Vanamali

Wikipedia

Vanamali
Born
Manigopal

(1968-05-19) 19 May 1968 (age 57)
OccupationsPoet, Lyricist, Songwriter, Reporter
SpouseVishnupriya
Children2

Manigopal, popularly known by his pen name, Vanaaali, is an Indian lyricist and poet who works in Telugu cinema. He is the recipient of the Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Telugu. He holds a PhD in Telugu literature from Madras University.

Background

Dr. Manigopal was born in Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh. His mother tongue is Tamil.[citation needed] He is always interested in many arts, particularly singing. He took up writing seriously while he was in his degree final year. He never had any ambitions of taking up any form of art seriously and it was the emphasis of his parents on education right from the childhood that made him a voracious reader and motivated him to go ahead with education. Vanamaali has earned his Ph.D. with High Honours in Telugu literature. He wrote his first composition which was sung by Vijayalaksmi Sarma in a program in Doordarshan. After that he joined as a reporter in Sitara, a Telugu film weekly & Eenadu daily and worked there for almost 13 years. During this time he developed his interest in Telugu movies and is one of the leading lyricists and songwriters in Tollywood. He has worked with musical maestros such as Harris Jayaraj, A. R. Rahman and Ilaiyaraaja.

Filmography

As lyricist

Year Film Songs Notes
1999 Time (D) "Naa Siggu Tamboolala", Uyyala Pandagochindi, Premenantara, Kanulake Teliyani, Manchu Mutyame
2004 Sivaputrudu All songs Telugu-dubbed version of Pithamagan
2007 Happy Days All songs
2008 Avakai Biryani All songs
2009 Oy! "Waiting For You", "Anukoledenadu", "Povadhe Prema"
Arya 2 "Karige Loga", "Karige Loga (D-Plugged)"
2010 Robo (D) "Neelo Valapu", "Harima Harima"
Maro Charitra "Premaney Peray", "Ninnu Nannu"
Prasthanam "Nee Rendallo", "Innalluga", "Naayudochaadoe", "Murali Lola"
Gaayam 2 "Kalagane Kannullo"
Orange "Chilipiga", "Nenu Nuvvantu", "O'Range", "Rooba Rooba" & "Ye Vaipuga"
2011 Ko "Aga Naga" Tamil film; wrote Telugu portions of song
Rangam All songs (Telugu version) Dubbed version of Ko
180 All songs
2012 Roudram
Life Is Beautiful "Beautiful Girl", "Amma Ani Kothaga"
Ninnu Choosthe Love Vasthundi All songs except "Bathing at Cannes" Telugu-dub version of Engeyum Kadhal
2013 Kadali All songs Telugu dubbed version of Kadal
NH4 Telugu dubbed version of NH4
Kaalicharan
2014 DK Bose "Padipoya"
Manam "Kanulanu Thaake"
Karthikeya "Saripovu"
2015 Nene
2016 Premalayam (Telugu Dubbed) "Randi Babu Randi", "Aye Kanya Guram", "Arjunuda", "Chaulunya" & "Vandhanam"
2017 Kaadhali All songs
Fidaa "Hey Pillagaada", "Hey Mister"
2019 Majili "Ye Manishike Majili o"
Bandobast "Hey Amigo" Telugu Dubbed Version of Kaappaan
Oorantha Anukuntunnaru "Kanna", "Kanna (Reprise)"
2021 Kapatadhaari "Kalalo Kanupaape", ''Hayaki Baby''
Kaadan All songs Tamil film
Aranya All songs
Devarakondalo Vijay Premakatha "Idhem Nyayame"
2022 ET All songs Telugu Dubbed version of Etharkkum Thunindhavan
2024 Rakshana "Rakshana Title Track"
Mr. Bachchan "Jikki"
Thangalaan "Thandora Moothalatho"
Lucky Baskhar (D) "Lucky Baskhar Title Track" co-written with Balaji Venugopal
2025 8 Vasantalu All songs
Champion "Kalaga Kadhaga"

As dialogue writer

Awards

Year Award Category Film Song Result
2007 Nandi Awards Best Lyricist Happy Days "Oh My Friend" Won
Filmfare Awards South Best Lyricist – Telugu "Arerey"
2010 Filmfare Awards South Best Lyricist – Telugu Arya 2 "Karigeloga Eekshanam" Nominated
2011 Filmfare Awards South Best Lyricist – Telugu Orange "Nenu Nuvantu"
2012 South Indian International Movie Awards Best Lyricist (Telugu) Life Is Beautiful "Amma Ani Kothaga"
2013 Filmfare Awards Best Lyricist – Telugu
2014 Filmfare Awards South Best Lyricist – Telugu Manam "Kanulanu Thake"
2014 Filmfare Awards South Best Lyricist – Telugu Karthikeya "Saripovu Koti"

References