Naresh Iyer is an Indian playback singer from Mumbai, Maharashtra, where the award-winning vocalist was born on January 3, 1981. Although he graduated from the SIES College of Commerce and Economics with the goal of becoming an accountant, he also nursed an interest in the arts. After studying Carnatic music and Hindustani classical music, he participated in the reality TV competition Super Singer. Iyer didn't win the competition, but his appearance on the show brought him to the attention of Grammy-winning film composer A. R. Rahman, who recruited Iyer to perform a song in the 2005 film Anbe Aaruyire. The song, "Mayiliragae," became his debut as a playback singer. Later that year, Iyer received the Hub Award for "Best Playback Singer" for his recording of "Mayilarage," which appeared in Anne Aaruyire. Iyer began appearing on many soundtracks composed by Rahman, including the soundtrack for the 2006 movie Rang De Basanti. "Roobaroo," one of several songs to feature his vocals in Rang De Basanti, became a chart-topping in India, earning Iyer the National Film Award for "Best Male Playback Singer." In 2007, he received the Tamil Filmfare Award for "Best Male Playback Singer" for "Mundhinam Parthenae," as well as the Filmfare R. D. Burman Award for "New Music Talent." One year later, "Mundhinam Parthenae" earned him another "Best Playback Singer" distinction, this time from the Hub Awards. While occasionally playing with the Mumbai-based band Dhvani, Iyer continued to flourish as a playback singer during the 2010s, with award-winning highlights including "Oru Vetkam Varudhe" (from Pasanga), "Nenu Nuvantu" (from Orange), and "Yaayum" (from Sagaa).
