storyteller of authenticity and integrity.