Paul Poovathingal Biography 
Paul Poovathingal hails from Thrissur. He is popularly known by the title, 'Padum Pathiri' or 'singing priest of India'. He is a carnatic expert, vocalist, composer and lyricist and is the first vocologist in India. He has composed around 1000 songs and released 35 music albums. He has learnt music under several leading carnatic vocalists. He is a disciple of legendary Indian singer, K. J. Yesudas. He is the first Indian Christian priest to earn Ph.D. in Carnatic Music. He is an ordained priest in the religious congregation of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate. He focuses on the spiritual dimension of Indian classical music and a proponent of music yoga.
Paul initiated carnatic music learning during school days from CC Chummar, a musician of Viyyur, Thrissur. Later at the age of 17, he learnt under Sodharan Bhagavathar of Varandarappilly, followed by Vidwan VK Krishnamurthy. He started musical compositions while studying in the seminary. He was ordained a priest in 1990. In 1992 he joined the Sangeeth Siromani Course in Delhi University and got M.A. Music Degree with distinction. In 1996, Christian devotional music album 'Snehasarovaram' was released. He composed 8 songs for the album and the leading voices were Yesudas and Chitra. He continued his studies in Carnatic Music during 1996-2004 period and obtained M.Phil and Ph.D. in Carnatic Music from University of Madras. During this time, he studied under many noted carnatic vocalists.
He studied vocology in Columbia University in 2003 and at the National Center for Voice and Speech, Denver, Colorado in 2006. As a music researcher, he has published 11 research papers on carnatic music and its relation with Christianity. He founded Chetana Sangeet Natya Academy and Chetana National Institute of Vocology in Thrissur in 2005.
Published: N/A
Updated: March 27, 2014
