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Febi Mani
Febi Mani
Febi Mani
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Key Information

Febi Mani (also credited as Febi Srikanth Deva) is an Indian playback singer who has worked in the Indian film industry. She worked extensively with A. R. Rahman during the late 1990s and early 2000s, while also regularly collaborating with Harris Jayaraj.[1]

Career

[edit]

Early in her career, Mani collaborated frequently with A. R. Rahman, working on big budget projects including for "Kokku Saiva Kokku" from K. S. Ravikumar's Muthu (1995), "Love Theme" from Shankar's Jeans (1998) and "Dil Se Re" in Mani Ratnam's Dil Se (1998). The Hindustan Times called "Strawberry Kanne" from Minsara Kanavu (1997), sung by Kay Kay and Febi Mani, "one of the most engaging tracks Rahman has ever composed", adding the musician employed "fabulous use of a motley assortment of instruments in the song that drove the story forward in the movie".[2] Other notable early work by the singer included "Kanni Pengal" from the Ajith Kumar-starrer Kaadhal Mannan (1998), "Kikku Yerudhey" from Padayappa (1999) and "Oh Mariya" from Kadhalar Dhinam (1999).[3][4]

After her marriage, Mani reduced her work commitments and has worked on film albums less often.[5]

Personal life

[edit]

Mani married music director Srikanth Deva on 20 February 2005 in Chennai. The event was attended by several film personalities from the Tamil film industry including Rajinikanth, A. R. Rahman and Suriya, who were acquainted with either Mani, Srikanth or Srikanth's father, music composer Deva. Their first daughter, Varanya, was born in 2007.[6][7]

Notable discography

[edit]
Year Film Song title Music director
1995 Muthu "Kokku Saiva Kokku" A. R. Rahman
1997 Bharathi Kannamma "Chinna Chinna Kanamma" Deva
Minsara Kanavu "Strawberry Kanne" A. R. Rahman
1998 Kaadhal Mannan "Kanni Pengal" Bharadwaj
Bavagaru Bagunnara? (Telugu) "Maattekki Thooge" Mani Sharma
Jeans "Love Theme" A. R. Rahman
Dil Se (Hindi) "Dil Se Re"
1999 Padayappa "Kikku Yerudhey"
Kadhalar Dhinam "Oh Mariya"
Kadhalar Dhinam - Telugu (D) "Oh Mariya"
Taj Mahal "Adi Manjakelange"
"Kizhakke Nandavanam"
2000 Kadhalar Dhinam - Hindi (D) "Oh Mariya" A. R. Rahman
2001 12B "Jothi Neranjava" Harris Jayaraj
Majunu "Hari Gori"
Dumm Dumm Dumm "Krishna Krishna" Karthik Raja
Paarthale Paravasam "Paarthale Paravasam" A. R. Rahman
Hoo Anthiya Uhoo Anthiya (Kannada) "Minchulli Kenne" Karthik Raja
2002 Kannathil Muthamittal "Vidai Kodu Engal Naadae" A. R. Rahman
Thulluvadho Ilamai "Kaatrukku Kaatrukku" Yuvan Shankar Raja
2004 M. Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi "Yaaru Yaaru Ivano" Srikanth Deva
Arasatchi "Iruvathu Vayasu" Harris Jayaraj
Gharshana (Telugu) "Aadatanamaa"
Phir Milenge (Hindi) "Phir Milenge" Bhavatharini
Jithan "Coimbatore" Srikanth Deva
2005 Ullam Ketkumae "Kanavugal" Harris Jayaraj
Anniyan "Stranger in Black"
2009 Peraanmai "Thuppaaki Penne" Vidyasagar

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Febi Mani

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from Grokipedia
Febi Mani (born 15 December 1985) is an Indian playback singer primarily known for her work in the Tamil film industry. Born in , , she gained prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s through extensive collaborations with composers and , contributing vocals to numerous film soundtracks that blended traditional and contemporary Indian music elements. Mani's career highlights include her debut in Rahman's Minsara Kanavu (1997), where she sang the duet "Strawberry Kannae" alongside KK, a track that showcased her versatile voice in romantic melodies. She further collaborated with Rahman on songs like "Kikku Yerudhey" from (1999) and "Santhosha Kanneere" from Uyire (1998), often harmonizing in ensemble pieces that earned critical acclaim for their emotional depth. With , her notable contributions include "Jothi Neranjava" from (2001), a high-energy duet with , and "Aadathanama" from (2004), which highlighted her ability to adapt to upbeat, rhythmic compositions. These works established her as a key figure in Tamil cinema's musical landscape during that era. Beyond these partnerships, Mani has appeared in soundtracks for films such as (2001), Nandha (2001), (2004), and (2004), often providing backing vocals or featured lines that enhanced the narrative drive of the scores. Her discography reflects a focus on playback singing rather than solo performances, with ongoing popularity evidenced by streaming platforms where her tracks continue to attract hundreds of thousands of monthly listeners.

Early life and background

Childhood and family

Febi Mani was born on December 15, 1985, in , , . Some sources indicate a conflicting birth year of 1965, though the 1985 date better aligns with the timeline of her professional career beginning in the late 1990s. She grew up in amid the city's dynamic Tamil film industry, which provided early exposure to diverse musical influences from a young age. Limited public information exists regarding her family background, including the professions of her parents or any siblings, but her upbringing occurred in an environment that encouraged her developing interest in music.

Musical beginnings

Febi Mani, born on December 15, 1985, in , began her musical journey at a young age by participating in local singing competitions, cultural events, and school functions in the city. These early performances allowed her to showcase her talent within 's rich musical heritage, fostering her initial development as a singer. Her vocal training was primarily informal, shaped by the influences of the Tamil music scene through community and school-based activities, with no records of formal conservatory education. This approach helped build her skills in a supportive environment centered on traditional and contemporary Tamil sounds. These backing vocal roles provided essential experience in studio settings and collaborations with established musicians.

Career

Debut and collaborations with A. R. Rahman

Febi Mani's entry into the Indian film industry occurred in 1995, when she provided chorus vocals for the lively folk-inspired track "Kokku Saiva Kokku" from the Tamil blockbuster Muthu, composed by . This debut marked her initial foray into playback singing, blending her voice with those of , , and Ganga in a that celebrated rural life and became a chart-topper. By 1997, Mani achieved her first notable recognition through the duet "Strawberry Kanne" (also known as "Strawberry Kannae Vinveli Penne") from the romantic drama , again composed by Rahman. Sung alongside Krishna Kumar, the upbeat number featured playful lyrics by and showcased Mani's versatile, youthful , contributing to the film's critical and commercial success. The track's infectious rhythm and harmonious vocals highlighted Rahman's innovative fusion of Western pop elements with Tamil melody, helping Mani gain prominence as a fresh voice in South Indian cinema. Mani's partnership with Rahman deepened in 1998, as she lent her vocals to the "Love Theme" from the Tamil action-romance , directed by Shankar. Featuring alongside Harini and Anupama, her contribution added emotional depth to the film's , which earned Rahman the National Film Award for Best Music Direction. That same year, she sang in "Santhosha Kanneere" from Uyire, harmonizing with and Anupama in a poignant track that captured the film's romantic essence. Later in 1998, she participated in the chorus for "Dil Se Re," the poignant title track from Mani Ratnam's thriller Dil Se.., performing with Rahman, , and Anupama. This bilingual collaboration extended her reach into Bollywood, where the song's introspective lyrics by and Rahman's soulful orchestration resonated widely. In 1999, Mani continued her association with Rahman by singing "Kikku Yerudhey" from , a lively with Mano that added to the film's celebratory . From 1995 to 1999, Mani collaborated with Rahman on several key tracks across Tamil and films, establishing her as a reliable and adaptable playback artist in his ensemble of singers during this formative phase of her career. Her early musical training enabled a swift adaptation to Rahman's eclectic style, which often demanded precision in layered harmonies and experimental arrangements. These works not only boosted her visibility but also underscored Rahman's role in nurturing emerging talents within the industry.

Works with other composers

Following her breakthrough with A. R. Rahman, Febi Mani broadened her repertoire by collaborating with other composers in the Tamil film industry, showcasing her versatility in folk and upbeat tracks during the early 2000s. A pivotal collaboration came in 2001 with Harris Jayaraj on "Jothi Neranjava" from the film 12B, where she sang alongside Sukhwinder Singh; the energetic duet became a major hit, solidifying her presence beyond Rahman's projects. She also featured in Jayaraj's Majunu that year, contributing to the lively ensemble "Hari Gori" with Tippu, Karthik, Devan Ekambaram, and Ganga, which captured the film's romantic thriller vibe. Further works with Jayaraj included "Irubadhu Vayadhu" from Arasatchi (2004), a duet with Harini, and the Telugu track "Aadathanama" from Gharshana (2004), sung with Sunitha Sarathy. In 2004, Mani worked with her future husband, composer —whom she married on February 21, 2005—for "Yaaru Yaaru Ivano" in , a with Devan Ekambaram that highlighted her melodic range in the family drama's . Another key contribution was "Thuppaaki Penne" from Peraanmai (2009), composed by Vidyasagar, where she joined Pop Shalini, Megha, and SuVi in an empowering anthem underscoring the film's themes of resilience. After 2005, amid family commitments including the birth of her daughter Varanya in 2007, Mani's output slowed, limiting her to occasional roles such as dubs in Telugu and films.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Febi Mani married the composer on February 20, 2005, in . The wedding ceremony took place that day, with the reception held on February 22, 2005, at 6:30 PM, drawing notable figures from the Tamil film industry, including , his son-in-law , , and Vijay. The couple welcomed their only daughter, Varanya, in 2007. Following her marriage, Mani began using the professional credit "Febi Srikanth Deva" for select playback singing roles, incorporating her husband's surname to signify their familial bond.

Post-marriage life

Following her marriage to in February 2005, Febi Mani welcomed their daughter, Varanya, in 2007. Mani's professional output significantly decreased after this period, with her last credited film songs appearing in the 2004 releases Arasatchi and Gharshana. As of 2025, she maintains a low public profile while residing in , where her husband's active career in the film industry continues to shape family dynamics; marked his 100th film project with the release of Priyamudan Priya in August 2023. Despite her contributions to in the 1990s and 2000s, Mani has no reported awards or nominations throughout her career.

Selected discography

Notable songs from the 1990s

Febi Mani's first credited appearance was in the mid-1990s through her chorus contributions to A.R. Rahman's compositions, with her debut lead vocal in 1997. Her role in the upbeat folk track "Kokku Saiva Kokku" from the 1995 film Muthu, where she provided backing vocals alongside , , and Ganga, introduced her voice in a celebratory ensemble piece. In 1997, Mani earned recognition for her duet performance in "Strawberry Kanne Vinveli Penne" from , partnering with Krishna Kumar under Rahman's melodic arrangement, which blended playful rhythms with romantic undertones in the Tamil soundtrack. She further contributed to "Santhosha Kanneere" from Uyire (1998), providing vocals in a harmonious piece noted for its emotional depth. Mani's 1998 output demonstrated growing versatility across languages and genres, primarily through Rahman's scores. She contributed backing vocals to the tender "Love Theme" in the Tamil film Jeans, joining Harini and Anupama in a soothing instrumental-driven piece that underscored the film's emotional core. In the same year, her female vocals featured in the lively group song "Oh Maria" from Kadhalar Dhinam, alongside Devan Ekambaram and Yugendran, infusing the Tamil track with energetic, flirtatious flair. Transitioning to Hindi cinema, Mani provided chorus support in "Dil Se Re" from Dil Se.., harmonizing with A.R. Rahman, Anuradha Sriram, and Anupama in a poignant title track that captured themes of intense longing. In 1999, she sang "Kikku Yerudhey" from Padayappa, a duet with Mano that showcased her in an upbeat track. These mid-to-late 1990s songs, all composed by , showcased Mani's melodic range in romantic and folk-infused styles, solidifying her presence in South Indian and crossover film music during the decade.

Notable songs from the

In the , Febi Mani's contributions to soundtracks became more selective, reflecting a maturation in her vocal style that blended playful energy with deeper emotional nuance, particularly in upbeat ensemble tracks for action-romance genres. Her output during this decade totaled approximately 10-15 songs across various films, often featuring her in supporting vocal roles alongside established singers, and several were dubbed into Telugu for wider regional appeal, such as in the 2004 Telugu version of the Tamil hit (2003). A standout recording from 2001 was "Jothi Neranjava" from the film , composed by , where Mani's lively vocals complemented in a rhythmic that captured the film's youthful romance and adventure themes. That same year, she contributed to "Hari Gori" in , also scored by , delivering harmonious backing in a multi-singer track that infused folk-inspired pep with contemporary beats, highlighting her versatility in group performances. Additional 2001 works include backing vocals in Nandha. By 2004, Mani appeared in "Yaaru Yaaru Ivano" from , under Srikanth Deva's composition, where her spirited delivery paired with Devan to underscore the film's energetic father-son bonding narrative through catchy, dance-oriented melodies. She also provided vocals for tracks in and that year. In 2005, Mani collaborated with on "Aadathanama" from Ghajini, adapting to upbeat, rhythmic compositions, and contributed to "Dhoothu Varuma" from . Her decade closed with one of her final major credits in 2009's "Thuppaaki Penne" from Peraanmai, composed by Vidyasagar, an empowering ensemble piece sung alongside Pop Shalini, Megha, and SuVi that emphasized strong female voices in an action-drama context. This reduced frequency toward the late was influenced by her in 2005 and family commitments.

References

  1. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2291287-febi-mani?language=en-US
  2. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1917118/
  3. https://music.apple.com/us/artist/febi-mani/11525262
  4. https://open.spotify.com/artist/659t1mZzgOMqjQLriWbK6x
  5. https://www.jiosaavn.com/artist/febi-mani-songs/SVMqqj5ckCk_
  6. https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/febi-mani/IEIN009276
  7. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2291287-febi-mani
  8. https://www.famousfix.com/topic/febi-mani
  9. https://www.hire4event.com/artist/febimani
  10. https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/febi-mani/IEIN009276/filmography
  11. https://open.spotify.com/track/4YwNM1IOZsfPkACKPYxLFp
  12. https://music.apple.com/us/song/kokku-saiva-kokku/1729623837
  13. https://open.spotify.com/track/20WbnlpDicHdeN7nGeINHe
  14. https://music.apple.com/us/album/minsara-kanavu-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1705056444
  15. https://open.spotify.com/track/2dPophUzECVX5w9Awdu7f2
  16. https://open.spotify.com/track/1KAkw2nyc3zrfZVtp0kAqF
  17. https://arrahmanian.com/artists/febi-mani
  18. https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/srikanth-deva/biography.html
  19. https://music.apple.com/us/album/12-b-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1702878765
  20. https://open.spotify.com/album/7CWhxc0R69m4MKcjPhNjmh
  21. https://open.spotify.com/album/1Acd3HEPwS2oz7yUOpLTPS
  22. https://www.jiosaavn.com/song/aadathanama/ARI4RgZlZV8
  23. https://music.apple.com/in/song/yaaru-yaaru-ivano/1699311780
  24. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_SsGU9mItE
  25. http://www.behindwoods.com/News/22-2-05/srikanthdeva_wed.htm
  26. https://www.discogs.com/artist/1197516-Febi-Mani
  27. https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/srikanth-deva.html
  28. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1917118/awards
  29. https://arrahmanian.com/tamil-movies/jeans
  30. https://open.spotify.com/track/0a22Lhh01RUJR3rFGXfmdu
  31. https://www.whosampled.com/A.-R.-Rahman/Dil-Se-Re/
  32. https://musicbrainz.org/artist/75af4141-7eea-4b26-ac87-e3606b4cac14
  33. https://open.spotify.com/album/4Em85Ifk3z7v42maYqhzBL
  34. https://open.spotify.com/track/6Abrb0QOzf2neALc8ifQs2
  35. https://music.apple.com/us/song/jothi-neranjava/1702879352
  36. https://open.spotify.com/track/1IypeyRAZ291IVB1DBzrpb
  37. https://open.spotify.com/track/5EhYh1FPj2WWUi1x3i4r9x
  38. https://open.spotify.com/track/54jspbSbafQwnMOn6u0Db4
  39. https://gaana.com/song/thuppakki-penne
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