Initiated in Carnatic music at age of 12 by V.L. Seshadri, Unnikrishnan was inspired by Sangita Kalanidhi Dr. S. Ramanathan, who shaped him into a competent and complete artiste of aesthetic and technical excellence. He now receives guidance from Savitri Satyamurthy and Calcutta Krishnamurthy. He has also acquired Veenai Dhanammal Bani from Sangita Kalanidhi T. Brinda and T.Viswanathan. He is the recipient of many honors and awards which include Kalaimamani from the Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Best Raaga Award from Music Academy and Yuvakala Bharati from Bharat Kalakar.