Sai Abhyankkar – Youth sensation with his smash hits, Katchi Sera and Aasa Kooda

Sai Abhyankkar is a popular singer, song writer, composer and youth icon from Tamil Nadu. With two singles, Katchi Sera and Aasa Kooda released back to back in January and June 2024 respectively, he became the biggest internet sensation of 2024. Both the songs were widely appreciated regardless of the language barrier. He was only 19, when he achieved success with two back to back hits. He is the son of popular Tamil playback singers, Tippu and Harini. His elder sister Sai Smriti is also a singer, who is the co-singer of his smash hit, Aasa Kooda.

Sai Abhyankkar belongs to a musical family

Sai Abhyankkar was born on 4 November 2004 to famous Tamil playback singers – Tippu and Harini. His elder sister released her hit single, Aasa Kooda aside Sai in 2024. He was born and brought up in Chennai, where his parents established themselves as playback singers.

While studying in class 4, his musical classes began with Mridangam, under Sheshadri. He learnt harmonium out of his self-interest, because he likes its sound. Seeing his interest in music, his father brought him a piano and young Sai used to practise a lot. While he was studying in 7^th grade, he started his music practice under Sriram Parthasarathy. It was during those days when he realized that he was gifted to learn music. Slowly he felt music as a tool to connect with more people.

Katchi Sera just happened

Sai’s first released single was the title track of the album, Valam Varavendum released in 2023 which went unnoticed. As a part of his daily sequencing, he made some 16 songs in 30 days. He happened to meet Santhosh and Magesh associated with film industry and played his tracks, from which they picked Katchi Sera. When the single was released, not even Sai Abhyankkar imagined that the track is going to be such a big hit. The song trended at top position for a long time.

Aasa Kooda – The instant chartbuster of the siblings

After Katchi Sera became a huge hit, Sai never planned that Aasa Kooda is going to be his second song. After finishing the song, Sai met his mentor Nagesh saying he has 4 tracks again of which last one is his favourite pick. It was Aasa Kooda and Nagesh agreed to do it saying, this is going to be a gamechanger. He created this song, provided vocals along with his sister, and the rest is history! Aasa Kooda was one of the most loved songs of 2024, crossing language barriers and many artists made cover versions in their respective languages.

He has established as the future of Tamil pop

Both his sensational hits came out in 2024. Same year he signed two prestigious Tamil film projects as a music composer. Benz belonging to Lokesh Cinematic Universe was the first one, followed by Suriya’s 45^th untitled project. His third single, Sithira Puthiri was released on January 31, 2025. This young composer has a promising career ahead.

Sai Abhyankkar – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. He signed his film debut, Benz, directed by Bakkiyaraj Kannan, on the same day of release of his second single, Aasa Kooda. On the occasion of his birthday, his inclusion was officially announced by the makers of the film.

2. Apart from singing, he also plays Guitar and Keyboard.

3. Sounds of Chennai, his hometown and its diversified culture have influenced his music. He looks for endless combinations and possibilities of different sounds while composing songs.

4. He’s been creating music since he was 13. He would rather sit in the studio all day than go out.

5. He usually locks up himself in his room while he is working on some compositions. His music always happens without being with people.

6. The vocal chants in Katchi Sera was recorded in Sai Smriti’s voice on the phone in their living room. Sai wanted her voice to sound retro and hence kept this version.

7. Abhyankkar was more into music than studies where he comes up with minimum marks while Smriti is more education-oriented.

8. Smriti and Abhay never really fight, except small ones which are never serious. Though there are small fights, they forget easily.

9. Abhay gives emotional support to Smriti though she is the eldest. He’s really mature, who gives advice to his sister when needed.