KMS Mani is a veteran Mridangam artiste, with a background of 40 years in this art. He hails from Thrissur. He is a disciple of Shri TH Appu Iyer. KMS Mani has accompanied Senior Carnatic Music Stalwarts like Padma Vibhushan Dr. M Balamuralikrishna, Padma Bhushan Prof. TN Krishnan, Padma Bhushan Trichur V Ramachandran, Padmashree Neyyatinkara Vasudevan, Padmashree Kadari Gopinath, Sangeetha Kalanidhi Smt. R Vedavalli, The Bombay Sisters, Bombay Jayashree, Malladi Brothers, Neyveli Santhanagopalan, Lalgudu GJR Krishnan, etc. Mani has been conferred with various titles such as “Vadhyakala Praveena”, “Mridhangarathna” and “Nada Laya Visarada” by different cultural entities in UAE. He has also been conferred with the title “Astana Vidwan” by Kanchi Kamakoti Peedam in 2010.