Santhosh Narayanan is a composer known for incorporating sounds from the streets and funerals of Tamil Nadu into his music, collaborating with a variety of artists such as rappers, rockers, and folk singers. He began his composing career with the 2012 film "Attakathi," highlighting the raw voice of Gana Bala, after working as an assistant under A. R. Rahman. Narayanan formed a close friendship with blues singer-songwriter Sean Roldan during his time with the Tamil folk/fusion band La Pongal, creating country-leaning songs like "Hoo Haa" for the film "Jigarthanda" in 2014.
Frequently commissioned for soundtracks of socially conscious films, Narayanan blends Tamil rhythms, electronic elements, and rock influences in his music, as seen in songs like "Rakita Rakita Rakita" from 2020. Drawing inspiration from a diverse range of artists including Kendrick Lamar, Ilaiyaraaja, and jazz musicians like Pat Metheny and Norah Jones, Narayanan continues to push boundaries in his innovative approach to music composition.
