“The fire within us… our courage and heroism should never fade.” That is the stirring message conveyed by the powerful new song “Salasala Marige Neeloni Raktame…” composed and brought to life with profound music and lyrics by the legendary MM Keeravaani. This evocative song is part of the film Hari Hara Veera Mallu.
Given the current times, the song feels like a rousing call to ensure the spirit of valor within us never diminishes. It’s as if the lyrics and music themselves are wielding a flaming sword, reminding us of our inner strength. This inspirational anthem will be released to the public on the 21st of this month.
The music and background score by Keeravaani garu elevate the emotional intensity of Hari Hara Veera Mallu to extraordinary heights. I’ve personally witnessed the dedication and passion with which he composed for this film. Saying that he breathed life into Veera Mallu would be no exaggeration.
When he said, “This is the first time I’m working with you, so it has to be something truly special,” it reflected his deep sense of commitment and artistry.
This morning, I had the immense joy of meeting the Oscar-winning maestro Keeravaani garu. As we spoke, time flew by while he shared stories of his journey from being a disciple of the renowned music director Chakravarthy garu, to the enriching associations with literary giants like Veturi Sundararama Murthy garu and Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry garu.
When I noticed his collection of violins, it brought back memories of my own brief foray into learning the instrument up to playing paired notes before I left it behind. He even showed me the violin gifted by Chidambaranathan garu, which he has preserved with great care.
Keeravaani garu, a passionate admirer of Telugu storytelling, has curated a personal collection of 32 stories that he cherishes deeply. Receiving this collection from him was a moment of great joy for me. Among them are two stories penned by Keeravaani garu himself, revealing that he is not just a master composer but also a gifted writer, capable of weaving beautiful Telugu lyrics with poetic finesse.
He sets a path for lyricists with the words he writes. What we see on screen is a two-and-a-half-hour film, but behind it lies the tireless work of someone like Keeravaani garu, who devotes days and months crafting its music with unrelenting passion.
Through his creative genius and soul-stirring melodies, he brought Telugu music all the way to the Oscars. A feat that makes us proud, and a journey that continues to inspire.
