Mano (singer)

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Mano
Born October 26, 1965 (1965-10-26) (age 42)
Flag of India Vijayawada
Genre(s) playback singing, carnatic music
Occupation(s) Singer, Actor
Instrument(s) Vocalist
Years active 1985–present (as an actor, 1979-1992)

Mano is an Indian playback singer. He sings in Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, kannada and Hindi.

[edit] Bio

Mano's original name is Nagur Babu; he was rechristened Mano by Ilayaraja. He learnt Carnatic music from the leading vocalist Nedanuri Krishnamurthy.[1]

He acted in several stage plays and did 15 Telugu films including Rangoon Rowdy and Kethu Gadda. In 1979, he was doing a Telugu film for which S. P. Balasubramaniam was to do playback singing for him. While the recording team was waiting for S. P. Balasubramaniam, the music director M. S. Viswanathan's assistant (who knew Mano's father) asked Mano to sing. Mano sang a few ghazals, which were appreciated by the audience. M. S. Viswanathan was impressed and asked him to come to Chennai. After completing that film, Mano abandoned his studies and worked with M. S. Viswanathan for two and half year, as his assistant.[1]

He shot to fame in 1994, with the song Muqabla Muqabla from the film Kaadhalan, composed by A. R. Rahman. He followed with hits like Thillana from Muthu, and Azhagiya Lailaa from Ullathai Alli Tha.

In 1982, Mano went to Telugu music director Chakravarthy, to introduce his brother (a tabla player) to the music director. He ended up working as Chakravarthy's assistant. As a music assistant, Mano used to render the dummy versions of the songs before the singers mixed their voices. In 1984, he got a chance to sing along with S. P. Balasubramaniam and Susheela in the film Karpoora Deepam, when a third voice was required.[1] Later, he sang for a Kannada film Hamsalekha (1985). In 1986, he sang Anne Anne in Poovizhi Vasalile for Ilayaraja, which was followed by other hits such as Enga Oor Paatukaran (Shenbagame', Madurai Mari Kozhundu Vaasam) and Velaikaran (Vaa Vaa Kanna Vaa, Velayillathavan etc.). Mano then requested Chakravarthy to relieve him, and started concentrating on his singing career.

Mano also loves listening to and singing ghazals by Mehdi Hasan and Ghulam Ali. He has also done a few semi-classical numbers such as Athma Varaiyo. He has also sung a few Hindi film songs for Gulshan Kumar in Aaya Sanam, Aaja Meri Jaan, Kasam Theri Kasam, and Chor Aur Chan.

Mano sung almost 22000 songs in14 Indan languages. He got prestegious "Kalaimaamani" Award from the Government of Tamil Nadu and Best Singer Nandi award for so many songs from the Government of Andhra Pradesh in 2000. He got so many awards from many popular cultural Assocations in India. He got Gold Bracelet and "Gana Samrat" from APNA foundation ATLANTA, USA on April 14, 2008.

Mano did more than 3000 Live shows around the world.



[edit] External links


[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Sudha Umashanker. An article on Mano.