Latest news with #ThamanS
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Music didn't just happen to me; I chose it for life: Thaman S
Thaman S Thaman S didn't just stumble into music; he grew up surrounded by it. From watching his father drum for hundreds of films to touring the world with SP Balasubrahmanyam, Thaman's early years were shaped by rhythm, loss, and relentless learning. Acting in Boys may have briefly taken him in another direction, but music was always the goal. Now one of the most sought-after composers in the South, Thaman looks back on the trials that shaped him, the mentors who guided him, and the mindset that keeps him grounded. With a journey that began with an impromptu performance as a kid to touring with S P Balasubrahmanyam, Thaman S has carved an illustrious path in music, establishing himself as as one of the most sought-after music directors 'It was my father who discovered that I had a natural sense of rhythm' Thaman was born in Chennai to Telugu-speaking parents. 'My father hailed from Nellore, and my mother is from Guntur. Though I occasionally visit those places, I've never lived there. Chennai has always been my base. I was born and raised here.' His father, Ghantasala Siva Kumar, a respected drummer with credits in hundreds of films, was the first to recognise his potential. 'My father used to practise at home, and I'd join in, playing alongside him. That's how he discovered I had a natural sense of rhythm. No one taught me; it was instinctive, something that came by blood. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scam Exposed: What They Won't Tell You about zero trust! Expertinspector Click Here Undo During his breaks, I'd grab the sticks and take over.' Even in a home filled with music, convincing his family it could be a real career wasn't easy. 'In most families, even musical ones, there's a dream that the child becomes a doctor or engineer. It's the default template. Convincing my family that music was in my blood and that it came from them wasn't easy. My father faced many hardships in his musical journey, and understandably, he didn't want me to go through the same struggles. The film industry is unpredictable, one flop can pull you down, one hit can take you to the top. There are countless logistics involved, and that's something we learned early on.' Everything changed in 1995, when Thaman was just nine and lost his father to a heart attack. 'My mother only realised that music was in my blood, rather painfully, only after I lost my father. That's when what was once a hobby became a lifelong commitment.' Thaman S 'Boys was an accidental entry, I only wanted to learn' Drums were Thaman's first love, but as the industry evolved, he adapted. 'I noticed that musicians who could play both drums and keyboards were getting more opportunities. So I thought, okay, I should learn keyboards too, for survival. What started as a necessity soon became a passion. I began composing my own tunes and set them aside, waiting for the right moment.' That moment first came in an unexpected form: acting. While working as a drummer with AR Rahman, Thaman got an unexpected offer. 'Director Shankar was looking for a stout drummer for Boys . When he saw me, he asked if I could play. I told him, 'Yes, I'm a professional drummer.' That's how I was cast.' Though acting wasn't his goal, the film was a masterclass. 'I was curious. Why is Shankar sir such a big name? Why is AM Ratnam so respected? What makes Ravi K Chandran, Sabu Cyril, and of course Rahman sir, masters of their craft? Boys helped me observe all of that firsthand.' A still from Boys (2003) 'My dream was to become a music director by the age of 25' Boys released in 2003, but Thaman had already been working in the music industry since 1995, starting at the age of 9. 'I resumed my journey with Mani Sharma sir. From Okkadu to Billa , I worked with him on nearly 94 films. I was learning constantly, working non-stop for about eight years. My dream was to become a music director by the age of 25 — and in my 25th year, 2008, I achieved it.' Thaman's debut as a composer came with Moscowin Kavery in Tamil, followed by Malli Malli and Kick in Telugu. Though Moscowin Kavery was his first project, Kick and Malli Malli hit the screens earlier, launching him into public attention all at once. 'It was a high-pressure transition. Because once you become a music director, no one calls you to play under them anymore. The mindset changes: 'He's a music director now, why should we call him?' I felt that shift and it weighed on me. There were moments I questioned myself: Should I go back to programming, or stay on this path?' Still, he held on. 'I believe beyond talent, success has its own timing. Somewhere, I feel my father was watching from above, guiding me through every challenge.' AR Rahman and Thaman S 'Ilaiyaraaja sir is in my blood, Rahman sir is the nerve that carries it' At home, Ilaiyaraaja was ever-present. On the outside, AR Rahman was changing the game. 'Ilaiyaraaja sir's music shaped my instincts. And when Rahman sir came in, he brought a whole new sound. If Ilaiyaraaja sir is in my blood, Rahman sir is the nerve that carries it. I'm a mix of both.' Rahman also became a benchmark in reinvention. 'He could've retired comfortably, but he's still pushing boundaries. He challenges us to evolve. Technology is always evolving and he taught us to stay curious. Comfort is the enemy of creativity. You either evolve, or you get left behind.'
Pink Villa
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Sreeleela's 5 most iconic dance tracks
Sreeleela's dance tracks are something fans look forward to these days. Whether it's a mass number or a romantic song, she brings something fresh each time. These dance numbers have become crowd favorites and played a key role in boosting her stardom across languages. Therefore, let's take a look at some of her iconic special groovy tracks here! 5 most iconic dance tracks by Sreeleela 1. Kurchi Madathapetti Music Director: Thaman S Singers: Mahesh Babu, Thaman S, Sri Krishna and Sahithi Chaganti Choreographer: Sekhar Year of Release: 2024 Genre: Indian pop Where to Watch/Listen: YouTube/Spotify Kurchi Madathapetti from Guntur Kaaram became a big hit because of its catchy beats. The song became more popular in South India as it came from a popular meme. While netizens danced to the song, they also laughed and enjoyed the fun vibe of the track. Mahesh Babu and Sreeleela added to the fun with their energetic dance. Their hook step went viral on Instagram Reels. Fans and celebrities started copying it and the song soon became a party favorite. It also broke records online. It was the fastest Telugu song to cross 600 million views on YouTube. It stayed on top of the Billboard India Songs chart for weeks. 2. Kissik Kissik song from Allu Arjun starrer Pushpa 2 went on to become an iconic track due to the film's mass appeal. After Oo Antava from the first part became a sensation, fans were already excited about this item number. After it was released, fans could not help but swoon over Sreeleela's dance movies. Till now, the dance track has amassed over 119 million views on YouTube. It became so viral on the internet that every other reel people saw was of this song. Thanks to the high-octane choreography and the peppy beats, fans still dance to this track during parties. 3. Pulsar Bike The Pulsar Bike song from the hit film Dhamaka perfectly captures the mass appeal of a Telugu movie. The track still has fans grooving to its peppy beats and who can we even blame? Ravi Teja brought his trademark energy and swag to the screen. His lively dance and strong presence made the song more fun. Sreeleela's performance was another highlight. Her energetic moves and great chemistry with Ravi Teja stood out. The music by Bheems Ceciroleo had a mix of folk and modern beats. This made the song catchy and perfect for dancing. The hook step, based on a bike move, went viral on Instagram and YouTube. All these elements made Pulsar Bike a crowd-pleaser and a mass favorite. 4. Ramuloo Ramulaa from Aadikeshava Sreeleela's version of Ramuloo Ramulaa from Aadikeshava became iconic for its catchy music. Although it is a copy of Allu Arjun's song from Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, this version created its own identity. Sreeleela's lively dance and strong screen presence made the song stand out. Her expressions and stylish moves matched the beats perfectly. The choreography was full of fun hook steps that fans loved. The song quickly became popular on social media. Even though the movie Aadikeshava had mixed reviews, this track remained a favorite and became a party anthem. 5. Ole Ole Paapaayi Ole Ole Paapaayi from Extra-Ordinary Man had its own reasons to become a viral sensation. It was because of Sreeleela's electrifying dance. Her energetic and graceful moves make it visually appealing to the audience. On the other hand, Nithiin's lively presence makes the song even more enjoyable. The choreography by Jani Master is stylish and full of fun steps that fans love. Harris Jayaraj's catchy, upbeat music makes the track memorable. Sreeleela's expressive style and easy chemistry with Nithiin make the song a highlight of her career. Many call it one of her best dance performances. The song became very popular on social media and streaming platforms. It turned into a favorite party anthem in Telugu music. Conclusion Sreeleela's dance performances have become very popular with fans. She combines energy, grace, and expression in every move. Her confident and charming style makes each song fun to watch. The actress mixes traditional and modern dance in a way that many people enjoy. Sreeleela also has great chemistry with her co-stars and that adds to the appeal. Many of her songs go viral on social media and this has helped her become one of the most admired dancers in Telugu cinema. Her lively presence and skillful dancing always stand out. In recent times, she has replaced several other actresses as the main lead in movies, including Guntur Kaaram.
