Singer Mano launches platform for fans to showcase talent

Singer Mano during an interaction with The Hindu in Chennai. | Photo credit: BIJOY GHOSH

Accompanied by their child, the couple told playback singer Mano that his song Nee Oru Kadhal Sangeetham from the film Nayakan played a pivotal role in their love story, reaffirming his belief that music has the power to create lifelong memories. This memorable interaction happened during an event he organized in the US where he allowed fans to sing along with him.

“It is not a competition,” Mr. Mano said during a casual interaction with The Hindu journalists. “The aim is to give ordinary music lovers who would otherwise never have the opportunity to perform, a platform to sing.”

The ‘Sing with Mano’ event will be held in Chennai in October, he said. Participants are invited to choose a song of their choice. Mr. Mano will then assess whether they are a good match for their voice, take them through rehearsals and mentor them until they are ready to perform with him.

Recalling another memorable interaction with fans, he talked about meeting a group of bus drivers and conductors who told him they regularly listen to his songs while driving. “It’s moving to see how music becomes a companion in people’s daily lives,” he said.

Born Nagoor Babu, the singer adopted the moniker “Mano” at the suggestion of music director Ilaiyaraaj, who felt there might be confusion due to another well-known Nagoor singer EM Hanif.

Mr. Mano also reminisced about his childhood immersion in music. “Both my father and grandfather were musicians. We were a family who staged mythological dramas. From a very young age we visited places of worship of all faiths. By the time I was six or seven, I knew all the characters and songs we performed,” he said.

To illustrate his grounding in classical music, he rendered a Telugu virutham. Mr. Mano trained under noted Carnatic singer Nedunuri Krishnamurthy, whose guidance laid the foundations of his musical journey.

In the world of film, Mr. Mano credited his background in Carnatic music and two-and-a-half years of experience with Tamil composer MS Viswanathan for his early success. “Working with him (MSV), I learned how to write notes. I learned different styles of taalam. All this was very helpful as my musical career progressed,” said Mr. Mano, who also had a long-term association with Telugu composer K. Chakravarthy.

Mr. Mano said that recording his debut track for Mr. Ilaiyaraaj, Then Mozhi, from Solla Thudikuthu Manas, remains one of his most vivid memories. “Mr. Raja taught me the letter ‘zha’ which did not come naturally to me then,” said Mr. Mano, who embarked on a long musical journey with Isaignani, which includes Enga Ooru Paatukaaran, a film in which he sang all the songs. “It was unforgettable. I’m not sure how many singers have had that experience.”

During the interview, Mr. Mano also addressed the comparisons often drawn by music lovers between his voice and that of SP Balasubrahmanyam. “In a song in Jallikattu, both SPB and I sang together and I remember Raja sir jokingly asking us who sang which song,” recalled the singer, who is also widely celebrated for his versatility across songs like Sirpy’s Azhagiya Laila and AR Rahman’s Muqqabula.

“Singing in commercial films makes you go into a different zone. I grew up as a singer alongside SPB, Yesudas and Malaysia Vasudevan – who were giants in the industry – and I am grateful to many composers who gave me opportunities in their projects,” he said.

Apart from his singing prowess, Mr Mano also has a solid track record as a dubbing artist – he has been the voice of several Rajinikanth films in Telugu. Currently, Mano runs a mentorship program that gives aspiring singers a stage opportunity, the Chennai leg of which is scheduled for September this year. “I have seen many ups and downs in my life and realized that constant practice and passion is the way to success. The younger generation craves instant gratification and success, but I feel the voice needs daily practice and rigor.”

Published – 10 Jul 2026 0:29 IST