M. M. Keeravani

In addition to his work in Telugu cinema, Keeravani has composed music for a few Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam films. He is best known for his compositions in works such as Kshana 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), and RRR (2022). He is also known for his frequent collaborations with filmmakers K. Raghavendra Rao, Mahesh Bhatt, and S. Rajamouli, and the singers S.

The recorded working language is Telugu. The field of work recorded is film score. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are film score. Distinctions recorded are Filmfare Awards South, National Film Award for Best Music Direction, Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and Padma Shri in arts.

Keeravani was born in a Telugu family to lyricist and screenwriter Koduri Siva Shakthi Datta, in Kovvur of West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. He is the cousin of filmmaker S. S. Rajamouli and music composer M. M. Srilekha. His younger brothers are music composer Kalyani Malik and writer S. S. Kanchi. He is the nephew of screenwriter V. Vijayendra Prasad. 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 and Naatu Naatu). His younger son, Sri Simha, made his debut with Mathu Vadalara (2019).

Keeravani began his career as an assistant music director with Telugu composer K. Chakravarthy and Malayalam composer C. Rajamani in 1987. He assisted in movies such as Collectorgari Abbayi and Bharathamlo Arjunudu in the late 1980s. During this time, he also sought the guidance of the veteran lyricist Veturi for over a year. Keeravani's first big break as an independent musician came with the film Kalki in 1990, but the film never got released and the soundtrack also went unnoticed. It was director Mouli's 1990 film Manasu Mamatha that brought him to the limelight and was considered his first released movie. However, it was Ram Gopal Varma's blockbuster film Kshana Kshanam (1991) that made Keeravani an established music director. 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 was Criminal (1994). Keeravani mentions Ilaiyaraaja, John Williams and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan as composers who influenced him. Some of the films which inspired his music include Fiddler on the Roof (1971), Jaws, Coming to America (1988), and Phone Booth (2002).

• MMKeervani *