Ananth Vaidyanathan is an Indian voice trainer, music teacher and actor. Tamil television viewers know him best as the voice expert of Airtel Super Singer on Star Vijay, where he trained contestants from the show's first season in 2006, and as a contestant on Bigg Boss Tamil 2 in 2018.
On screen he played the father of the characters of Vishal and Arya in Bala's Avan Ivan (2011) and made a special appearance in LKG (2019). He founded the Ananth Vaidyanathan Gurukulam voice academy in Coimbatore and was part of the founding faculty of Artium Academy, a music education platform set up in 2021.
Quick facts
Name | Ananth Vaidyanathan |
Born | 1957, Jamshedpur |
Education | Degree in Economics, Loyola College, Chennai; MBA, XLRI – Xavier School of Management |
Music training | ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkata |
Occupation | Voice trainer, music teacher, actor |
Known for | Airtel Super Singer, Bigg Boss Tamil 2, Avan Ivan |
Academies | Ananth Vaidyanathan Gurukulam, Coimbatore; Artium Academy (founding faculty) |
Early life and education
Ananth Vaidyanathan was born in 1957 in Jamshedpur. He began learning music as a child. He studied Economics at Loyola College, Chennai, took an MBA at XLRI – Xavier School of Management, and later joined the ITC Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata to continue his musical training.
Career
Airtel Super Singer (2006 onwards)
He became a familiar face on Tamil television through Airtel Super Singer on Star Vijay. In the first season in 2006 he was the show's voice expert and gave special training to the finalists, and he returned as voice trainer for the second season in 2008 and 2009. In June 2023 he came back to the franchise as a special guest on Super Singer 9, appearing in its wild card, pre-final and final rounds.
He has also worked as a voice trainer on Josco Indian Voice on the Malayalam channel Mazhavil Manorama.
Avan Ivan and LKG (2011 to 2019)
In Bala's Avan Ivan, released in 2011, he played the father of the two lead characters, portrayed by Vishal and Arya. In K. R. Prabhu's LKG (2019) he made a special appearance as Avudaiyappan Mudhaliar, the chief of the ruling party.
Bigg Boss Tamil 2 (2018)
In June 2018 he entered the second season of Bigg Boss Tamil, hosted by Kamal Haasan on Star Vijay, on its opening day as one of the 16 original housemates. He was evicted on Day 21, the second contestant to leave the house. The season ended on 30 September 2018 with Riythvika as the winner.
Teaching and Artium Academy
Ananth founded the Ananth Vaidyanathan Gurukulam, a voice academy in Coimbatore. When Artium Academy was launched in 2021, he joined its founding faculty alongside Sonu Nigam, K. S. Chithra and Aruna Sairam. Business Standard described him in October 2022 as the academy's chief of pedagogy.
Television
Years | Show | Role | Channel |
2006 | Airtel Super Singer (season 1) | Voice expert | Star Vijay |
2008–2009 | Airtel Super Singer (season 2) | Voice trainer | Star Vijay |
2018 | Bigg Boss Tamil 2 | Contestant | Star Vijay |
2023 | Super Singer 9 | Special guest | Star Vijay |
Filmography
Year | Film | Role | Director | Notes |
2011 | Avan Ivan | Father of the lead characters | Bala | The leads are played by Vishal and Arya |
2019 | LKG | Avudaiyappan Mudhaliar | K. R. Prabhu | Special appearance |
FAQ
Who is Ananth Vaidyanathan?
He is a voice trainer, music teacher and actor, best known as the voice expert of Airtel Super Singer on Star Vijay.
Which films has Ananth Vaidyanathan acted in?
He played the father of the leads in Bala's Avan Ivan (2011) and made a special appearance in LKG (2019).
When was Ananth Vaidyanathan on Bigg Boss?
He was a contestant on Bigg Boss Tamil 2 in 2018 and was evicted on Day 21.
Where did Ananth Vaidyanathan study?
He studied Economics at Loyola College, Chennai, took an MBA at XLRI and trained in music at the ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkata.
What is his role at Artium Academy?
He joined the founding faculty of Artium Academy in 2021, and Business Standard described him in 2022 as its chief of pedagogy.
Where is Ananth Vaidyanathan's voice academy?
He founded the Ananth Vaidyanathan Gurukulam in Coimbatore.