He is barely into his 20s but is already in the list of ‘happening' lyricists in the Telugu film industry. Pilla Zamindar , Bodyguard , Auto Nagar Surya, Sega, 100 Percent Love, Endhukante Premanta and Love Failure are movies he has worked for. He is likely to land some more exciting offers this year
Shree Mani lost his parents when he was very young and grew up in his grandmother's home where he picked up a flair for writing.
He says, “My grandparents are very religious; every morning 4 a.m. onwards one could hear chants and hymns in the house. I read novels and a great deal of literature. No one taught me the structure of a song; it came to me automatically, just by listening to various songs. I began composing during my Intermediate first year. I discontinued graduation as my grandpa. I was financially incapable of supporting myself. A friend suggested that movies would be a good option and it worked.”
Shree Mani lives in a rented place in Film Nagar all by himself, cooks, reads, writes and enjoys solitude. When he is bored he commutes all the way to Prasadz to watch films. He adds, “Yes, I like to be alone, and I picked up cooking from my granny; she is a cook in Chirala, our home town.”
The lyricist says the most memorable moment is when he got compliments for the lyrics in 100 Per Cent Love and Varsham Mundhuga number from Sega from Devisri and Sukumar. He never once sat down seriously with an intention to write. His songs always happen spontaneously while travelling, working, with a few friends or on the move. He records his feelings on the phone immediately.
Shree Mani recollects, “The most difficult but satisfying time was when I was asked to translate the lyrics of Veppam for Sega . There was very little time; instead of translating I came up with original lines, full of meaning and depth. It sounded so fresh. I work best when there is competition, I love challenges.” The youngster's immediate goal is to complete his graduation and pursue journalism while continuing to write lyrics for films.
