December 28, 2010 (Sampurn Wire): The National Award winning playback singer is of the opinion that Carnatic Music and the cricket game are the same! In a statement to the media, Unnikrishnan has said that he once harbored ambitions of playing full time cricket, but had to abandon the dream because his career in music was fast blossoming. But ask him about the difference in his two passions, and pat comes the reply that both are similar! While it may be very difficult for us to decipher the similarity between sports and music, Unnikrishnan explains not one but a couple of similar points between cricket and Carnatic music!

According to Unnikrishnan the first thing that connects the two is the constituent named pitch. Secondly, while there are particular nuances in the game of cricket (read the different types of shots), nuances in Carnatic music come in the form of aalap, briga, etc. And of course the most important points to be kept in mind while playing cricket or performing to Carnatic music are a sense of timing and to follow a particular style. Only then one can be successful, says Unnikrishnan.

By his statements it is clear that not only did Unnikrishnan love cricket, he also played the game with as much lan as he sings. It was around 15 years ago when he first got the opportunity to showcase his singing talents in front of the US audience that Unnikrishnan first decided to divert away from his first love cricket and concentrate on Carnatic music.

--Sampurn Wire