Thaman S

Indian film composer

SS Thaman

Thaman in 2014

Background information
Birth name| Ghantasala Sai Srinivas Sivakumar[1]
Born|  (1983-11-16) 16 November 1983 (age 41)[2]
Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India
Genres| Film score
Occupations|

* Music composer
* drummer
* judge
* singer

Instruments|

* Drums
* rhythm pads
* keyboard
* trumpet

Years active| 1994–present

Musical artist

Ghantasala Sai Srinivas Sivakumar (born on 16 November 1983)[3], professionally credited as SS Thaman is an Indian composer and playback singer known for his works majorly in Telugu and Tamil cinema.[4][5] He is the recipient of the National Film Award for Best Music Direction for his work in the 2020 musical hit Ala Vaikuntapuramulo.[6]

His breakout film as a music director was Kick (2009).[7] His notable compositions include films such as Eeram (2009), Brindavanam (2010), Mirapakay (2011), Osthe (2011), Dookudu (2011), Businessman (2012), Naayak (2013), Baadshah (2013), Greeku Veerudu (2013), Ramayya Vasthavayya (2013), Race Gurram (2014), Aagadu (2014), Bruce Lee (2015), Sarrainodu (2016), Tholi Prema (2018), Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava (2018), Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020), Krack (2021), Vakeel Saab (2021), Akhanda (2021), Bheemla Nayak (2022), Varisu (2023), Bhagavanth Kesari (2023) and Guntur Kaaram (2024).

Thaman has been the judge in the reality singing show Telugu Indian Idol. He is known for his frequent collaborations with Ravi Teja, Surender Reddy, Sreenu Vaitla, Trivikram Srinivas, and Boyapati Srinu.[8]

## Early life

[edit]

Thaman was born as Ghantasala Sai Srinivas in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. grew up in Chennai in a Telugu speaking family of musicians.[9][10] He is the grandson of veteran director and producer, Ghantasala Balaramayya.[11] His father, Ghantasala Siva Kumar, was a drummer, who worked for seven hundred films, under music director K. Chakravarthy. His mother, Ghantasala Savitri, his sister, Yamini Ghantasala, and his aunt, B. Vasantha, are all playback singers.[12][3] Sai Srinivas adopted the stage name Thaman and suffixed it with an S, the initial of his father's name Sivakumar.[1]

Thaman's father was his first teacher, who was also an accomplished drummer who worked with the likes of legendary percussionist Sivamani. Thaman entered Telugu cinema as a supporting drummer at the age of 11 when he accompanied his father for the background score for the film Bhairava Dweepam in 1994.[13] He performed in 7000 stage shows all over the world before becoming a music director. He worked for 64 Indian music directors as a rhythm box player, keyboard programmer and drummer for 900 films before he became a film music director. His debut releases as a music director were Kick in Telugu and Sindhanai Sei in Tamil, both of which released in 2009.[14][15] He made his acting debut with one of India's most celebrated directors Shankar's Boys (2003).

Thaman studied at Boston School in Chennai. He joined a music team consisting of S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and G. Anand as a rhythm pads player when he was nine years old,[16] and discontinued studies at the age of 13 when his father died. He was compelled to make his hobby into a profession to overcome the crisis in his family.[17] He then joined Raj–Koti and worked for three years on 60 films under their tutelage. He also worked with M. M. Keeravani for three years on 30 films.[citation needed]

Thaman considers Mani Sharma to be his guru and spent eight years under his tutelage, while working on 94 films with him.[18] On the whole he put in fourteen years of rhythm and keyboard programming with the veterans before branching out on his own.[19]

## Career

[edit]

Thaman made his debut as a composer in through the Telugu feature film Malli Malli (2009), although the soundtrack album was released in 2008. Jeevi of Idlebrain credited Thaman's work in the film is credited as "good".[20] The same year his second soundtrack, of the film Sindhanai Sei, marked his debut in the Tamil cinema.[21] He has also made his playback singing debut by recording "Uchimeedhu" song from the soundtrack. Background score in the Tamil film Eeram (2009) received good reviews from the critics.[22][23] Although he started composing the music of the film in 2007, the soundtrack was released in 2008 and eventually the film was released in 2009. In May 2017, Thaman made his Hindi debut when he was one of the six composers who featured in the soundtrack album of Rohit Shetty's Golmaal Again, a comedy franchise in Hindi cinema.[24] In 2018, he composed a theme song for Rohit Shetty's successful venture Simmba.

## Personal life

[edit]

Thaman owns music bands named Band Thamania and Gongura band.[25][26] He is also a Cricket player, part of CCL[27] and owns a team called Thaman Hitters.

## Discography

[edit]

Main article: Thaman S discography

## Filmography

[edit]

Year  | Title  | Role  | Language  | Notes  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

2003  | Boys | Krishna  | Tamil |  | [28]
2009  | Sindhanai Sei | Himself | Special appearance |
2010  | Ayyanar |
2019  | Mr. Majnu | Telugu |
2024  | Baby John | Hindi  | Special appearance in the song "Nain Matakka"  |

### Television

[edit]

Year  | Title  | Role  | Network  | Language

|
|
|
|

2019  | Super Singer Telugu | Judge  | Star Maa | Telugu
2022–present  | Telugu Indian Idol | Aha
2023  | Super Singer Junior 9 | Star Vijay | Tamil

## Accolades

[edit]

National Film Awards

* 2022: 68th National Film Awards – Best Music Direction for Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo

South Indian International Movie Awards

* 2012: Best Music Director – Telugu for Dookudu[29]
* 2013: Best Male Playback Singer – Telugu for "Sir Osthara" – Businessman[30]
* 2015: Most streaming song for "Aagadu title song" – Aagadu[31]
* 2021: Best Music Director – Telugu for Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo
* 2022: Best Male Playback Singer – Kannada for Yuvarathnaa
* 2023: Nominated – Best Music Director – Telugu for Bheemla Nayak

Filmfare Awards South

* 2012: Best Music Director – Telugu for Dookudu[32]

Other awards

* The Hyderabad Times Film Awards 2011 – Best Music Director for Dookudu[33]
* MAA Music Awards 2011 – Best Music Director for Dookudu
* TSR TV9 Awards 2011 – Best Music Director for Dookudu.
* TSR TV9 Awards 2016 – Best Music Director for Sarrainodu, Srirastu Subhamastu.
* GAMA Awards 2016 – Best Love song "Nuvve Nuvve" in Kick 2.
* Zee Cine Awards Telugu – Favorite Music Director for Tholi Prema.
* 17th Santosham Film Awards 2019 – Best Music Director Award for Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava (2018).

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Exclusive: Music Director SS Thaman about Ala Vaikuntapurramloo. 10TV. 24 November 2019. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
2. ^ K., Janani (16 November 2020). "Mahesh Babu and Allu Arjun lead Tollywood in wishing S Thaman a happy birthday". India Today. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
3. ^ a b Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (29 July 2019). "Yamini Ghantasala, composer S S Thaman's siser, is the voice behind the 'Gira gira gira' song in 'Dear Comrade'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
4. ^ "Thaman to render music for NTR - Harish Shankar movie". Pluzmedia.in. 10 August 2012. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
5. ^ "Telugu cinema news, Telugu Movies Updates, Latest Movie reviews in Telugu". Telugu BOX Office. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
6. ^ Bureau, The Hindu (22 July 2022). "68th National Film Awards | Updates". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 July 2022. `{{cite news}}`: `|last=` has generic name (help)
7. ^ "Happy Birthday S Thaman: A sneak peek into his musical journey and top songs". The Indian Express. 16 November 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
8. ^ "Telugu 'Indian Idol' to get started from February 25". 19 February 2022.
9. ^ "S Thaman turns 36: Tollywood celebrities queue to wish the talented composer on social media". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
10. ^ "All you want to know about @MusicThaman". FilmiBeat. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
11. ^ "Anirudh-அ விட Best-ஆ பண்ணி காட்றேன் : Music Director Thaman Exclusive Interview | Thalapathy 66". YouTube. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
12. ^ "Music for the masses - Delta". The Hindu. 20 February 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
13. ^ Manisharma is My Guru in Music Since School Days, Thaman Interview NTV. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
14. ^ "Yuvan and Thaman team up again for 'Adhyaayam'". IBNLive. Archived from the original on 13 April 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
15. ^ "Thaman to complete 50th film with Aagadu". Raagalahari.com. 17 June 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
16. ^ "Tollywood Music Director S Thaman Biography, News, Photos, Videos". nettv4u. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
17. ^ "Budding talent in music". Retrieved 7 April 2013. [dead link‍]
18. ^ NTV Interview. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
19. ^ "Thaman S Biography, Thaman S Profile - Filmibeat". Entertainment.oneindia.in. 16 November 1983. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
20. ^ "Malli Malli review - Telugu cinema Review - Skanda & Kalyanee". www.idlebrain.com. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
21. ^ "Bheebatsam audio function". Idlebrain.com. 7 November 2008. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
22. ^ "Not a damp squib -- Eeram". The Hindu. 18 September 2009. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
23. ^ Srinivasan, Pavithra. "Review: Eeram is brilliant". Rediff. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
24. ^ "Thaman flies to Bollywood with top league director". Top 10 Cinema. 16 May 2017. Archived from the original on 5 November 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2017.`{{cite news}}`: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
25. ^ "Thaman launches music band". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
26. ^ "We're trying to record live: Tharman". The Times of India. 10 August 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
27. ^ "CCL 2023: Thaman in Semis, Akhil in Finals Made the War One-sided". 27 March 2023.
28. ^ "Music director Thaman joins Shankar-RamCharan's #RC15". The Times of India. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
29. ^ "SIIMA AWARDS | 2012 | winners | |". siima.in. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
30. ^ "SIIMA AWARDS | 2013 | winners | |". siima.in. Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
31. ^ "SIIMA AWARDS | 2015 | winners | |". siima.in. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
32. ^ "The 59th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011 (South)". The Times of India. 8 July 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
33. ^ "The Hyderabad Times Film Awards 2011". The Times of India. 24 June 2012. Archived from the original on 18 July 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2016.

## External links

[edit]

* Thaman S at IMDb
* Thaman S on Twitter

Awards received by Thaman S

* v
* t
* e

CineMAA Award for Best Music Director

* Mani Sharma (2002)
* Mani Sharma (2003)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2004)
* Mickey J. Meyer (2007)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2009)
* A. R. Rahman (2010)
* S. Thaman (2011)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2012)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2014)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2015)

* v
* t
* e

Santosham Best Music Director Award

2003–2010|

* M. M. Keeravani (2003)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2004)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2005)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2006)
* Mickey J. Meyer (2007)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2008)
* M. M. Keeravani (2009)
* A. R. Rahman (2010)

2011–2020|

* S. Thaman (2011)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2012)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2013)
* Anup Rubens (2014)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2015)
* S. Thaman (2018)
* – (2019)
* – (2020)

2021–present|

* Devi Sri Prasad (2021–2022)
* – (2023)

* v
* t
* e

SIIMA Award for Best Music Director – Telugu

2011–2020|

* Thaman S (2011)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2012)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2013)
* Anup Rubens (2014)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2015)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2016)
* M. M. Keeravani (2017)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2018)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2019)
* Thaman S (2020)

2021–present|

* Devi Sri Prasad (2021)
* M. M. Keeravani (2022)
* Hesham Abdul Wahab (2023)

* v
* t
* e

Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Telugu

1990–2000|

* Ilaiyaraaja (1990)
* M. M. Keeravani (1991)
* K. V. Mahadevan (1992)
* M. M. Keeravani (1993)
* M. M. Keeravani (1994)
* Raj–Koti (1994)
* M. M. Keeravani (1995)
* M. M. Keeravani (1996)
* Vandemataram Srinivas (1997)
* Mani Sharma (1998)
* S. A. Rajkumar (1999)
* Mani Sharma (2000)

2001–2010|

* R. P. Patnaik (2001)
* R. P. Patnaik (2002)
* Mani Sharma (2003)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2004)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2005)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2006)
* Mickey J. Meyer (2007)
* Mickey J. Meyer (2008)
* M. M. Keeravani (2009)
* A. R. Rahman (2010)

2011–2018|

* S. Thaman (2011)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2012)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2013)
* Anup Rubens (2014)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2015)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2016)
* M. M. Keeravani (2017)
* Devi Sri Prasad (2018)

2020–present|

* Devi Sri Prasad (2020–2021)
* M. M. Keeravani (2022)
* Vijai Bulganin (2023)

* v
* t
* e

SIIMA Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Telugu

2011–2020|

* Rahul Nambiar (2011)
* S. Thaman (2012)
* Silambarasan (2013)
* Simha (2014)
* Sagar (2015)
* Sagar (2016)
* Kaala Bhairava (2017)
* Anurag Kulkarni (2018)
* Anurag Kulkarni (2019)
* Armaan Malik (2020)

2021–present|

* Ram Miriyala (2021)
* Ram Miriyala (2022)
* Ram Miriyala (2023)

* v
* t
* e

National Film Award for Best Music Direction

1967–1980|

* K. V. Mahadevan (1967)
* Kalyanji–Anandji (1968)
* S. Mohinder (1969)
* Madan Mohan (1970)
* Jaidev (1971)
* S. D. Burman (1972)
* Satyajit Ray (1973)
* Ananda Shankar (1974)
* Bhupen Hazarika (1975)
* B. V. Karanth (1976)
* B. V. Karanth (1977)
* Jaidev (1978)
* K. V. Mahadevan (1979)
* Satyajit Ray (1980)

1981–2000|

* Khayyam (1981)
* Ramesh Naidu (1982)
* Ilaiyaraaja (1983)
* Jaidev (1984)
* Ilaiyaraaja (1985)
* M. Balamuralikrishna (1986)
* Vanraj Bhatia (1987)
* Ilaiyaraaja (1988)
* Sher Chowdhary (1989)
* Hridaynath Mangeshkar (1990)
* Rajat Dholakia (1991)
* A. R. Rahman (1992)
* Johnson (1993)
* Ravi and Johnson (1994)
* Hamsalekha (1995)
* A. R. Rahman (1996)
* M. M. Keeravani (1997)
* Vishal Bhardwaj (1998)
* Ismail Darbar (1999)
* Anu Malik (2000)

2001–2008|

* A. R. Rahman (2001)
* A. R. Rahman (2002)
* Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy (2003)
* Vidyasagar (2004)
* Lalgudi Jayaraman (2005)
* Ashok Patki (2006)
* Ouseppachan (2007)
* Ajay-Atul (2008)

2009–2020|

| Songs|

* Amit Trivedi (2009)
* Vishal Bhardwaj (2010)
* Neel Dutt (2011)
* Shailendra Barve (2012)
* Kabir Suman (2013)
* Vishal Bhardwaj (2014)
* M. Jayachandran (2015)
* Bapu Padmanabha (2016)
* A. R. Rahman (2017)
* Sanjay Leela Bhansali (2018)
* D. Imman (2019)
* Thaman S (2020)

|

Background music|

* Ilaiyaraaja (2009)
* Isaac Thomas Kottukapally (2010)
* Mayookh Bhaumik (2011)
* Bijibal (2012)
* Shantanu Moitra (2013)
* Gopi Sundar (2014)
* Ilaiyaraaja (2015)
* Bapu Padmanabha (2016)
* A. R. Rahman (2017)
* Shashwat Sachdev (2018)
* Prabuddha Banerjee (2019)
* G. V. Prakash Kumar (2020)

2021–present|

| Songs|

* Devi Sri Prasad (2021)
* Pritam (2022)

|

Background music|

* M. M. Keeravani (2021)
* A. R. Rahman (2022)

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* United States

Artists|

* MusicBrainz

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