How I became Mano: The singer on Ilaiyaraaja, SPB and 40 years in music

“Every song has been a beautiful experience,” said singer Mano on Thursday, as he reflected on his four-decade journey in film music at The Hindu’s head office in Chennai.

With over 10,000 songs in Tamil and Telugu, besides hundreds of numbers in other languages like Hindi, Malayalam and Bengali, Mano’s voice has been a constant companion for music fans during their highs and lows. In a freewheeling conversation, moderated by B. Kolappan, Senior Deputy Editor, The Hindu, Mr. Mano went down memory lane as he recalled his childhood tryst with music. “My father and grandfather were both musicians too. We were a family that staged several mythological dramas. I was named Nagore Babu, but from a young age, we went to all places of religious worship. By the time I was six or seven, I knew all the characters and the songs we were performing,” he said.

Reflecting on his musical grounding, Mr. Mano credited his training in Carnatic music and his 2.5 year-experience with Tamil composer M.S. Viswanathan for his early success. “Working with him (MSV), I learnt how to write notes. I learnt the different styles of taalam. All this was very useful as my musical career progressed,” said Mr. Mano, who also had a long-standing relationship with Telugu composer K. Chakravarthy.

It was maestro Ilaiyaraaja who christened him ‘Mano’, a name that has stayed with him. Mr. Mano said recording his debut track for Mr. Ilaiyaraaja, ‘Then Mozhi’, from Solla Thudikuthu Manasu, remains one of his most vivid memories. “Raja sir taught me the zha letter, which didn’t come to me naturally then,” said Mr. Mano, who went on to have a long musical journey with the Isaignani, which includes Enga Ooru Paatukaaran, a film in which he sang all songs. “It was unforgettable. I’m not sure how many singers would have such an experience.”

During the conversation, Mr. Mano also addressed comparisons that music lovers often drew between his voice and that of S.P. Balasubrahmanyam. “In a song in Jallikattu, both SPB and I sang together, and I remember Raja sir jokingly asking us who sang which line,” recalled the singer, who is also widely celebrated for his versatility across songs such as Sirpy’s ‘Azhagiya Laila’ and AR Rahman’s ‘Muqqabula’ among others. “Singing in commercial films makes you go to a different zone. I grew up as a singer alongside the likes of SPB, Yesudas and Malaysia Vasudevan – who were giants in the industry – and am grateful to the many composers who gave me opportunities in their projects.”

Apart from his singing prowess, Mr. Mano also has a solid track record as a dubbing artiste – he has been the voice of several Rajinikanth films in Telugu. Currently, Mano is helming a mentorship programme to give aspiring singers stage opportunities, the Chennai leg of which is scheduled for September this year. “I have seen many ups and downs in life, and have realised that constant practice and passion are the route to success. The younger generation craves instant gratification and success, but I feel that the voice needs daily practice and rigour.”