Devi Sri Prasad is an Indian music composer, singer, lyricist, performer, television presenter, record producer, and dance choreographer, who mainly works in the Telugu film industry. He came into the limelight after composing the soundtrack of the Telugu film ‘Anandam’ (2001). Prasad is the recipient of nine Filmfare Awards South.
Wiki/Biography
Devi Sri Prasad was born as Gandham Devi Sri Prasad on Thursday, 2 August 1979 (age 44 years; as of 2023) in Amalapuram, East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh. His zodiac sign is Leo. He grew up in Madras (now Chennai). Devi Sri Prasad did his schooling at M. Venkata Subba Rao School in T. Nagar, Chennai. He was inclined towards music since childhood and used to hear Ilaiyaraaja’s songs while growing up. When Prasad was in his teens his mother enrolled him in Maestro Sri Mandolin U. Shrinivas’ singing classes. His father showed him different kinds of films and explained them to him. His father also gifted him a VHS of The Legend Continues documentary. After watching the film, Prasad became a huge fan of Michael Jackson.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 7″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Devi Sri Prasad belongs to a Telugu speaking family from Andhra Pradesh.
Parents & Siblings
Devi’s father, G. Satyamurthy, was a popular writer in Telugu cinema. He wrote popular Telugu films like ‘Devatha’ (1982), ‘Khaidi No. 786’ (1988), and ‘Pedarayudu’ (1995). G. Satyamurthy died in December 2015 after suffering from a massive heart attack. Devi’s mother’s name is Siromani. He has a younger brother, Gandham Sagar, who is a playback singer. He also has a younger sister named Padmini Priya Darsini.
Devi Sri Prasad with his father
Devi Sri Prasad with his mother
Devi Sri Prasad with his father and brother
Devi Sir Prasad with his brother
Devi Sri Prasad with his siblings
Devi Sri Prasad with his family
Wife
He is unmarried.
Career
As a Music Composer
Devi Sri Prasad started his music career in 1997 by composing a track for the studio album ‘Dance Party.’ He made his debut as a music composer in 1999 by composing the score and soundtrack of the Telugu film ‘Devi.’ He then composed a Tamil version of the soundtrack for the film which was an instant hit. His breakthrough came in the year 2001 when he composed the soundtrack of the Telugu film Anandam. In the same year, he made his debut in the Tamil music industry by composing the film score of the Tamil film ‘Badri.’
Devi Sri Prasad working on a music project
In 2002, Prasad composed the soundtracks of five films, out of which, the albums of the films ‘Kalusukovalani,’ ‘Manmadhudu,’ and ‘Sontham’ became huge hits. Soon, he became one of the most sought after music composers of the Telugu film industry. He then went on to compose the soundtracks of the Telugu films ‘Bommarillu'(2006), ‘Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana’ (2006), ‘Gabbar Singh’ (2013), ‘Attarintiki Daredi’ (2014), ‘Srimanthudu’ (2016), ‘S/O Satyamurthy’ (2016), ‘Nannaku Prematho’ (2017), ‘Rangasthalam’ (2019).
Devi Sri Prasad in his music studio
Devi Sri Prasad has also composed the soundtracks for many Hindi songs like ‘Dhinka Chika’ for the film ‘Ready’ (2011), ‘Aa Ante Amalapuram’ for the film ‘Maximum’ (2012), ‘Naacho Re’ for the film ‘Jai Ho’ (2014), and ‘Seeti Maar’ for the film ‘Radhe’ (2021).
As a Playback Singer
Devi Sri Prasad is also a playback singer. He has lent his voice for more than 66 songs in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi. He made his singing debut in 2000 with the song ‘Vechavechaga’ for the Telugu film ‘Vamsi.’ In 2001, he sang two Tamil songs ‘Angel Vandhaale’ and ‘King of Chennai’ for the film ‘Badri’ and two Telugu songs ‘Monalisa’ and ‘Premante Emitante’ for the film ‘Anandam.’ Some of the popular Telugu songs sung by him include ‘Rakhi Rakhi’ (2006), ‘Kanthasamy’ (2009), ‘Mr. Perfect’ (2009), ‘A square B square’ (2011), ‘Ninnu Chudagane’ (2013), ‘Super Machi’ (2015), ‘Nannaku Prematho’ (2016), ‘Ammadu Let’s Do Kummudu’ (2017) and ‘Yentha Sakkagunnave’ (2018). In 2015, he made his debut as a singer in the Hindi film industry by singing the song ‘Daddy Mummy’ for the film ‘Bhaag Johnny.’ He has re-mixed and re-composed many of his own songs in different languages. In 2021, Prasad re-mixed and re-composed his Telugu song ‘Seeti Maar’ for the Bollywood film ‘Radhe.’
Devi Sri Prasad as a singer
As a Lyricist
Devi made his debut as a lyricist in 2001 by writing the song ‘Premante Emito’ for the Telugu film ‘Anandam.’ Subsequently, he penned several Telugu songs like ‘Chaila Chaila’ from the film ‘Shankar Dada MBBS’ (2004), ‘O Madhu’ from the film ‘Julayi’ (2012), ‘Super Machi’ from the film ‘S/O Satyamurthy’ (2015), ‘Bang Bang Bangkok’ from the film ‘Kumari 21F’ (2015), and ‘Sarileru Neekevvaru Anthem’ from the film ‘Sarileru Neekevvaru’ (2020). In 2018, he made his Tamil debut as a lyricist with the film ‘Saamy Square’ for which he penned the song ‘Pudu Metro Rail.’ As of 2022, he has penned around 25 songs in Telugu and Tamil. Most of his songs were either sung by him or composed by him.
Saamy Square film poster
Live Concerts and Performances
Devi Sri Prasad has performed live at various concerts and music events. On 26 July 2008, he performed at a show in Chicago, U.S. (his first music performance outside India). He made his first concert tour across the cities of the United States and Canada from 4 July 2014 to 2 August 2014. In the same year, he paid a tribute to the popular singer Michael Jackson on his birth anniversary by performing on a special track from his music album Jalsa.
Devi Sri Prasad performing live at Vizag
Other Works
He choreographed for the music video of the song ‘Bang Bang Bangkok’ from the Telugu film ‘Kumari 21F’ (2015).
Devi Sri Prasad made his television debut in 2021 with the Tamil singing reality TV show ‘Rockstar.’ He appeared in the show as a jury member.
Devi Sri Prasad as a jury member of Rockstar
Controversy
In January 2022, Devi’s song ‘Oo Antava’ was criticised by a political party member who raised an objection to the song claiming that the devotional song was converted into an item number. Devi responded to it by saying,
It was not that. Generally, they were talking about item songs in a press meet, when someone asked me why are you working on the item song to which I responded for you it is an item song, for me it is just a song. From the composition side of a musician, we have to cater to what the director wants, what the subject demands. If it is a love song, it’ll be a love song, if it is an item song, it’ll be an item song. For me, it is a song, I have to do the best possible for that. For me, be it a devotional, love or item song, the composing process remains the same. However, it was taken in a different context by these (political) guys which was unnecessary.
Awards
CineMAA Awards
- Best Music Director for the films Varsham, Bommarillu, Arya 2, Gabbar Singh (2005, 2007, 2010, 2013)
- Special Music Award for the film 1: Nenokkadine (2015)
- Best Music Director for the films Srimanthudu, S/O Satyamurthy, Kumari 21F (2016)
Filmfare Awards South
- Best Music Director (Telugu) for the film Varsham (2005)
- Best Music Director (Telugu) for the film Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana (2006)
- Filmfare Special Award for the film Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana (2006)
- Best Music Director (Telugu) for the film Bommarillu (2007)
- Best Music Director (Telugu) for the film Gabbar Singh (2013)
- Best Music Director (Telugu) for the film Attarintiki Daredi (2014)
- Best Music Director (Telugu) for the film Srimanthudu (2016)
- Best Music Director (Telugu) for the film Nannaku Prematho (2017)
- Best Music Director (Telugu) for the film Rangasthalam (2019)
Devi Sri Prasad with his Filmfare Awards South
Gulf Andhra Music Awards (GAMA Tollywood Awards)
- Best Music Director for the films Attarintiki Daredi and Srimanthudu (2014, 2016)
- Best Background Score for the films Attarintiki Daredi and Legend (2014, 2015)
- Best Title Song for “Legend” from Legend and “Ayyo Papam” from Yevadu (2015)
- Best Commercial Song for “Super Machi” from S/O Satyamurthy (along with Sravana Bhargavi) (2016)
Hyderabad Times Film Awards
- Best Music Director for the film Gabbar Singh (2013)
IIFA Utsavam
- Best Music Director for the film Srimanthudu (2016)
- Best Music Director for the film Janatha Garage (2017)
International Tamil Film Awards
- Best Music Director for the film Venghai (2012)
Maa Music Awards
- Most Popular Music Director for the film Gabbar Singh (2012)
- Best Item Song for “Kevvu Keka” from Gabbar Singh (2012)
Mirchi Music Awards South
- Song of the Year (Jury Choice) for “Ringa Ringa” from Arya 2 (2010)
- Album of the Year (Jury Choice) for Arya 2 (2010)
- Album of the Year (Jury Choice) for Gabbar Singh (2013)
- Album of the Year (Listeners’ Choice) for Gabbar Singh (2013)
- Song of the Year (Jury Choice) for “Akasam Ammayaithe” from Gabbar Singh (2013)
- Song of the Year (Listeners’ Choice) for “Kevvu Keka” from Gabbar Singh (2013)
- Album of the Year (Listeners’ Choice) for S/O Satyamurthy (2016)
- Song of the Year (Listeners’ Choice) for “Super Machi” from S/O Satyamurthy (2016)
- Album of the Decade (Listeners’ Choice) for Attarintiki Daredi (2021)
Nandi Awards
- Best Music Director for the film Attarintiki Daredi (2013)
Sakshi Excellence Awards
- Most Popular Music Director of the Year for the film Srimanthudu (2015)
- Most Popular Music Director of the Year for the film S/O Satyamurthy (2015)
- Most Popular Music Director of the Year for the film Kumari 21F (2015)
- Most Popular Music Director of the Year for the film Nannaku Prematho (2016)
- Most Popular Music Director of the Year for the film Rangasthalam (2019)
Santosham Film Awards
- Best Music Director for the film Varsham (2005)
- Best Music Director for the film Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana (2006)
- Best Music Director for the film Bommarillu (2007)
- Best Music Director for the film Jalsa (2009)
- Best Music Director for the film Gabbar Singh (2013)
- Best Music Director for the film Attarintiki Daredi (2014)
- BigFM Music Award for the film 1: Nenokkadine (2015)
- Best Music Director for the film Srimanthudu (2016)
South Indian International Movie Awards
- Best Music Director (Telugu) for the film Gabbar Singh (2013)
- Best Music Director (Telugu) for the film Attarintiki Daredi (2014)
- Best Music Director (Telugu) for the film Srimanthudu (2016)
- Best Music Director (Telugu) for the film Janatha Garage (2017)
Devi Sri Prasad with his SIIMA Award
- Best Music Director (Telugu) for the film Rangasthalam (2019)
- Best Music Director (Telugu) for the film Maharshi (2019)
South Scope Lifestyle Awards
- Best Music Director for the film Jalsa (2009)
- Best Music Director for the film Arya 2 (2010)
TSR– TV9 National Film Awards
- Best Music Director for the film Damarukam (2012)
- Best Music Director for the film Attarintiki Daredi (2013)
Vijay Music Awards
- Popular Song of The Masses for “Kadhal Vandale” from Singam (2011)
Zee Cine Awards Telugu
- Best Music Director for the film Rangasthalam (2019)
Other Awards and Recognitions
- Sitara Awards Special Award for Best Music Director for the films Jalsa and Ready (2009)
- Isai Aruvi Tamil Music Awards for Best Music Director for the film Kanthaswamy (2009)
- Audi Ritz Icon Awards (2013)
- Big Telugu Entertainment Awards for Best Music Director for the film Attarintiki Daredi (2013)
- Sri Kala Sudha Telugu Association 18th Ugadi Purakaskaralu for Best Music Director (2016)
- Zee Golden Awards for Best Music Director for the films Khaidi No. 150 and DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham (2017)
- Dada Saheb Phalke Awards South for Best Music Director (2019)
Devi Sri Prasad posing with his Dada Saheb Phalke Award South
Signature
Devi Sri Prasad’s signature
Salary/Income
Devi Sri Prasad charges more than Rs. 3 crore for a film (as of 2018).
Favourities
- Travel Destination: Kashmir
Facts/Trivia
- Devi Sri Prasad likes to do photography in his leisure time.
- He is one of the highest-paid music composers in Tollywood (as of 2018).
- He has worked on around 100 films in a career spanning 20 years (as of 2022).
- He is good at playing many musical instruments like Keyboard, Shehnai, Piano, Mandolin, Harmonium, Drums, Guitar, and Violin.
Devi Sri Prasad playing the piano
- He is popularly known by his initials ‘DSP.’
- He is a social worker and works for the betterment of underprivileged children. In 2018, he spent his New Year with the children of ‘Care & Share’ NGO in Vijayawada.
Devi Sri Prasad at Care & Share
- He shares a great bond with his nephew Tanav Satya and keeps sharing his (nephew’s) pictures on his Instagram account.
Devi Sri Prasad with his nephew
- It was rumoured that the prefix ‘Devi’ to his name was added by him after his first film ‘Devi’ (1999). However, it is not so. He was named Devi Sri Prasad after his maternal grandparents, Devi Meenakshi, and Prasada Rao.
- During an interview, DSP opened about his journey of creating the dance number ‘Seeti Maar’ for the Hindi-language action thriller film ‘Radhe’ (2021). He said,
Most of my songs have this Hindi flavour. Once, Prabhudeva master called me and said he is looking for a dance number for a film that he is directing with Bhai. I got excited because Salman Bhai and I had worked on Ready and Jai Ho before and shared a very good rapport. I suggested Seeti Maar, and we all jumped into it.”
- He credits his success to his childhood influences Ilaiyaraaja, Michael Jackson, and Mandolin Srinivas.
- During an interview, Devi Sri Prasad revealed that he wanted to score an Indian classical music-themed film like ‘Sagara Sangamam’ (1983) someday. He also shared that he wanted to make explicitly raag-based dance songs.
- In an interview, Devi Sri Prasad was asked to share a memorable event of his life. He said,
This happened a long while ago before I even entered the film industry. I was in school and I was participating in IIT culture representing my school. I used to compose music even then and was singing a tune I had composed. I was the lone instrument player for my school at that time and hence I never used to sing. A competitive event was to happen shortly and I was rehearsing with my team. That’s the time a girl was walking towards me, in a white salwar, and it was like Yash Raj films from a distance out of focus to close focus slowly. My friends were teasing me and I was trembling because talking to girls was a nerve-wracking experience then; not any more of course! She came to me slowly and asked if I was singing in the competition and I answered in negative. She appeared a bit disappointed by what I said and told that she really liked my singing and if I were singing, she would stay, if not she would leave for her classes. That was the first appreciation I got and I can never ever forget that. And after the event, a boy came to me and took my autograph saying that I would really make it big in life. Initially, I thought someone is playing a prank on me but realized it was not the case. These compliments are so finely etched in my memory which I received at such an early age.”
- His fans fondly call him ‘Rockstar.’
- He is well-versed in four languages- Hindi, English, Tamil, and Telugu. DSP is not so fluent in speaking Hindi, but he does, understand, read, and write, Hindi well.
- During an interview, while talking about his debut film ‘Devi’ (1999), DSP said,
An interesting aspect in this is that my first film was Devi which was released in Tamil and Telugu and that had slokas and verses about Lord Shiva. That happened when I was 17 and everybody used to look at me in awe saying how I managed such a tough job at such a young age. That was an unforgettable film.”
- He is an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna.
- He owns a music studio in Chennai named Vrindavan.
Devi Sri Prasad at his music studio
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
