Vanamali

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.

For a flower garland of the Hindu god Vishnu, see Vaijayanti.

Vanamaali
Born	Manigopal (1968-05-19) 19 May 1968 (age 56) Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, India[citation needed]
Occupation(s)	Poet, Lyricist, Songwriter, Reporter
Spouse	Vishnupriya
Children	Vanamaali Jr., Vanapriya

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	"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	"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
	Kaalicharan
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"
2019	Bandobast	"Hey Amigo"	"Telugu Dubbed Version of Kaappaan"
2019	Oorantha Anukuntunnaru	"Kanna", "Kanna (Reprise)"
2021	Kapatadhaari	"Kalalo Kanupaape", ''Hayaki Baby''
2021	Kaadan	"Thaalaattu Paadum"	Tamil film
2021	Aranya	"Chitike 'Se' Aa Chirugaali"
2021	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"
2024	Mr.Bachchan	"Jikki"
2024	Thangalaan	"Thandora Moothalatho"

As dialogue writer

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

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

• Eenadu interview with Lyricist Vanamaali

External links

• TeluguOne interview with lyricist Vanamaali
• Vanamaali profile
• Vanamaali lyrics for Happy Days