December 21st, 2020

Music Directors in Telugu Cinema have played an integral in shaping our culture and our movies. Over the years many we have witnessed many music directors but only a select few have managed to last the test of time and become superstars. From orchestrating iconic background scores to elevate scenes and give unlimited goosebumps or compose musical albums that people will like, Telugu music directors work above and beyond to ensure that watching the film isn't just entertainment, it's an unforgettable experience. In this article, we will delve into the very best music Directors of Telugu cinema. 

Ghantasala: Probably the greatest music composer Telugu cinema has ever seen, he did iconic films such Patala Bhairavi, Pelli Chesi Choodu, Chandraharam, Mayabazar, Lavakusa, Gundamma Katha, Valmiki, Pandava Vanavasam, Gudi Gantalu, CID, Sakuntala, Paramandayya Shishyula Katha, Stree Janma, Bhuvana, Sundari katha, Rahasyam, Govula Gopanna, and Ali Baba 40 Dongalu.
 

KV Mahadevan: Best known for Sankarabharanam. Other movies are Gorintaaku, Pelli Pustakam and Swathi Kiranam.

S Rajeswara Rao: He scored music for 4 all time classics in Mayabazar, Missamma, Gundamma Katha, and Malliswari, and other films such as Raju peda, Vipra Narayana, Bhale Ramudu, Charana Daasi, Bhaktha Prahalada, Poola Rangadu, Bangaru Panjaram, Rani Ratnaprabha, Bhaktha Jayadeva, Iddaru Mitrulu, Aradhana, Bhisma, Khula Gothralu, Muddula Mogadu, last movie was Tandra Paparayudu.

Pendyala Nageswara Rao: Composed music for Daana Veera Soora Karna, Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham, Kanna Talli which was singer P Susheela's debut movie, Donga Ramudu, Muddu Bidda, Penki Pellam, Bhagya Rekha, Atha Okinti Kodale, Jayabheri, Bhatti Vikramarka, Mahakavi Kalidasu, Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam, Vagdanam, Velugu Needalu, Paruvu-Prathishta, Satya Harishchandra, Ramudu Bheemudu, Sri Krishna Tulabharam, Bhagya Chakram, Deeksha, Kode Nagu, and Vemulawada Bheemakavi. His last film was Priya Bandhavi.

Ilaiyaraaja: Born as Ganasthesikan and originally from Pannaipuram, he's composed 7,000 songs, done more than 1000 film scores, and performed in more than 20,000 concerts. His nickname is Isaignani which means "Musical Genius" in Tamil. He was introduced in Telugu cinema by Director C V Sridhar for the movie Vayasu Pilichindi starring Kamal Hassan, Rajinikanth, Sripiriya and Jayachitra. He has worked for with the legends of Telugu cinema. His most famous works in Telugu include Yugandhar with Sr. NTR (their only film together), Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari, Rudraveena, Challenge, and Kondaveeti Donga with Chiranjeevi, Geetanjali, Siva, and Nirnayam with Nagarjuna, Bobbili Raja, Coolie No.1, and Chanti with Venkatesh, Sahasame Jeevitham and Aditya 369 with Balakrishna and also worked for all time classic Sagara Sangamam starring Kamal Hassan and Jayaprada directed by K Vishwanath.

Bappi Lahiri: One of the biggest rockstars of Indian cinema and known for introducing synthesized disco music in Indian music, Bappi Lahiri is a legend across India. His most famous works in Telugu include Chiranjeevi's iconic Gang Leader, State Rowdy, Rwody Alludu, Simhasanam with Krishna, Trimurtulu, Thene Manusulu. Sankhavaram, Indra Bhavanam, Rowdy gaari Pellam., Rowdy Inspector, Nippu Ravva, Big Boss, Khaidi Inspector, and Punya Bhoomi Naa Desam.

AR Rahman: The Mozart of Madras as he's rightfully been named, AR Rahman is probably the most famous musician in Indian cinema history barring Ilaiyaraja. Rahman has won two Oscars, 6 National Film Awards, 2 Grammy Awards, A BAFTA Award, A Golden Globe Award, 15 Filmfare Awards, and 17 Filmfare South Awards. Known for his associations with directors Mani Ratnam, Shankar, Ashutosh Gowariker, Imtiaz Ali, and Rakesh Omprakash Mehra. The majority of his famous Telugu songs are dubbed but his straight film works in Telugu include Mahesh Babu's Naani and Ye Maya Chesave.

Mani Sharma: My favorite music director ever, Mani Sharma needs no introduction. The greatest Telugu composer for the early 2000's of Telugu cinema, he's the king of BGM and all his classics are mostly Chiranjeevi and Mahesh Babu movies. He's known for introducing western beats to classical Indian music and the result is always a song that's usually remembered for the rest of time. His work includes 5 industry hits in Indra, Narasimha Naidu, Samarasimha Reddy, Kushi and Pokiri and classic albums such as Athadu, Okkadu, Arjun, Murari, Khaleja, Takkari Donga, Athidhi, Rajakumarudu, Stalin, Choodalani Vundi, Annayya, Tagore, Jai Chiranjeeva, Balu, Gudumba Shankar, Chirutha, Preminchukundam Raa, and Bavagaru Bagunnara. He also composed albums for movies such as Ganesh, Iddaru Mitrulu, Rajakumarudu, Seenu, Azad, Vamsi, Mrugaraju, Devi Putrudu, Subbu, Aadi, Raghavendra, Anji, Samba, Yagnam, Lakshmi Narasimha, Ranam, Lakshyam, Kantri, Parugu, Souryam, Ek Niranjan, Billa,Teenmaar, Solo, Racha, Cameraman Ganga Tho Rambabu, Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum, and Devadas 2018 with Nani and Nagarjuna. His next movie is a Chiranjeevi's Acharya which is widely touted as Mani Sharma's comeback to the big leagues. 

MM Keeravani: Starting his career in 1990, his big break was RGV's classic Kshana Kshanam. Another big break was Annamayya which he won National Award for Best Music Direction. Since 2001, he has been associated with his cousin SS Rajamouli's films and has worked for ALL his films. His classics include Student No.1, Simhadri, Sye, Chatrapathi, Vikramarkudu, Yamadonga, Magadheera, Eega, Baahubali 1 and 2, and the upcoming RRR. His other works include Nenunnanu, masterpiece Vedam, and Dhammu. 

SA Rajkumar: Originally from Chennai, anything he composed in Telugu turned into gold. Composed classic albums for industry hit Kailsundam Raa, Raja, Ninne Premistha, Nuvvu Vasthavani, Eduruleni Manishi, Daddy, and Vasthantham.

Harris Jayaraj: Originally from Chennai, his musical style is composing fast paced guitar beats for melodies and solo romantic numbers. He's well known for his association with Gautham Menon having done all his films except Ye Maya Chesave, Saahasam Swaasaga Saagipo, and Thoota and the composed masterpiece album of Ram Charan's Orange which remains a modern classic and will be forever. His other works include Venkatesh's classic album Vaasu, Gharshana, Shankar's classic album Aparichitudu, Classic album for Ghajini Telugu, classic album Sainikudu, Bheema, all time classic album Munna with Prabhas, all time classic album Surya S/O Krishnan, classic album Veedokkade, Ghatikudu, Yenthavadu Gaanie, and Spyder.

Ramana Gogula: People call him underrated but if you don't know Ramana Gogula then you live under a rock. One of the greatest musicians in Telugu Cinema at one point, if you're a Pawan Kalyan fan you'd best be indebted to him. Known for all of Pawan Kalyan's most famous songs during his early days, he was the music composer for both Thammudu and Badri whose songs are all time classics in modern Telugu cinema. His other works include Mahesh Babu's Yuvaraju, Johnny, Lakshmi, Annavaram, Yogi, and his last film was Venkatadri Express.

Devi Sri Prasad: One of the two biggest superstar composers in present day Telugu Cinema, DSP as he's fondly known started his career as an assistant to Mani Sharma. His first break came with Sreenu Vaitla's Anandam and then Nagarjuna's all time classic Manmadhudu. After Allu Arjun's all time classic Arya, he has never looked back and composed film scores and albums for 3 industry hits in Attarintiki Daredi, Srimanthudu, and Rangasthalam. Additionally he has worked with director Sukumar for all of his films starting with Arya and did Jagadam, Arya 2, 100% Love, 1 Nenokkadine, Nannaku Prematho, and Rangasthalam some of which rank among his best works ever. His other works include all time classic Jalsa directed by Trivikram Srinivas and worked with him again for Julayi, Attarintiki Daredi, and Son of Satyamurthy and well known for his work with Sreenu Vaitla as well with classic album Ready, King, Namo Venkatesa, Sontham, Venky and Andarivaadu.

Thaman SS: The other superstar musician of present day Telugu cinema, Thaman is red hot after the RECORD BREAKING and SENSATIONAL feat that is Ala Vaikunthapurramlo. The album has been streamed MORE THAN 1 billion times and is the only Indian album to do so. A star from day one debuting in Raviteja's classic Kick in 2009, he has gone on to give us classic albums such as Dookudu, Businessman, Aagadu, Race Gurram, Sarrainodu, Baadshah, Bruce Lee The Fighter, Brindavanam, Ragada, Mirapakay, Naayak, Balupu, Bodyguard, Power, and Tholi Prema 2018. Another interesting fact is that he has worked with Raviteja the most out of every hero having composed for 11 of his movies. After Kick, they worked together in Anjaneyulu, Mirapakay, Veera, Nippu, Balupu, Power, Kick 2, Amar Akbar Anthony, Disco Raja and Krack. 

Koti: Originally a duo of Raj Koti, Koti split with his trusted advisor and scored music for both Venkatesh classics Nuvvu Naaku Nachav and Malliswari as well as Trivikram Srinivas's directoral debut movie Nuvve Nuvve starring Tarun and Shriya Saran.

RP Patnaik: Mostly known for his association with director Teja when he actually made good movies, he sang the evergreen song Gajuvaku Pilla from Nuvvu Nenu and composed music for films such as Chitram, Nuvvu Nenu, Mansantha Nuvve, Nevvu Leka Nenu Lenu, Santosham, all time classic Jayam, Gemini, Dil, and Mahesh Babu's Nijam.

Chakri: It's widely speculated that Brahmanandham's iconic role as Jayasurya in King was based on Chakri. Mostly known for his assocaition with director Puri Jagganadh and Ravi Teja, his works include the iconic movies Idiot, Desamuduru and Devadasu, and other movies such as Itlu Sravanai Subramanyam, Amma Nanna O Tamil Ammayi, Shivamani, music classic Saytam, Andhrawala, Krishna The Power of Indrakeeladri, Chakram, Dhee, Neninthe, Maska and Simha.

Sandeep Chowtha: The most underrated music composer ever, Nagarjuna realized his talents and they worked together in 5 movies including Ninne Pelladatha, Chandralekha, Prema Katha, Super and Kedi. His best work is arguably Prabhas's cult classic Bujjigadu, a film which also features his most entertaining performance.

Vivek Sagar: Easily the most promising music director in Telugu cinema at the moment, Vivek Sagar made his debut in Vijay Deverakonda's iconic Pellichoopulu and has achieved an impressive fan following with just 7 notable films to his name including Yuddam Sharanam, Sammohanam, Ee Nagariniki Emaindi, Brochevaruevarura, Falaknuma Das and HIT The First Case. Known for blending Indian classic music and incorporating flute sounds in most of his music, it's refreshing to hear in the world of dappulu (drums) and commercial music in Telugu cinema. His next movie is Nani's upcoming Ante Sundaraniki featuring Nazriya Fahad as the heroine and is directed by Broche fame Vivek Athreya.  

Mickey J Meyer: One of the best musicians in Telugu cinema, Mickey's big break came in Shekar Kammula's Happy Days and has since worked on 4 of Tollywood's biggest projects in SVSC with Mahesh Babu and Venkatesh which has a classic album, all time disaster Brahmotsavam, Trivikram's A Aa and Mahanati. His music is usually flawless and his other work includes superb albums like Leader, Life is Beautiful, Kotha Bangaru Lokam, Mukunda, Mahanati, Subramanyam for Sale, Mister and Gaddalakonda Ganesh.

Ghibran: The BGM score composer for Saaho, Ghibran has done more work in Tamil but his work in Telugu is still excellent. They include the insanely catchy Bujjimma Bujjimma from Run Raja Run, the severely underrated Jil, Ram's Hyper, and Babu Bangaram with Venkatesh.

Kalyan Koduri: MM Keeravani's younger brother, Kalyani Malik or Sreekalyanramana as he's also known as, his music is very soothing and features lots of flutes and soft sounds. His work includes the breezy and hilarious Oohalu Gusagusalade, Andhrudu, Boss I Love You, Astha Chamma, Ala Modalaindi, and Jyo Achyutananda.

Sunny MR: Best known for his association with director Sudheer Varma, he's worked for all of his films. He's also known for extensively making Arijit Singh sing in Telugu for his albums.

Radhan: Much like the film. he got his big break with cult classic Arjun Reddy. He has scored music for films like Andala Rakshasi, Yevade Subramanyam, Radha, and Husharu.

Sai Karthik: Best known for his assocation with Anil Ravipudi, he did his first 3 movies Pataas, Supreme, and Raja The Great.

Sricharan Pakala: Best known for his association with actor Adivi Sesh, he did the music for Kshanam, Goodachari, Evaru, PSV Garuda Vega, and Krishna and his Leela.

GV Prakash Kumar: The actor composer is best known for his works in Tamil but he did the music for Prabhas's Darling and Ram's Endukante Premanta in Telugu. Both albums were excellent.

Justin Prabhakaran: Best known for Dear Comrade, his next movie is Pan India film Radhe Shyam starring Prabhas and Pooja Hegde.

Achu Rajamani: Best known for his association with actor Manchu Manoj Kumar, he's done movies such as Nenu Meeku Telusa, Potugadu, Current Theega, Pandavalu Pandavalu Thummeda, Ra Ra Krishnayya, and Mama Manchu Alludu Kanchu.

KM Radhakrishna: Best known as the music director for Sekhar Kammula's Anand and Godavari. Also worked for Bhale Dongolu, Krishna Vamsi's Chandamama, and Raviteja's Baladur also starring Superstar Krishna directed by Kalisundam Raa fame Uday Shankar. 

Gopi Sundar: Best known to North Indian audiences as the male singer in the classic song Titli from industry hit Chennai Express, Gopi Sundar made his debut in Telugu cinema with Malli Malli Idi Rani Roju in 2015 and has gone on to compose some of the best albums of the last decade in Geetha Govindam and Oopiri. His other works include Nani's Majnu, Naga Chaitanya's Premam remake, Ninnu Kori, and Sailaja Reddy Alludu.

Yuvan Shankar Raja: The son of legend Ilaiyarajaa, Yuvan has already become a legend himself with his scintillating background scores and outstanding albums in Tamil and Telugu. His classics in Telugu include the dubbed Awaara specifically Chiru Chiru and Arere Vaana, Naa Peru Shiva, Adavari Matalku Ardhale Verule with Venkatesh, Allu Arjun's Happy, All time classic album Oye with Siddarth, and all time classic album Panjaa with Pawan Kalyan specifically the title song and Ela Ela Ela. 

Anoop Rubens: Anoop started off composing for medium budget films before he finally got the opportunity to work in the Akkinneni family mulitstarrer Manam directed by Vikram Kumar. His work was critically acclaimed and soon after he bagged 3 huge movies in Jr. NTR's Temper, Venkatesh and Pawan Kalyan starrer Gopala Gopala and Pawan Kalyan's Katamarayudu. His other works include Nenu Raa Rakshasi, Prema Kavali, Bbuddha Hoga Tera Baap, Poola Rangadu, Nithin's Ishq, Lovely, Gunde Jaari Gallanthayyinde, Autonagar Surya, Loukyam, Pilla Nuvvu Leni Jeevitham, Soggade Chinni Nayana, Nene Raju Nene Mantri, Paisa Vasool, and Ayyagaru No. 1 Akhil's Hello.