S.S. Thaman

Chennai-raised, Nellore-rooted composer S.S. Thaman is among the most prolific hitmakers working in Telugu cinema, with a catalogue spanning more than 100 films built on an instinct for championing energetic folk rhythms and soothing melodies. Thaman entered Telugu cinema as a supporting drummer at age 11, accompanying his father for the background score of Bhairava Dweepam (1994), and spent 14 years in the trenches as a rhythm programmer and keyboard player under veteran composers including Raj-Koti, M.M. Keeravani and Mani Sharma before emerging as a solo voice. His breakthrough cam§e with Kick (2009), starring Ravi Teja, which imprinted a signature percussion-forward, euphoric and grandiose sound that would define a generation of Telugu mass entertainers, from Race Gurram (2014) to Sarrainodu (2016). His peak arrived with Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo in 2020: The soundtrack became the first Indian feature film score hit a billion views on YouTube, with “Butta Bomma”, featuring Armaan Malik, and “Ramuloo Ramulaa” among the only South Indian songs listed in the streamer’s Top 10 Indian Music Videos of 2020. “Samajavaragamana”, featuring Sid Sriram's devotional-meets-R&B tenor, also became one of the most streamed Telugu songs of its era. Thaman received the National Film Award for Best Music Direction for the Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo soundtrack in 2022.