Devi Sri Prasad facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Devi Sri Prasad
Background information
Also known as	DSP Rockstar
Born	(1979-08-02) 2 August 1979 (age 46) Vedurupaka, Andhra Pradesh, India
Genres	Film score World music Filmi
Occupation(s)	Music composer singer lyricist performer television presenter record producer dance choreographer
Instruments	Vocals keyboard shehnai piano mandolin harmonium drums guitar violin
Years active	1997–present
Labels	Aditya Music Lahari Music Sony Music India T-Series Zee Music Company Panorama Music Ayngaran Music Junglee Music Think Music Magnasound Records
Associated acts	Sonu Nigam & Govinda

Gandham Sriprasad (born August 2, 1979), known as Devi Sri Prasad or DSP, is a famous Indian music composer, singer, and lyricist. He is best known for his work in Telugu cinema and Tamil cinema. DSP has won many awards, including a National Film Award, a Nandi Award, ten Filmfare Awards, and seven SIIMA Awards.

Over his career, Devi Sri Prasad has worked on more than 100 films. He started his music journey in 1997 with a studio album called Dance Party. DSP became a film composer at just 19 years old with the 1999 Telugu movie Devi. His big break in Telugu cinema came in 2001 with the music for the movie Anandam.

About Devi Sri Prasad

His early life and family

Devi Sri Prasad was born in Vedurupaka in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, India. He comes from a Telugu family. His father, G. Satyamurthy, was a well-known screenwriter in Telugu cinema. He wrote popular movies like Devatha and Pedarayudu.

Devi Sri Prasad was named after his grandparents, Devi Meenakshi and Prasada Rao. He also has a brother named Sagar, who is also a singer.

His amazing music career

Starting out and becoming famous (1999–2005)

Devi Sri Prasad first worked on a music album called Dance Party. He then composed the music for the 1999 Telugu film Devi. This was his first movie as a music composer when he was only 19.

His music for the film Anandam in 2001 made him very popular. He also wrote and sang the song "Premante Emitante" for this movie. Critics said his music for Anandam was very good. In the same year, he started working in Tamil cinema with the film Badri.

In 2002, DSP released music for five movies. The soundtracks for Kalusukovalani, Manmadhudu, and Sontham became huge hits. His music helped these movies become very successful. People especially loved the songs from Manmadhudu.

In 2004, the movie Varsham was a big success. DSP's music for this film won him several awards. He even introduced his brother, Gandham Sagar, as a singer with the song "Neeti Mulla" from this album. He continued his romantic music style with Arya (2004). The song "Aa Ante Amalapuram" from Arya became super popular across India.

In 2005, DSP had his busiest year, releasing music for eleven movies. His music for Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana made him one of India's top musicians. He even remixed an old song called "Prema Kosamai Volalo" from a 1951 film. He also had a big hit in Tamil cinema with the movie Sachein.

Big hits like Bommarillu and Jalsa (2006–2009)

In 2006, DSP composed music for many romantic films. Bommarillu was a massive hit. Songs like "Appudo Ippudo" and "Bommani Geesthe" were loved by everyone. He also showed his classical music talent with the song "Bharata Vedamuga" from the film Pournami.

In 2008, DSP's music for Jalsa was a huge success. The songs "Gaallo Thelinattunde" and "My Heart is Beating" were chart-toppers. The music rights for Jalsa were sold for a very high price, showing how popular DSP's music was. He also composed the background music for the action-thriller film Dasavathaaram, which starred Kamal Haasan.

In 2009, DSP worked on Arya 2, a follow-up to his earlier hit Arya. The songs "Ringa Ringa" and "Uppenantha Prema" became very popular. The song "Ringa Ringa" was so famous that DSP reused its music in the 2011 Hindi film Ready.

More success and new styles (2010–2014)

2010 was a great year for DSP in Tamil cinema. His albums for Singam and Manmadan Ambu were very well received. Critics praised his new experiments and variety in music. In 2011, he returned to romantic music with 100% Love and Mr. Perfect. These albums were very popular with young audiences.

In 2012, DSP released music for four films, including the action movies Gabbar Singh and Julayi. The music for Julayi was a chartbuster, and the song "O Madhu" was even played on a BBC radio station in the UK. The song "Kevvu Keka" from Gabbar Singh became a cult classic.

In 2014, DSP's music for Yevadu, 1: Nenokkadine, and Mirchi was very popular. His biggest hit that year was Attarintiki Daredi (soundtrack). He remixed an old folk song, "Kaatama Rayudu," for this album, which was sung by Pawan Kalyan. DSP composed many different types of songs for this album, which was a first for him.

Rangasthalam and showing versatility (2015–2018)

2015 was a mixed year for DSP, but his music for Kumari 21F and Nenu Sailaja was considered "musical hits." He also composed music for the highly successful films Srimanthudu and S/O Satyamurthy, earning him many awards.

In 2016, DSP worked on Nannaku Prematho, dedicating the album to his late father. He also had another big hit with Janatha Garage. In 2017, his music for Khaidi No. 150 and DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham was very successful. Songs like "Ammadu Let's Do Kummudu" and "Seeti Maar" were huge hits.

2018 was a major year for DSP with the film Rangasthalam. The album received widespread praise for its unique folk and traditional style. Songs like "Rangamma Mangamma" and "Jigelu Rani" became incredibly popular. Critics called DSP "the other hero" of Rangasthalam because of his amazing music.

Recent work and Pushpa success (2019–present)

In 2019, DSP had four successful releases, including Chitralahari and Maharshi. In 2020, his music for Sarileru Neekevvaru had popular songs like "Mind Block" and "He's So Cute."

After a short break, DSP found huge success with the music for Uppena (2021). Songs like "Nee Kannu Neeli Samudram" and "Jala Jala Jalapaatham Nuvvu" topped the music charts. Later that year, Pushpa: The Rise was released, and its soundtrack was a massive commercial success. Songs like "Srivalli" and "Oo Antava Oo Oo Antava" became national hits. DSP received his first National Film Award for his work on Pushpa: The Rise.

Since Pushpa: The Rise, some of DSP's recent film music, like for Waltair Veerayya (2023) and Rathnam (2024), has received mixed reviews, even if the movies themselves did well.

Singing and songwriting

Devi Sri Prasad is also a talented singer. He has sung over 60 songs in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi, mostly for his own music compositions. He first sang in 2000 for the song "Vechavechaga" from the film Vamsi.

Some of his popular songs include "Tellarindoi", "Mr. Perfect", "Nannaku Prematho", and "Ammadu Let's Do Kummudu". He dedicated the song "Nannaku Prematho" to his late father. DSP has also written over 25 songs in Telugu and Tamil.

He has re-composed and re-mixed many of his own songs in different languages. For example, "Seeti Maar" from the 2017 film DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham was re-mixed for the 2021 Hindi film Radhe.

Other interesting work

Devi Sri Prasad performed his first live concert outside India in Chicago, U.S., in 2008. He announced his first concert tour in 2014, performing across the United States and Canada. His concerts have been very popular and even shown on TV.

In 2014, DSP created a music tribute to the legendary singer Michael Jackson on his birthday. In 2021, he became a judge on the Tamil reality singing show Rockstar on Zee Tamil. He has also appeared in other TV shows. In 2015, he even choreographed a music video for his song "Bang Bang Bangkok" from the film Kumari 21F.

His unique music style

Devi Sri Prasad is famous for creating energetic dance numbers in Telugu films. He is sometimes called the "king of item numbers" because of how popular his dance songs are. Some of his well-known dance compositions include "Ringa Ringa", "Jigelu Rani", "Aa Ante Amalapuram", and "Oo Antava Oo Oo Antava". He has worked with director Sukumar on nine films.

Besides dance numbers, DSP's music style also includes romantic melodies, pop rock, hard rock, and folk music. He was one of the first music directors to include the names of background singers in his albums.

Devi Sri Prasad often says that the music of Ilaiyaraaja and the performance style of Michael Jackson are his biggest inspirations.

Discography

Film appearances

Television appearances

Awards and nominations