M. M. Keeravani

Koduri Marakathamani Keeravaani (born 4 July 1961), professionally known as M. M. Keeravani, is an Indian music composer, record producer, singer and lyricist, who predominantly works in Telugu cinema. His accolades include an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a LAFCA Award, eleven Nandi Awards, eight Filmfare Awards, two National Film Awards and a Critics' Choice Movie Award. In 2023, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri for his contributions towards Indian cinema.

Keeravani also worked 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), as well as his collaborations with K. Raghavendra Rao, Mahesh Bhatt, and S. S. Rajamouli. Most of his compositions were brought to life by singers S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra.

Early and personal life
Keeravaani 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 director S. S. Rajamouli, music composers M. M. Srilekha, 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).

Career
Keeravani first 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), Coming to America (1988), and Phone Booth (2002).

Awards and nominations
Keeravani won the Oscar for Best Original Song and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for "Naatu Naatu" for the 2022 Telugu film RRR. He received a National Film Award for Best Music Direction for the 1997 Telugu film Annamayya. He is also a recipient of eight Filmfare Awards, eleven Andhra Pradesh state Nandi Awards, and a Tamil Nadu State Film Award. He was also nominated for Saturn Award for Best Music for Baahubali: The Beginning (2015).