“I grew up in Vizianagaram. However, I didn’t have the means to learn music, but the desire never left me. My family didn’t support the idea, so I turned to an English dictionary to understand what music meant. Words like vocal, sound and instrument slowly opened up a new world for me. With my savings, I joined a music school for two months after 10th class. When I couldn’t afford the fees anymore, Prasad Sir from Shalom’s School noticed my interest and let me continue. That’s where my journey with the guitar began. Later, I joined Maharajah’s Government College of Music and Dance to learn Carnatic music. In the evenings, I taught myself more through books at the Gurajada Library.

In 2005, I moved to Hyderabad with the help of my uncle Ainampudi Srinivasaraju, who was working at Vizag Steel Plant. I didn’t have much—no support from home, not even enough money to survive. But I had music. I worked as a music teacher at Hindu Public School, Shraddha Centre for Special Education, and St. Alphonsa’s High School to support myself while composing at night.

Over the past 10 years, I’ve composed music for more than 200 Telugu short films. That consistency earned me the title of “short film maestro.” My work on Okka Kshanam was my 100th project. I was nominated at the SIIMA Short Film Awards in 2020 for Antharardham and in 2023, I entered the India Book of Records for composing music for the most Telugu short films.

I’ve also composed more than 10 short films with actor LB Sriram Garu. I had the opportunity to work as a song writer and composer for several movies.

The cultural richness of Vizianagaram, home to legends like Saluri Rajeswara Rao, P. Susheela, and Ghantasala, continues to inspire me. I never set out to impress anyone. I just followed what I believed in. And over time, people who felt the same started standing with me.”

• PVR Raja, Music Director, Song Writer