Vanamali

 ( 1974 Births ) 

Manigopal, popularly known by his pen name, Vanamaali, 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.

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Background Dr. Manigopal was born in Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh. His mother tongue is Tamil. 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 cinema 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.

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Filmography

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As lyricist

1999	Time	"Naa Siggu Tamboolala", Uyyala Pandagochindi, Premenantara, Kanulake Teliyani, Manchu Mutyame
2004	Pithamagan	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	"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/Rangam	"Aga Naga" (Tamil version); All songs (Telugu version)
	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
2014	DK Bose	"Padipoya"
	Manam	"Kanulanu Thaake"
	Karthikeya	"Saripovu"
2015	Nene
2017	Kaadhali	All songs
	Fidaa	"Hey Pillagaada", "Hey Mister"
2019	Majili	"Ye Manishike Majili o"
	Kaappaan	"Hey Amigo"	"Telugu Dubbed Version of Kaappaan"
	Oorantha Anukuntunnaru
2021	Kapatadhaari	"Kalalo Kanupaape", ''Hayaki Baby''
	Kaadan	"Thaalaattu Paadum"	Tamil film
	Aranya	"Chitike 'Se' Aa Chirugaali"
	Devarakondalo Vijay Premakatha	"Idhem Nyayame"
2022	Etharkkum Thuninthavan	All songs	Telugu Dubbed version of Tamil film of the same name
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

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As dialogue writer

• Aranya (2020)
• Clap (2022)
• Star (2024)

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Awards

2007	Nandi Awards	Best Lyricist	Happy Days	"Oh My Friend"	rowspan="2"
	Filmfare Awards South	Best Lyricist – Telugu		"Arerey"
2010	Filmfare Awards South	Best Lyricist – Telugu	Arya 2	"Karigeloga Eekshanam"	rowspan="6"
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"

• Eenadu interview with Lyricist Vanamaali

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