M. M. Keeravani | |
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 Keeravani in 2023 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as |
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| Born | Koduri Marakathamani Keeravaani (1961-07-04)4 July 1961 (age 64) Kovvur, Andhra Pradesh, India |
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| Works | Discography |
| Years active | 1990–present |
Spouse | Koduri Srivalli |
Koduri Marakathamani Keeravani (born 4 July 1961), professionally known asM. M. Keeravani, is an Indian music composer, singer and lyricist, primarily associated withTelugu cinema. In a career spanning over three decades, Keeravani has earned several national and internationalaccolades, including anAcademy Award, aGolden Globe Award, aCritics' Choice Movie Award, twoNational Film Awards, elevenNandi Awards, eightFilmfare Awards, and aLAFCA Award. In 2023, theGovernment of India honoured him with thePadma Shri for his contributions towardsIndian cinema.[1][2]
In addition to his work in Telugu cinema, Keeravani has composed music for a fewHindi,Tamil,Kannada andMalayalam films. He is best known for his compositions in works such asKshana Kshanam (1991),Gharana Mogudu (1992),Allari Priyudu (1993),Criminal (1994),Subha Sankalpam (1995),Pelli Sandadi (1996),Devaraagam (1996),Annamayya (1997),Zakhm (1998),Student No.1 (2001),Jism (2003),Paheli (2005),Sri Ramadasu (2006),Magadheera (2009),Eega (2012),Baahubali (2015 and 2017), andRRR (2022). He is also known for his frequent collaborations with filmmakersK. Raghavendra Rao,Mahesh Bhatt, andS. S. Rajamouli,[3][4] and the singersS. P. Balasubrahmanyam,K. S. Chithra.[5]
Keeravani was born in aTelugu family to lyricist and screenwriterKoduri Siva Shakthi Datta, inKovvur ofWest Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh.[6][3] He is the cousin of filmmakerS. S. Rajamouli and music composerM. M. Srilekha. His younger brothers are music composerKalyani Malik and writer S. S. Kanchi. He is the nephew of screenwriterV. Vijayendra Prasad.[6]
His wife M. M. Srivalli works as a line producer in films. His elder son,Kaala Bhairava, is a singer and has sung for his father's numerous compositions ("Dandalayya" song andNaatu Naatu). His younger son,Sri Simha, made his debut withMathu Vadalara (2019).[6]
Keeravani first began his career as an assistant music director with Telugu composerK. Chakravarthy and Malayalam composer C. Rajamani in 1987.[7] He assisted in movies such asCollectorgari Abbayi andBharathamlo Arjunudu in the late 1980s. During this time, he also sought the guidance of the veteran lyricistVeturi for over a year.[8]
Keeravani's first big break as an independent musician came with the filmKalki in 1990, but the film never got released and the soundtrack also went unnoticed.[3] It was directorMouli's 1990 filmManasu Mamatha that brought him to the limelight and was considered his first released movie. However, it wasRam Gopal Varma's blockbuster filmKshana Kshanam (1991) that made Keeravani an established music director.[3] All the songs of this movie went on to become top chartbusters and Keeravani was flooded with offers from all across south Indian film industries. His first major Hindi film wasCriminal (1994).[9]
Keeravani mentionsIlaiyaraaja,John Williams andNusrat Fateh Ali Khan as composers who influenced him. Some of the films which inspired his music includeFiddler on the Roof (1971),Coming to America (1988), andPhone Booth (2002).[10]
Keeravani won theOscar forBest Original Song and theGolden Globe Award forBest Original Song for "Naatu Naatu" for the 2022 Indian filmRRR.[11] He received aNational Film Award forBest Music Direction for the 1997 Telugu filmAnnamayya. He is also a recipient of eightFilmfare Awards, elevenAndhra Pradesh stateNandi Awards, and aTamil Nadu State Film Award.[12] He was also nominated forSaturn Award for Best Music forBaahubali: The Beginning (2015).[13][4]
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