Nagoor Babu, known by his stage name Mano, is an Indian playback singer, voice-over artist, actor, and composer. Mano has recorded songs for film and private various Telugu, Tamil, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, Tulu, Konkani and Assamese films. He has also performed for over 3000 live concerts across the continents. He has recorded many songs for music director Ilaiyaraaja. Mano is also recognized for being as the full-fledged dubbing artist for Rajinikanth in Telugu from Muthu (1995) onwards.
Career Early days and debut
He learned Carnatic Music from Nedunuri Krishnamurthy, and acted in a number of stage plays before debuting as an actor, where he acted in 15 films in total, with Rangoon Rowdy being one of them.
His debut as a playback singer was in 1979, when he went to Madras to work with music director M. S. Viswanathan, with whom he worked for 3 years as an assistant.
He worked with director Chakaravarthy in 1982, producing dummy versions of songs, before the actual singers came in to do the recording. In 1984, he worked with S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Susheela as the song needed a third voice for the film Karpoora Deepam. Shortly thereafter he worked on a hit Kannada film for Hamsalekha, and subsequently sang in a film for Ilaiyaraaja, after which his independent career took off.
It was Ilaiyaraaja who urged him to use the name, Mano, instead of his birth name - Nagoor Babu - as there already was a popular artist by the name of Nagore Hanifa, and this would prevent any mixups.
Taking the criticism in his stride, Mano went on recording as many as 500 songs with Ilaiyaraaja and slowly branched out to sing for other Tamil composers as well.
Voice-over dubbing The year 1995 also saw another face of Mano as the voice-over dubbing artist in the Tamil film industry. He dubbed for almost all Rajinikanth starrers in Telugu. His voice became almost synonymous with Rajinikanth and was in great demand by all the directors and producers. He also dubbed for Kamal Haasan in some movies in Telugu.
Television works Mano has worked on various television programs, most notably as a judge and host for a variety of singing shows. Notable among them are Super Singer, Super Singer Junior, Star Singer, Pillalu Piduglu (as host), cook with comali season 7 and more.
Mano also hosts Manathodu Mano – a musical talk show on Jaya TV.
Personal life Mano was born into a Muslim family from Andhra Pradesh. He is married to Jameela in 1985. His son Shakir is an actor and has starred in Naanga (2012).
Filmography
As actor Telugu 1979: Needa 1979: Rangoon Rowdy as Raju 1980: Ketugadu 1982: O Adadi O Magadu 1983: Kalyana Veena 1992: Hello Darling 1999: Vichithram as Narada 2003: Nee Manasu Naaku Telusu as himself 2015: Shivam as Tanu's father 2021: Crazy Uncles as Reddy
Tamil 1991: Sigaram as himself 1992: Singaravelan as Mano 1993 Porantha Veeda Puguntha Veeda as singer in song "Veettukku Vilakku" 2003: Enakku 20 Unakku 18 as himself 2014: Vetri Selvan as Ananthakrishnan 2023: Single Shankarum Smartphone Simranum as Bhaskaran 2025: Kadhalikka Neramillai as Chandramohan 2025: Vattakhanal
Television yearprogramRoleOriginal languageNotes2008Star SingerJudgeMalayalamreality show2009Super Singer Junior (season 2)Tamil2011-2012Super Singer Junior (season 3)2013Pillalu PiduguluHostTelugu2013-2014Super Singer 4JudgeTamilreality show2014-2015Super Singer Junior (season 4)2015-2016Super Singer 52016-2017Super Singer Junior (season 5)2019-2023 JabardasthTelugu2019-2022Extra Jabardasth2021-2023Manathodu ManoHostTamiltalk show2022-2023Kalyanam KamaneeyamGovardhanTeluguTV serial2023-2024Super Singer Season 10JudgeTamilReality Show2024Super Singer Junior (season 10)
As dubbing artist ActorFilmOriginal languageNotesRajinikanthMuthu,Arunachalam,Narasimha,Baba,Chandramukhi,Sivaji,Robo,Yamudiki Mogudu,Kochadaiiyaan,Lingaa, Veera,Kabali,Kaala, Petta,Darbar, Peddanna,Jailer,Vettaiyan - The Hunter, CoolieTamil Only for Telugu dubbed versionsKamal HaasanSathi Leelavathi,Brahmachari,Pothuraju, Manmadha BanamTamil Telugu versionAnupam KherLittle JohnTamil/Hindi/English Tamil versionSarath KumarBunnyTelugu Akshay KumarGalatta KalyanamHindiTamil versionBabloo PrithiveerajPelli,Pelli PandiriTeluguMammootty Madhura RajaMalayalam Telugu dubbed version
Discography
Telugu discography 1980s YearFilmSongComposer(s)Writer(s)Co-singer(s)1986Vikram"Ding Dong"K. Chakravarthy1987Agni Putrudu"Yerra Yerrani Bugga"K. ChakravarthyAha Naa-Pellanta!"Swagatham"Ramesh NaiduCollector Gari Abbai"Sannayi Apaku Bava"K. ChakravarthyGundamma Gari Krishnulu"How Are You""Jamale Idi Intele""Poddu Valapu Vaddu""Hai Krishna"Kaboye Alludu"Sai Sai Sara Kotto"Manmadha Leela Kamaraju Gola"Nannu Cheera Chesuko"Vasu RaoTrimurtulu"Ee Jeevitham"Bappi Lahiri"Bye Bye Bye" 1988Asthulu Anthasthulu"Thulli Thulli"IlaiyaraajaRudraveena"Randi Randi"Donga Kollu"Seethammo Mayammo"Vasu Rao"Ravoyi Maayintiki"Donga Ramudu"Taku Chiku Taku Chiku"K. ChakravarthyInspector Pratap"Takadhim"Jeevana Jyothi"Samsara Jeevitham"Raj–Koti"Muddiche Bulbul Pitta"Jhansi Rani"Repo Mapo Pellanta"K. ChakravarthyRaktabhishekam"Bandaru Chinnadana"Ilaiyaraaja"Cheye Cheye"Raktha Tilakam"Guppedu Mallelu"K. ChakravarthyStation Master"Parugulu Teese""Kottara Chappatlu""Gangolamandi"Yamudiki Mogudu"Ekku Bendekku Maava"Raj–Koti1989Siva"Sarasalu Chalu"IlaiyaraajaS. JanakiKoduku Diddina Kapuram"Bahu Paarak O Maharani"Raj–Koti"Aalu Ledu"Paila Pachchees"Teenage Team Maadi"Ramesh VinayakamPoola Rangadu"Yedekokkate"Raj–Koti"Cheerapettu Poolupettu""Ottarulaara"Preminchi Choodu"Ugaali Gaali Uyyala""Aakasadesana""Kokilamma""Raja Raja"Sakshi"Andhamaina Batalaga""Jhummani Manasimmani"Sutradharulu"Maharaja Rajasri"K. V. MahadevanSwathi Chinukulu"Cham Cham Chalaaki"Ilaiyaraaja"Ninnu Kanna""Midisi Midisi Padina Vayasu"Two Town Rowdy"Vaddura Niddara"Raj–KotiVicky Daada"O Baby Neemeeda"Vijay"Ayyayyo Chetilo Dabbulu"K. Chakravarthy
1990s YearFilmSongComposer(s)Writer(s)Co-singer(s)1990Dagudumuthala Dampathyam"Gonthemma"M. M. Keeravaani"Madiloni Mata"Idem Pellam Baboi"Darling Darling"Ilaiyaraaja"Godavari Pongalle""Rammante Raadaaye"Kokila"Thalluku"Aggiramudu"Haayile Haayile"K. Chakravarthy"Savaal Chestaava"Anna Thammudu"Oosuponi"Raj–Koti"Puttu Puttu Aa""Kadupaara"Chevilo Puvvu"Doraka Doraka"K. ChakravarthyIddaru Iddare"Abbayilu Cheppana"Raj–KotiKodama Simham"Gum Gumainchu""Pillo Jaabillo"Mama Alludu"Edi Manmadha Samrajyam"Vasu Rao"Mangalyam Tantunanena""Gundelo Gusagusalu""Seetapati Chapegathi""Mama Alludu"Master Kapuram"Mallelo Manchamesuko"Raj–Koti"Neeve Prema Neede Prema"Prananiki Pranam"Eeshwar Alla Terenaam"K. ChakravarthyPrema Zindabad"Anandam Ajantha"Madhavapeddi SureshRambha Rambabu"Rambha Ramba""Balamani Raave"1991Sathruvu"Maata Vintara"Raj–KotiAmma Rajinama"Cheekatlo Aadapilla"K. ChakravarthyDalpathi"Muddabanthi Poochenule"IlaiyaraajaNirnayam"Mila Mila Merisenu"Pandirimancham"Chilakamma Paluku"Raj–Koti"Pillo Pidugo""Rowdygaaru""Amma Nee"Stuartpuram Police Station"Fantastic"IlaiyaraajaParishkaram"Kanya Kumarini"Vidyasagar"Chemanthi Chempalo""Illantha Uyyalavuthundi"Kshana Kshanam"Jumbaare"M. M. KeeravaaniApril 1 Vidudala"Chukkalu Temmanna"Ilaiyaraaja"Nijamante"Teneteega"Gitcham Gitcham"Vidyasagar1992Allari Pilla"Bhale Chance"Vidyasagar"Alakalaku Laalijo""Inta Inta"Antham"Oohalevo Regey"R. D. BurmanAsadhyulu"Kanapade Daarilo"IlaiyaraajaChittemma Mogudu"Hello Hello Lady Doctor"K. V. Mahadevan"Boddulo Rupayibilla"Killer"Priya Priyathama"IlaiyaraajaRoja"Vinara Vinara"A. R. RahmanDharma Kshetram"Kora Meenu Komalam"IlaiyaraajaSahasam"Sahasam"M. M. KeeravaaniGharana Mogudu"Kitukulu Thelisina""Hey Pilla Hello Pilla"Golmaal Govindam"Yem Tapamo"K. ChakravarthyMother India"Lajja Gummadi"Pellaniki Premalekha Priyuraliki Subhalekha"Kannugotti Raa"J. V. Raghavulu1993Bangaru Bullodu"Thathiginathom"Raj–KotiDonga Donga"Veera Bobbili"A. R. Rahman"Kotha Bangaru""Kanulu Kanulanu"Kondapalli Raja"Guvvamgudug"M. M. Keeravaani"Ammamma"Money"Paadu Kaburu"Sri KommineniPadmavyuham"July Maasam"A. R. RahmanAadarsam"Lavva Lakidi Laati"M. M. Keeravaani"Eedu Korinadi""Chikati Musirina"Gaayam"Nizam Pori"Sri Kommineni"Cheli Mida Chitikedu"Major Chandrakanth"Neekkavalisindi"M. M. KeeravaaniMutha Mestri"Chickchick Cham"Raj–KotiPillalu Diddina Kapuram"Mangala Gowri"Vidyasagar"Malakpeta Pori"1994Parugo Parugu"Kindaninchi Paiki"Raj–KotiAlibaba Aradajanu Dongalu"Nee Paita Jaripothe"VidyasagarAllarodu"Teacher Teacher""Sarangaa Srirangaa""Vakitlo Chali Chali""Agadha Allari Vaana"Bhale Pellam"Maapatela Mallelabasthi"DevaBobbili Simham"Maayadaari Pillada"M. M. KeeravaaniCaptain"Paaliyyave Hai"SirpyLucky Chance"Aaja Aaja Raja"Sri Kommineni"Vudutha Vudutha Huch"Madam"Navallakaadu"Madhavapeddi SureshMugguru Monagallu"Aaja Aaja"VidyasagarPalnati Pourusham"Raagala Chilaka"A. R. Rahman"Idigo Peddapuram"Super Police"Teku Kuttina Tenalilo""Mukkambe Mukkambe"Gangmaster"Nagu Monu Nagma""Baddaragiri""Kila Kilala""Aa Siggu Eggu Enthavaraku"Vanitha"Koodu Pettebhoomi"Premikudu"Mukkala Mukkabula" Rajasri SwarnalathaAladdin"A Whole New World"(Reprise)Alan Menken"Prince Ali""Friend Like Me""One Jump Ahead"(Reprise)"One Jump Ahead""A Whole New World"1995Vaddu Bava Thappu"My Dear Maradaluji"Vidyasagar"O Prema Sastri""Orayyo Yo Yo"Tapassu"Talukumannadi Kulukula Tara" "Nuvvante Nenani"Raj–Koti Om"College Kumaru" "Mehbooba"