Manigopal, popularly known by his pen name, Vanamali, 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.
Background Dr. Manigopal was born in Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh. His mother tongue is Tamil. 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 YearFilmSongs Notes1999Time (D)"Naa Siggu Tamboolala", Uyyala Pandagochindi, Premenantara, Kanulake Teliyani, Manchu Mutyame 2004SivaputruduAll songsTelugu-dubbed version of Pithamagan2007Happy DaysAll songs2008Avakai BiryaniAll songs2009Oy!"Waiting For You", "Anukoledenadu", "Povadhe Prema"Arya 2"Karige Loga", "Karige Loga (D-Plugged)"2010Robo (D)"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"2011Ko "Aga Naga" Tamil film; wrote Telugu portions of songRangam All songs (Telugu version)Dubbed version of Ko180All songs2012RoudramLife Is Beautiful "Beautiful Girl", "Amma Ani Kothaga"Ninnu Choosthe Love VasthundiAll songs except "Bathing at Cannes"Telugu-dub version of Engeyum Kadhal2013KadaliAll songsTelugu dubbed version of KadalNH4Telugu dubbed version of NH4 Kaalicharan 2014DK Bose "Padipoya"Manam"Kanulanu Thaake"Karthikeya"Saripovu"2015Nene 2016Premalayam (Telugu Dubbed) "Randi Babu Randi", "Aye Kanya Guram", "Arjunuda", "Chaulunya" & "Vandhanam"2017KaadhaliAll songsFidaa"Hey Pillagaada", "Hey Mister"2019Majili"Ye Manishike Majili o"Bandobast"Hey Amigo"Telugu Dubbed Version of Kaappaan Oorantha Anukuntunnaru "Kanna", "Kanna (Reprise)" 2021Kapatadhaari"Kalalo Kanupaape", ''Hayaki Baby''KaadanAll songs Tamil filmAranyaAll songsDevarakondalo Vijay Premakatha"Idhem Nyayame"2022ETAll songsTelugu Dubbed version of Etharkkum Thunindhavan2024Rakshana"Rakshana Title Track"Mr. Bachchan"Jikki"Thangalaan"Thandora Moothalatho"Lucky Baskhar (D)"Lucky Baskhar Title Track" Tamil dubbed version; co-written with Balaji Venugopal20258 VasantaluAll songsChampion "Kalaga Kadhaga"2026Sathi Leelavathi"Chittoor Pilla", "Madhuram", "Veluthunna Veluthunna"
As dialogue writer Aranya (2020) Clap (2022) Star (D) (2024)
Awards YearAwardCategoryFilmSongResult2007Nandi AwardsBest LyricistHappy Days "Oh My Friend" rowspan="2" Filmfare Awards SouthBest Lyricist – Telugu"Arerey"2010Filmfare Awards SouthBest Lyricist – TeluguArya 2"Karigeloga Eekshanam" rowspan="6" 2011Filmfare Awards SouthBest Lyricist – TeluguOrange"Nenu Nuvantu"2012South Indian International Movie AwardsBest Lyricist (Telugu)Life Is Beautiful"Amma Ani Kothaga"2013Filmfare AwardsBest Lyricist – Telugu2014Filmfare Awards SouthBest Lyricist – TeluguManam"Kanulanu Thake"2014Filmfare Awards SouthBest Lyricist – TeluguKarthikeya"Saripovu Koti"
References Eenadu interview with Lyricist Vanamaali